Tag Archives: flowers

Weekly Photo Challenge: Good Morning

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Sharing Breakfast
Sharing Breakfast, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

>>:::<<
bathing in pollen
before autumn awakens
summer breakfast
 >>:::<<

Whenever I can, I like to get in a dose of nature as part of my morning routine – regardless of the season or weather.

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The Last Iris – Woodblock Print

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Iris - Woodblock
Iris – Woodblock, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

>>:::<<
welcoming summer
with a respectful surrender
spring blooms nap
 >>:::<<

Usually, our irises finish blooming before summer officially arrives.  This year, a couple of our iris blooms, similar to the one in the above image, insisted on meeting the summer solstice.  They have since retired for their long nap until next spring.

I have been clearly absent from blogging for a couple of weeks.  An escalated roller coaster ride with my own health issues, as well as spending several days in the hospital with my mother due to a sudden and unexpected surgery left me with no time or energy for much of anything else.  She is now at home with us recuperating from her surgery.  But I’m able to pop in today for a quick post.  Thank you so much for your patience.

I hope the new season is off to a wonderful start for you.

This image of an iris bloom is another photomanipulation I did to digitally convert a photo into the likeness of an old Japanese woodblock print.  I also learned from fellow bloggers, Francine and Frizz, that the image is also called a “xyloglyph.”

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Graceful Peony – Woodblock Print

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Single Peony - Woodblock
Single Peony – Woodblock, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

>>:::<<
delicate pink chicks
shielded by caressing arms
silken peony
>>:::<<

This image of a single peony is another photomanipulation I did to digitally convert a photo into the likeness of an old Japanese woodblock print.

Single peonies are composed of one or more rows of a few broad petals, known as guard petals, which surround a center of pollen-bearing stamens, which in turn surround the pistil.  I believe the name of this peony is Sea Shell.  I like how delicate and silky the petals are, and how the formation of stamens and pistils looks like a birds nest.

Hope your week is off to a splendid start!

Here is the original photo I started with:

Peony
Peony, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

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Weekly Photo Challenge: In the Background

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Triple Opportunity
Triple Opportunity, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

>>:::<<
unplanned camouflage
invisible in plain sight
background activity
 >>:::<<

Refocus your attention to reveal a new perspective, or a new world!
(Did you also notice the little black bee in the photo?  I felt quite lucky to have captured a shot with three little critters!)

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This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge encourages us to
share a picture that says In the Background.

Linking up with:
CAMERA CRITTERS
WEEKLY TOP SHOT
MACRO MONDAY

My Favorite Daffodil – Woodblock Print

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Daffodil Replete Woodblock
Daffodil Replete Woodblock, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

>>:::<<
sipping peach cocktails
dreaming among soft sunsets
daffodil garden
>>:::<<

This is a photomanipulation to digitally convert a photo into the likeness of an old Japanese woodblock print. I last posted one of these styles over a year ago. How time flies!

The image is of a double daffodil variety named Replete, one of my favorite types of daffodils.  They are beautifully shaped blooms that are peach/pink with snow white.  It’s wonderful to be surrounded by these beauties while enjoying a refreshing cocktail!

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

P.S. Here is the photo I started with:

Daffodil Replete
Daffodil Replete, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.
(click on photo to enlarge)

 Linking up with:
MACRO MONDAY
TUESDAY MUSE
NATURE NOTES

Spring Is Teasing Us Again

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Daffodil Macro
Daffodil Macro, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

>>:::<<
snow melts into spring
and nature flaunts lavish costumes
flourishing blossoms
 >>:::<<

It seems like spring has been postponed for us again…and again.  Just when we think spring has finally arrived, it quickly withdraws, acquiescing to  snow.  This past Monday morning, we woke up to snow and cold temperatures, which will continue into Wednesday.

I took this photo exactly one year ago on April 17, 2012.  At that time, all of the daffodils were in full bloom and the tulips were just starting to bloom.  Right now, none of the daffodils have bloomed, although a few are close, and the tulips probably won’t start until next week.  The trees are only showing small hints of green, which will eventually turn into lush, full leaves.

So…we wait for spring…still…and then we will celebrate its real arrival.

This is also for the “Tagged” letter challenge letter “P” by Frizztext
(“P” is for Postponed and flower Pistil).

Linking up with:
TEXTURE TUESDAY
MACRO MONDAY
 TUESDAY MUSE
NATURE NOTES

Weekly Photo Challenge: Unique

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Ladybug Handstand
Ladybug Handstand, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

>>:::<<
have you ever seen
a ladybug in a handstand
dare to be different
 >>:::<<

Glad to be participating in the Weekly Photo Challenge after being absent for a couple of months.
Post-processing done in Photoshop Elements 10.  Here is the original photo:

Ladybug Handstand photo

This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge is to share a photo
that says unique to you.

Linking up with:

PHOTO ART FRIDAY
THIS OR THAT THURSDAY
CAMERA CRITTERS
WEEKLY TOP SHOT

“N” Challenge: Nectar, Nourishment

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Nectar
Nectar, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  Click on photo to enlarge.

>>:::<<
calm reflection
sustains mind and body
emotional nectar
>>:::<<

We still have a few honeybees buzzing around drinking in the last few drops of nectar from our flowers before they are done for the season.

What nourishes you?  What is the nectar that feeds your mind, body, and/or spirit?

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Growth

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Progression
Progression, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)
Linking up with Texture Tuesday, Nature Notes, Tuesday Tips and Pics, Rural Thursday, Flower Art Friday

>>:::<<
bouquet of rubies
floating atop emeralds
romantic red tulips
>>:::<<

These photos, which I took in our yard, show three different “growth” stages of the same tulip blooms.  Three years ago (which is a different year than when these photos were taken) these same tulips reached a maximum height of 3 feet, just less than 1 meter!  What a growth spurt!

Yesterday, when I was searching for the symbolism of the red tulip, I found that it means “perfect love” or “true love” and is the 11th wedding anniversary flower.  Coincidentally, hubby and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary this past weekend – another representation of “growth!”

This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge is to share a picture
that means GROWTH to you!

References:

Weekly Photo Challenge: Purple

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Violet Dreams
Violet Dreams, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)
Linking up with Camera Critters, Rural Thursday, Weekend Flowers, Photo Art Friday, Floral Friday Foto, Flower Art Friday

>>:::<<
open invitation
attracts a welcome friend
violet dreams
>>:::<<

This lupine blossom seems to be extending an invitation to be pollinated by its buzzing friend!  Also, the surrounding blossoms create a nice purple background, in line with this week’s theme (and one of my favorite colors).

This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge is to share a photo that means PURPLE to you!

“D” Challenge: Details, Dahlietta

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Dahlietta macro
Dahlietta macro, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)
Linking up with Your Sunday Best, Macro Monday, Texture Tuesday,  Tuesday Tips and Pics, and Nature Notes.

>>:::<<
seemingly trivial
yet vital to the whole
notice the details
>>:::<<

This is a Dahlietta flower that we planted outside in our yard, which is a hybrid and smaller than a regular dahlia bloom.  For this macro image, I wanted to focus on the small, but important details of the center flower pistils.  (Also, the original color was a brighter orange, so I applied a texture to the photo to soften the overall colors.)
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This is for the letter “D” Story Challenge by Frizztext, to share a short story or reflection, even an aphorism using a word tagged with each letter of the alphabet.
Kim Klassen texture used is ‘pumpkin grunge’

Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Gladiolus Haven
Gladiolus Haven, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)
Linking up with Rural Thursday, Photo Art Friday, Camera Critters, Flower Art Friday, Weekend Flowers.

>>:::<<
a soothing nestle
inside silk walls and blankets
gladiolus bloom
>>:::<<

Gladiolus:  a widely cultivated plant of the iris family, with sword-shaped leaves and spikes of brightly colored flowers.

This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge is to share a photo that means INSIDE to you!

“B” Challenge: Bees, Blue Orchard Bee, HoneyBee

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Blue Orchard Bee
Blue Orchard Bee, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)
Linking up with Camera Critters, Your Sunday Best and Macro Monday.

>>:::<<
a speck in nature
tiny but not trivial
interdependence of life
>>:::<<

Bees, in general, are the major type of pollinator for flowering plants.  They are the “predominant and most economically important group of pollinators in most geographical regions….Pollination is not just a free service but one that requires investment and stewardship to protect and sustain it.”  (http://www.unep.org)

Recently, I noticed several of these dark-colored bees attracted to our lupine flowers and snapped this photo, among others.  What is the significance of this little Blue Orchard Bee?  Recent concerns about the decline of the honeybee population, along with the blue orchard bee’s highly efficient pollination, such as with tree fruits, have increased interest in the blue orchard bee as an alternative orchard pollinator to the honeybee.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), about one mouthful in three in the diet directly or indirectly benefits from honeybee pollination!  This includes nuts, berries, fruits and vegetables.  It’s amazing how we, and many things in nature, are dependent on such small yet important insects.

There are various reasons for the decline of the important honeybee colonies, but a couple of suggestions that the public can take to help the honeybees and other bees is to:

  • Not use pesticides indiscriminately, especially during mid-day when they are foraging for nectar, and
  • Plant, and encourage the planting of good nectar sources

I saw a quote that read, “Everything in the world, no matter what it is, depends on something else for its existence.”  Can you think of a case where this is not true?  So far, I haven’t been able to.
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This is for the letter “B” story challenge by Frizztext, to share a short story or reflection, even an aphorism using a word tagged with each letter of the alphabet.

References:

Z! Challenge: Zygomorphic Flower

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Peach Iris
Peach Iris, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)
Linking up with Macro Monday, Texture Tuesday, Nature Notes and Our World Tuesday. 

>>:::<<
soft, silken scarf
offers gentle cradling
a blossom’s grand entrance
>>:::<<

Zygomorphic flower:   A flower that can be divided into equal halves along only one line; bilaterally symmetrical. The flowers of the iris, orchid and the snapdragon are zygomorphic

This post is for the “Z” Challenge by Frizztext.

T! Challenge: Tulip, Tenacious, Texture

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Aging Tulip
Aging Tulip, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (Click on image to enlarge).
Linking up with Texture Tuesday and Flower Art Friday. 

>>:::<<
tenacious beauty
unyielding compassion
tulip life-cycle
>>:::<<

The tulips in our yard are at the end of their blooms.  The leaves are tired, withered and falling off, yet some of the plants seem to be holding onto compassion as long as possible.  The stamens in this image appear to be in compassionate speech with each other, forming a heart shape at the same time.  What I see here is an example of beauty in aging.

(I applied a background “texture” to this photo, as another interpretation of the “T” theme.)

How do you interpret this image?

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This post is for the “T” Challenge by Frizztext (“T” is for Tulip, Tenacious, Tired, Texture)

P! Challenge: Pollinator

Posted on by Fergiemoto
Pollinator
Pollinator, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (Click on image to enlarge).

>>:::<<
“I’m busy as a bee
collecting the drink
for future queens”
>>:::<<

(“Oh wait, I AM a bee…a worker bee!”)

This bumble bee is likely a tricolored bumble bee based on my google searches (bombus ternarius).  Bumble bees are valuable pollinators and produce only enough honey to feed their young.  The ones visiting us, like this one, tend to favor the oregano blossoms in our garden and don’t seem to mind me when I have a camera directly in their faces.  They just go about their business.  However, I accidentally stumbled on a bumble bee nest one time while working in the yard…and paid for it dearly!

This post is for the “P” Challenge by Frizztext (“P” is for Pollinator)

Other articles about bumble bees: