A recent visit to Seattle’s hidden gem, Volunteer Park Conservatory (which by the way is trying to raise serious money to finish a much-needed renovation—learn more at Critical Moment on their site), in pretty afternoon light, showcasing the magnificent outdoor tulips. I love the color combo. Their gardeners are just world class.

Visit Pink Saturday, Scenic Sunday, Today’s Flowers, and Outdoor Wednesday for further photo enjoyment. Try a new tag or category here first, why don’t you? And you can always see the complete and up-to-date blog by clicking on Sara’s Fave Photos, here or the banner above.

This is a new kind of daffodil for me. So sweet and romantic! They were in a nursery display potted up for folks and I almost bought some. But the rain we’ve been having would probably have ruined them outside. I heard that Seattle has had the coldest spring on record, so I feel a teensy bit justified in my complaining.

Visit Macro Friday, Pink Saturday, Today’s Flowers, Macro Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday and SOOC Sunday (straight out of the camera) for other fascinating photography. While you’re here, check out more photos in this blog by clicking on Sara’s Fave Photos.

This year I think it’s even too cold for the slugs. The lupines are coming up all unmolested, although maybe it’s my campaign with the clippers last year that’s having an effect. Last week the sun peeked through and sparkled in water caught in these lupine leaves.

Visit Shadow Shot Sunday, Macro Monday, Outdoor Wednesday, Watery Wednesday, Macro Friday and SOOC Sunday (straight out of the camera) if you have time. While you’re here, check out more photos in this blog by clicking on Sara’s Fave Photos.

This shrub used to be seen all over, but not so much any more. Plants have fashions, and this one is passe, apparently. I grew up seeing these blooming forsythias everywhere in the earliest spring. My old house had a big one that was hardly flowering because big trees had grown up around it, shading it, but one branch touched the ground and rooted, so I took it with me. And three years later in some sun, look at it!

Visit Macro Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday, Color Carnival, Outdoor Wednesday, SOOC Sunday and Today’s Flowers and be sure to click on Sara’s Fave Photos to view the complete blog if you see only one photo below.

I was at the Volunteer Park Conservatory in Seattle last week, and I thought I’d show you a photo of the marvellous planting of spring flowers outside. Those purple hyacinths just thrill me. Definitely drop by if you are in the area. And it’s free!

Check out Color Carnival for more brilliant colors.

To return to the full blog with my latest post on top, click on Sara’s Fave Photos above.

This view of my backyard from the patio shows the magnolia tree and a few early bulbs with a dramatic sky promising rain. Visit Skywatch Friday for more skies around the world, and Blooming Friday for more flowers happening now. Pink Saturday will show more pink of all sorts. Scenic Sunday has more scenigasms. Have fun in blogland!

You can always click on Sara’s Fave Photos above to return to full blog with latest post on top.

This was taken in the Portland Japanese Garden in May, not now in January, but I thought we could use some spring and sunshine today. Here is Seattle in the real world, all is gray. For more fascinating flowers, visit Today’s Flowers, and be sure to visit Scenic Sunday as well.

Here’s another saunter into the archives, this from May 12 of last year: my backyard. I planted every single one of those bulbs the previous fall and was so happy to see how they looked. This year they might even look better, but only the barest tips of the crocus leaves are showing now.

For more entrancing flowers, visit Flowers for Today. I also call this pretty darn Scenic, too! And sunshine makes taking a perfect (or at least pretty good) photo so easy, so this is SOOC as well. But do you think it’s colorful enough for Color Carnival?

Another couple of photos from the Bronx Botanical Garden in New York City, the top shadow photo taken in front of the famous and enormous Conservatory, which is below it, and kind of scenic, isn’t it? For more scenicness, visit Scenic Sunday.

Hard not to be seduced by shadows from this sinuous bench. For more lovely and intriguing shadows, go to Shadow Shot Sunday, hosted by Tracy, AKA Hey Harriet. You’ll be glad you did.

Usually it’s quite gray around here (I know I repeat myself) so when we have sunny skies it’s an event. This week we had a couple of days of glorious weather, so here’s a look at a sky from Wednesday for you. For more fascinating skies around the world, click HERE.