Stargazing

I don't know the function of the papillae and hairs on the petals,
but they're very cool.

Stargazer lilies are my daughter's favorite flowers. Her husband, Brenden, sent these for Valentine's Day while he's on deployment.  As biological objects, they're almost unbelievable - so big, bright, and elaborate I can -- almost -- more easily believe them to have been designed by a sculptor than by a combination of natural and artificial selection.  I don't have a lot else to say about these gorgeous blossoms.

Everyone who loves lilies knows how messy they get because they produce
large amounts of dark orange pollen.  Look how fuzzy the anthers are, and how velvety the stigma is.

Playing with depth of focus to frame the shadows . . .

The color on the underside of the petals is soft and lovely.