Scenes from the Garden

The artist is the confidant of nature, flowers carry on dialogues with him through the graceful bending of their stems and the harmoniously tinted nuances of their blossoms.  Every flower has a cordial word which nature directs towards him.  ~Auguste Rodin

Blue Orchids

Yes, I know they're dyed but these blue orchids had me spell bound yesterday at the greenhouse. 

And because I don't go anywhere without my camera, here are a few other shots from a local greenhouse.

After all that color your eyes probably need a rest!

Garden Paradise

Longwood Gardens is the best place to chase away the winter doldrums...

(more on my Longwood Flickr set)

Coral Pea above, a tiny flower from a carnivorous plant below.

A type of beautiful kalanchoe above, lily below. 

(I used my new  macro lens, can you tell:)

A colorful, tropical Aechmea above, several types of orchids below...

Love these pretty salmon and pink primrose below. They had them mixed with a yellow Marguerite daisy and daffodils. Spring bliss!

"I decided that if I could paint that flower in a huge scale, you could not ignore its beauty."

Georgia O'Keeffe

Canada geese enjoying the sunny day on the lake. 

Owl update. Saw the pair over the weekend, they look happy and healthy.

 Even managed to get a few good photos.

Kitty Cats and Toad Lilies

Pumpkin and Zazu were being especially photogenic this morning in the lovely, late summer sunshine. 

It was a delight to be outdoors, crisp and cool air, warm sun. 

My boy loves to climb the big maple tree.

Zazu enjoys sitting on my chair while I pull weeds. There was a little bumble sitting with her, trying to warm up after a chilly night.

Zoe gives Zazu a little head scratch.

Finally getting some good photos of my toad lilies. 

Such and unusual little plant.

Longwood on Sunday

We went  to Longwood Gardens on Sunday and had a fabulous time.

The gardens are so lovely this time of year and with all the recent rain we've been getting, the flowers looked amazing.

"How deeply seated in the human heart is the liking for gardens and gardening."

~Alexander Smith