Doubles

The photo challenge this week is for photos of doubles; two similar things in one image. Here are a few examples from my archives.

The flags of two countries fly from this staff at the Navy Point Marina. It’s in the US, but near that border with Canada and frequently visited by Canadian guests. (The small pennant at the top identifies the marina.)

A patch of day lilies caught my eye with these two brilliant blooms.

These two charming baby dragon sculptures were the cake toppers at my daughter’s dragon-themed wedding. The groom designed them and had them 3D printed, and the bride painted them.

Posted in response to Lens Artist #69: Seeing Double, with thanks to Tina for this week’s challenge

Blooming Still

Two years ago I posted about my admiration for the tulip plant that is still hanging in there despite decades of neglect and outright assault. Today I took this picture, documenting that it is still going strong. Keep going, you amazing flower! I know you don’t care, but to me you are an inspiration.

At the Water’s Edge

Isn’t this beautiful? I took this shot a couple of years ago at the docks in Pultneyville, NY. There’s so much going on here: old steel beams anchoring the docks, wooden dock steps, algae-covered water, and a ton of wild plants. Front and center is a stand of purple loosestrife, which is gorgeous but actually troublesome, because it’s an invasive species that crowds out native wetland plants. I’m afraid it’s got a firm foothold here in western New York, though, and don’t see how we’ll ever get rid of it. So I choose to enjoy its beauty every summer, when it spreads its hot pink spikes wherever the ground is wet.

Posted in response to the WordPress photo challenge: Layered

Trapped Tulips

The flower shop of one of my local grocery stores sets out arrangements to encourage people to buy, and this one stopped me in my tracks a couple of years ago. I guess this is what you can do with the blossoms your toddler picks for you that have no stems; just pile them in a goldfish bowl with a handful of leaves. Since then I’ve seen enough similar arrangements, with blossoms or succulents enclosed for no good reason inside glass and wire, I figure this is now a thing. I have a whole collection of photos I call “Captive Plants.”

Posted in response to the WordPress photo challenge: Unusual

Nothing Lasts

In our back yard, just off the deck, is a large shrub or small tree that has the most beautiful flowers in the spring. I don’t know what it’s called (I am hopeless with plants – perhaps one of my readers can identify it?), but it’s lovely so I take a lot of photos of the glorious blossoms. Here’s one:The flowers last just a week or two, but even more short-lived are the buds they come from.They fascinate me. Not because they are there so briefly, but because they are so different from the flowers they will become. It’s hard to grab a photo of them in the short time they’re there, but I got one:

They are bright pink! Flamingo pink. Tropical sunset pink.

Where does that pink color go? Why is it there for the few days it take for the buds to become flowers? I don’t know, but I love it. I love that the plant invests in making that gorgeous color and then throws it away. I think of it as a flirty little secret it flashes to the world before setting down to its more traditional beauty. I feel privileged to share in that moment.

The world is a beautiful place, but beauty never lasts. We need to enjoy it wherever and whenever we find it.

Posted in response to the WordPress photo challenge: Transient

Flower Folds

On Mother’s Day this year I got a pretty pink carnation, and I was caught up in the intricate infoldings in the flower’s center. They felt lush and sensuous, inviting and mysterious. I tried to capture some of the beauty I saw in this photo. Enjoy!

Posted in response to the WordPress Photo Challenge, Details 

Still Blooming

Have you heard the phrase, “Bloom where you’re planted”? It’s generally meant as encouragement to live your best life in whatever circumstances you find yourself. Today, I’m speaking up in admiration for something that is, literally, blooming where it was planted.