Oh, The Places You'll Go

From the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade

California Poppy

On a visit to the Buttonwood Winery between Santa Ynez and Los Olivos, in Santa Barbara, CA, after sampling their tasting-room's selection of wines, out back I found a garden, California Poppies in bloom; enchanted light shone through the trees, and there I snapped this picture.

California Poppy

Together

Mmmm it's always better when we're together

Sea of Color

Colorful Display at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

Spring in Southern California

Rainfall far in excess of seasonal norms has hillsides in Southern California blooming. Here are a few images from a short hike in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Golden Spring

More Springtime Snow

Snow continued to fall overnight, accumulating do a depth of about an inch, coating the spring flowers with crystals. The morning sun revealed nature's gentle touch.

Country Roads

A beautiful afternoon for a drive in the country.


Yellow flowers frame this field and barn.

The Tulips Are Back (updated 4/20/2007)

A pair of tulips do their part to usher in the spring season.


Crimson in color, harshly lit, droplets on this tulip focus the sunlight to sharp points.


Aglow in the late afternoon light, this orange tulip shines proudly.

Flowers and assorted other plants

Following are a number of plant pictures.
Thanks to Jodie for contributing some of the identifications and corrections.


Papyrus.


Fortnight Lily.


Eucalyptus blossom.


Crepe Myrtle bark.


This Salvia looks more like a shrimp than a flower.


Some type of exotic grass.


Daylily.


Also a member of the Salvia family, this mint is called Lemmon's Sage.


Mexican Sage Mint.


Tecoma "Sunrise" Yellowbells - A member of the Trumpet Vine family.


Cannas.


Autumn blossom of the South American Pink Silk Floss tree.

Insects, small and large

We'd scarcely notice this tiny creature standing in the middle of such a colorful flower, but a closer look reveals its ornate adornments.


It moved to the edge of the petal as I got in close to get its picture.


This big guy was kind enough to pose for me while I took a series of close-up shots. One can only wonder how it perceived me and my camera moving so close to it.

Cactus!

It looks soft and furry but...


... dare touch and those tiny feather-like tenticles will pass through your skin more-or-less unimpeded. Once inside, tiny bits break off and itch for days.


A little more obvious, the needles protruding from this one would happily penetrate a finger and draw blood.


Mean though they may be, cacti produce some amazingly delicate and beautiful flowers.


Looking almost plastic, this yellow bloom contains a sweet nectar.


A bee dips in for lunch.


Almost like a flame, one of these blooms practically glows in this side view.

Summer's Gentle Goodbye

The end of Summer in the Pacific Northwest. Tomorrow will officially begin Autumn. Already the leaves are showing early signs of changing color. Several days of rain have given way to a mostly sunny day with clouds drifting silently overhead.


Morning after the rain, a Rhododendron bud preparing already to bloom next Spring.




A few Gladioli still bloom. Soon enough, even they will take the hint and enter their dormant phase.


Late in the afternoon, the soft glow of low angle sunlight filters through these Rhododendron leaves.




Late afternoon sun imparts its magical glow on these Japanese Maple leaves as well.


A narrow beam of light strikes just one leaf while the others remain in shadow.


A dark maroon most of the summer, this bush is already beginning to change color. At the height of its display, it will glow in almost fluorescent hues.