We had beautiful poppies this year. They’re gone now. So are the songbirds. That was fast.
Gone so soon
Category: Flowers
Water lilies
Water lilies are in bloom.
I saw them in splendor several places in Victoria last month.
Summer in Butchart Gardens
We went to Victoria B.C. earlier this month and spent a day at Butchart Gardens. It’s beautiful in any season, even at night in December when dormant plants are draped in lights. I thought it would be nice to shoot a summer shot of a specimen tree that was wreathed in glorious blossoms last April. Click here for a comparison.
Summer is about color in these gardens. There was no shortage of bright spots.
We went to see the roses, which didn’t disappoint. But I was captivated by the begonias.
Compliments of DH
DH came along while I took lavender photos earlier this month. He goofed around with depth of field and came up with this shot. Not bad, especially considering he was also wrestling with my big, heavy long lens.
Scented scenery
One of Sequim’s longtime nurseries, Peninsula Nursery, changed hands a few years ago. The new owners have made many improvements, including the addition of a pretty lavender field.
Not all of our lavender operations are large farms. Earth Muffin Lavender is a modest operation at a busy intersection that many visitors pass.
Sequim does lavender
Many of Sequim’s lavender operations are ready for photo ops. The scale of this extra large chair at Olympic Lavender doesn’t translate as well as it does when two to three adults or several children are seated in it, smiling for photographs. (The farm was closed when I dropped by.)
The Lavender Festival is in full swing today. The open space here will likely be filled with craft vendors and a small stage nearby will feature live music. Recent grey days are giving way to sunshine. Summer has arrived in Sequim.
Lavender fields forever
Most of the lavender farms in Sequim have been designed with an eye toward its beauty in the landscape. This is one of Sequim’s largest and oldest operations, Purple Haze. It’s gorgeous.
The farms offer photo ops galore, even in the rain. Who doesn’t want a picture in the midst of such beauty?
Over this Lavender Festival weekend Purple Haze and other venues offer live music. Many present demonstrations or short classes in growing and distilling lavender. If it has to do with lavender you can probably find it here.
Purple Haze, incidentally, is for sale. It would be a dream to be surrounded by such beauty. Just don’t forget you have to go to work when you wake up.