A gray sky, late in the day, but the calm water gives this a peaceful feeling. A little slice of Seattle for you.

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The huge poppies are blooming. These unusual ones, the size of my hand, were discovered in a neighbor’s garden on a recent walk. Aren’t they something? The photo doesn’t really do justice to the red color, either. That tomato red, and the dark, dark center just do it for me. Flower thrills.

Visit Ruby Tuesday, Color Carnival, Today’s Flowers, Macro Friday, Macro Monday, SOOC Sunday (straight out of the camera), and Macro Flowers Saturday when you get a chance.

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Who doesn’t love peonies? Their wildly ruffled but so tender petals, the color of a baby’s cheek, that soft fragrance, and even their handsome foliage. Yum. These are in a neighbor’s garden as mine are still round buds.

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Took a walk this afternoon and was lucky enough to happen past this pretty scene in the brief bit of sunshine, before the cloud cover took over. Isn’t backlighting the greatest? I just love the way it looks in a garden. I like it so much I’m calling this my Best Post of the Week.

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The other day the sun was pouring through heavy clouds and I so wanted something lovely and scenic, but zipping along at freeway speeds and shooting across my husband’s arms and through the closed window (no time to open it!) I just clicked and hoped for something good. I think this one somehow has a very old-fashioned look, and you might think it’s monochrome except for the red windsocks. I’ll miss that viaduct when it’s gone.

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I think it’s so neat that you can see the white cloud reflected in the water. I don’t remember seeing that before, although I must have, mustn’t I? This taken just the other day at my favorite overlook over Puget Sound, looking south. Hope your day is a blue sky and puffy clouds type of day.

Visit Skywatch Friday, Scenic Sunday, Blue Monday, Weekend Reflections, Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday for more fascinating photos. Naturally, I’d love it if you browsed around here first. Clicking on Sara’s Fave Photos brings you back to the latest post here always.

I love tulips! And shadows! And sunshine! Tulips are pretty much done by now, but I found this photo I took almost two weeks ago and knew I couldn’t wait til next year to share it. And I’m calling it my Best Post of the Week, too.

Visit Macro Friday, Macro Monday, Today’s Flowers and Macro Flowers Saturday, Ruby Tuesday, Shadow Shot Sunday, Color Carnival and SOOC Sunday (straight out of the camera). And try a new tag or category, and/or the latest posts here at Sara’s Fave Photos first, why don’t you? Thanks for visiting!

Wouldn’t you like to pick up your mail by walking on this driveway every day? I surely do love sunny days and the shadows that result. The pink shrub at the entrance is a real scene-stealer. This sentinel is pieris or andromeda, very popular here in the Pacific Northwest. I read that our soils are acidic and that’s why plants such as rhododendrons and azaleas (and pieris) tend to do so well. Who knew?

Visit Shadow Shot Sunday and Pink Saturday on this long weekend. Also try Scenic Sunday, Outdoor Wednesday and SOOC Sunday (straight out of the camera) if you have a minute. Remember, if there is only one photo below, click on the Sara’s Fave Photos banner above to see the rest of the collection.

This photo makes me want to keep looking at it, so I’m calling it my Best Post of the Week.

I only wish this was taken on a fancy trip somewhere, but no, just the parking lot at my local Trader Joe’s. But it doesn’t matter, does it? The sky shows its beauty to parking lots and palaces alike. I hope you get to see a lovely start to an evening like this once in awhile, no matter where you are.

Visit Skywatch Friday, Pink Saturday, Color Carnival (now in a new home), Blue Monday, Outdoor Wednesday, and Scenic Sunday when you get a chance. And do check out a new tag or category here. Try Nature, perhaps? Don’t forget, you can always see the entire blog  by clicking on the Sara’s Fave Photos banner on top. Thanks so much for visiting!

Red rhodedendrons are pretty hard to photograph. The sunshine seems to really help me, even though it’s against most photographic advice. I expose for/focus on the bright areas and love how the background falls into shadow. Very mysterious, no?

Visit Ruby Tuesday for more ruby red photos and Today’s Flowers on Sunday. Color Carnival has bright colors, Macro Monday, more close ups, Shadow Shot Sunday, well, you figure it out. Do click on the banner above, Sara’s Fave Photos, to see the entire blog if there’s only one image below. Thanks for visiting!