Flower for every rifle

I am an avid gardener. I spend what little leisure time I have during the bleak winter months perusing flower catalogs dreaming of digging my hands into the dirt, the sun warming my skin. I love growing things. I never, ever buy annuals. Any annuals I grow come from seed and usually consist of sunflowers, cosmos, zinnia and a couple herbs. I have put off showing a "florals" for a number of years always afraid that they would lack seriousness and seem frivolous or worse decorative. But for me, by matter of education a biologist, I have a deep love for the wonder of all living things but I am particularly fond of flowers. Their beauty to the human eye is indisputable. One would be hard pressed to find someone who upon looking at a flower would be repulsed. Additionally, I find it difficult to remain angry or upset when surrounded by plans but especially flowers. Flowers seem to have a unique ability to brighten the spirit.

I now visit the garden daily with camera in hand catching the blooms. It is amazing how quickly the blossoms open. My love for flowers though, is not limited to those lovely perennials confined within my garden. walls. I love "weeds". Those unfortunate plants who suffer such great discrimination, which people spend good money to try to eradicate with terrific failure. The most notorious of which is the dandelion. Personally, I love the spring when the dandelions bloom and our yard is a sea of brilliant yellow. It seems much like a dreamland with blossoms in the trees and covering the ground. Dandelion makes a lovely addition to spring salads, that is of course if it hasn't been doused with some herbicide which will eventually get into the ground water and kill us all. Oops. Oh, and it can be used for wine as well.

Another "weed" which I appreciate is pineapple weed. A relative of chamomile. This lovely little weed found mostly along driveways and roads has a lovely pineapple scent and like chamomile can be made into tea. Whether it be an expensive heirloom rose, common perennial or weed, the innate beauty of flowers bring peace and joy to all and so it is with great relief that at long last I am able to share this love through my photography. It is my hope that these images will spread peace and happiness to all and an appreciation for the little beauties.

The "floral" series is now available in my etsy store.