Blommor

Lens – Artists Challenge #40 – Something Different

/ Leya / 37 kommentarer

Our host this week is Tina. She asks us for… Something Different. I give you – my Magnolia tree in April.

 

I must have flowers, always, and always.

– Claude Monet

Magnolia is a large genus of about 210 flowering plant species of the family Magnoliaceae. It is named after French botanist Pierre Magnol.

The name Magnolia first appeared in 1703, for a flowering tree from the island of Martinique. Magnolias are native to both Asia and the Americas.

Magnolias symbolized dignity and nobility. In ancient China, magnolias were thought to be the perfect symbols of womanly beauty and gentleness.

Magnolia is a very ancient genus, appearing before bees did. It is believed that the flowers have evolved to encourage pollination by beetles.

The Magnolia flowers last only for a couple of days – but what magnificent days!

 

Thank you, Tina, for another lovely challenge!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday Thoughts – Christmas Market

/ Leya / 13 kommentarer

Christmas in Sweden also means many Christmas markets to visit, where local people can put their work on display, and there is a lot of chatting and big smiles. This year we only visited one market, and came home with some lovely presents of course…

This young woman was a talented painter with somewhat a style of her own.

And there were even younger participants… mother and daughter sold flowers and decorations. Everything works out well when you are smiling!

Macro Monday – In My Windows Today

/ Leya / 15 kommentarer

I guess everybody knows this little beauty as Epiphyllum…

…but its real name is Schlumbergera truncata (false Christmas cactus as a house plant) 

This is my beloved yellow lady!

Macro Monday

/ Leya / 24 kommentarer

The days just fly…and it is Monday again. In Sweden the first snow has arrived, and further north it is staying white.

My photos this week are from my garden last week – when we had some magical, glittering mornings.

Asters unfurling in the warming sun

Until reaching their full splendour

 

 

 

 

In My Garden Today

/ Leya / 29 kommentarer

So, I finally decided to try macro. A walk in the garden and a first try.

Fading summer flowers

Becoming a tomato

Curling up for the night

CFFC: Reds

/ Leya / 22 kommentarer

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Red

There are so many kinds of reds…

…but my favorite ones are always natural

Of course the Swedish Falu red (made from copper) house is a must, and so is Christmas red! Wishing you all a lovely week!

On Leaving Summer

/ Leya / 19 kommentarer

As we leave summer behind and enter Autumn, I want to express my gratefulness to the Swedish summer I experienced in Abisko.

Abisko och Lofoten 2018 1010-Redigera

Abisko is forever connected to my first hike on the King’s Trail when I was young

But now it will also be remembered for giving us the only real Swedish summer in 2018

For its lushness, colours and Linneas – and for the only raindrops for three months.

No one can deny the beauty of the mountain forest and its shy inhabitants…

…hiding their freshness in the cool air –

…and  silently showing off their finery –

But Autumn is here now – hopefully with more colourful strokes from Nature’s palette

Thank you – Abisko – I am forever grateful!