PARTING SHOTS OF BLUE MOUNTAIN LAVENDER FARM

Lavender Fields Forever

BLUE MOUNTAIN LAVENDER FARM, ENCORE

Sun, heat, flowers . . . a summer time trifecta.

INSPIRED BY GEORGIA O'KEEFE

Artistic Interpretations of a Star Magnolia Flower

I have loved the art of Georgia O'Keefe since my Art History classes 

at the University of Washington in the early 70s, 

especially the close ups of her sensuous flower blossoms. 

Today, with the help of my iPhone camera and the creative app Prisma, 

I have created my own versions of a Star Magnolia blossom. 

Now I just have to learn to paint like Ms. O'Keefe.

Original color photo

Variation #1

Variation #2

Variation #3

STAR MAGNOLIA-REDUX

Studies in Black and White

Yesterday I posted these same photos of a Star Magnolia blossom in color. 

Here are the black and white variations. I like them both but for different reasons. 

How about you?

APRIL 1, CDP THEME DAY: WET

Star Magnolia 

It's been a long cold, snowy winter in Walla Walla, with a record wet month of March. For the most part it's all good as we head into spring and summer with enough moisture in the mountains to stave off the drought conditions that threatened the valley in the past.  And with the memory of all that snow and rain still fresh, the blossoms of the early blooming Star Magnolia never looked more lovely.

For more photos of "Wet" by other City Daily Photo bloggers, follow this link: http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com.au/

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE

Happy 4th of July to My American Viewers! 

APRIL CDP THEME DAY--SIMPLICITY + HAPPY 1ST ANNIVERSARY WWDP

Simply Beautiful . . . the Red Geranium

Nothing says summer like the age-old red pelargonium, aka red geranium. 

I have 21 of these beauties waiting to plant in my patio pots that will delight me 

with their cheery red blooms well into late October or November. 

At $2.88/plant, that's not a bad investment for seven months of pleasure.

My favorite variety is the Pelargonium x hortorum Calliope that is heat-loving and drought tolerant, 

which makes it perfect for Walla Walla's hot, dry summers.

And of course, my favorite geranium color is red because I love anything red.

By the way, April 1 is my one-year anniversary for my Walla Walla Daily Photo blog and posting on the City Daily Photo site. 

Without intention, I initially caused quite a stir with my not-quite-official first submission, but once the dust settled, 

I have hopefully become a respectable CDP member, albeit not always a consistent daily poster. 

Suffice it to say, I am still the new kid on the block.

I enjoy the challenge of sharing photos of Walla Walla, a quintessential small American town 

in eastern Washington state, with my followers and readers of City Daily Photo.

If you'd like to see more April 1 theme day photos by CDP photographers from around the world, just follow the link here.

A BREATH OF SPRING

Paper White Narcissus

The Paper White bulbs that I planted before Christmas bloomed a week or two ago. They are a perennial favorite of mine as far as forced bulbs go. Their bright white flowers aren't as showy as the Amaryllis, another popular winter indoor forced bulb. Instead, Paper Whites announce their presence with a quiet, pleasant fragrance that I especially enjoy after the heavy scent of fir and pine of the Christmas season.

In the Language of Flowers, Paper White means egotism, formality, and stay as sweet as you are.

A LATE HYDRANGEA

 Experiments in Editing 

I've never been one to edit any of my photos, save for a judicious crop here and there. My rationale is that I want my photos to speak for themselves as a moment captured in time. While lighting is critical along with composition, some of what I consider my best photos are a result of "happy accidents"--that is, being at the right place, at the right time to take advantage of the light and the subject matter in front of me.

These photos are some of my first experiments using the editing tools on Picasa. While I am pleased with the results so far, I must admit I still feel like I am "cheating" by altering what the lens originally captured. Yet, I'm determined to keep experimenting and posting my results on this blog. Please feel free to comment--good or bad--as that's the only way for me to learn.

 The original photo

 Use of color tools and border

Black and white

FIRST COMETH THE FLOWERS . . .

Then the Seeds--Part 5 and Final

 Acer aka Maple Tree

Syringa Vulgaris aka Common Lilac

FIRST COMETH THE FLOWERS . . .

Then the Seeds . . . Part 4

 Echinacea aka Purple Coneflower

FIRST COMETH THE FLOWERS . . .

Then the Seeds--Part 3

 Shasta Daisy

Rudebekia aka Black-Eyed Susan

FIRST COMETH THE FLOWER . . .

Then the Seed--Part 2

Sunflower

Calendula

SUMMER IS . . .

GOING . . .

GOING . . .

GONE . . .

GROW BIG OR GO HOME

Sunflowers as high as an elephant's eye

Ten feet tall and blooming!

Have a bloomin' good weekend!