Thursday Thoughts – A Rare Guest

Flower chafers or Flower scarabs are not that very often seen in my garden. Once a year maybe. But so very welcome! Love their metallic shield and slow pace.

Last week I was lucky to see this beautiful visitor – just admire his shining armour!

Trotting around on this big flower, I guess he was rather satisfied by what was served at the table …

Did you ever see a more handsome bottom?

After about five, six minutes, he just rolled over and fell off the flower – maybe full up?

Welcome back, my friend!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge#104 Summer

As we announced last week, the team has a special “surprise” for July. We are hosting the theme “Seasons” for the entire month. This week, Amy’s theme is ”Summer”.

This is My summer. My summer is my garden, and our summer house.

This year, 2020, more than ever. In Sweden we call them ”Smultronställen”, (in direct translation:” wild strawberry places”) hidden, secret places where we find beauty, peace and solitude.

In later years, I have focused even more on giving my garden a ”wilder” face. A childhood summer face, a wildlife face, a caring for biodiversity focus.

Hawk’s beard grow abundantly in the rear part of the garden – and they are humming with bees when turning their yellow faces to the sun.

A closer look at this part of the summer garden reveals my favorite summer flower –  lavender.

– But also Cape plumbago and mallows. As always, click to enlarge.

In the southernmost part of the garden I have plum trees, cherries, elderberry, rowan, black and red currants and rhubarbs, Here there is generous space left for wild flowers.

Many insects hide in the grasses too – lying quietly on my back,  I hear them going about their business.

My other summer ”smultronställe” is our little cottage by the sea. Hiking the many paths here is a joy to us all, and the summer nights are long and soft in the Scandinavian light.

 

Thank you for all your lovely surprises last week! I had some good laughs and some recognizing giggles – and some tears too… and, some Real Surprises!

This week we invite you to join us in a Summer theme. As always we encourage you to use our “Lens-Artists” tag for inclusion in our WP Reader section. Using tags can significantly increase the number of readers who see and comment on your posts. For instructions on adding tags click on this link https://wordpress.com/support/posts/tags/

July 11 Tina  Spring
July 18 Patti  Autumn/Fall
July 25 A-C  Winter

Thank you for your support, stay safe and well – See you!

Thursday Thoughts – A Garden Walk in June

As many of us are into flowers this week, let’s go for a stroll in my garden!

The tiny bush roses, maybe 2 cm, are the ones I used to put in the Midsummer wreath.

The dark red peonies are almost hopeless to catch showing their true hue – here is one of my best tries.

Lewisia, tulip and rose again – in sun, rain and shadow.

Fading – lilies and light –

Goodnight – wishing you all a great Midsummer weekend!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #101 – One Single Flower

I must have flowers, always, and always.
Claude Monet 

This week we are honoured to have Cee Neuner of Ceenphotography leading us all in One Single Flower. One of Cee’s favorite quotes is If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change. –  Buddha.  Cee says: ”I know flowers have changed my world.” – And I must agree – a world without flowers would be unthinkable. See her splendid flower show on Ceenphotography!

A flower blossoms for its own joy.
Oscar Wilde

A rainy morning, last week, my garden poppies decided to stop hiding their faces – and let the world marvel. They are short lived beauties – but so delicious.

I woke up terrified the rain would have been too heavy for their delicate stems – but they were still there, and ready to go.  I love to follow the swelling buds…

…and rejoice at their bursting into full splendour.

The bud shell yields its grip, and the flower unveils like a butterfly – the show only lasts for some minutes. I was lucky and grateful to be there.

Butterflies are self propelled flowers.
Robert A. Heinlein

 

We look forward to seeing your “One Single Flower” interpretation. Please use the Lens-Artists tag and link to Cee’s original post (the link on WP Reader does not work).

I hope this week will be filled with inspiration and good health for you and your loved ones. As always, thank you for your support, and we hope to see you again June 20, when Patti will host challenge #102.