A walk in the wild does wonders for the senses and awakens an attention to the beauty of the natural world.
A recent walk in the Mount Diablo State Park provided a first view for me of Brodiaea laxa Queen Fabiola aka Ithuriel’s Spear in its natural habitat.
Photo 1: Fabulous Fabiola
Photo 2: Queen Fabiola
Photo 3: Ithuriel’s spear
Photo 4: A visitor for the Queen
The next session of extension tube practise with just one instead of three this time. It does take some getting used to. The light works rather differently and getting so much closer to the subject, in this case some Chrysanthemum blooms, takes some adjustment as well. Nevertheless I am thoroughly enjoying the experimentation.
Photo 1: Blue and white Chrysanthemum
Photo 2: White and yellow Chrysanthemum
Photo 3: Blue and White Chrysanthemum again
Photo 4: Pink Chrysanthemum
Photo 5: Side view
Due to all the favourable feedback I’ve received on these images I have posted one for sale on the fineartamerica floral art page. Thanks for the encouragement everyone!
A bunch of dyed Chrysanthemums that my hubby gave me to brighten up my day. Hope they do the same for yours!
Photo 1: Bright bunch
Photo 2: Pretty pinks
Photo 3: Lemony lime
Photo 4: Think pink
Photo 5: True blue
Blue Agapanthus have now started to bloom. I saw a hummingbird feeding on one the other day but didn’t have a camera handy. That would make a pretty pic. Meanwhile I took a few of the blue buds and blooms.
Photo 1: Blue Agapanthus first blooms
Photo 2: Blue Agapanthus buds
Photo 3: Blue Agapanthus blooming
Photo 4: Bloom amongst the buds
Photo 5: Blue Agapanthus in bud
A small cluster of Lavender is growing next to the roses. They seem to catch the light just right for some interesting photos.
Photo 1: Lavender Blue
Photo 2: Lavender leaning
Photo 3: Lavender
May 8 is Iris Day and to celebrate it here are some of the Iris photos I have taken recently. The word Iris is derived from the Greek term for “rainbow” so I’ve added as many of the colours as I have. The Iris is the state flower of Tennessee, symbol of Brussels, and flower for the 25th wedding anniversary. Brussels celebrates the Fête de l’Iris (Iris Festival) this weekend 10 and 11 May.
Photo 1: Yellow Iris
Photo 2: Purple Iris
Photo 3: White Iris
Photo 4: Blue Iris
Photo 5: Lilac Irises
Photo 6: Delicate Purple Iris
Photo 7: Top of Blue Iris
Photo 8: Yellow Iris Eye
The experimentation continues. Moved from one to multiple gradients and some selective blurring. Then just for fun I added a contrasting colour – in the form of a ladybird. Photoshop certainly is enjoyable now that I have gotten over my pre-conceived notions.
Photo 1: Clematis and Ladybird final image
Photo 2: Clematis after shading and blurring
Photo 3: Original Clematis photo
The cyclamen in the garden are a beautifully deep pink. Had to share them.
Photo 1: Cyclamen
Photo 2: Cyclamen and Hyacinth
Photo 3: Cyclamen face forward
Photo 4: Cyclamen in sunlight
Photo 5: Cyclamen in pink
The garden is alive with blooms – the contrasting colours are rather lovely.
Photo 1: Blue Muscari
Photo 2 Yellow Miniature Daffodils
Photo 3: Blue Muscari Blooming
Photo 4: Yellow Full sized Daffodils
Photo 5: Blue Muscari again
While out shopping for flowers for my mother-in-law’s birthday I spotted this dyed Wild Carrot flower in a bouquet. I loved how the blue colour brought out the detail of the bloom. The Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), when freshly cut, will draw or change colour depending on the colour of the water in which it stands. The inflorescence is a compound umbel, (a new term for me) and each umbel contains several umbellets.
Photo 1: Blue Wild Carrot Flower
Photo 2: Blue Wild Carrot in Bouquet
Photo 3: Blue Wild Carrot with contrast
Photo 4: Blue Wild Carrot up close
Photo 4: Blue Wild Carrot
