Bluebells

It’s bluebell season! I drive past a trailhead several times a week, but once a year, without fail, I am shocked to see a big splash of color right past the parking area. The bluebells just burst into bloom and liven the place up. I enjoyed photographing them on an overcast day this year, and I love the nice, even light on the blossoms. They come in a variety, too, from the blue you expect to see, to also pink and very light purple.

Snowdrops

I was surprised and delighted to spot these snowdrops while walking the dog earlier this eek. I returned yesterday to photograph them. While on my belly, in the mud, right off the path, a lady walked by and asked - nicely but with in all seriousness - what was so special about those flowers. It made me feel like I must be living on a different planet, because my heart was singing when I first saw them and also on this day. For once, I was able to answer an unexpected question easily: they are the first flowers I have seen this year and they make me happy. Like sooooo happy I am smiling as I type this. Does anyone else get such a huge boost from nature’s little gifts?

Take note of the flowers right in the center of this image - the are literally blooming through this fallen leaf. It’s nature’s message that you can thrive right where you are planted.

Vibrant Leaves

The color this time of year is incredible in Pennsylvania. All I want to do is drive around all day and soak it in.

Sassafras Leaf with Raindrops

I love the sassafras leaves that fall this time of year. They vary in shape and size and color. The yellow ones are my favorite, though, and they are even better when covered with fresh raindrops.

Pretty Pink Leaves

Here’s a little autumn color for you, straight from my front yard.

Dahlias

I have always loved dahlias. In fact, it was a photo I took of a dahlia, back when I was in college, with my lens turned around to simulate a macro effect, that ignited the spark of my photography passion. Until then, I had merely been messing around. But that image, flawed though it was, taught me there were worlds to be seen inside a bloom, if one could just look closely enough.

Fast-forward to last year, when my husband’s friend - not just any dahlia grower, but someone who is passionate about cultivating the most beautiful dahlias around - gives us some to plant because all the dahlia shows are canceled and he doesn’t want them to go to waste. We planted them, but missed the bloom last year because we were in Wyoming. This year, however, we did get one to thrive and it has the most magnificent color, as you can see in the first image.

It was no accident that when I went to the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden recently, the dahlia show was also happening. I got a peek at the exquisite blooms before judging began, but only got a few pictures of these winners (last three photos) before I had to leave. What fantastic marvels they are, looking beautiful from afar and providing almost infinite detail when you look closely.

After the Rain

After the rain, the land is refreshed, and I am thankful for the wet earth and the sparkling drops of water that cling to the foliage.