{{!gwi}}

Swans in Victoria

A painted bunting and a finch.

Dogwoods yesterday.

An old and beautiful legend has it that, at the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood was comparable in size to the oak tree and other monarchs of the forest. Because of its firmness and strength it was selected as the timber for the cross, but to be put to such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Jesus in his gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all said to it: "Because of your sorrow and pity for My sufferings, never again will the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a gibbet. Henceforth it will be slender, bent and twisted and its blossoms will be in the form of a cross -- two long and two short petals. In the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints -- brown with rust and stained with red -- and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see this will remember."

Ronnie

Great pics today! Here's a double exposure, my marble ball and some flowers.

That is such a beautiful legend on the dogwood tree that I copied it to send to my friends and family.

Thanks, dody

{{!gwi}}

Jodi-

I pass by here from time to time and admire all the beautiful photos. You are a great bunch of photographers and it is so nice of you to share them.

Here is a poem (author unknown) about the Dogwood Legend:

In Jesus' time, the dogwood grew
To a stately size and a lovely hue.
'Twas strong & firm it's branches interwoven
For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.
Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
"Never again shall the dogwood grow
Large enough to be used so
Slender & twisted, it shall be
With blossoms like the cross for all to see.
As blood stains the petals marked in brown
The blossom's center wears a thorny crown.
All who see it will remember me
Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.
Cherished and protected this tree shall be
A reminder to all of my agony."

WOW, I've never heard that about the dogwood. (Or if I heard it, I forgot it...*sigh*)

Thank you for the information, and the poem, too, raeanne.

This was a great day to check out everyone's photo. Wanda, I've never seen a painted bunting. Are they common in Florida. And I want to know how Casey got those swans to pose so perfectly. I've never heard the dogood legend but thanks Ron and Raeanne for telling us. I didn't even realize that was a double exposire until I read bigack's caption. And I wonder if those cats are bored and yawning or are they singing to you Jodi?

Thank everyone for posting the photos. I check them every day but I don't always post to the thread. Thanks again.

Today's photos are just great.
Wanda;s bird picture is as beautiful as always.
Moni is pretty as always
The swans are gorgeous.
I love the colorful painted bunting and finch picture.
Susan, that double exposure worked out perfectly.
Jodi, what fabulous creatures
Ron, pretty dogwood pictures...I had heard the story of the dogwood before. I think of it each year at Easter time when the dogwoods bloom.

Linda