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.
Another new appearance in the native plant garden. This one is said to attract hummingbirds. Fingers-crossed…
205/365: royal catchfly
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
What a difference a day makes! Yesterday was gray and raw with a much-needed April shower.
Reflections never fail me! I stood out in the rain just long enough to glimpse our budding silver maple in the mirrored puddles. I thought it made a good contrast to yesterday’s brilliant yellow-green sugar maple buds.
113/365: rainy day deck reflection
Always one of my favorite spring sights: the show-stopping contrast of the chartreuse sugar maple buds against a clear blue sky. Happy Arbor Day to you and your favorite tree 🙂
112/365: sugar maples with blue sky
It wasn’t my intention to post TWO bud photos in a row but, two things: it’s all happening (!) and a lot of that activity looks like plants, trees, bushes, vines, budding out. And it’s awesome.
Second, I got my eyes dilated yesterday and spent half the day incapacitated (ugh!) unable to take photos, do any computer work, or be functional, really, in any way. By the time I got my vision back, it was slim pickins’. Fortunately for me, I don’t have to look very far to see the wonders of spring afoot…
92/365: honeysuckle vine with buds
The woods are dotted with clumps of green grass and plump green buds eagerly unfolding. It won’t be long now until the whole thing is awash in shades of green…*sigh*…
91/365: tree buds
While I was out photographing the prescribed shoreline burn at Lake Nokomis, the little prairie garden near my house was cooking up its own surprises. I did a double take when I spotted the little magenta buds of prairie smoke. And I was glad to see a heartening display of green shoots poking out from the charred spots. The fresh colors seem so especially vibrant this time of year.
90/365: prairie smoke buds
avant garden 365 