last days of paradise...

When I picked these blooms from our yard they seemed so abundant. Firey flame orange birds of paradise surrounded our compound in a thick growth on two sides.

So I cut as many of the flowers as I could to make a large bouquet for Teshka. She had been away for awhile and I wanted to make her a happy homecoming. I thought a large floral display would cheer her, so in fact I cut every single blossom I could find.

That was months ago. Since then, we haven't had a single new bloom.

Maybe I shouldn't have cut so many.

Seen previously in a Maximar version.

Lomé, Republic of Togo, September 2008.

Rolleiflex SL66, 80mm Planar, Neopan 400.