Fine and Dandy

Seems I’ve got a case of ‘warm fuzzies’ with all the yellow flowers blooming in the neighborhood! Now, I could have gone for forsythia, daffodil or tulip but nope. What caught my camera’s eye today were the dandelions! Go figure. 😉

“Dandy” (Taraxacum officinale, aka Common Dandelion) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/3.8, 1/2000s, ISO 200

Snubbed by most as a lowly weed, but when you get belly-down to these sunny blossoms you start to see them in a whole different light.

“The Art of the Dandelion” (Taraxacum officinale, aka Common Dandelion) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8, F/6.3, 1/200s, ISO 200

Ever take a close look at the leaves? Before today I can’t really say that I had. And there they’ve been all along…the spikey, deep green background players, edged and veined in purple, with little white tips, waiting patiently for someone, anyone, to take notice.

Well, there ya go little dandelion. Sorry it took me soooo long. 🙂

Feeling like Horton

“Make a Wish” (Smooth Hawksbeard Seed Puff) Nikon D300, 105mm macro, F/6.3, 1/320s, -0.7EV, ISO 640

Walking around the garden today I must have had “Horton Hears a Who” on my mind! (Well, I did just watch the movie on tv).

The late afternoon light was striking the “puff balls” of Smooth Hawksbeard (wildflower/weed) giving them a beautifully luminous glow. I really didn’t know how these were going to turn out, but figured, what the heck! 🙂

Just as I was setting up the shot, a gentle breeze began to blow, causing the release of some of the hairy seeds. Cool! It reminded me of when I was a child when we would pluck similar weeds (the dandelion), make a wish, then blow the seeds into the air. Sigh, those were simpler times indeed.

After cleaning up the puff a bit, I then came in for a reallytight shot. 

“Grand Finale” (Smooth Hawksbeard Seed Puff) Nikon D300, 105mm macro, F/9, 1/125s, -0.7EBV, ISO 640

How can something that is considered a weed be so amazing??

One man’s weed

“Buzz Cut” (Bull Thistle, Cirsium vulgare) Nikon D300, 105mm macro, F/11, 1/400s, -0.7EV, ISO 400

Apparently, Bull Thistle is an unregulated, noxious weed.

Hmmm.

That may be true, but I didn’t see “weed“, but rather, a very interesting flower form, full of opposing textures – soft on top, prickly on the bottom.

And, the bees LOVE this plant!

While I was shooting, there were numerous bumbles flitting from flower to flower. I did get some images with bees included, but I wanted this unusual flower to be center stage.

Soooo, one man’s weed is this woman’s shot of the day! 🙂