All Flowers Keep the Light

I know that on my last post there was a bit of confusion about the images. I should have been more clear, since I know how easy it is to skim over a post, collect a few words and come to a conclusion. Those image were not of our new place. Neither are these. I was having a few issues getting Frank's computer to welcome my camera as one of its own. I've since learned a bit of a workaround but it will take some time to go through them all and process some for you. I hope to do that before too much longer. Until then, I hope you enjoy this post.

Deep in their roots all flowers keep the light.

~ Theodore Roethke

I can't possible go through summer and not do a post or three just about flowers. This is going to be one of them.



Nightshade is an interesting plant. Along with their tiny purple blossoms...





They produce little clusters of berries. They turn bright red, eventually but these are still green.





The new growth of this leafy plant evolves from soft purple to pink, red and finally green.





While on the topic of purple flowers, thistles always catch my eye. They remind me of a prehistoric plant.





These purple bell-shaped blooms appear to be ringing out their tune as they sway in the wind.





This near-empty dandelion head stands alongside the creek. The background might look likes its seeds carried by the wind but really it's just foamy bubbles in the water.





Wild chicory are among my favourite blooms in summer.





This simple orchid plant bloomed in Frank's care. We weren't even sure what the plant was - he had inherited it from a friend.

I hope the flowers brightened your day. More photos coming up soon.

Before and After

I'm still sorting through photos from June and early July, and I noticed that I seem to have a few before and after images of various plants around my place and Frank's, so I thought I'd make that the theme for this post.


Two clematis buds at different stages of opening. The outside of the petals are fuzzy and pale purple.




When in full bloom, the clematis blossom is a deep, rich purple.






And after they're done, even the dead heads look attractive to me.





By now, the milkweed have all turned to pods but when this image was taken in mid-June, the buds were just about to bloom.





Same day, different plant. The tiny pinkish-purple buds are beginning to open.





A couple of days later, the early evening sunlight gives the open flowers a vibrant hue.





Raspberries are long gone now but back in early June, the fruit was just emerging.





Two weeks later, their colour was beginning to deepen.






Almost ready to pick.





Thistle plants were in full bloom late in June. They attract butterflies and goldfinches.





The beautiful purple flower is so appealing to the eye despite the jagged spikes beneath.





By mid July, it has turned to seed - an explosion of feathery fairies take flight with the wind.





Once the wild roses have faded, the rose hip remains. Some stay green and others become a pretty coral colour. Last year I noticed a few that were quite different from the rest so I kept an eye out for those, this year and was not disappointed.





A few hips turn punk, and grow wild, spiky orange hair. Some time later, I observed what appeared to be bright orange powder on the walking path and nearby grass where many of the rose hips were. It would seem they popped open to share their flamboyance.


I hope you enjoyed these before and after photos. I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever catch up to current photos. Probably not, but I'll have more for you in a few days.

Beautiful Reserve

One of the most attractive things about the flowers is their beautiful reserve. ~ Henry David Thoreau

Just a few summer beauties to brighten your day and mine. I haven't been around enough to collect posts for the POTW, this week so all I have for you are some of my usual photos.




Thistle is a prickly plant but it sure does produce a beautiful bloom.





Here's one unfolding to the sun.





I don't know what this is but each sprig produces all these teeny-tiny leafy blooms - each one smaller than the nail on my pinky finger.





Small, pink roses grew rather profusely on the bush that my boy, Alex gave me for Mother's Day, a few years ago.





Clover is fresh and lovely in its simplicity.





Raindrops dot a broad leaf in the garden.





And more rain collects on the tender petals of the pansy. A plant my other son, Jeffrey gave me for this year's Mother's Day. These droplets are spherical and in the largest one, you can see the reflection of the pine tree we planted when Alex was born.





All that water weighs a poor pansy down.





This daisy doesn't seem to mind it one bit.





Berries make a perfect snack for hungry birds. These are in various stages of ripeness.





Up close and personal with a wild chicory.





The fiery stamens of the tiger lily.


More photos coming up soon.

The Colour Purple

I've been fairly absent from blogging lately and figure this will continue at least for a few weeks. I've been spending a significant amount of time away from home and very little of my home time has been spent in front of my computer. My posts and blog visit will continue to be hit and miss for a while.

Below are a few photos from sometime over the past month. They all depict one of my favourite colours - purple.

"I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it." ~ Alice Walker

Before: This is an unfurled clematis blossom found in Frank's back yard.

During: Clematis in bloom. One of the prettiest purple flowers on the planet.

After: Once the clematis bloom has come and gone, this is what remains. Can you tell that I was having fun playing with Frank's new 100mm macro lens.

Also found in Frank's back yard. These leaves have the uncanny ability to appear purple, brown, red or green depending on the lighting.

Wild chicory is one of my favourite wildflowers. I find it in my local park and just about anywhere else I wander.

Although it's considered a weed, I quite like thistles - maybe not in my garden, which is where I found this one, but it's loved by the goldfinch and I wouldn't complain if they came to visit.

The purple bellflower shot in low light. This one is for you, Adrian!

I'll be around for visits as soon as time and circumstances permit.

The Colour Purple

"I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it."
~ Alice Walker

As a bit of a break from winter images, I've decided to revisit the spectrum and select another colour. This time it's purple. Please remember to click on each of the images to enlarge them.



Grape Hyacinths grow along the fence by the pathway to the park.





A collection of small tea candle holders which sit on a low chest in my living room - some of which are purple.



Tiny, purple summertime flowers which grow in Frank's back yard.





Tiny springtime raccoon kits which grew in my attic the year before last. They were placed in this purple tub upon rescue. This is not to be confused with the little ones who were born under my deck last year. If you've never read the story of my "home invasion" it can be found here.




Lovely thistles look so beautiful in summer.




Clematis during a rain storm.





A partly purple tea cup which sits on my kitchen shelf.




Irises bloom for a few weeks during early summer.




Lilacs have an even shorter stay in May.





And shorter still are the majestic colours of a sunset.

More photos coming up soon.