Spring has arrived in the northwoods of Wisconsin. Driving along a county road we saw (and avoided) many turtles in the road and beside it. We also saw the lupine blooming in certain areas. It’s low to the ground and the light needs to be from the right angle to see it’s lovely colors, otherwise it blends in with the grass, dirt and sand. We rounded a corner and I admired a large patch of lupines, noting that I needed to return to photograph it. As I was studying the flowers I looked beyond them and saw something looking back at me. On the edge of the woods, blending in with the shadows, was a black bear. He looked at me and then ambled back into the woods. Needless to say, when I returned the next day to photograph the lovely flowers I was very aware of my surroundings. A slight rustle in the woods and I stopped to see who or what it was. This time it wasn’t my friend the bear, but it was only a squirrel.
florals
Yellow is a lovely sign of spring
Our landscape has been white for so very long that a bright burst of yellow is a true signal of spring. I spent some time at the McNeely Conservatory where it is spring, under glass. Yellow and red tulips, ranunculus, crocus, and daffodils are wonderful (and needed) reminders of the season of spring. These yellow tulips were set off by the blue reflection of the sky in the water behind them. Soon enough we will have spring outside too, and not need to go inside to experience it.
Holiday cards and 2019 desk calendars
With the turning of the calendar page to November, we are getting closer to the holidays and the new year. For the past 15 years I have been offering my original line of holiday cards and desk calendars with my photographic images.
These images are some of the samples for this year. More information, along with the complete line of cards and calendars can be found by clicking on the corresponding tabs at the top of my blog page.
Thanks for following along on my blog journey. I’ll take this time now to wish you joy during the upcoming holiday seasons, and a new year that’s filled with beauty and amazement.
A colorful flourish to the end of summer
Last week I celebrated what now seems to have been a colorful flourish to the end of summer. I sent some time at the McNeely Conservatory in Como Park. The sunken garden was filled with its summer flowers, scents, and colors. Since that day our weather has been gray, cloudy, rainy, and much cooler — anything but summer-like. How lucky I was to have soaked up the last bright colors of summer!
Bee balm
The bee balm is in full bloom right now; its bright deep red petals attracting all sorts of pollinators and other visitors. In full sunshine the blooms take on an iridescent shade, and in gloomy cloudy situations the colors pop out of the otherwise green landscape. I watched the bee balm garden as the butterflies came and went, followed by the hummingbirds. Their activity was tireless, moving from one blossom to the next to the next. Then they would retire to the pine tree as if to rest, and later return back to the blossoms.
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