254/365: purple dome asters
Our garden has never had much fall interest so this year I’m excited about the new asters in the native plant garden. So excited, in fact, that I couldn’t wait for them to open entirely before photographing them several days in a row. There is something magical about emergence, being poised on the brink of discovery but with so much left unknown.
219/365: belles fleurs
Just another tough day of work…can I do this every day? Flowers by Jodi Irwin – Acanthus Floral Art.
A rare, quiet moment for the Russian sage; it’s been a hotbed of bee activity for weeks. I love to see our new garden buzzing with pollinators – can’t wait till the butterflies come.
213/365: russian sage
A surprise bloom from our new native plant garden (I thought we’d have to wait for next year). We have so many new and unfamiliar varieties in this garden – I just can’t wait to get to know them as they grow.
196/365: allium bloom & bud
I talk a lot about actively seeing the world, paying attention, finding beauty in things that are commonly overlooked. But today’s image is a perfect example of how I sometimes fail to follow my own advice. I’ve said before that I like the hosta’s leaves far more than her flowers. But of course the flowers are magnificent. I just needed to stop and look at them. I’m so glad I did.
180/365: hostas
Tomorrow Brad & I celebrate our 15th anniversary! It’s also peony season. One of my favorite, swoon-worthy flowers since childhood, I chose white peonies in my bridal bouquet. So, in celebration of my swoon-worthy husband and 15 beautiful years: a peony. I think I need to plant white ones…
156/365: peony
In a few more days, the mandarin honeysuckle vine will be covered in luscious orange blossoms. It will be glorious. But I also like the form of the petals before the flowers open. And, the softness of the light. And, well, I guess I just couldn’t wait to celebrate the emergence of the first tender soul. There’s something intimate about this moment. It’s quiet. It’s the kind of subtle revelation you might miss if you weren’t paying attention.
151/365: mandarin honeysuckle
Most of the time, the way I work is comically antithetical to any standard or recommended way of taking photographs. Images are usually composed roughly in my head as I bring the viewfinder to my eye. There is never a tripod involved.
This image is an extreme example of my haphazard style. A single shot, snapped on my iPhone, while holding the leash of our very rambunctious (75 lb) puppy, Rocco. Kids in tow. Feet planted for a single second of stillness.
Thanks, azaleas, for being such an easy target.
125/365: azalea on the fly
it’s such an absolutely lovely flower…
117/365: ranunculus
After the long wait, spring still manages to surprise me. I especially admire those blooms that arrive well before any foliage. They are especially plucky. I hope they remain undaunted when the snow comes…
79/365: hellebore
avant garden 365 