Monday, June 15, 2009

Calm Before the Storm...

It must have been an intuitive feeling that JP had early Saturday afternoon. My parents had stopped by to say farewell before they flew back to Seattle. I had placed my new camera on its tripod out in the garden, awaiting to take a few family photos. The weather was beautiful as we said our goodbyes. Then, JP suggested I "play" and take a few photos for fun. And FUN it was!... I snapped all sorts of close-ups which I will share with you here. Then, sprinkles started to fall and as we ran inside, torrents of rain and hail replaced the raindrops, and we watched our garden in dismay. Again, our garden was pelted on Sunday with heavier hail and rain after which flooding took its place. All is peaceful again, but the garden sadly took a beating. There is always hope, and we'll see if the plants will arise to the sun's warmth and rays. For now, the photos offer fond memories and an acute perspective on nature and its wonders...
~ Johanna


* A bee crawls up and over the bloom of a Bachelor's Button flower...


* A Green Lacewing stops to rest on a spent Alium bloom...


* These poppies just "popped" before the storms rolled in. We enjoyed their paper-thin blossoms for only a few hours, all of which have now fallen to the ground...


* A special peek at the life of a roly-poly in his armored suit as he climbs across the yellow bloom of a sedum iceplant...


* A bee extracts nectar from the violet blooms of a wild geranium...


* Yellow Yarrow, just beginning to pop, glows for the camera...


* A bee-like insect with a peculiar hovering habit searches for the center of this tiny Snow in Summer bloom...


* Tissue-light petals in brilliant red open to the skies... I'm afraid most of these flowers were lost in the storm...


* A bee grips the edges of the tiny Catmint flower in search of sweet nectar...

Please click on the images for a larger view. I cropped them all so you could see the intricate detail, but the subjects are interesting shown in their surroundings as well. I do wonder what became of these small insects and how they could possibly survive such a violent series of storms....? If the storms stay away, perhaps my garden will have a chance to recover ~ There is always hope.
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22 comments:

Sharyn Sowell said...

Hi, friend... Your garden is lovely. I was a little surprised that so many of your plants & insect friends are the same as those in my own yard this summer, and I have recently posted photos that are very like your own. I hope you're enjoying yours as much as I am mine. Happy gardening & picnicking once the storms are past! Big hugs from your kindred spirit, Sharyn
(Look at my pics & you'll laugh at the similarity... www.sharynsowellartblog.blogspot.com in case you didn't have the new blog address)

Dianie said...

Hi,
Those are stunning pics! Thanks for sharing your garden. I am sorry to here that those beautiful blooms tooks such a beating from the storms..

~Diane

Debby said...

WOW!!! Gorgeous pics! Your gardens must be beautiful. What kind of camera do you have?
Debby

magikalseasons said...

Beautiful photos!!!:)

Anonymous said...

Johanna~your pictures are just gorgeous!!!

Kingfisher Farm said...

Wow these are beautiful!

Carolee said...

Gorgeous photos, and I'm imagining your garden is the same!

It's amazing how resilient flowers can be....

~ carolee

Unknown said...

Oh no, sorry to hear about the storm, but I'm sure they'll bounce back!
Lovely pics, thanks for sharing them.

Lori

Johanna Parker said...

Thanks for ALL the nice comments!.... I think my garden will bounce back much to my relief. It was already looking a tad bit better this afternoon..

So, some of you are wondering.... My new camera is a Nikon D90 - I'm really enjoying it!

~ Johanna

Tinsell and Whimsy said...

It's official now, you can do everything.......photography included with all your other talents!

Marie Patterson Studio said...

Those pictures are stunning! Thanks for sharing your garden with us.
I also did a "flower show" on my blog if you get some time.

vintagepaletteart said...

How beautiful yet sad. =o( That Mother Nature...what are we going to do with her? ;o)

I know that your plants will come back though Johanna.....and probably more beautiful than ever. =o)

William Bezek said...

Glorious pictures, you can add photographer to your resume because you are good lady!

Tristan Robin said...

what awesome photos ... I'm so envious!

Monkey-Cats Studio said...

Great pics Johanna!!! My poor garden got hit so bad by last year's tornado I'm afraid it will take a little more time to get it back in order. This made feel hopeful!!!

Christopher A. Klingler said...

Beautiful pictures Johanna!

Have a great week.

Chris (-:

Nancy Malay said...

Such detail, Johanna..... These are wonderful photos, but I'm not surprised.

I'm sure your garden will bounce right back!

Nancy

DellaRae said...

Beautiful photos of gorgeous flowers... the first picture is incredible!

Penny @ Miss Pootsie's Primitives said...

Absolutely wonderful shots! You know the camera type, etc. is important, but you, my girl, have an eye for art and it shows in your photography as well.
Beautiful!
Penny

Chicken Lips said...

Gorgeous shots Johanna! Is there anything you CAN'T do!?

Robin Armstrong Seeber said...

Hi Johanna! wow, amazing close ups and gorgeous as well! would you care to share blogs? robin

Carole said...

Your photos are wonderful!
Carole