Tulip Bloom

Of course tulips are at their peak while the flowers are still slightly closed.  This purple tulip, at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, looked pasted its prime but I thought the vibrant colors had a beauty all their own.  While it no longer had that new tulip shape, the open flower revealed a lovely contrast between the yellow pollen and the deep purple and blue flower pedals.

Fallen Crape Myrtle Blossom

This fallen crape myrtle blossom serves as a reminder the warm summer weather will soon be a memory.