Tag Archives: flowers

Poppy meanderings from UK to USA

Your art is an intrinsic part of your being and is thankfully something that goes with you wherever you are in the world.

Spring Poppies Painted.jpg

Photo 1: Poppies In California, USA

We are coming up to our 4th anniversary of living in the beautiful and vibrant state of California in the USA after leaving the lusciously green and peaceful area of Sussex in the UK.

The definition of home has taken on a new meaning for us and we have learned to value the connections we make with others on our journey. My enthusiasm for Floral Photography continues to drive me to explore my surroundings wherever we may find ourselves and thankfully nature is able to offer an unending collection of floral delights.

Poppy field low res

Photo 2: A field of Poppies in the UK near Brighton

Nature gets our attention with a Solar Eclipse.

There is so much excitement locally around the pending total solar eclipse tomorrow, Monday August 21. I was rushing around last week looking for approved viewing glasses for my kids but I was way too late as stocks were already sold out.

Some parents I know even pooled resources to Fedex a shipment of them to get here in time but due to damage in transit they could not be delivered leading to severe disappointment.

I was intrigued by this solar fascination and how the wonders of our universe sometimes stop us all in our tracks and call us to pay attention.

In a way though it also saddened me that Nature has to put on such a dramatic visual display before we really notice the world around us.

The endangered bees and butterflies, the declining forests, the melting polar caps and the death of the Great Barrier Reef all come to mind.

There is beauty and wonder around us every day! Nature is battling for survival and we need to pay more attention more frequently to what is happening in our world even though it doesn’t always happen on such a spectacular scale.

With these thoughts in mind I created the image below from the intricate detail and coloring of a single Gerbera bloom and a photo of a decorative iron garden trellis.

Nature deserves our attention – our survival depends on it.

Photo 1: Solar Celebration

Sun face and flowers

Photo 2: A Single Gerbera BloomGerbera Orange on grey

Nature: Care a whole awful lot

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." Dr. Seuss

My thought for today – we are fueled by the things we care about and we benefit from things that others care about.

Nature nurtures us all and we will all be better if we care about and for her a whole awful lot.

Photo 1: Better is Beautiful

Daisy profusion

Photo 2: Daisy Profusion

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Countdown to Spring

The glorious displays of Spring are not waiting for any official date. Blossoms are everywhere and it is a delightful change after the somberness  of the much needed winter rains. The rains are expected to bring a bumper crop of flowery distractions that I am really looking forward to seeing. Meanwhile here are a few of the blossoms in my garden.

Photo 1: Sunlight and blossoms

Blossoms of Spring

Photo 2: Blossoming Spring

Blossoms white Spring

Photo 3: Blossoming delights

Blossoms white sprig

Daffodils & Muscari: Spring Delights

Northern California is getting lots and lots of rain! It’s glorious news for the drought stricken regions even though there is a lot more rain around than I bargained for!

I have been missing the sunny blue skies but the daffodils and muscari in my garden braved the stormy weather and their appearance reminded me of the Spring delights that await.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Photo 1: Daffodils and bud

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Photo 2: Daffodils and cloudy skies

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Photo 3: Daffodil on Muscari

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Photo 4: Muscari after the rain

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Photo 5:Spring Delights

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Dancing with a Dahlia for a 28 day Happiness Challenge

This Dahlia had such delightful details that it was enjoyable capturing it from a variety of angles. Hope you enjoy seeing the results!

The first image became part of the 28 day Happiness Challenge on Instagram started by @cynthialupoff and @lifeissucculent tagged with #28daysofhappy You could join in spreading happiness too!

Photo 1: Dahlia spreads its petals

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Photo 2: Dahlia reaching for the sky

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Photo 3: Dahlia Pops

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Look closer

The closer you look, the more you see.

I often marvel at the intricate details of nature. You don’t have to go far to see beauty close-up. Since it has been raining heavily this week I have been going through my archives of floral photos and found these.

Photo 1: Poppy Central

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Photo 2: Black-eyed Susan

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Photo 3: Dahlia details

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Photo 4: Fern frond

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Dancing in the rain

It’s the first day of winter and although we are not expecting snow here we have had some very welcome rain showers. Was a great opportunity to capture some raindrops on petals. They remind me of one of my favorite quotes.

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

Photo 1: Raindrops on Geraniums

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Photo 2 Society Garlic in the rain

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Photo 3: Rain kissed Geraniums

geranium-in-the-rain

What Sunflowers do…

“Keep your face to the sunshine, and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” Helen Keller

There are certain times when finding the silver lining is tough but it does the soul good to find them even on our most challenging days. Being thankful on those days and expressing gratitude to those who bring sunshine into our lives is a way to keep the shadows at bay.

These images are from my Sunflower bouquet at Thanksgiving. Wishing you well this Thanksgiving weekend!

Photo 1: Sunflowers

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Photo 2: Sunflowers and Chrysanthemums

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Photo 3: Face to the Sunshine

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Photo 4: Gratitude

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