Sun and Sunflowers

Last night we drove out to check on the status of the Sunflowers, as we got close I could see the glorious yellow fields tucked in amongst the beautiful green of the cotton fields-the sight just made my heart sing.

While I have a few close favorites to the Sunflower-I have to say that no other flower is as glorious as the Sunflower. The evening light seems to be the perfect accessory as it streams through the beautiful yellow petals-in a warm yellow halo.

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do."Helen Keller~

Who Says Friday the 13th is an Unlucky Day?

Coral Rhapsody is featured in a lovely Etsy Treasury. Thank you-oenopia. Plus, I figured out how to post a Treasury-it's already a good day.

 

'LOVE Philadelphia' by oenopia

Red Howlite stone wire ... AuntMatildasJe... $11.60	Summer Sleeveless Tren... DesperatelyDif... $185.00	Philadelphia Italian Ma... GwenMeyerson $18.00	Koralliom - vintage ne... AnyaCloudJewel... $42.00
Leather Laptop Bag -- ... EkteLeather $175.00	Bright Snow PlainAir $250.00	Philadelphia Photograph... stoevvalentin $24.00	Philadelphia Red and Or... kristensolecki $15.00
Flower Photography-Cora... BorrowedCamera $30.00	Bike Philadelphia no.2 ... OffTheMapArt $15.00	Red Rose Necklace - rea... AhoyAhimsa $25.00	live life and LOVE PHIL... LiveLifeAndLov... $10.75
Summer Flower Hair Pins... PiggleAndPop $10.20	Love Sign Urban Photo B... Celticcatphoto... $18.00	Love Ring - Petite Pola... jerseymaids $50.00	4 Tropical Coconut Soy ... SerendipityCan... $2.95

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

  

Windows

They say the eyes are the "windows to the soul" and in this case I believe that is spot on. I've had the pleasure of knowing this very special canine over the past several years now, and she is one of the most soulful beings I have ever known. She is the kind of dog that you just know has been a loyal companion all her life, she has been loved beyond measure and gladly gives back,she's dignified and graceful, wise and gentle-the epitome of "man's best friend." What an honor it has been to have her in my life.<3<3

Flowers For A Special Girl

Yesterday was a special day, my sweet daughter was recognized for her 4.0 Honor Roll achievements. We are so proud of her. Congrat! Sweet girl! xoxo Mom and Dad...

Fabulous Fuschia

Nature's fabulous Fuschia

Cactus, an integral part of the West Texas landscape, glorious with their colorful blooms. The bees adore them and so do I.

Majestic Monarch

I was sad, that I didn't get the shot of what I went for today. Someone unceremoniously cut the Magnolia bloom I was in hopes would be completely open today, but I did happen across this Monarch going about it's business quite unaware of my disappointment.

Around Town

Beautiful downtown loft-the landscaping is fabulous I assure you

Stained glass window looks into the courtyard

Window ornament

One beautiful and serious padlock

Planter in outer garden

I have loved this sign forever and was thrilled to finally photograph it-it has neon,but I've never seen it lit up.

Another very cool downtown loft

 Light sconce and windows

Coca-Cola in "Sterilized Bottles"

Today, I intentionally chose to do something very different to challenge myself. I ventured off downtown, I've been wanting to check out the first loft in this series for a bit,and it was even more fabulous than I could take in just driving by-the landscaping is fabulous. I found downtown to be just like nature-there are goodies to be found if you just take a look.

The evening was overcast, as that is the hand we've been dealt lately, but no complaints since we've been experiencing drought conditions-sometimes you just have to go with it. I found that for me buildings and their elements pose a bit of a composition conundrum, I am just never sure of myself-so they present a challenging exercise for me. I am not sure I am entirely happy with these. I know with some practice I can improve in this area-these will be a good benchmark for measuring improvement. 

A Perfect Light

 Canna Leaf with Red edge

I hit the photo trail early this evening, in order to stalk a Magnolia I am keeping my eye on in hopes it will open soon. I was probably out by 6:30 until almost 8:00 P.M. and the light was glorious with very little breeze-perfect in my book. The Magnolia still had not opened(it won't be long), but I was not disappointed as it seems like I discover something new in the ever changing scenery of nature. I find pods I've never noticed, unfurled leaves that weren't there the day before, insects, cactus blooms and the list goes on and on-I'm so amazed each and every day at the things I took for granted before reconnecting with nature.

Hanging By A Thread

 Heart shaped-Purple Leaf Plum leaf

May 3, 2012-Isn't nature clever? Someone asked me last night; "where I  find bumblebees and cactus flowers and ladybugs on Forsythia?" My answer was-everywhere, all around- the truth is we are surrounded by these wonders every day-we just don't stop long enough to take a look.

Yesterday, while out taking photos the sun was just beautiful once it made it's appearance. I stumbled across this tree with beautiful leaves that seemed "left over" from Fall, so I  got on the side so they were back lit and snapped a few shots-I never realized until I got home that I had this beautiful and perfect heart. I tweaked the exposure just a bit so that the veining would show-it was a bit translucent originally + softened up the white space a bit-but other than that this is the original image.

I love how it has a slightly tattered imperfect feel, yet it's whole and intact, serene and calm yet seemingly hanging by a thread.

Flower Power

Love in the Mist or Devil in the Bush

Crimson Hollyhock

Baby Poppies

Poppy Pods

Lamb's Ear-silvery softness

April 28, 2012 my brilliant husband reminds me of the Annual Garden at our local Garden and Art Center, so we head out into the glorious evening to see what we can see. Upon our arrival, we are greeted by an abundance of poppies in full bloom, hollyhocks just opening up for the season, and a host of indigenous wildflowers. Ahhhh, a photographer's delight.

It was this evening that we bumped into another photographer getting in on the action as well. He knew where all the good stuff was. ;-))

Morning Rush

Red Yucca in the morning sun

Double T bench

Relic-architecture probably from the old English building that was torn down and rebuilt

April 27, 2012-it was another morning beautifully illuminated by the morning sun. I decided to see what I could find over at the Texas Tech Campus. I hadn't been out there during school hours in a very long time-I was struck by how the campus is so much like a city of it's own- hustle and bustle ensuing all around, students walking,riding bikes, buses passing precariously close,crews planting flowers that will adorn the grounds for the summer- energy is palpable.