Flowering Weigela florida bush-colorful shrubs

I often see these beautiful, dark pink flowering bushes in gardens. This is the Weigela florida, a lovely ornamental shrub. There are about ten species of Weigela, all of which are shrubs native to temperate East Asia.
The showy bell-shaped flowers which engulf the plant early summer are of many colors: white, pink, red and sometimes yellow. This is the red variety of Weigela florida, a lovely ornamental species. The small, five-lobed flower are attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. Visit and join Macro Flowers Saturday for beautiful macro flowers.

Read more >>

Weeping Willow Tree bending in the wind

It's a windy day and the weeping willow trees on the river banks are gently "weeping" their branches.
The graceful weeping willow is a famous, usually sad subject in many cultures, source of inspiration for art and poetry.

The leaves and bark of the willow tree contain salicylic acid, the precursor to aspirin.
The Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates wrote about its medicinal properties in the 5th century BC.

This small park is in reconstruction and somebody took his job very seriously by cutting almost all branches of the old weeping willows.

Here is the lyric of a popular song composed in 1932 by Ann Ronell:

Oh, Weeping willow tree
Willow weep for me
Willow weep for me
Bend your branches green along the stream that runs to sea
Listen to my plea
Hear me willow and weep for me

Gone my lovers dream
Lovely summer dream
Gone and left me here to weep my tears into the stream
Sad as I can be
Hear me willow and weep for me

Whisper to the wind and say that love has sinned
Left my heart a-breaking, and making a moan
Murmur to the night to hide its starry light
So none will see me sighing and crying all alone

Oh, Weeping willow tree
Weep in sympathy
Bend your branches down along the ground and cover me
When the shadows fall, hear me willow and weep for me.

Read more >>

Bergenia cordifolia-Bergenia flower close-up

Bergenia is a beautiful ornamental flower.
The cone-shaped flowers in varying shades of pink and the glossy green leaves of Bergenia cordifolia are very showy.

Though, Bergenia are hardy plants that can grow in climates with extreme temperature ranges and they do well in most soils, I've never seen them in gardens.
I took these photos in the Botanical Garden.

Do you know what is the common name for Bergenia?
It is called pig squeak due to the sound produced when two leaves are rubbed together.


Visit Today's Flowers for beautiful flowers photos.
Visit and join Macro Flowers Saturday meme on my macro blog.

Read more >>

Diesel, the Westie has a friend

Diesel is our (my neighbor's) sweet Westie (West Highland White Terrier).

I am Diesel and I'm often sitting here, waiting for my master to finish his work.

It is so boring, I would play with anyone but nobody has time for me.

Diesel waiting for his master

But look, there is another puppy passing by!
HEY YOU! Come play with me, I have grandma's yummy cookie in this box!

Two white puppiesYou smell so nice, what a petty
that you are a boy too!

Don't be so shy, give me a kiss!

Kissing puppiesYou taste good but I
prefer girls, no offense!

Wresling puppiesYou can have it,
I really need some exercise!

Diesel gives upI give up! My master is coming and
we must deliver that cake to grandma's.

Read more >>

Reflections in glass-reflection photos

Reflections in a hotel window.


Visit Weekend Reflections.

Read more >>

Antique bird cages-vintage collectibles

In this old house there is a vintage shop, selling vintage house decorations, antique furniture, paintings and many other vintage collectibles.
Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take photos in the shop but in the yard.
Despite the dust settled everywhere, this place is so cozy; I should like to spend some more time taking photos here but I am a little bit stressed by the owner who is sitting on a bench, guessing where shall I use these photos.

At the first look all these vintage garden decorations and antique collectibles, hanging on the outside of the walls, look like junk but at a closer look there are many interesting things too. Look at this fanciful wooden bird cage, such an elaborate and detailed structure.

Vintage bird cage-antique hand carved wooden bird cage 

These vintage brass bird cages are beautiful too.

Antique brass bird cages

There are a huge number of vintage plant hangers and more bird cages hanging everywhere on the house walls. On the bottom-right side of the next picture there is a huge parrot cage with two beautiful parrots in it.
Here is a closer look. I would even go closer but I can read on the owner's face expression that it's time to say thanks.
Thank God, I forget to charge my batteries as I don't know when it's time to stop, when taking photos.
Just one more photo, a vintage wooden house model, lovely old piece too.

Antique wooden house model

Read more >>

Raindrops on white daisy petals-reflection macros

Raindrops on white daisy petals for my favorite weekend memes.
I am always planning to make my post earlier and schedule them to be up in time, but I never do it. So, I am a little late for James beautiful reflections but I couldn't miss it.
On my way home I've bought this little white daisy bouquet and I captured the first photos in the last sun rays of the day, an hour ago.
Here are my droplets glowing in the sunset light.

At this photo I like most the reflection of the daisies in the droplet at the right.



Visit Weekend reflections kindly hosted by James and admire amazing reflection photos.
Visit Today's flowers for beautiful flowers photos.
Visit Macro Flowers Saturday on my macro blog for beautiful flower macro pictures.

Read more >>

Raindrop macros-reflection photos

I am in love with this gazania flower.
Each day it opens one -two new blooms and I can't stop photographing it.
Reflections and raindrops are also fascinating photo subjects.





Visit Weekend reflections kindly hosted by James and admire amazing reflection photos.
Visit Today's flowers for beautiful flowers photos.
Visit Macro Flowers Saturday on my macro blog for beautiful flower macro pictures.

Read more >>

May-lilac time-lilac photos

In May it's lilac time.
Lilacs are blooming everywhere, in gardens and roadsides.
Tall shrub or tree lilacs, their blossoms fill the air with their sweet scent for quite a distance.
Light purple, lilac or dark burgundy, lilac flowers are the inspiration for many poems, song lyrics and even festivals.

When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom'd,
And the great star early droop'd in the western sky in the night,
I mourn'd, and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring.

Ever-returning spring, trinity sure to me you bring,
Lilac blooming perennial and drooping star in the west,
And thought of him I love.

~Walt Whitman~

Lilac (Syringa) is a member of the olive family (Oleaceae) and native to southeastern Europe to eastern Asia.

Trees and shrubs of  a contrasting color, like yellow Forsythia and  Laburnum tree with bright yellow flower clusters,  in the neighborhood of a purple lilac tree will create an impression of vibrancy and excitement in the landscape.

Read more >>