Category: Photographs

Macro Monday: Passion Flower

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Blue Passion Flower (Passiflora caerula)
June 2021

Mom! Come quick! Bring your camera!

My daughter had been checking out the newly installed garden beds that bordered her backyard. It was a hot, muggy afternoon. A recent rain shower had given way to bright sunshine. Well…June in Washington DC is often hot and muggy – not my favorite weather, but I admit her urgency piqued my curiosity…heat or no heat. So I grabbed my camera, stepped out of the air conditioned living room and joined her to see what she had found.

My husband and I were at the end of a week long visit to DC to celebrate our grandson’s 5th birthday…and to meet our 2 week old granddaughter. Up until then most of my camera clicking had been focused on them. A fun challenge with a constantly in motion 5 year old (the “sports setting” came in handy!), but far easier with a baby who stays put.

Once outside, I was not disappointed. New flowers had recently bloomed and among them…Passion Flowers! I had never seen one before, but upon further research I learned they attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. More photo opportunities for my next visit…along with the smiling faces of those two sweet children.

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Macro Monday: Snipped

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I’ll snip one for you!

My friend and I were walking along the path behind our condo building last week. We had been deadheading some sad looking daffodils and stopped to admire a mass of iris. She and her husband had saved these bulbs from their previous home and stealthily planted them next to our building 3 years ago. As many of you know, iris spread…and spread. When you live in a condo, you sometimes have to get permission to plant anything. And when you’ve been a “house owner” for decades, it’s an unpopular concept. What could be wrong with sprucing up the place with some iris? Believe me, there are people who will count the ways. But don’t get me started.

Anyway, I am so grateful these purple iris spring from the ground each May. They are exactly like the iris I left behind at the house we sold almost 5 years ago. Iris that originated in my great grandmother’s garden decades and decades before. When you move in December, digging holes to plant iris bulbs is not an option.

So when my friend whipped out her scissors to cut off a small branch, I hesitated. It didn’t seem right somehow. They were so happy in the sun, swaying gently in the breeze. She was holding a stem with one flower and several buds all lined up together. Shouldn’t they be allowed to stay put? But before I knew it, she snipped.

I brought it inside, filled a bud vase with water and flower food and hoped for the best. After several days in its new home near a sunny window, the buds opened…one by one. Much to my relief and delight.

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Macro Monday: Fallen Bud

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During a photo shoot yesterday…with my hibiscus plant…I was initially focused (no pun intended) on the bright yellow flowers that had just opened up. I have discovered that they don’t last long. Each bloom makes an appearance for only a day or two. I’ve only been in charge of this plant for a week (it was a gift) and found out the hard way…thinking oh that’s so pretty in the afternoon light, I’ll take a picture tomorrow. By the next day, the bloom would be folded inward – closed for the season.

However, yesterday afternoon I acted in the moment. The sunlight hit the flowers on display as I rotated and moved the pot off the shelf chasing the light in the living room. When I put the plant back, I glanced down and noticed a single bud that never made it to the blossom stage (or was long past it, I have no idea what went on before I received Ms. H). It had fallen off the plant and was resting on the shelf, alone and forgotten. I couldn’t look away. So, before the glories of yellow hibiscus flowers appear on Macro Monday, behold the lonely former or almost-a-bud.

Up, up and on my way

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Weekend Sky
Six Word Saturday

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This expands a bit on Thursday’s post…chronicling my first flight since February 2020. The plane took off from Logan Airport under drizzly cloudy skies. Not a very positive vibe.

However, it wasn’t too long before this view emerged…

That blue sky…and what looked like delicious whipped cream (I can’t help it, food comes to mind)…a welcome sight!