Cloudy Afternoon

taken:
day eighty one
09.09.2014

Another sunflower, another bee, under a cloudy afternoon sky.

Face To Face

taken:
day eighty
09.08.2014

Who doesn't love coming face to face with a beautiful monarch butterfly. They are amazing creatures. Did you know that the monarchs that are born in September and October migrate all the way to California and Mexico? It seems impossible but it is truly astonishing that they can fly that far and still have enough energy to carry on and create the next monarch generation. Which will be the generation that will migrate back north in the spring and start the whole cycle all over again.

The Place To Be

taken:
day seventy five
09.03.2014

Sunflowers are the place to be, this time of year, if you're a bee.

Alluring

taken:
day sixty six
08.25.2014

The alluring petals of a sunflower.

Adorned

taken:
day fifty two
08.11.2014

Another sunflower. This one adorned with some water droplets after a shower from the garden sprinkler.

Uneven Beauty

taken:
day fifty one
08.10.2014

A feathery frilly poppy growing at my in-laws cabin. I don't know what variety of poppy it is but I find it very interesting with it's irregular shaped petals in various sizes. It's erratic, sporadic, uneven beauty.

Minnesota Evening

taken:
day fifty
08.09.2014

You know the scene.

It was a fabulous Minnesota evening.

A sunset pontoon ride.

A bright full moon rising.

A shoreside blazing camp fire.

Kids fishing off the dock.

Toasted marshmallows and s'mores.

Lounging back in an adirondack chair.

Serenity.

Until . . . MOSQUITOES.

They have a way of ruining everything!

Ruby Eclipse

taken:
day thirty eight
07.28.2014

One of the most stunning sunflowers, a 'ruby eclipse'. They have the most beautiful burgundy colored petals with pale yellow tips. Pretty in any light but especially show-stopping when backlit by the evening sun, illuminating their rich ruby petals. Their name couldn't have been more perfect.

Rise And Shine

taken:
day thirty one
07.21.2014

Rise and shine dear little sunflower.

Burgundy Lily

taken:
day fifteen
07.05.2014

Just a simple burgundy lily on a warm summer afternoon.

A Pop Of Pinkish Red

taken:
day fourteen
07.04.2014

Here's some pretty pinkish-red yarrow in my friend Lisa's garden. She has the most beautiful gardens and landscaping! I fell in love with this bright yarrow that really popped with color on the 4th of July.

Surprise

taken:
day seventy seven
09.05.2013

I spotted this katydid resting in one of my tropical hibiscus blossoms. I love it's bright green color and it's leaf-like wings. But it's face? I have to admit, it's kind of scary to me. I'm always amazed at how things look really close up. This katydid's face was a surprise to me. More creepy that I would have thought. But I still find it fascinating!

Airy

taken:
day seventy one
08.30.2013

The light and airy tassels on the ornamental grass in my flower garden are growing tall and wispy, 

showing the promise of feathery plumes in the fall.

Dynamic

taken:
day sixty eight
08.27.2013

I'm so excited about this 'salsa' sneezeweed that I picked up on clearance at a local greenhouse. It's incredibly bright and dynamic with tons of blooms. I can't wait for it to add abundant color to my garden year after year.

All Of A Sudden

taken:
day thirty one
07.21.2013

I was so happy to see this frilly hibiscus blooming. It was one that I overwintered from last summer and I was beginning to lose hope that it would bloom. All of a sudden I saw this burst of color and with a closer look I noticed more baby buds on this plant and my other hibiscus plants {here and here} too. I'm excited to see all the other baby buds bloom!

Summer Solstice {Pretty Poppies}

It's the Summer Solstice.

The first day of summer.

The longest day of sunlight.

These cheerful poppies are new to my garden this year.

They're now blooming, bright and bold.

Some of them I've brought inside to spiff up my kitchen windowsill.

Even when they drop their petals they are pretty and lovely and happy.

I'm overjoyed that summer is officially here!!!

And I'm excited to kick off another 'Days of Summer' photo project.

Cheers to a happy summer!