Friday, June 25, 2010

(Day 176) Familiarity doesn't have to breed contempt

It's always nice to get home after a vacation - back to familiar surroundings and routines. One of the things I can't wait to do after I get back is to walk around the yard and see all the changes - they're subtle when you see the gardens daily, but they seem more dramatic when you've been away for a bit.

There were lots of flowers to capture today but in the interest of saving some for another day I'll post a shot of the ox-eye daisy (also known as a false sunflower - yep, I googled it), and a couple of the columbine, one of my favourites, which I've grown from seed. Both of these have fairly long bloom periods and add a lot of colour to the summer garden.

(18-55mm  f5.6  1/160 sec  ISO200)














(18-55mm  f8  1/400 sec  ISO200)














(18-55mm  f8  1/500 sec  ISO200)

26 comments:

Scott Law said...

Yes they are beautiful. I guess I ought to take a walk around mine and see what I can find. I loved my vacation but like you I'm glad to be back.

Carolyn Ford said...

I even like to go to my own grocery store when I get home! It is interesting how a garden or potted plants change in just a short time...and, the dreaded weeds seem to take advantage too! You came back to some beautiful flowers and you captured them very nicely. Enjoy!

darlin said...

Rick did you start the seeds indoors then transfer them outdoors? They are magnificent! I love your photos. I just might borrow your ideas, I'm looking for long blooming flowers. I still have one huge flower bed to clean up and replant, that's one rather large summer project. I'll do a before and after photo of that one.

Enjoy your Saturday!

Anonymous said...

The ox-eye daisy is awesome and you captured it well.

It's nice to see the fruit of your hard work, isn't it? Flowers growing everywhere from seeds you planted yourself.

What a wonderful world!

Teté M. Jorge said...

Que boas-vindas à casa mais magnífico! Lindas flores! Lindos cliques fotográficos!

Beijos.

S. Etole said...

I like the uniqueness you caught of the honeysuckles and the sunny disposition of the daisy.

Costea Andrea Mihai said...

excellent light! good colors..perfect..regards

Unknown said...

Excellent and Amazing are the proper words :-)

Greetz,

Joseph

imac said...

Yup, sure beautiful Rick, bet you ready now for another trip,lol.

Jeanne Frances Klaver said...

Such beautiful flowers, and a nice welcome home!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Gorgeous shots.I love the Columbine especially.
Blessings,Ruth

Rick said...

@Scott - a vacation is nice, but the old adage about home, sweet home is so true. Looking forward to see what you found in your garden.

Rick said...

@Carolyn Ford - yep, the neighbourhood never looked so good ;-) And very true about the weeds - they were all cleaned up before I left - where did they come from!!

Thanks for stopping by Carolyn.

Rick said...

@darlin - I built a very simple little cold frame last year in a spot in the garden; covered it with an old window so it would retain some heat, and started the seeds in it - worked like a charm. I transplanted from there to the flower beds when the plants were about 6" tall. Both of these flowers are perennials, very easy to grow, and will bloom quite long.

Look forward to your before & after shots. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Rick said...

@M. Hassan - thank you M! Yes, it's always satisfying to start your own flowers and watch them come up every year. It's incredible to put a dead-looking seed into the ground and watch it turn into a beautiful flower! Truly a remarkable creation.

Rick said...

@teca - a espécie redige. muito obrigado. abraços!

Rick said...

@S. Etole - thank you Susan. What a creation we live in - ours to enjoy!

Rick said...

@Costea Andrea Mihai - thanks for your kind words Costea.

Rick said...

@CarreraCaballo - thank you Joseph; the flowers did all the 'work' ;-)

Rick said...

@imac - lol, seems they do even better while I'm away, or maybe they just look better when I haven't seen them for a while! :-)

Rick said...

@Jeanne Klaver - it sure was; checking out the garden is always a highlight of getting home!

Rick said...

@Ruth's Photo Blog - thank you Ruth; also a favourite of mine!

Unknown said...

So beautiful! Columbine is one of my faves, as well! :o)

Rick said...

@Krista - and they have such an interesting shape - always makes for a great shot!

What Karen Sees said...

Beautiful lighting on these flowers, makes for great photography!

Rick said...

@Karen - yes, I think I prefer evening light - mainly 'cause I'm up then ;-)