May 21, 2011

Photo Challenge: May Flowers

It’s time for another Brenda Photo Challenge and the theme is May Flowers. With all of the showers we’ve been getting this spring, we certainly have a profusion of May flowers brightening things up! And it was refreshing to take a little break from mentally wresting with the computer last weekend and take some new photos for this challenge. Because it was a cloudy day with a hint of rain, the tripod came out of its case to lend me some assistance in the endeavor.

This first photo begged for a square crop to show itself off properly. So after a little snip-snip, here you have it. This cheerful yellow gerbera daisy bloom is in a neighbor’s flowerpot. The camera settings were f/7.1, 1/30 second, and ISO 320.


Thanks to a little prodding by the residents, the empty lots in the villa section of our subdivision are looking a lot better this year because of regular trimming. But it is a good thing for the birds (particularly gold and purple finches) that a few wild thistle plants are left to bloom. The spikes on the plants and their flowers are wickedly sharp, but photogenic nonetheless. Here is a bloom that hasn’t yet opened to reveal its purple petals. The image was taken at f/7.1, 1/6 second, and ISO 320.


And when hubby came home from a trip to the greenhouse a couple of weeks ago, he surprised me with a couple of lovely geraniums to put in a rustic twig basket on the front porch. You can’t help but smile when you looking at these cheerful pink and white blooms. The camera settings were f/7.1, 1/6 second, and ISO 320.


I hope that you click on the link at the top and check out the photos of other challenge participants too!

22 comments:

  1. So pretty my friend. That first one needs to be on some note cards and given away to me. LOL!
    Have a great day my friend.
    HUGS
    Kim

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  2. Those are gorgeous, each and every one of them. I love the color of those geraniums. I saw some in the store the other day and though about getting some. I just may have to make a trip out today :)

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  3. A very nice selection, I can't make up my mind on what color of geranium i like best so have many.

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  4. Well Thank Goodness you got the hang of your new operating system!!! These are jusr Gorgeous...I'm with The Real Me! Would look wonderful oh cards...for ME!!!Hahaaaaa
    Happy weekend to you....
    hughugs

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  5. Donna, these are all incredible shots. They are soooo gorgeous. Well Done! I agree with The Real Me and Donna's comments....but I think they all should be in a card. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  6. Beautiful pictures! I've never seen a wild thistle plant look quite so pretty!

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  7. I too agree with The Real Me and Marissa, I don't live far away from Marissa so it could be just one shipment. Love your shots and thanks for the camera talk. You know I love that part as well.

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  8. I love all three pictures. I like the second photo because it is something I haven't seen before. Beautiful!

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  9. Gerber daisies are so beautiful!!!! I love the way you captured it. :)
    Have a wonderful weekend! xxxx~Kelsey

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  10. Fantastic closeup, the yellow is cheerful:)
    TQ for visiting n commenting on my blog!

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  11. These are wonderful!!! Can't wait for the next challenge to see more from your camera.:-)

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  12. Perfection in color! Excellency in cropping! And THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for correctly identifying that flower as a G-E-R-B-E-R-A daisy! Sheesh. Nobody knows the spellings I've seen.

    YAYYYYY I am so happy.

    Luv ya kid. I need me a tripod ...

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  13. Glorious blooms! The daisy is my favorite of the three, something about daisies just make you smile no matter what mood you're in. :-)

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  14. Wow, Donna, I've never seen blooming Thistles! Beautiful shots of beautiful flowers!

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  15. I thought the first one was perfect until I saw the second one! Beautiful!

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  16. Great photos! I enjoy your blog so much! I have been getting into photography "a little bit" lately - the huge winter we had was just too amazing not to photograph bits of it, and now we've had some lovely cloud formations (this is only the second day of "no snow" that we've had... sigh) May 21st! It's not even spring here yet, DH is out back right now shoveling snow to try to get rid of some of it. Anyway these are lovely photos and I have to give your DH a thumbs up for surprising you with the geraniums, that was sweet. :) Hugs!

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  17. Wow Donna! Had no doubt you would have something amazing. Y'all inspired me to get out and get some flower shots today and join in the fun again. ~Jeanne

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  18. Aha, well done as always Donna. Love the sunflower. Fantastic.

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  19. As always, outstanding and beautiful shots!

    Especially like the "goober" daisy LOL

    I just had to say that ♥

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  20. So very beautiful. My favorite is the daisy! :)

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  21. Donna, these are great macros! The colors are bright and vivid, and what a great contribution to the May challenge!

    May they bloom forever!

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  22. Love that wild thistle photo! It looks scary because of the pointed leaves, and yet it's very symmetric and beautiful in its own way. Really nice photos of flowers!

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Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!