I bought this bouquet of a dozen tulips and daffodils, EACH, at Pike Place Market. I was surprised to see the tulips open into this starry shape. The bouquet even had lilacs in it!

Visit Macro Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday and Color Carnival after your visit here. Remember, anytime you want to go to today’s post, just click on Sara’s Fave Photos above.

This shot of Lilies of the Valley (Convallaria) is actually from last year, taken in the Bronx Botanical Garden in New York, but the ones outside my house are just about blooming now, so I thought you’d like to see these sweet and fragrant little springtime bells. Don’t they cast such cute shadows?

Visit Shadow Shot Sunday for more interesting shadows and Today’s Flower for blooms of all kinds. Visit SOOC for more straight-out-of-the-camera photos.

To return to the most recent post, click on Sara’s Fave Photos. Or try some of the categories or tags for other interesting browsing.

This is one from the archives. I remember it was a very hot day in northern California, and the eggs just looked so beautiful before we lit into them. I am glad I preserved them for posterity. I was just learning how natural light is so superior to flash, and this soft light really proves it.

Today’s Thursday Challenge is FOOD (Meals, Restaurants, Eating, Vegetables, Unusual Foods, Cooking, BBQs…). To return to the full blog with my latest post on top, click on Sara’s Fave Photos above.

Here’s the thing about apples: they must have cross pollination to set fruit. And even if there is another apple tree nearby, if the bees aren’t out doing their thing, you may have to help nature along. Here in Seattle where sunshine is an occasional thing (“sun breaks,” anyone?) it will definitely increase your harvest to get out there and help.

How? Take a clean, dry, soft artist’s paintbrush, or even a Q-tip, and brush the pollen carefully on a bunch of flowers on Tree A. Then go to Tree B (a different apple variety) and brush some more. Back and forth a few times should do it. Of course for a big tree, you can only do so much, but for dwarf backyard trees, you will make a huge difference.

We have two trees of the “columnar” type. They’re a super skinny, super dwarf size, good in containers, and both can be hand pollinated in just a few minutes. Go back in a few days when more blossoms have opened and do it again. You’ll be glad you did.

Visit Today’s Flowers for more sweet flower photos.

This person was one of a jillion photographers entranced, as I was, at the incredible displays of flowers. Roozengaarden is just one of the paid tulip gardens in the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. This year we paid their $4 admission, what the heck, but it was so worth it. Mind boggling.

Visit Thursday Challenge for more Green-themed photos (or Plants, Spring Growth, Gardens, Clothing, Green Things…). Color Carnival has more amazingly brilliant color.

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

I promised you scenic, and this is about as scenic as it gets, as far as I am concerned. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a photo opportunity from heaven. Seeing all the people snapping pictures shows photography is alive and well in America today.

I know it’s a stretch, but I’m counting the snowy fields in the distance as an entry for Watery Wednesday. Certainly visit Outdoor Wednesday, and Color Carnival, too. And remember, you can always click on Sara’s Fave Photos above to return to the full blog with my latest post on top.

I love this photo, and I’m calling it my Best Post of the Week.

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.

Still in a rose mood, longing for warm, sunny weather. This is my favorite rose, Double Delight. I read that it was a sport and almost not pursued. The petals get stronger color in more intense sunlight. This is one of the ones I planted last summer. The 18 bushes are leafing out well, but it’s just too rainy to get a photo to show you right now. I do have high hopes for later in the year.

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday for more cheerful splashes of yellow, and Ruby Tuesday for more ruby redness. Color Carnival has the brilliant color combos. Try them all! Click on Sara’s Fave Photos above to return to the full blog with my latest post on top.

Hope your Easter is a happy one and the Easter bunny brings you lots of goodies!

Visit Today’s Flowers for more flowers all around the world, and Shadow Sunday for more shadow scenes. And remember, you can always click on Sara’s Fave Photos above to return to the full blog with my latest post on top.

Yesterday was one of those cloud days. Every time I looked at the sky, amazing and wonderful clouds were there for my personal enjoyment. The challenge is to be where you can take a photo, hopefully without lots of telephone wires, etc., ruining it. And you’ve gotta be quick!

This is downtown Burien, showing those new condos near the new library. Don’t they look smashing with that great sky setting them off?

Visit Skywatch Friday for more skies seen round the world. And remember, you can always click on Sara’s Fave Photos above to return to the full blog with my latest post on top.