Sometimes, I Just Like Photographing Flowers...

 This is the weekend of flowers. I know Pasadena can claim flower season for one weekend at the end/beginning of the year, but for the rest of us (in the Northern Hemisphere...) spring is flower time.

And we're trying to do our part.

A few years ago we planted a couple of rose bushes, then a year later, we added a third. They're about to pop.

Back in the day, my mom would take a tour around her yard each Memorial Day and gather flowers to place on her husband's gravesite. After we built a house across the street and planted our own flowers, then it was our turn to continue the tradition. And when my mother passed away, we were gathering flowers for two.

Now, we have plants we can cut and take to the cemetery this weekend, and another family member. I know that you can buy plants in almost every store in the country this weekend, but there's something about taking something beautiful from your home and leaving it as a token to a loved one no longer there...

It's special.

Spring Rain On Morning Flowers...

Saturday mornings--usually--are spent outside, in the yard. We do not live in a particularly warm climate area. Temperatures in the summer reach between 100º to 110º Fahrenheit in the hottest part of the year. Thankfully, that only happens a few weeks out of 52. Spring mornings are heavenly, if you're willing to pay the price of getting up early.

The best time to work in the yard is early, before the sun crests the edge of the mountain to the east, which sucks if you're not a morning person and you dislike yard work.

I don't know if it's because of the world shutting down, or not, but we've done more yard work this spring than we did all of last year--including me, which is surprising--especially to me. This morning I worked on a tool that will hopefully help us build more raised grow boxes. That has yet to be seen, but if that continues, it means more time outside, more time in the yard.

As I toured the grounds of Casa Taylor this morning, I spotted some flowers dripping with moisture. Had I my Nikon or my close-up lenses for my phone, I could have snapped some really beautiful pictures. I do like what I did get, though. The cameras on phones are incredible--and my phone's five-years old.

I know some who consider themselves morning people. And I know they can experience amazing things. There's a gentle peacefulness at 6:30 on a spring morning. Many birds have already started their day, and sometimes, sunrises can rival their evening counterparts. I know this, but when the decision to wake up early--especially when you don't have to--comes around, the lure of a comfortable bed, pillow, and down comforter can be just too strong.

Then again, if you go out and see beautiful scenery in the morning after a spring storm. the reward can sometimes be worth the price.

Took A Photowalk...In My Yard

Yesterday we the H.D.O.T.Y., or hottest day of the year (so far...). I did not want to even go outside. It should not be in the 90s this years, even though some of you prefer that sort of thing. No, I remained inside my little house.

I did, however, venture out into the yard in the late afternoon because I knew there'd be things to photograph.

And I was right.

Here's some of what I saw on my old little Photowalk Around My Yard.

Taking Pictures...Of Flowers

What is it about flowers that make us want to look at them? I say "what makes us" but what I really mean is "what makes me," and I say "look at them" but what I really mean is "photograph them." In this digital age, I could take a thousand pictures a day (and sometimes it feels like I do...). 

This morning as I waited to get into the building where I work, I took out my camera and snapped a few shows of these cute little purple flowers. I have no idea what they are, but they were beautiful, of course.

On Monday I could have taken reams of pictures of the flowers at the cemetery. I did get one that I felt best captured the spirit of the day.

Then a few weeks ago when the irises were in bloom, I got some pictures of our purple flowers after it had rained.

There's just something about seeing a flower in bloom. We're drawn like bees. And as long as the flowers continue to be captivating and I have a camera, I'll probably be captivating their images.