This lends so much warmth to the room. I love how nothing 'matches'... yet - it's such a harmonious existence. Lots of little clay drawers... perfect for storing those perfect little nothings that we all have (and don't know where to store). ((Pier One a few years back))

Color, texture & intensity... the trio for photographic happiness. I'm anxiously awaiting the flowering of this plant as well as have a keen eye on the beauty bush that's along the path we walk daily... you'll see just how 'worth it' the wait will be!

Color and nature, amazing once again. I love the way this beauty didn't take his eye off me the entire time I was getting set. He had a ladylove - and her eyes were so feminine... it was like looking at a little granny with full battle make-up on. Amazing tho - they can live upwards of eight decades years!

don't ask me why. Just let me explain. It's part of that love affair I have with my Sony... it was Halloween timeframe and we'd just staked out the heads... I just couldn't resist. Who would've thought that they'd turn out to be so cool??

It all has to do with perspective. These crocus were screaming to be photographed, and for all their colorful beauty - I was later devastated when I took them from the camera into editing mode... as saw that there was a horrible cigarette butt amid the flowers on the left hand side. But it's all about how you choose to look at things. It's still a wonderful picture - even if I hadn't told you that I'd cropped very carefully, and chose to show only the beauty.

A little out of season, but still timeless and elegant. Ice tinged edges of a glorious holly bush. I went a little further with this image, and changed it to B&W, then used a history brush to bring back some of the color... less is always more.

I seem to really be on a flower kick, but - so be it. Again, truly magnificent colors (applause) and sleek design. Shot with my Sony Cybershot on a white piece of printer paper under the light on my desk. Who says you've got to have all the latest gizmos to get the goods?? Enjoy

mmm. Lovely dogwood, pale and blushing pinks on a wonderfully striated textural background. I dropped out the color of the background so that the blossom would shine. It does, doesn't it?

This beauty is planted in a half whisky barrel right outside the breakfast area, I've been watching it - waiting to pounce. Yesterday it was all wrapped tightly into a pentagonal shaped puff - all points neatly matching up at the seams.
This morning it has ventured forth... but still is not fully unfurled, as the pollen-coated stamens are still in their upright supporting role. I expect in a few hours it will have morphed further. I always marvel at the stunning colors, precision and functionality in nature... as I did today, come marvel with me!
My friend Valerie and I researched it and it's called a Balloon Flower. Apropriate, eh?!

Color, isn't it amazing? I shot these at Zilker Gardens in Austin, TX. I can't say that I really contributed too much to this - other than being where I needed to be to find it. If you click on the image - it'll enlarge in a new window - it's just beautiful.

And below, is this stained glass? Monet?

or perhaps a close-up of the water from the larger image below...

A few years back I did a study to satisfy my curiosity, adjusting the hue in photographs. Not surprising was the finding that no matter what direction I slid the bar, I found that, in nature - the results were always complimentary.

Interestingly enough though was this peacock...
I ask you this:

If you didn't know for a fact what the true colors were - which combination would you think was best suited?

Amazing...