A beautiful deep purple base...
Way too inviting with it's tight wrap; "Unwind me; make me vocal as Bete Midler in Down And Out In Beverly Hills it seems to beckon...
But...
Look closer...
This shoot is not about the flower's overt sexuality. It's about ants.
A bit tough to see them in these two photos-- look closely at the purple base, and on the unopened budding flora-- more will likely follow as I get used to the image-capturing device and get range etc. down...
None the less, I have always fascinated at the ants' penchant for the okra plant-- they are ubiquitous as bees on clover (or Cygnus on flowers, for that matter...).
This year I have watched intently. And I've discovered...
Pollen. The ants are enamored of the okra's sweet yellow pollen droplets...
They'll carry it off in droves... to wherever off is to.
Makes one wonder-- I never seen a bee on an okra flower.
Are ANTS the great okra pollinators? Is THAT why we have such good okry croppage here south, along with a healthy fire-ant populace? lol!
It do make me go "Hmm..."
Slainte.
Cygnus
7 comments:
Wow!
You are right, there are a lot of ants on that plant.
I guess as long as they are getting the job done, all is good.
Pollination is a success! the proof is in the fine looking okra you have.:D
Have a good one!
Love~n~Hugs
~Felinae~
Ah, Lady Felinae-- I wish I could respond without being too overtly... well, Cygnus-- but I just don't think I can pull it off on this occasion...
Slainte!
C.
Well, now sweetie, don't hold back on my account ;D
Hugs~n~Love
~Felinae~
I don't know, but the Bette Midler line just cracked me up...
"See the Pyramids along the Nile"..
That movie slays me.
Sorry for the stunning lack of focus..I gots ants in my pants :)
Peace - Rene
Would you just stand still...har!
Standing forever so, Lady...
Beautiful flower, Sir...and a wonder, containing as it does all the potential of the future pod.
Shall I refrain from commentary about your pods, Sir? Perhaps I'd better...and anyway, Mizz Felinae and Mizz Rene have beaten me to the punch and in far better style than I could manage!
Shade and Sweetwater,
K (who wonders if the ants tickle the flower with their comings and goings)
Well, lady K, the podflower hasn't stopped putting forth the beckoning delicacy, so the sensation of having six legs tickle you can't be all unpleasant.
Lucky pod; wonder what it'd take to have six legs ... well...
...
Better let that thought develop all mentally only-- verbiage is likely to garner more than I can handle...
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