Wednesday’s Flower Gallery

Numerous clusters of flowers... hang upside down from this tree and from a distance; it draws me in. As I come closer, I can see that I’m not the only one attracted to it as bees are buzzing around these pink pompoms like nobody’s buzz-iness (business). The attraction to this flower: for the bees it’s the pollen, and for me it’s a moment to be absorbed in its beauty and aroma.

If you haven't had your cup of joe yet... you may not need it as this flower packs a powerful punch. It is a drink of orange without the juice. It is a burst of happiness that takes away the blues. It is inviting us to be a part of its celebration; just wanting us to share in its joy…a day in the life of a flower. It’s a vibrant beauty of a flower bursting with enthusiasm all within a one-i...

Whirligig... is a toy that spins or whirls in the wind.  The word itself is so playful that it makes me smile. The whirligig I came across at the Huntington Library and Botanical Garden blows in the wind and looks as if it could spin or whirl at any moment, even though it’s a flower. Both the flower and the word remind me of giggling and playing when I was a child, and I’m so appreciative ...

Why this image…? I love it firstly, for its ethereal softness and lack of detail, which allows my imagination to have some fun with it and see a bird in flight while still knowing it’s a flower. Secondly, I appreciate the very fine macro view of the buttery center stamen that I would have completely missed if not for this lens. It’s easy to see the overall picture as it’s always in view...

A morning to soak in… The middle of a field with a low-hanging fog, surrounded by nature and absorbed in this flower. I see its bell shape suspended into space by the curve of its strong green stem. The stamen is the clapper, though no sound is to be heard except for the birds’ musical chatter across the field. In this lush green space, I realize I could not want for more than to be in this...

Among the Shamrocks and Clovers… Lies an unassuming flower. As I come across it at the Boyce Thomas Arboretum, I’m enchanted finding it among the bright kelly green clover. In that moment, I absorb its delicate petals, the stunning pink flower with deep fuchsia veins that pop against its heart-shaped leaves…a reason to pause and be present, to reflect on the simplicity of life, and to wor...

Whimsical… This flower exemplifies that for me. I’m feeling like I could definitely use some whimsy in my life these days as I’m spending too much time on the computer and not enough time finding fun and joy in life. This flower will be the perfect reminder, sitting on my desktop (that I spend too much time on) to keep looking for whimsy, adding it to my days and sharing it, too. Do yo...

Five petals... That's it. Just five petals capture my attention in the Phoenix desert. Five simple, yet ever so delicate petals make me stop as they wave in the wind calling me to get in close: to see more, to learn, and then step back taking in all of their wonder. Those five petals inspire me with their strength, resilience and tenaciousness as they stand strong against the wind, the rain (or...

Wandering the New York Botanical Garden… Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, I came across a very lanky tree trunk with light colored bark. Yes, the lightness of its bark did stand out against the beautiful, lush greens surrounding it, but if it were not for the bright red and white tulip-shaped blooms growing from its skinny tree trunk, I think I would’ve easily passed it by. It was so unlike any ...

The Berkshire Botanical Garden... Is colorful and lush, and filled with a variety of blooms, bounty and peacefulness; an escape from the every day. The great thing about photography and the internet is that we can still “visit” these places virtually, and though it may not be the exact same experience, it can give moments of reflection and peace. I hope you find that with this flower and in...