Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life. The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
Like River I usually run with a theme. Spring has sprung here. Each year in early Spring my city has a flower festival, Floriade. It runs for a month in a park in the centre of town. Glorious displays of colour and scent, and usually more than a little whimsy as well.
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life. The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
Like River I usually run with a theme. Spring has sprung here. Each year in early Spring my city has a flower festival, Floriade. It runs for a month in a park in the centre of town. Glorious displays of colour and scent, and usually more than a little whimsy as well.
This year the organisers decided to go 'up market'. There was much less quirkiness which was replaced by 'art installations'. Several of which are for sale when Floriade finishes.
I assume this 'water lily' lights up at night, and would look very effective.
And yes, those are decorated garden gnomes behind her. It is a long-standing Floriade tradition and schools and individuals enter a competition.
Not certain what this one is: Stylised lobster?
Beach Bomb would only cost $3760.
I quite like My Waratah - but wouldn't cough up the $4000 price tag (even if I had it).
The quirky chooks didn't appear to be for sale. I thought they were fun though.
Is it just me, or does this look like a Dalek in camoflague?
Local horticulture students made some fairly spectacular (but probably not wearable) dresses.
I really liked this archway of lights. Even in daylight it looked amazing and when the individual flowers which made up the sprays of lights go on it would look incredible.
Lots of the flowers are not yet out, but I took many, many, many photos. A full Floriade post will follow next week some time.
And because I can't do a post about Floriade without at least one flower shot.
And from our garden.
And because I can't do a post about Floriade without at least one flower shot.
And from our garden.
The light arch way was my favorite. Jealous of spring.
ReplyDeleteSue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: I love that light arch too. If time permits we might even try and see it at night.
DeleteOh, lovely! And how did you guess about that Dalek? I'm convinced that's what it is. They are on to you now. Love the "dresses" and the fabulous archway! :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Oh good, it wasn't just me. There were two more Daleks too. Planning world domination no doubt.
DeleteInteresting and pretty...I might like the Duet at my house but out of my price range too! Of all, I love the nude woman best and she is probably a permanent fixture, not even part of the specials!!!
ReplyDeleteBookie: I have never noticed the nude woman before. I suspect she was part of the special display - but will check later. And yes, all of them were out of my price range. Well out.
DeleteWhat the ... Art installations? I knew you would be blogging about Floriade soon, and almost blogged about this little garden exhibition I stumbled across yesterday on the Internet http://youtu.be/xxK5fBWkXSY
ReplyDeleteNow that is a fusion of plants, art and engineering. There was even one video that showed how it was constructed. Love the look of the tunnel too EC.
carol: Floriade and Tulip Tops (when we get there) post will follow soon. Off to check out your link. Thank you.
Deletecarol: Thank you so much for that link. I am blown away. And would love to go there.
DeleteCarol, thank you for posting this - what a fantastic place! Amazing.
DeleteIs the lobster maybe a Praying mantis?
ReplyDeleteDoes Australia need those big heavy knitted toques?
Birdie: It could be a Praying Mantis too. I hadn't thought of that. We are in one of the colder parts of Oz but I would say no, we don't need those tocques. Others would disagree.
DeleteWOW! That is wonderful to seeallthe different sculptures. I love ethe ladies drresed up and we havea lot of those 'Darleks' in out town! I love the arch of lights. Ibet it all looks amazing at night time. all too dear fofrme to acquire any of them. Have a good Sunday.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Adamson: It is an annual treat, and they do always give us something new. Not only is it an annual treat it is free - unless you go to the Nightfest.
DeleteWhat a wonderful, diverse range of attractions to steal one's interest. Fabulous. I love the archway...and the "waterlily" to mention only two of what is offered for one's pleasure. Absolutely great!
ReplyDeleteI hope your week brings you much joy, EC. Cuddles to Jazz and Jewel. :)
Lee: Isn't that archway special. Needless to say there are a LOT more photos of it.
DeleteA great week to you and your furry overlords too.
The archway is amazing!!
ReplyDeletefishducky: Isn't it?
DeleteBrilliant. Oh yes, the sculptures, the flowers, the flowers, they are perfect EC.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: And they will only get better as more of it comes out.
DeleteI want to see that archway in person. This looks like a blast! I wish we had something this grand in our city.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Faris: It is a blast. An annual blast. Which I look forward to every year.
DeleteBrilliant post, all these sculptures are so impressive and very beautiful. That archway must be an incredible sight at night too.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: I wonder what colour those lights in the archway are? I wouldn't be surprised if the colour changes. Perhaps this year we will go in at night and see.
DeleteWhat wonderful selections indeed, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlogoratti: It is my pleasure to share.
DeleteDon't know where to begin carrying on about your walk! All fabulous. Closer to home, is that some sort of pussy willow in your next to last picture?
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: If you embiggen that photo the mystery becomes clearer. It is bird down caught on a tree bud - but I loved the effect.
Delete
ReplyDeleteI like the exhibits but I am missing the pennies to buy them. My pocket money might run to buying some chocolate.
Friko: Snap. I wonder whether they will sell? Mind you, for a free event Floriade brings a LOT of money into the city. And there is something for everyone to spend money on too.
DeleteIt was an interesting decision to change Floriade. I hope it works out but it can be risky to change something that is very successful. Great photos and I really like the sculpture in the water and the lit walk.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: There are big changes being mooted for Floriade. From next year (or perhaps the one after) it will be moved out of Commonweath Park and spread across three or more venues. I don't think I approve.
DeleteSuch beautiful photos. I especially like the archway of lights. Sounds like a wonderful festival.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: It is a truly delightful festival. A celebration of Spring. A season I suspect everyone welcomes.
DeleteThe archway of lights is cool.
ReplyDeleteLike the army of garden gnomes. Hope they are on our side.
Alex J. Cavanaugh: You can never tell with gnomes...
DeleteYay! I love your Floriade posts. Maybe one year I might see the show in person...
ReplyDeleteThe yellow Dalek is fun, and the cats and birds would make great presents. I would love to see that beautiful archway, day or night!
Thank you EC. I'm looking forward to the next post.
Alexia: If ever you do come across the pond for Floriade, I hope you will look me up. Those cats were ring holders...
DeleteI was looking at the Floriade website the other day and thinking about taking a day trip over because I have never been. However when I heard about the night time stuff, I'd want to be there for that, which would mean either staying overnight or driving back in the dark which would not be optimal, so now I'm not so sure about going.. :)
ReplyDeleteI think the lobster might be a yabbie. But who could tell? Probably only the artist. :)
Snoskred: We have never been to the nightfest, perhaps because it isn't cheap. And because after dark is bed time. I am tempted this year, but can understand your reluctance. If you do come up, and decide to stay going to Tulip Tops, on the highway to Sydney, the next day would be worth while
DeleteI love the arch! It would certainly look spectacular lit up. It's too bad they lost some of their quirkiness - the heart of delight, in my book. :) I think moves to upscale become more commercial and less about the celebration.
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: Despite being free to enter (during the day) Floriade is already incredibly commercial. I hope it doesn't lurch any further in that direction.
DeleteI love your garden! The arches are a fave...I wonder what that would look like at night...I also wondered whether I could roll around outside where you live?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week.
e: You could indeed roll around outside. For most of the year, and most of the town. And some of my garden. Slowly and steadily I will convert more of it to being fully accessible.
DeleteOh! I forgot Floriade was on. Thank goodness for your photos.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely some of those sculptures are. I could easily see one or two in a garden of my own - if I had the $.
That rusted waratah is gorgeous, and I could imagine it in a private garden setting - perhaps positioned in the middle of a circular pond, or set amongst low growing native plants, drool. But, at that price, hmmm.
The LED blossom lights arch would be so magnificent at night! I so wish I could see that.
Some of the more affluent properties on the mountain have LED "cherry trees" and they are quite beautiful at night.
Haha, watch out if you happen to pass the large yellow floral sculpture and hear "exterminate, exterminate"..... run!!!
Thank you for this delightful visual trip to Floriade. Always a joy to see :)
...and, when you post more from Floriade, please more of your own spring garden too :)
DeleteVicki: The rusted waratah is special isn't it?
DeleteI will assuredly put up more from Floriade, and from Tulip Tops - and from our garden.
Spring is a glorious time of year. Vibrant and exciting. Says the woman who has weeded herself to a standstill (but not finished) and is in the midst of a nasty hay fever bout. And still revelling in Spring.
The floral daleks would probably say 'propagate, propagate' :D
DeleteRiver: That is clever. And accurate.
DeleteExcellent River!! :D
DeleteThe archway was amazing, but it was the photos of your garden I liked best.
ReplyDeleteJacquelineand...: You know the way to a gardener's heart. Thank you.
DeleteWhat a wonderful day! I love the photos!
ReplyDeleteAnne in the kitchen: I am glad to you like it. I took well over two hundred photos so there are more to come. Many more.
DeleteThe archway looks really gorgeous. The fashion is very nice but maybe a little bit impractical.. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely place to walk and look everything nice and beautiful. But you need to have a lots of money with if you want to buy something big.
Hugs
orvokki: More money than I have, that is for sure. Nice to look though.
DeleteHaha!!! I had gone past the one photo... but when I read the description that it may be a Dalek in disguise, I was like, "OMG, yes!!"
ReplyDeleteI'm not a flower person - and the only sculptures I can create are made out of wet cardboard fashioned from empty boxes of cheap red wine :)
Happy Spring :)
Mark Koopmans: It isn't just me then, other people can see the Daleks. Which is reassuring.
DeleteThe Arch of Lights looks interesting.The sort of thing trendy brides might like.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm not greatly impressed by some of the other art works.Perhaps spending a morning at the orchid show rather swamped me.
Best picture? That down-on the-twig.Peter thought it was a pussy willow catkin, too.
dinahmow: It does look a little like a pussy willow catkin doesn't it? It is still waving in the breezes, and makes me smile.
DeleteI am shuddering at the trendy bride image - but you are right.
I love the arch of lights and wouldn't mind a smaller version in my yard. A MUCH smaller version. I like the quirky white chickens and those metal birds under them, magpies, kookas and cockatoos, were they for sale? That first dress of flowers is nice, but I don't like the others much. I do admire the skill needed to create them though.
ReplyDeleteI love your colourful garden, colours similar to mine right now.
River: The small metal birds were for sale. $20 each I think, though they might have been a bit less.
DeleteI was intrigued at the floral dresses, but didn't exactly 'like' any of them. I prefer my flowers on the plant.
love them all especially the arch of lights and the moss dress, very creative folks
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: The arch of lights is the prime favourite it seems. And was mine too.
DeleteI love it all but the archway of lights looks stunning. I quite like the water lily too, but I think it would look better at night than in the day as the base looks pretty utilitarian.
ReplyDeleteLL Cool Joe: I think you are right about the water lily. If we go back at night I will take more photos. Of course.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a very inspirational festival. Definitely a Dalek in camouflage... I like the floral dresses which would look amazing made in printed chiffon. Thank you for sharing your visit - I look forward to seeing the rest of the pictures. Your daffodils and tulips are lovely.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: Celebrating spring, even after the wussy winters we have, is lovely. And there are two amazing flower festivals close to home.
Deletethere is so much in this post! it's all rather delightful
ReplyDeletekylie: I am so pleased. Have you ever come up here for Floriade?
Deleteno, i havent. I'm full of good intentions without action :)
Deletei go to Bowral for the tulips every now and again. I have a favourite patisserie there so it's a double drawcard
kylie: If you get the chance, do it. And Tulip Tops as well (on the highway from Sydney).
DeleteOMG, how beautiful. I'd love to attend that some year. Macy's in Philly did a flower show and they had one mannequin dressed in greenery in their display window. Absolutely gorgeous. Looks like you could easily spend all day at the festival.
ReplyDeleteHave a great one, EC.
Sandra Cox: Not only all day, but several days as more things come out, and the landscape changes.
DeleteLovely, lovely, lovely. I also thought the cats were great!
DeleteI'd love to walk through that archway at night.
DeleteHope you're having a good one.
Gorgeous, gorgeous shots! You have a visual feast at your feet there. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
A Cuban in London: A feast for the eyes, the ears and the nose. Bliss.
DeleteOh my, what a wonderful celebration of spring .. I look forward to your more complete rendition of Floriade. Beautiful all ... but what's with the morbid self repeating comment ... is it for real?
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
Andrea Priebe: That commentator pops up most Sunday evenings after I have gone to bed. Pops up, spews across the page and departs. And gets deleted.
DeleteFloriade is a joy - and there are many, many more photos to come. We might go back again too.
BRILLIANT.
ReplyDeleteyou know I want those cats!
And the dresses are FABULOUS! xxx kiss from Duluth.
My Inner Chick: Very few people could rock those dresses - but I could see you in them. Hugs.
DeleteOnly 13.5....let me get out my checkbook.
ReplyDeleteLoved those ceramic cats. I want one of each.
Author R. Mac Wheeler: While your checkbook is out - feel free to buy the Waratah for me...
DeleteThe Duet looks like pincers, lobster pincers maybe, but maybe because I'd just seen the stylized lobster. Beach bomb bombs with me. Good thing too at that price. Wow! Your spring has sprung as our summer dies and fall is upon us. Including the leaves, already falling.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: It is heating up quite dramatically at the moment - though we are also expected to have a frost later this week. Spring/summer and a reminder of winter.
DeleteWhat fun it must be to go to Floriade. Thank you for all the pictures. I like much of the art work, but can afford none of it. Am looking forward to the flowers this week.
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: I could only look too. Lots of the flowers weren't out, but it was still a treat. I may go back later - and will certainly go to the sister festival at Tulip Tops.
DeleteBeautiful and clever ideas. I bet it looks simply wonderful in the late evening with those lights.
ReplyDeleteMargaret - whiteangel: Those lights have tempted us to go back in at night. The night festival is not free (and not cheap) and parking can be an issue, but we are tempted. Perhaps...
DeleteYour photos never cease to amaze! Floriade has some astounding art.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: Thank you. It does. Some of it very beautiful.
DeleteLove your Sunday travels, and would love a few of those chickens too!
ReplyDeleteYolanda Renee: I am still tickled that they fenced the chooks in...
Delete:)
ReplyDeleteKaren: Yes.
DeleteSo much to see and learn ... I loved it all. Now I know what a Dalek is, and a waratah. And your feather on a branch still tickles me to pieces!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get back to see Floriade at night. And I look forward to more pictures of your beautiful spring. I see from one of your replies you are suffering hay fever. That is one downside of spring, unfortunately.
I loved the link Carol left for the video of the Montreal Botanical Gardens. That is only a 24 hour drive from where we live - maybe some day.
jenny_o: Wasn't that link incredible. I am still filled with awe. And would love to see it.
DeleteI am not certain we will get in to see it at night - there is less than a week till himself heads off and rather a lot to do. We will see.
My hay fever would undoubtedly not bother me as much if I could keep my nose, and hands out of the garden. I have been weeding up a storm though - and revelling in the scent and the colour.
I love this place. I wish I lived closer. I would stay there all day!
ReplyDeleteJodi Aman: Staying all day is easy. As is coming back several times...
DeleteI swear I live in the crappiest town ever. We never have anything like that. And I'm wondering if I couldn't come up with some sort of archway of lights by the pool? A bit too much, maybe?
ReplyDeleteSonya Ann: My city is renowned for being dull and boring. I disagree, but it is.
DeleteAnd I would love to see you rock an archway of lights by your pool...
Kindly let me know when Duet goes on sale, EC. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week.
Rawknrobyn: How cheap do you want it to go? Two for the price of one...
DeleteI think I like your garden the most - your spring flowers look so happy and friendly. I do love spring - I'm so glad we get to experience it from your neck of the woods as we head into fall.
ReplyDeleteThank you for capturing the festival images for us. Truly amazing!
Lynn: There are many, many more photos of Floriade, and our garden, and another flower festival to come.
DeleteAnd thank you. Our garden is making me smile at the moment. Quite a bit. Despite the weeds.
Hi EC - what a great show to attend - to see the sculptures etc and the creativity at play. Though as Lynn says ... your garden is a delight .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Thank you. I was awed at the beauty and sheer magnificence you gave us in your latest post.
DeleteThese are some awesome pieces! I really like My Waratah. They look like fat chickens. :)
ReplyDeleteRobert Bennett: If money wasn't an object (it is) I could very happily find a home for Waratah. And yes, they are chunky chickens.
DeleteThe one was definitely part lobster. :) And aren't the prices outrageous? They're like that here too.
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: I don't understand how art is priced. I couldn't afford any of these, but an artist has to live too...
DeleteYour beautiful photos, (and not just the Gnomes standing at attention or are they keeping guard?) are worth another run through, after I comment here. I can imagine how lovely the lights would be on the water too, although it stands out so much better in the light of day. What joyful visit you had and thank you for bringing us along with you.
ReplyDeleteKaren S.: There were hundreds of gnomes. Keeping guard I think. And goodness only knows what they get up to when the last of the people leaves...
DeleteI like a lot of the garden stuff but much to dear for me, but that archway of lights if I had a big garden I would scrimp and save for that one.
ReplyDeleteMerle...............
Merlesworld: I have solar lights in the back garden. Coloured ones. I thought they looked pretty good - but they aren't a patch on that archway...
DeleteAwesome photos. Looks like a magical place to live. Happy Spring. I'm headed for fall, my favorite time of the year.
ReplyDeleteMary
mxtodis123: Welcome. I am a big fan of Autumn too. And indeed all the seasons - except summer.
DeleteThis is so much fun! Loved seeing the photos from the festival. The dresses made out of flowers are so fun, but imagine wearing them would be tricky. The archway of lights is SO cool. It would be awesome to walk under it. I want one for my garden!! Your flowers look lovely too. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~ Jess: It is a wonderful celebration isn't it? And that archway has a LOT of fans.
DeleteThe water lily reminds me of the opera in Sydney. I do like the archway of lights and I'd love to see that light up in the dark. It must be pretty spectacular.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: I imagine that archway is amazing all lit up. Hopefully we will get there - but things are conspiring against us at the moment.
DeleteWow. Love all the creativity! Even the white hens were neat.
ReplyDeleteTammy Theriault: I liked the chooks too. Not least because as far as I could see they weren't for sale, and were just a celebration of fun.
DeleteVery interesting and some are very unique. I love the cats! I'd have to pass on those huge price tags, though!
ReplyDeleteTerri @ Coloring Outside the Lines: The cats were one of the few things I could afford to buy. I didn't, but their price was within reach.
DeleteIs that my ol pal Ernie? We have much to hope from flowers. So much goodness yielding excellence, they shine and smile all day long.
ReplyDeleteI love sculpture....always wish I had the know-how and tools to create such formidable pieces of art. They seem to have such bold voices.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing (the whisp of fluff from your garden sings more beautifully than all those man-made bites of art....at least that's what I feel:))
-Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson: That little whisp of fluff sang to me too. It is still there, and I smile each time I go past. Later perhaps some other bird will annex it for nesting purposes - which would also make me smile.
DeleteI really dig those weird little chicken statues! All great pictures though!
ReplyDeleteMadilyn Quinn: I would like a flock of those chickens myself. Rather a lot.
DeleteA lot of these are things I wish I had in my front yard.
ReplyDeleteJono: Of the artworks for sale, The Waratah is the one which spoke loudest to me. How about you?
DeleteThat archway of lights, oh my, I love it!
ReplyDeleteAnd the Dalek in camouflage, that's funny, that is JUST what it looks like!!
Kay G.: As a child the Daleks terrified me. I hope if they haunt my dreams again it will be the floral versions...
DeleteI like that first shot and what a wonderful archway of lights. Must be great at night!
ReplyDeleteladyfi: We still haven't got there at night, but photos in today's local paper suggest that it is indeed stunning. And crowded.
DeleteI want those quirky chooks, I want, want, want them! All. And the metal birds below. and The ceramic cat.
ReplyDeleteEverything's so clever and artsy and lovely.
Are the floral dresses real, live flowers? Not plastic? Growing on flat pieces of soil? Wow!
neena maiya (aka guyana gyal): Those floral dresses use real blooms, and real moss. Sadly I don't think they survive for long. A very temporary beauty.
DeleteAnd those chooks would look lovely in my garden. I lusted after them too.
wow - I want to see the archway of lights. Excellent photos
ReplyDeleteJoanne: The archway of lights was such a special feature. I think everyone who saw it took a deep breath - and smiled.
DeleteGood Wednesday to you, EC. How's Jazz and Jewel doing?
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: As usual, Jazz n Jewel are ruling the roost with iron paws...
DeleteThe archway of lights looks quite enticing. And the whole Floriade event would be something that I would definitely enjoy. Love those chooks.
ReplyDeleteShammickite: Floriade is an annual treat. We always see it at least once, and sometimes more.
DeleteThe chooks are gorgeous and your 'dalek in camouflage' made me laugh aloud. Thanks for the beauty, the cuteness and the chuckle.
ReplyDeleteKim: Those stylized chickens really captured the 'chookiness' well didn't they?
Delete