Late last spring I planted a dogwood in the backyard. By that time the tree had already boomed so I wasn’t really sure what the flowers would look like. All summer I faithfully watered our new tree hoping it would produce flowers this spring. Finally, a week or two ago my care for the tree paid off. It’s in full bloom and the flowers look great. This is a close up of one of the many blooms.
Camellia Bud After The Rain
Green June Beetle
This week’s photo challenge is Ooh, Shiny! The concept is to photograph something that distracts you.
Paper Wasp on Lance-Leaved Goldenrod
I had a little trouble identifying this species of wasp but I believe it is a paper wasp. In my experience they are not aggressive unless you disturb their nests. In this case I was photographing wildflowers when the wasp approached to gather nectar. I sat still, watched and photographed it and the wasp didn’t even seem to notice me.
Rough Stink Bug on Ficus
Spider Breakfast
Little Black Spider
Pink Orchid
Praying Mantis on Pine
Grass Seedpod
The long stem of this wild grass silently hangs above competing weeds, wildflowers and native plants, patiently waiting for its seeds to drop. Some will be eaten by birds and field mice. Others will fall in places they cannot germinate. But for eons these simple seeds have dropped from similar pods carrying the lessons of their ancestors. Each year enough find their way into the earth to continue the silent tradition.