Golden Iris of Summer

Iris, Macro shot. (Click picture for larger view)

Thou art the Iris, fair among the fairest,
Who, armed with golden rod
And winged with the celestial azure, barest
The message of some God.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Iris

This golden Iris of summer is now long since dead, her dense orange pollen carried to other flowers by giant black and yellow striped bees. All that remains are the long blade-like leaves and the memory of fragile yellow petals fluttering in the warm summer breeze.

Submission for Thursday Challenge topic "golden". (end of post)