July is a month to be out-of-doors. Despite my shade hat I have freckles and a farmer's tan to prove I've been out there gardening and walking.
I was fortunate enough this month to attend the Wildflower Festival at Alta. Albion meadow has amazingly beautiful flowers in July. Tracy and I walked the upper trail with dear friends and a good guide. It was a blue-skied heaven. Camera in hand, I fell silent as the day wove me into it's spell. The first few pictures are from that walk. Please note that I felt quite daring capturing the bumblebee among the bluebells.
The second set of photos were taken the 24th of July in my son and daughter-in-law's newly acquired backyard. It is a sweet flower-filled haven. After I put down my camera, I picked up my pencil and sketchbook. I love hollyhocks and they come in a rainbow of colors in their yard. (Not to mention all the roses, sunflowers, clematis and lilies!) The butterfly and the honeybee (wow, I must 'bee' lucky this month) seemed to be contented residents there.
I was fortunate enough this month to attend the Wildflower Festival at Alta. Albion meadow has amazingly beautiful flowers in July. Tracy and I walked the upper trail with dear friends and a good guide. It was a blue-skied heaven. Camera in hand, I fell silent as the day wove me into it's spell. The first few pictures are from that walk. Please note that I felt quite daring capturing the bumblebee among the bluebells.
The second set of photos were taken the 24th of July in my son and daughter-in-law's newly acquired backyard. It is a sweet flower-filled haven. After I put down my camera, I picked up my pencil and sketchbook. I love hollyhocks and they come in a rainbow of colors in their yard. (Not to mention all the roses, sunflowers, clematis and lilies!) The butterfly and the honeybee (wow, I must 'bee' lucky this month) seemed to be contented residents there.
White columbine is my favorite wildflower.
Shooting stars, hiding shyly beside a stone.
Indian Paintbrush.
It comes in many colors in the meadow. Paintbrush apparently takes it's color cues from whatever plants are nearby that it has conveniently tapped into. 
I was surprised as I looked through the camera and discovered what Indian Paintbrush looks like from directly above it. 
This little fellow serenaded us by singing in the willows.
Pausing next to a vast stand of bluebells, I could hear the little creek further down the hill and a gentle choral thrum of busy bees.And now, into the valley:
Just one of many, many Hollyhocks.
Bee at tippy-top of Hollyhock 
I couldn't resist this sunflower
Could not help but think of the times I'd held cloth aloft to the sun wishing to be awash in the change of light beneath it. 
This is a center detail of a Daylily. What secrets are kept deep in a lilie's heart?
This shot was a truly lucky one as I just happen to be laying on the grass as this butterfly, fluttered by. Click on it (or any photo you desire) for more detail.Next month: Gen Con and Grass Roots Shakespeare
Stupid. I just really saw the header for the first time - No Shooting. So perfect for you and Tracy. And me, for that matter. Isn't it funny how magic seems to come in the details? The details and the quiet. You focus on the small miracles, and your soul seems to go still. I feel that way when we ride the south fork, up high. I look down at the pine roots and needle mast, and suddenly I am grounded - when I am never grounded. It is good to see beyond our abstracts into the gorgeous detail of what has been given to us for free.
ReplyDeleteWow, beautiful flowers Laura. Thanks for sharing. Oh yes and if I ever comment on your blog I'll sign my whole name. K, leaves great comments but I can't take credit. It's not me.
ReplyDeleteKristi Stevens (Hoontah)