Random Ramblings

Random Ramblings: Personal observations on a wide variety of subjects. Photographs of creatures and things that are taken on seeing the unusual as well as everyday things.

Clock the clock

There is something wonderful about the Dandelion Clock or seed head. Children gently pick the long milky stems, hold them about six inches from the face and blow to see how many times it takes before all of the seed parachutes have left the stem. This is a game that is played by very young children - ‘telling the time with a dandelion seed head fondly known as a dandelion clock:

  • One blow   =   one o’clock
  • Two blows =   two o’clock
  • Three blows = three o’clock
  • Four blows =   four o’clock
  • Five blows =   five o’clock and so on and so forth

Dandelion seed head close up Close-up of a dandelion seed head ‘clock’ 

Dandelion Clock Dandelion Clock

Dandelion seed-head or clockDandelion seed-head 

Dandelion seed single  Dandelion single seed displaying the feathery pappus that aids the seed to float in the breeze with its parachute shape

Dandelion fine thread of the pappus on seed headClose-up of the Dandelion fine thread of the pappus on the seed head

16 comments:

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Polly, the top photo is AWESOME...well done...:))))

John | English Wilderness said...

The close ups are fantastic. What kind of camera are you using?

I used to count the time on dandelions too :-)

Ann said...

Love the close ups, I have several of those myself. The first time I took a macro shot of one I was truly amazed at just how beautiful they are. I've never heard of the telling time game.

OneDay said...

These are wonderful. There's something so magical about dandelions. I don't even consider them a weed at all. :-)

booahboo said...

wow! i never get dandelions so upclose.. and i love your shots! wow...

sandy said...

Never herd of that game, and I'm old as dirt; so it must be a new game. But...one I would NEVER encourage children to play. Blowing all those seeds around, yikes then you need chemicals and hard work to get rid of them.

Your pictures are soooo good they make me sneeze!

Sandy

Bill said...

Very Cool!

AnaVar said...

Hi! I just discovered the site, and reading older posts.. I enjoyed going through it! I didn't know about this game, it looks fun! And I must say you took an amazing photos! Have a nice day! A.

OLLIE MCKAY'S ~ A Chic Boutique said...

We used to sit in the back yards in the summer when we were growing up and blow these until all was left was the little stem!

Tomas said...

Love your photos. I see the dandelions as the metaphors. The dandelions as the giants (symbols of purity) therefore your description of children game enriched the horizons of Art by Tomas

Kikey Loo said...

you have a good camera to take all those close up photos!

* Michael * said...

Beautiful shots of dandelions!

imelda said...

i have allergy on it. i dont like it when they bloom

Mariuca said...

Hi Polly, I got ur message, thank u very much for the special invitation. I hope u have a wonderful weekend, hugs! :D

CoderG said...

Nice shots. But dandelions give me so much alergies.
CoderG

CoderG said...
This comment has been removed by the author.