Sunday, October 16, 2011

Doll's Eyes

For Macro Monday/Ruby Tuesday

Click the pic to enlarge
Beneath the early autumn canopy of turning trees, the doll's eye plant stands out on the forest floor, with striking white berries, each centred with a black dot, on a thick, deep red stalk. Named for the resemblance to the eyes of old fashioned porcelin dolls, this plant is pure poison. Also known as baneberry, all parts of this plant can cause ill effects in humans if ingested. This is one plant that does not follow the old folk adage that any berries eaten by birds are okay for humans. Ruffled grouse, robins, wood thrushes and other songbirds eat these berries with no consequences.

Visit Lisa's Chaos to see more great MACRO shots from around the world HERE
Check out the many shades of red over at Ruby Tuesday HERE

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40 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlOctober 16, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    FUNKY!

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  2. EllieOctober 16, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    Cool picture - I must remember to stay away from that one then!!

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  3. Joop ZandOctober 16, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Lovely.... never seen this before.

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  4. Lois EvensenOctober 16, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    I've never seen those before either. Very interesting.

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  5. KelOctober 16, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    ooh, these are weird looking things alright

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  6. Beyond WanderingOctober 16, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    Whoa..that's just so beautiful! Love that colors combo, red and white!

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  7. FilipBlogOctober 16, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    Very strange, I have never seen such a thing before.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  8. leanne can blogOctober 16, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Wow what an interesting plant! A bit creepy actually..it's a great shot.

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  9. Trish ~ ♥ ~October 16, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    we have one locally that looks like this but is bright blueberry in color ~ wondering if it is in the same family?

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  10. LindaOctober 16, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    what a terrific macro shot!! I have seen these but never knew about them - thanks!

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  11. UnknownOctober 16, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Beautiful photo! I don't think I've ever seen these berries.

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  12. Sandbergs FotobloggOctober 16, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    Perfect macro and interesting reading!

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  13. Stewart MOctober 17, 2011 at 5:29 AM

    Hi there - now that is a wired plant! Like the Baneberry name - sounds like something from Lord of the Rings!

    Spelndid shots.

    Stewart M - Australia

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  14. RoanOctober 17, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    These are new to me. Now I'll know to avoid them if I should find them. They do make for a beautiful picture, though.

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  15. EMilyOctober 17, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Oh wow...how neat?! I've never seen anything like that before!

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  16. LoisOctober 17, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    I've never seen one either. Fascinating!

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  17. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Can I tell you how much I really, really like this?? I've never heard of this plant and I appreciate the warning!

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  18. Misty DawnSOctober 17, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    I've never heard of or seen this plant! How very interesting!

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  19. Martha ZOctober 17, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    A strange looking plant. I don't know that I would be tempted to try them, those red stems look like a warning.

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  20. Hootin AnniOctober 17, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Honestly, I have never heard of this before. Wow...and so very interesting and so unique.

    Thanks for the visit. It's always nice to have kind visitors such as yourself.!

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  21. UnknownOctober 17, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    I have never seen this and I'm amazed! Great shot.

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  22. BirgittaOctober 17, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    What unusual and special flower!
    A supergreat shot!

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  23. RalphOctober 17, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    How cool is this! The flowers (buds) are unique looking bulbs. I like the stems and trunk - I am used to the grayish branch look, but the red here is so nice and different...

    Link:
    http://airhead55-ralph.blogspot.com/2011/10/ruby-tuesday-arrives-at-end-of-car-show.html

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  24. IdaOctober 17, 2011 at 5:36 PM

    Fantastic shot of these beautiful but deadly berries. I've called them, Snowberries and perhaps they are a different yet similiar species of poisionous berry. My father had a brother who ate such berries as a small child and died from eating them.

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  25. NancyOctober 17, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    Looks like an alien plant! I think any berries that are white are poisonous, if I remember correctly.

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  26. ClytieOctober 17, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    They are rather creepy looking, I don't think I'd be tempted to eat one even if I didn't know they were poisonous!!!

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  27. Les...October 17, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    great capture!!

    weird, wonderful, beautiful and... a little spooky... is it my imagination, or do those eyes follow you as you walk by? *LOL*

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  28. KateriOctober 17, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    We had those growing wild in the woods where I grew up. I've always loved them.

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  29. Kim, USAOctober 17, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    omg that looks like an alien ^_^

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  30. KalaOctober 17, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    This is very cool looking. Great details and colors!

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  31. forgetmenotOctober 17, 2011 at 11:56 PM

    What an interesting plant. How strange that it doesn't affect the birds at all. Great macro shot. Have a terrific week. Mickie :)

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  32. Gemma WisemanOctober 18, 2011 at 3:05 AM

    Incredible plant! I have never seen white berries like this nor red stems! Fascinating!

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  33. carol l mckennaOctober 18, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    Awesome macro photo and great info about an amazing plant ~thanks, namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor) linked w/RT

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  34. SivindenOctober 18, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    What a strange and interesting plant!

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  35. CanadianGardenJoyOctober 18, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    I almost put this type of plant in my garden this year .. now I regret not doing it .. my garden is getting too big ? Darn !!
    Joy
    They are sort of Halloweeny eh ?

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  36. Tina´s PicStoryOctober 18, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    cool!

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  37. DianneOctober 18, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    perfect Halloween plant!

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  38. CarolOctober 19, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    Very interesting plant!! Great shot :)

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  39. RosemarieOctober 20, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    very nice share visiting for Ruby Tuesday

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  40. FirasOctober 12, 2012 at 3:10 PM

    This is a rare one! Nice close shot :)

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