Red
Garden Torches
After a bit of a delay, due to an unusually cold start to spring, the tulips are now in top form throughout northeast Wisconsin.
In a sea of red and yellow tulips, these orange toned specimens stood out. The color reminded me of flames – like garden torches.
These beauties were found in Manitowoc’s West of the Lake Gardens. The garden delayed their season opening by a couple of weeks due to the weather.
To view a larger version of this colorful display, click on the image.
Valentine’s Rose
Autumn Glory
A Lovely Bunch
The beauty of Autumn’s colors are not limited to the trees. I found these gorgeous mums blooming at the entrance of the Public Library in Algoma, Wisconsin.
Hats off to whoever tended the their small flower bed. It was a continual source of blooming beauty all season.
View a larger version of these beauties by clicking on the photo.
Moss & Flames
On a hike through the woods, my eyes were drawn to this scene. Sunlight streaming through the trees illuminated a patch of moss growing on a decaying log.
What caught my eye was the little, bright red, hair-like plants growing from the green moss bed. The way the light hit it, it reminded me of little flames.
I wish you could have been there because I don’t think the photo does it justice. If you like to view a larger version (maybe that would help), just click on the photo.
Big Red
This fireworks burst turned the water red. This was part of the 26th annual Shanty Days celebration in Algoma, Wisconsin – on the western shore of Lake Michigan.
The fireworks are launched from the pier and people line the shore to watch the fun. As you can see, I was positioned on the beach, at the waters edge. If you’re familiar with the area, you might recognize the Algoma lighthouse – it’s that little red dot on the far right of the photo, just above the water.
To see a larger version of this image, click on it and another tab will open in your browser.
Boastful
This male, Ruby-throated hummingbird was showing off for me. I love it when the light hits their gorget just right and you get a flash of that iridescent, ruby-red color they derive their name from.
For bonus points…
gor·get (gôrjt)
n.
1. A piece of armor protecting the throat.
2. An ornamental collar.
3. The scarflike part of a wimple covering the neck and shoulders.
4. A band or patch of distinctive color on the throat of an animal, especially an area of brightly colored feathers on the throat of a bird.
Click on the image to see a larger image and those brightly colored feathers on the throat in greater detail.
Spring’s Serenade (textured effect)
I’ve been fiddling with my images lately. (You might have noticed yesterday’s post – Morning Friends)
This image was originally posted last April (see Spring’s Serenade). When I first posted it I shared it with some friends and mentioned I thought it would be a perfect image for a textured effect. Well, I finally got around to trying one on.
It changes the feel of the bright, vivid original image. You should look at both and see which you prefer.
If you have a large monitor, you can view a larger version of this image by clicking on it.
Love’s Vortex
“It is at the edge of the petal that love waits.” ~ William Carlos Williams
There is no other flower that so vividly conveys love, beauty and passion as a red rose. I can easily be mesmerized by the delicate symmetry of a well-formed rose. The swirl of this one’s petals seem to lure you, helplessly, into its center. I spent quite a while gazing upon it…and photographing it from every angle. This is the view I like most.
This is dedicated to the one I love…a woman most worthy of such beauty… my wife, Sara. We are celebrating 18 years of wonderful marriage. (No exaggeration. Ours is a match made in heaven. You will never encounter a more perfect marriage or solid love. I am greatly blessed!)
To see a larger version of the rose, just click on it.
The Center of Passion
There is something about this image that captivates me. I’d like to say it was taken in some exotic location, but it wasn’t. It is the center of a poppy from the flower bed beside our home.
Of course, it’s the rich, deep red of the petals that initially grab me. However, it’s the purple center, ringed by the dark seeds, that keep me staring.
I realize this is one of those images that either trips your trigger…or not. Feel free to leave a comment, either way.
Click the image to see a larger version.