Big Red Flower

I don’t know what type of flower this is but it is big and very bright red.  It was growing on a vine in the Conservatory at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden when I photographed it in May.

Cluster of Roses

This group of roses was one of those small scenes I just couldn’t resist photographing.  The composition probably breaks all the rules but I like it just the way it is.  To me the three roses in the background on the left seem balanced by the larger, fully blooming rose in the foreground and the opening bud in the upper right.

The dark green leaves of the rose bush are riddled with insect damage.  Some photographers might be temped to “repair” them during processing but I like the imperfection of the scene.  It reminds me that, upon close inspection, even the beautiful things in life are not perfect.

Rose Buds

Sun, rain, plant, earth, and gardener all played a part in producing these magnificent buds.  How many hours of sunlight, drops of rain, atoms of nitrogen, and beads of sweat have gone into them?

Pink Orchid

This beautiful pink and yellow orchid was on display at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Orchid Show in Richmond, VA.  I couldn’t resist the temptation to try and get a Georgia O’Keeffe style image of it.

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.

Wildflower and Native Bee

A patch of wild daisies attracted this small, native bee.

Macro of Magnolia

Sun light begins to fall on the curled stamens of this magnolia bloom.

Pollination of the Redbud