Thursday, May 19, 2016

Sunflowers

The keeper of the greens planted a few sunflower plants some weeks ago. Some of them have now become quite tall,  in excess of 8 feet. Lately, most of them have burst into flowers and before you could even blink your eyelids, hordes of parrots have descended on them, nibbling at the sunflower petals and seeds. Hanging upside down, they blend into the scene faultlessly so that it becomes difficult to detect them if not at close range. Never knew that parrots enjoy such healthy snacks as well! 


Parrots have nibbled at this bunch

I could not bring myself to gather any of these sunflowers to keep in a vase, because they looked so happy and resplendent in their perches. And then, sunflowers have always reminded me of van Gogh, his seven paintings of sunflowers. None of them sold during his lifetime but all of them are counted as priceless works of art these days. One never ceases to wonder what happy thoughts were in his mind as he painted sunflowers, since he committed suicide shortly afterwards.
Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh
Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and grey
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul ......


Julio Iglesias, singing Vincent

4 comments:

  1. I LOVE your sunflowers, such happy beings! How about a photo of the parrots nibbling at them? Is that possible. It seems an abundance of happiness, to have both sunflowers and parrots. Smiles.

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  2. Will try, but that would indeed be a rare opportunity.

    Thank you, Sherry :)

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  3. I, too, would like to see the parrots nibbling on these bright and sunny flowers.
    For many years my garden was ringed with sunflowers, and passersby always commented on their beauty.
    I loved your photos, and I also loved listening to Julio Iglesias's version of Vincent. Inspiring.

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    Replies
    1. Okay, I could get some pictures of the raiding parrots yesterday and would be uploading them soon!

      Thank you Rita

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