Project 48 ~ 20:48

Clematis

Through the Fence

Backlit Poppies

Bluebird of Happiness

Dragonfly!

Ready for Take-Off

It was a beautiful weekend, spent in my garden and, I admit, the gardens of two of my neighbors.  The clematis is from across the street and the iris is down the block.  The bluebird is from Scott's shop, stained with home-made copper patina.  And the dragonfly?  He was kind enough to pose on several of the statues, which made for some awesome photos!  Enjoy!

Project 48 ~ 19:48

Raindrops on Roses

Raindrops on Purple Columbine

Raindrops on Red

Raindrops on Pink Aster

Raindrops on Poppy

Liberty Creek

Liberty Creek Falls

Are you sensing a theme???  This week's post is all about water, whether it's coming out of the sky in the form of raindrops, or cascading down a mountain creek.  We have had rain every day for what seems like forever.  I decided to stop cursing it and make it work for me.  The raindrops really are lovely on the flowers.  This morning, it wasn't raining, but it was cold.  Somehow, Scott convinced me to hike the 7.5 mile Liberty Lake Loop.  I'm not sorry he did - it is gorgeous along that trail.  It starts out along Liberty Creek, then switch-backs up the mountain to the ridge for amazing views of the Falls, then runs along the ridge for over a mile, then a steep downhill and across a swamp to get back to the main trail.  By the time I was done, I was splattered with mud and my shoes were soaked with it.  And I had a blast!

Project 48 ~ 18:48



Chokecherry Blossoms



Honeysuckle Vine



Panoramic View from Mineral Ridge (Lake Coeur d'Alene)

View from Mineral Ridge (Lake Coeur d'Alene)

Me at the Blue Bird viewpoint (Wolf Lodge Bay, Lake CdA)

Clover Flower



Sego Lily at top of Mineral Ridge

View of Wolf Lodge Bay and Interstate 90 from the top

Lake Coeur d'Alene from Mineral Ridge

Today's hike took us to the top of Mineral Ridge, overlooking Lake Coeur d'Alene.  We are never going to make good time on these weekly hikes.  There is just too much to photograph!  The views were absolutely breathtaking and I'm loving the ease of capturing panoramic shots with Scott's camera.  I (obviously) didn't take the photo of myself.  :-)  That is Scott's handiwork.  All the others are mine, but every one is taken with his Fujifilm XP because it's so easy to carry with me.  Hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Project 48 ~ 17:48

Scott at the top of Canfield Mountain

Starburst!

Balsamroot Flowers

Dianthus, Rocks & Log

View from the top of Canfield Mountain

Birthday Lily

Tree of Fire

Scott decided we should run/hike to the top of Canfield Mountain this morning, and so we did.  We started at the trailhead off Crestwood Ct.  An hour and a half later, we had some of the most amazing views ever.  Scott's Fujifilm XP takes panoramic shots, so I took a couple of those.  They are posted on Flickr since the panoramic style really doesn't work on this blog.  There were wildflowers galore and we had a great time.

I couldn't resist another shot of my birthday lilies.  They are so pretty.

And I saved the best for last.  This little Japanese maple is planted in one of our large aggregate planters at the shop.  At a certain time in the evening, when the sun is low in the sky, the tree lights up like it's on fire.  I'm really happy with the shot I've shared here, but trust me when I say it doesn't do it justice.  Mother Nature is really incredible. 

Enjoy!  (Oh, and Happy Birthday, Scott!)

Project 48 ~ 16:48

The Rock Wall

Red Parrot Tulips

Purple Columbine on Gold

Orange Blossoms on Purple

Allium

Truffula Tree (The Lorax)

Monkshood

Batchelor Button on Gold

 

 

Baby Duck!

Pagoda in Japanese Garden

I spent the morning at Manito Park, walking through the perennial and Japanese gardens, with the North Idaho DSLR Photo Club.  It was a mostly overcast day, with the sun peeking through every now and then.  The colors were amazing.  The flowers were unbelievable.  And the baby ducks were precious.  Enjoy!

Project 48 ~ 15:48

Super Moon (May 2012)

Honey Bee on Grape Hyacinth

Pansies

Honey Bee on Leopard's Bane

 

Robin with Friend

Lilac Buds

I love this time of year ~ the robins are back, flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing...  And we even had a super moon this week!

Project 48 ~ 14:48

Dan's Graduation

Bloomsday 2012 ~ We Did It!

Mike's Graduation

Birthday Lilies

Weeping Cherry Blossoms

It was a week of accomplishments: a son and a son-in-law graduated, and Scott & I ran Bloomsday 2012.  I am really proud of both Dan and Mike for all they've accomplished.  I'm proud of Scott for finishing well ahead of me (once again) at Bloomsday, in spite of not being able to run all winter because of shoulder surgery.  And I managed to cut almost 10 minutes off my (unofficial) time, so I'm pretty proud of myself, too.  Even the flowers are over-achieving this week - my birthday lilies are blooming (they are gorgeous!) and the weeping cherry tree has the most blossoms ever.

A very good, and very busy, week.  Enjoy!