Blue Wildflower

This is another photo taken during our trip to Illinois; it’s a beautiful blue wildflower that I just couldn’t get enough of.  I love the perspective in this photo – it’s totally un-retouched, but you get a nice sense of blurring in the background.  I also love the little petal just curling up towards the camera.

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Thistle

During our trip to Illinois in July we were struck by the sheer number of these white thistles on the sides of the road; we’ve never really seen this variety in this quantity before.  I had the opportunity to traipse around on a property nearby our hotel and enjoyed getting a close-up look.  I love the tiny, spikey details captured in this photograph!

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Blue and Orange Bird of Paradise

It’s notoriously difficult for me to take photographs of large, long flowers.  But I love the perspective I caught in this photo, and the beautiful color saturation.

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Big Black Ant

We visited family last week in the Chicago area.  They have the biggest bees and ants you’ve ever seen!  I snapped this photo of a giant black ant (literally it’s about a half inch long) on a pretty lacy flower.  I actually started off trying to get the flower and saw the ant – and I love how it’s looking right at me!

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Pink and White Poppy

Poppies are just so pretty, don’t you think?  This one is so delicate, with the baby pink and white tones, and its crinkles give it a sort of tutu-like appearance.  You can just barely see a little bee inside too!

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Yellow African Daisy

This bold combination of yellow and purple fascinates me.  Most African Daisies don’t contain so much contrast, and this was the first yellow one I’d seen (I’ve since seen a pot at Home Depot, so it’s not some genetic mix-up…  still I can’t help thinking it’s a stunning combo).

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Sunflower!

I think sunflowers are so cheerful!  This must be a short variety (the ones I grew always towered over my head) because I actually had to shoot down to get it (and I’m short!).  Anyway, it makes me smile.

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Sweet Pea

Add Sweet Peas to my list of favorite flowers (oops, it keeps growing!).  They smell incredible, take almost no care, and are so pretty!

I love how this one is sort of “looking” at me, expectantly.  And how many flowers are bold enough to combine purple and red?

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Blue Delphinium

This was in the same garden as the Jacob’s Ladder (last week).  A true blue flower!

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Red-Orange California Poppy

I didn’t even KNOW California poppies came in this color!  I love it.

I love it so much I was on a walk with my neighbor (who is moving!  Wah!) and saw it.  I remembered the flower but not the location, so when I went out with my camera the next day, I had to retrace our steps.  But it was totally worth it.  For this:

This photo has not been enhanced in any way whatsoever.  That is the actual color of the poppy.  Incredible, no?

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