Don't Breathe Too Deep

I think these are making a lot of folks miserable right now. But they are oh so lovely.

Wild Flowers by the Lake

I love wildflowers!

Expectantly Watching

Coming soon to a yard near you...pink dogwood blooms from last spring.  Watching expectatnly for them agin.

I've never had much luck growing purple coneflowers. Finally this year with the big oak tree gone and my new deck built, I have gotten some to grow. They look lovely beside the deck and I have been able to keep them alive despite almost 8 weeks with very little rain. I hope I will be enjoying this perennial again next year.

Budding Beauty

This is from a tree in my neighbor's yard taken in the early spring. I have always called it tulip tree--it is one of the first things to bloom each spring. But I believe it may be in the magnolia family. I was very pleased with this shot and tried my hand at a little different tone in the post processing.

Bursting forth

A bud from a tulip tree in my neighbor's yard. I was pleased with this shot and how the blossom in the background mirrored the bud in the foreground. I did a bit of post processing in Photoshop. Originally planned a black and white shot but it looked better with a bit of muted color.

Rain Kissed

This morning as I was taking my Sadie out for her morning routine, I notice how lovely all the blooming flowers looked in the rain. I rushed Sadie up so I could get my camera as the rain began to come down a bit harder. This is a blueberry bush that yields wonderful tasty fruit in the late summer. But now it looks lovely with its rain kissed blossoms. Made for a nice early morning shot.

Pre-spring Blossoms

The Lenten Roses in my yard are bountiful right now. They spread each year and require little care. (That is always my favorite kind of flower.) They also make a pretty picture. Spring is just days away--hopefully some nicer weather. We desperately need this rain but I do prefer a few sunny days in between. Here is another shot.

Summer Blooms

I took this shot last summer in my mother's garden. My mother has that wonderful green thumb that can get anything to grow. She has a yard full of glorious color each spring and summer. This is a purple cone flower. It loves sun and blooms profusely in her yard.

This shot actually came out as I pictured it. That doesn't always happen for me. I was trying to get a shallow depth of field and was working at composing for the rule of thirds. I was pleased with how this image turned out. And it will always make me think of my mother's garden.