Water patterns

Today we went on a architecture boat tour on the Chicago river. I took a lot of photos of the reflection of buildings in the water. I am not sure how this one ended up as this kind of pattern but I think they it is very cool!

Iris

These iris have such subtle coloration and markings. And the dark green foliage sets them off beautifully.

Butterfly blue

Yesterday while walking I saw this beautiful butterfly along the side of the road. The scallop pattern aorund the wing tips is striking and he glowed against the leaves and stones.  I need to look up what kind it is.

Autumn moon

At long last I have a Japanese maple in my garden! I chose Autumn Moon - it has a beautiful chartreuse color with red branches. The new growth opens with an orangey shading on the leaves and retains it on the tips of the leaves. I am looking forward to seeing it go through the seasonal changes. There will be more photos to come!

End of the peonies

All of my tree peonies are dropping their blossoms, but even the remains are still beautiful.

Pavement patterns

Driving down some backroads yesterday I notice along stretch of payement that has been patched with black tar (?).  Much of it looks like Japanese calligraphy. It would have been fun to be high above the road and see it all as one long scroll.

Glass patterns

My daughters gave me a glass beehive for Mother's Day. It is meant for outdoor entertaining for water or ice tea. I like the way the light through the clear glass is always creating new patterns. Not an easy thing to capture in a photo but here is a try!

Water drops

Today it is wet and cold again - the rain overnight has caused the peonies to fold into themselves. They are still beautiful with the smattering of raindrops sitting on the petals and the leaves. And if the sun comes out they will unfold and the center will be bright yellow and orange.

Summer nights

Last night the sky was a vivid pink to violet as the sun set behind the trees. I tried several photos and camera settings but nothing quite captures the glow that the sky had at the time. Adding to the experience was the scent of the lilacs that are in bloom next to where I was standing. These are the moments I remember about summer nights.

Never ending shadow opportunities

I can't resist - I love taking the shadow photos. I like the strong lines in this one.

Light and shadow in the garden

Peaceful.

Self portrait in blue

A painted wall with a peeling reflective surface and a self portrait!

Pattern play

Can you guess what this is?

Allium blossom

Last year I planted Schubertii alliums - they get a large (2-15") head that looks like an exploding sparkler. This is a closeup of the dried blossom interior from last year. And soon, if it EVER stops raining, I will photograph the new one blooming this year.

Strong red

I don't even remember where I shot this photo but I like so many things about it - the angles, the strong red lettering, the graphic feel not only of the lettering but the wire and bolts and chain. It all seem to wrok together and yet it is very serendipitous.

Rain, rain and more rain

It just keeps raining and rather then getting into the garden I am shooting the

garden through rain!

I'm back

I am back blogging after almost 3 weeks of recuperation from hip replacement. Still limpy, but coming along. My tree peony is beginning to bloom - today is cloudy and the blossom has not opened completely. I hope to have a photo tomorrow of it open - it has a beautiful yellow and gold center. The petals look and feel like thin tissue paper.  I love spring and all that is revealed in th garden.