Wednesday, May 26, 2010

(Day 146) The promise .. and the glory

Isn't it amazing how plants survive through the harshest weather! In our climate, where temperatures fall to -25C (-13F) regularly, the ground gets frozen solid, and I'm sure roots, rhizomes, and bulbs get equally frozen. Certain plants, of course, would be dead almost instantly, but we have a lot of perennials that come back to life with the warmth of the spring sun. As we watch them develop, we always remember the promise of beautiful blooms and fantastic fragrance. Today I captured a couple of these which are only a day or two away from delivering on the promise - the iris and the peony. And the European snowball bush is already out in all its glory. Praise the Creator of all this wonder.

(all made with 18-55mm lens at f5.6, ISO100  shutter speed of 1/50 and 1/60 sec)





































29 comments:

Scott Law said...

beautiful flowers. I love watching them come out in the spring. More great work from you.

Rick said...

@Scott - thank you. I think we share some of the same enjoyments in life.

My name is Riet said...

Mooie bloemen Rick

Rick said...

@Riet - dank u wel Riet. Ze zullen mooie bloemen worden, tenminste, die eerste and tweede. Fijne dag. 'k ga slapen - ik ben moe...

Katherine said...

Muy bien Rick!! These are some more very fine photos from your neck of the woods... I love em!

Unknown said...

That is exactly what I thought today as I saw that all the flowers on the river bank has survived yesterday's weather blow out - Amazing, robust and beautiful inhabitants of our planet :-)

Very nice macros and bouquets, Rick :-)

Greetz,

Joseph

Rick said...

@Katherine - aren't we blessed by all the beauty we're surrounded with! Thanks Katherine, and I hope you're doing much better!

Rick said...

@CarreraCaballo - it truly is amazing what they can withstand! Exactly one month ago today we got hit with 8cm of snow and -3C temps; yesterday the thermometer hit 34C! Thank you Joseph - hope your day is much better than yesterday!

Jeanne Frances Klaver said...

Pure poetry they way the survive. I like these shots, a bud, one on the verge of blooming, and one in full bloom. Lovely.

imac said...

All beauties Rick, but my fav is the 1st.

S. Etole said...

You have been richly blessed indeed ... and you share it well.

Unknown said...

Just lovely! I love the un-opened blooms almost as much as the fully out flowers themselves.

*sniff sniff* I can almost smell the sweetness!

Levi said...

Love the promise of a budding blossom. Though the hydrangea is a all time favorite. Beautiful photos, Rick.

Unknown said...

Hi Rick,

Today the weather was OK. No Wrath :-D
Tomorrow it should get better, and they "promised" us sunshine for the weekend - LOL

Greetz,

Joseph

Rick said...

@Jeanne Klaver - of course I won't be able to resist posting a few once they're in full bloom! :) Thanks Jeanne.

Rick said...

@imac - thanks mac; I like how they're wrapped real tight and they spring open in a day!

Rick said...

@S. Etole - that's true Susan; thank you.

Rick said...

@Krista - yes, often we focus on the blossom but not on the bud (I guess we're a results-oriented society!). I think we'll be enjoying their sweet fragrance in a day or two.

Rick said...

@POD - thank you; the anticipation is half the fun!

Rick said...

@CarreraCaballo - see, your fortunes are turning! But beware the purveyors of weather forecasts! They're almost in the same league as economists! :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful!
The first one is my favorite.

Rick said...

@Raspashoj - thanks; irises are among my favourites, especially their interesting buds.

Unknown said...

@ Rick

That is true - LOL - :-D

Greetz,

Joseph

Julia said...

Those are some nice flowers!! When I get a chance to take pictures of ours they won't be nearly as nice of a picture as yours!!

darlin said...

Wow! These are wonderful shots and it appears you are ahead of us by about a month. My peony is only starting to come up, I'm thinking about a month until it blooms.

Thanks for the idea, I just might have to plant some Iris this fall and see what transpires from that venture. They are so very pretty and they bloom for a long time don't they?

Have a wonderful evening Rick, see you tomorrow night once again the good Lord willing!

Kerri Farley said...

Oh my .... another series of stunners here. WOW!

Rick said...

@Julia - thanks Julia. And I'm sure your pictures will also be lovely - you've already proven that! Look forward to seeing them.

Rick said...

@darlin - I think my peonies are on steroids :) Maybe the snow 1 month ago made them hurry up (just in case). Irises are gorgeous, and fragrant - don't plant them deep or they won't bloom. The bloom length depends a lot on the temperature - cool is good.

Thanks for dropping by Darlene - hope your day goes well.

Rick said...

@Kerri - thank you Kerri *blush*