Red Hot Poker

These are Red Hot Pokers (kniphofia uvaria), otherwise known as torch lilies. I took this photos with the new Lumix camera this past Tuesday to test the intelligent automatic or IA setting.

Because it was midday, the sun was almost directly overhead. The camera read the setting for strong shadows then automatically fired the flash to compensate.

This is an interesting plant to watch bloom. The stalk grows to 12 to 18 inches, then thicken at the end. This area turns orange at the top and teardrop shaped "petals" form. These continue to grow up in orange rows giving the effect of a slow motion skyrocket, particularly appropriate for this time of year.

Here is a photo I just took with the old digital camera. You can see how the blooms are now moving up the end of the stalk. Soon the red hot pokers will cool back to green.