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

40 comments:

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

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  2. Lovely.... never seen this before.

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

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  4. ooh, these are weird looking things alright

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

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

    Greetings,
    Filip

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

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

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

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  11. 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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  12. 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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  13. Oh wow...how neat?! I've never seen anything like that before!

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  14. I've never seen one either. Fascinating!

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

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  17. 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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  18. 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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  19. I have never seen this and I'm amazed! Great shot.

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  20. What unusual and special flower!
    A supergreat shot!

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  21. 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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  22. 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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  23. Looks like an alien plant! I think any berries that are white are poisonous, if I remember correctly.

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  24. 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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  25. 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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  26. We had those growing wild in the woods where I grew up. I've always loved them.

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  27. omg that looks like an alien ^_^

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  28. This is very cool looking. Great details and colors!

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

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

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  32. What a strange and interesting plant!

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  33. 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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  34. Very interesting plant!! Great shot :)

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  35. very nice share visiting for Ruby Tuesday

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  36. This is a rare one! Nice close shot :)

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