Enjoy The Details!

As you enjoy the flowers in your garden this year, take the time to really get close and personal. Enjoy the details of each flower. I've been getting in to photographing more close-ups and am noting features that I've never noticed in the past. While flower color and form have visual interest, the fine details can only be enjoyed close-up. Included here are just a couple recent examples that I've enjoyed. Directly above is the common annual, love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena) which will have no trouble reseeding later this year and coming back next year. Below is the first double white coneflower (Echinacea purpurea 'Coconut Lime') and beneath that, a close-up of the golden-leaved spiderwort (Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Sweet Kate') bloom. Further below is the first double orange coneflower (Echinacea 'Hot Papaya') and the blooms of the annual hyacinth bean vine (Dolichos lablab). The bottom picture shows some details I'd like to avoid seeing; the Japanese beetles are back. That shot is on one of my rose blooms at home.)