Macro Monday

Bee-ing in a state of ecstasy

for Six Word Saturday

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge 94…at home

I’ve been thinking about doing an “at home” post for some days, so this seems to be the perfect time, although choosing photos was a challenge. I decided to go with all iPhone photos, using only photos from our house or yard. We’re blessed in that we can go out and walk or bike and I walk regularly, but I’m not using any of those shots today.

This torch cactus bloomed the day after we moved in. One day there were no flowers, the next, splendor. The flowers only lasted a day or two, then wilted, dried up, and fell off. But earlier this week, I woke in the morning to round two, pictured here. Perhaps because of the heat (almost 100F), the following day they were already wilted But, oh, what a glorious day of flowers that was!

I love sitting outside, reading, hoping to see a hummingbird while I have my Nikon out, writing, or just enjoying the flowers. So far the hummingbird has eluded my camera, but one of these days… Anyway, the waiting isn’t definitely not a trial! And you know that “discussion” about real books vs. e-readers? Thank goodness for e-readers these days and virtual checkout from the library!!

It’s a jungle out there…

…if you’re this little and inside a cactus flower.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #54: Detail

Everything made by human hands looks terrible under magnification–crude, rough, and asymmetrical. But in nature every bit of life is lovely. And the more magnification we use, the more details are brought out, perfectly formed, like endless sets of boxes within boxes
― Roman Vishniac

I don’t believe that first sentence. Human hands makes some incredible things. But I firmly believe the rest of the quote and these are the details I love to see, record, and share. Patti challenges us to share details this week, so without further ado, here are mine.

One Word Sunday…size

for One Word Sunday

Thursday Doors…plus de portes de Colmar

After an excellent lunch, it’s always good to take a walk.  Because we’re here during the week, there are slightly less tourists than usual, so let’s be thankful for that.  But you still have to be careful not to suddenly stop when you see just the right door (or a great patisserie.)  You might get rear-ended.

Old churches often have great doors and these first two prove that rule.

Friday flowers…shy

Thursday doors…unusual Philly doors

What did we do while I was in Philadelphia?  Ate well, stopped at many coffee shops, walked a lot, watched episodes of “Father Brown” in the evening…and took shots of doors (naturally).  The first door I saw is the first door in this post.  I was just ready to take a photo when the woman who lived there walked up.  I complimented her on the door and she said the artist had done more doors.  I can see why.

Monday walk…Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

That quote from the Wizard of Oz is, to mix books a bit, really more like something from Dr. Seuss’ To Think that I Saw it on Mulberry Street, where the story keeps getting bigger and bigger until it deflates at the end. I didn’t actually see lions or tigers or bears, but I did see at least one very unusual thing, one imaginative thing, and many lovely things.  And to think that I saw them at McDowell Forest Preserve!

The morning was a chilly one and evidently there hadn’t been any people out recently because as I came to a turn in the path and looked up, I saw two deer, a doe and a buck. As I only had my phone, you’ll have to look closely.

When my eyes turned to the path, I saw another doe, and as I got a bit closer, her dilemma was clear:  “Should I stay or should I go?”