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. This week I am (mostly) staying home.
Revelling in the clouds.
Which were very different to the ones looming over the Arboretum when we took a lunch trip there...
Those sullen, sodden clouds did give us welcome rain. Which the garden and I loved. Jazz didn't.
Winter is fast approaching but there are still things in bloom. Some early, some late.
And this year the Tree Dahlias flowered before the frost cut them down. A rarity. Some of them are nearly twelve feet tall and there are more flowers coming out each day. We have lost some to the cockatoos, and some to wind, but we have blooms. And the bees and I are happy.
The colour-bond fence they are up against is six feet tall.
This is a race we rarely win. Significant frosts are predicted for next week which will cut them down - but for the moment I am loving the display.
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. This week I am (mostly) staying home.
Revelling in the clouds.
Which were very different to the ones looming over the Arboretum when we took a lunch trip there...
Those sullen, sodden clouds did give us welcome rain. Which the garden and I loved. Jazz didn't.
Winter is fast approaching but there are still things in bloom. Some early, some late.
And this year the Tree Dahlias flowered before the frost cut them down. A rarity. Some of them are nearly twelve feet tall and there are more flowers coming out each day. We have lost some to the cockatoos, and some to wind, but we have blooms. And the bees and I are happy.
The colour-bond fence they are up against is six feet tall.
This is a race we rarely win. Significant frosts are predicted for next week which will cut them down - but for the moment I am loving the display.
Those first two pictures were perfect. Thanks. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
A Cuban in London: Thank you. I never tire of cloud watching.
DeleteAll absolutely lovely. As for clouds, sometimes, when Norma photos herds of them, I turn the picture upside down and imagine I'm flying above them.
ReplyDeleteGeo.: I love the thought of flying above clouds - but also think of a Moomintroll adventure where clouds can be ridden, like fluffy pillows.
DeleteAmazing shots. The ones of the branches with sunlight coming through them is stunning.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: I am always intrigued by how bright the sunshine can be just after rain. And love the freshly washed look (and smell).
Deletethe sky is amazing and your winter is so friendly.Have a great Sunday
ReplyDeleteGosia k: Winter in my city is colder than a lot of Oz, but much, much gentler than most of Europe.
DeleteLove the clouds. What do you call that beautiful daisy like flower with the purple center and rolled edges?
ReplyDeleteSue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: The daisy with the rolled edges is a type of Cape Daisy. I have that one, and a deep purple one. And rather a lot of Cape Daisies without the curled petals.
Deletebeautiful flowers especially the white one and the leaves with the rain droplets are sublime
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: I loved seeing the poppy leaves bejewelled after the rain.
DeletePoor Jazz. How completely unfair for the earth so send rain!
ReplyDeleteBirdie: Jazz agrees with you. Wholeheartedly. And punished me for the earth's cruelty.
DeleteI have never seen tree tulips in flower - just brilliant! and that shot of the leaves and water droplets is so good. Love the bare branches, too.
ReplyDeleteAlexia: Our tree dahlias bloom about every second or third year on average. And I welcome them. I was pleased with the photo of the water droplets on the poppy leaves too. And am looking forward to many, many poppies in bloom in the months to come.
DeleteOops I see that I put tree tulips for some reason :( Sorry - obviously in a rush as usual!
DeleteAlexia: Not a problem. I am guilty of one or six errors myself.
DeleteIt's a foggy, foggy morn with a foggy, foggy dew here this morning.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are stunning...so very pretty...they've brought a light to my morning.
Have yourself a wonderful week, EC...cuddles to Jazz...perhaps four little gumboots are what he needs. :)
Lee: We had fog earlier in the week, but this morning is bright and clear. And a bit chilly. Jazz would probably like some ugh boots - but I wouldn't like putting them on his sabre feet.
DeleteRaindrops, clouds and flowers all the good things of life.
ReplyDeleteMerle........
Merlesworld: Lots of the good things. Rainbows, cats, birds - and babies are also gems.
DeleteI fear I would not get anything done if I lived near those flowering plants, EC. You live in paradise!
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: Some days I don't get a lot done. And there is always more I should be doing. I am about to go out and work in the garden - I think we have reached double digit temperatures now.
DeleteYour flowers are stunning. A wonderful variety and so many colors.
ReplyDeleteDenise inVA: Thank you. I hope that come spring there will be many more blooms to show you.
DeleteGreat cloud formations. The pale flower with the blue and gold centre has very interesting petals.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: I think that one is a lovely twist on a daisy. As soon as I saw it in a garden catalogue I knew I had to have it.
DeleteLove those first clouds, but I'm glad you finally got some rain. I have never seen tree dahlias before, they are magnificent! Thanks for sharing them before the frost hits. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Tree dahlias are a treat aren't they? And we have more rain today so they will survive a bit longer.
DeleteThank you for these lovely photos. Great composition too.
ReplyDeleteMartin Kloess: Thank you. Nature gets the credit for the composition. She really is a supreme artist.
DeleteI have not been able to read blogs since January, and I miss it. I looked at your beautiful flowers – they really are lovely. This year I did not even try to buy annuals for Jim to place in our planters – it was very hard for him last year and this year would be impossible, he just does not understand enough anymore. It is hard as well to watch all the weeds in the yard but with my 2 canes I cannot do much – then he waters the weeds! I’m going to have a knee operation this summer, maybe that will help until I can get the second one done. The doctors said they are both bone on bone. Thanks for coming to my blog and writing comments – I appreciate it. I think one of the hardest things with Jim’s Alzheimer is that I have no one to talk to – sometimes have not a coherent word with anyone for 3 weeks – unless I speak with a grocery clerk! So I do enjoy reading comments. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteVagabonde: Thank you so much for taking the time to visit. My heart goes out to you and Jim. Alzheimer's is one of the cruelest illnesses, for the person who has it, and for those who love them. I hope your knee operation makes a HUGE difference, and am sending good wishes by the bucket through cyber space.
DeleteThose clouds are mesmerizing! Beautiful blooms in your garden, EC. So much beauty still to see in your late fall. We are starting to see some shrubs blooming now, but it has turned cold and rainy again. I hope they don't get discouraged :)
ReplyDeletejenny_o: It is cool and intermittently rainy here today as well. I am hoping that the plants which are blooming early survive, and grateful that the lack of frost will give me another day of tree dahlias.
DeleteGorgeous dahlias! Love the first two pics of fluffy puff clouds too. Poor Jazz. The sky gods are against him. ;) Give him a scritch for me.
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: Jazz is blaming me for the weather and I scrootch/scritch him at my peril. But will. When he is asleep.
DeleteGreat pictures. A visual feast you created. It's the tree dahlias that fascinate me the most. I have a plant called a Confederate Rose. Every year, it is a gamble how long we enjoy the blooms. The first freeze spoils the show. I cut the plant to the ground each year, yet it grows easily to twenty foot. So forget throwing a sheet over it to shield frost.
ReplyDeleteAnn Bennett: Thank you. It is always a race isn't it? And no, a sheet would be useless.
DeleteI love dahlias from when my grandfather planted them. I never heard of tree dahlias but they are gorgeous! The clouds sure did change
ReplyDeleteKim Standard: Our 'other' dahlias have been and gone. I was so pleased that the tree dahlias flowered this year - they were lovely. And won't last the rest of the week.
DeletePretty flowers. Rain on leaves and petals always look nice.
ReplyDeleteThe clouds are awesome, and to think how many formation of clouds there are, one would never know.
Margaret-whiteangel: Once upon a time I knew more of the cloud types than I do now. These days I just enjoy them.
DeleteImagine a soft 'Wow!' being spoken...
ReplyDeleteThis is what I say every time I look at pictures you post. -a quiet 'Wow!' at my computer.
The cotton ball-like clouds are amazing. The flowers that look like someone reshaped the petals by pinching them together in the middle are also super cool. :)
Bea: Thank you so much. I do love clouds, and as soon as I saw the cape daisy with the rolled edges I knew I had to have it. I hope the deep purple one flowers again this year.
DeleteI love the cotton ball clouds and the raindrops on those pretty little furry leaves. What plant is that please? It's been a long time since I've seen tree dahlias and such pretty ones. Your garden is looking great.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Those furry leaves belong to poppies. Lots of them have emerged from the ground, though it will be spring before they flower. These are self-seeded, and reminded me it is time to scatter the seeds for the double poppy.
DeleteI have been putting lots of work into the garden and am hoping for a spectacular spring.
All lovely pictures. But you know, don't you, I'm going to plump for those dahlias? Than you
ReplyDeletedinahmow: I am glad you liked them. I thought you would.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteYou captured some really fabulous cloud formations. The dahlias look wonderful - such a shame that the frost will get them. Nature does teach us to be 'in the moment', doesn't it? (Sometimes not an easy thing to do when other things in life get in the way.) Enjoy those lovely flowers while they last.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: The garden is probably the only place that I can be in the moment. For this year at any rate we did see the tree dahlias bloom. A gift. And while it is cold, wet and windy today the rain will keep the frost away, so we will get at least another day.
DeleteThe cloud pics are just superb. Also the rain on leaves. Great things to revel in. Your photos often remind me of Mary Oliver.
ReplyDeleteNilanjan Bose: Thank you so much.
DeleteMary Oliver's words
'Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.' do sum up the way I try to live.
Great words to live by, EC! Me too ditto!
Delete'All my life I was a bride married to amazement...'
I think I pay attention. I know I am astonished. Not so good always with the telling, but working towards it.
Have a blissful week.
Nilanjana Bose: A work in progress for both of us. Great to aspire to though.
DeleteHi EC - wonderful pictures all ... the clouds give us incredibly beautiful skies ... where at times so many adjectives could be used to describe them. Your tree dahlias are just delightful to look at ... loved the others ... the passion flower and the violet. We are desperate for rain - but why it has to wait for Spring and Summer to come along I'll never know ... we desperately need it too.
ReplyDeleteCheers and have a very good week - not too much damaging frost I hope ... Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Most of our rain falls in winter, and we often desperately need it in the warmer months. I am happy for it whenever it arrives, having lived through more than one drought.
DeleteI hope your week is wonderful.
Beautiful, E.C. I love these little peeks into your world.
ReplyDeletePaper Chipmunk (aka Ellen): Thank you. I hope (probably against reality) that your world is treating you more kindly.
DeleteYour flowers are always so beautiful and the clouds hold such amazement.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: Such simple things, such amazing things...
DeleteThe raindrop images are stunning. I wish I knew the names of the flowers, especially the one with the strange petals. I hope the frosts stay away, or if not I hope you get shots of frosty blossoms.
ReplyDeleteYes, those last flowers of the season are so special.
ReplyDeletedonna baker: I am fond of the first too. My greedy self likes them all.
DeleteStunning photos as always!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn McBride: Thank you. How are you doing?
DeleteI like how you look for the beauty that surrounds you. Thanks for sharing it. The pictures are great!
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: I am a beauty addict. Luckily there is lots of it. Lots and lots of it.
DeleteTheir beauty may be fleeting, but the smile they bring to your heart lasts!
ReplyDeletemessymini: You are very right.
DeleteThe pictures are beautiful with the clouds taking center stage. Here the day was dark and threatening...finally at 1 am woke up to horrid hail crashing the side of house. Whew, now we hope to see clouds like yours today!
ReplyDeleteBookie: I don't think I have ever heard hail in the night. We had drizzle and now the sun is up the skies are grey. I hope you get some sunshine and brightness - literally and metaphorically.
Deleteenjoyed the array :)
ReplyDeleteAuthor R. Mac Wheeler: Good.
DeleteWhat bliss to have rain. And your tree Dahlias are exquisite!
ReplyDeleteJo: Rain is always blissful which you will understand.
DeleteAll the pictures are gorgeous, but the one of green leaves with drops of water scattered atop is just amazing. It speaks to my heart, and no wonder. Green has always been my favorite color.
ReplyDeleteOlga Godim: That bejewelled leaf spoke directly to my heart too. I am also a fan of green, and rain.
DeleteWild about the Cloud pictures dearie, Esme is too! And such a riot of beauty of colour in those flowers, lovely shots. x
ReplyDeleteAll Consuming: Clouds are blissful aren't they? And as you know the garden gives me joy (and blood, sweat and tears).
DeleteSuch wonderful photos! Cooler days to bring you sweet relief, dear !
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Thank you. They are, and they do.
DeleteLovely to see all of your photographs, I especially loved the clouds and think your tree dahlia's are just lovely.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~ Jan: Thank you. Tree dahlias are out of fashion, but I am fond of them. And these are the offspring of one that was given to me by a friend who is now dead so they are doubly precious.
Deletegorgeous, colorful, delightful.
ReplyDeletexx from MN.
My Inner Chick: Thank you. I hope your warmer weather is treating you well.
DeleteI thought we was going to have rain this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
peppylady (Dora): We have a bright, clear (and cold) day today. Enjoy your coffee.
DeleteAbsolutely gorgeous flower photos; thank you!!
ReplyDeletefishducky: Thank you. I hope there will be many more.
DeleteWhat is the flower in the 4th flower photo down, after the paragraph that begins "Winter is fast...." Its unusual, beautiful, and I like it.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: It is a Cape Daisy (a new variation). It also comes in a deep, deep purple and I have both. The purple isn't out yet though. When the bushes are covered in a mass of those blooms they look amazing. And they flower for most of summer.
DeleteLovely photos as usual. Flowers are like everything else in life, we love them when we have them. Then, after they are gone, we love the memory of them.
ReplyDeleteAnne in the kitchen: I also look forward to whatever is coming next...
DeleteI've only seen a tree dahlia once before and wished I had one in my garden... thanks for sharing the cloud pics
ReplyDeleteAnna: Tree dahlias are really, really easy to grow. Set and forget plants.
DeleteDid you have frost to damage your tree dahlias today? It's freezing here
ReplyDeletekylie: We had wind and rain but no frost overnight. The wind knocked the top off most of the tree dahlias. Tonight's minimum is predicted to be minus three, so I suspect the dahlias are done.
DeleteWow, those clouds, beautiful. The flowers are superb.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: The clouds were a lovely start to my day. Really lovely.
DeleteAwesome photos of the sky and all those lovely flowers. You nicely captured those raindrop like little pearls.
ReplyDeleteRasma Raisters: Rain jewels are lovely aren't they?
DeleteI'd love to ramble through your garden. It's glorious, as is the clouds.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Parts of the garden are definitely NOT glorious. A work in progress. Always. The clouds on the other hand...
DeleteDear Elephant's Child, your garden is lovely and thank you once again for introducing me to something new--the tree dahlia. Summer here is being hot and I shall enjoy reading about your winter! Peace.
ReplyDeleteDee: I hope summer is gentle and kind to you.
DeleteI love the clouds in the first couple pictures. Clouds make such beautiful pictures for us. Such fun to watch!
ReplyDeleteThe water droplets on the branches and leaves looks so pretty- as do all those flowers. Everything has been blooming here. It is raining today- and hope some of the delicate flowers will last. :)
~Jess
DMS ~Jess: Thank you. It is still in the minus temperatures here at the moment. I suspect (it is still dark so I can't check) that the tree dahlias are deceased. I hope your flowers survive their drenching.
DeleteAnd what a display it is! I love the picture of raindrops on the leaves. Beautiful. But then the rest are as well.
ReplyDeletecleemckenzie: Thank you. I will go out shortly and see whether the tree dahlia display is finished. There is a reasonable frost, so it probably is. I am v grateful for the days we received.
DeleteWow, I cannot imagine the differences frost and winter may bring to those vibrant flowers, and Love your cloud shots!
ReplyDeletee: Thank you. The differences are here today - but I have been out photographing frost flowers. A different beauty, but beauty just the same.
DeleteThose dahlias are stunners! I have never heard of tree dahlias, and I can fully understand why you love them. I would, too.
ReplyDeleteThe rain drops on the leaves make such a beautiful image. Big fat drops - I would welcome them as well.
Carola Bartz: Tree dahlias (dahlia imperialis) are not fashionable anymore, but I love them. I suspect they would grow well where you are too. Rain is always welcome here. And rain jewels look good on any plant.
DeleteI have never heard of tree dahlias and they are aptly named. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteShammickite: They are gorgeous aren't they? We were so lucky to see them in bloom this year.
DeleteThe gremlins have been at it again! I posted a comment a couple of days ago but it has disappeared. I had asked about the name of the blossom with the strangely folded petals, along with hoping that the frosts keep away for a while longer.
ReplyDeleteKim: I am sorry that the blogger gremlins have been swallowing your comments. The blossom with the rolled petals is a Cape Daisy (a relatively new variety). And the frosts are here today - with a vengeance.
DeleteYour photography skills blow me away. I especially appreciate the photo above "Winter is fast approaching..."
ReplyDeleteTake care, friend.
Rawknrobyn: Thank you. My point and shoot camera does an amazing job.
DeleteAll your flower pics make me want to go our Botanical Garden and take a ton of pics! I'm always amazed by how many different and beautiful flowers there are.
ReplyDeletemshatch: So many colours, shapes, textures - endless wonder and delight.
DeleteI'll be candid, that green, fuzzy plant with the dew on it...that picture is INCREDIBLE. It really should be a stock photo / wallpaper. What is that plant?
ReplyDeleteRobert Bennett: It was a really lucky shot wasn't it? I was v pleased with it. It is a poppy, though it won't flower for months.
DeleteI agree with Robert. That is an incredible pic. You get amazing dew/raindrops/frozen bubble shots;)
DeleteSandra Cox: Thank you.
DeleteBeautiful clouds. Enjoyed seeing all your flowers in the pic. Raindrops in the leaves looks very beautiful:)
ReplyDeleteWeekend-Windup: Thank you so much. I am so glad that other people are happy to enjoy clouds and gardens with me..
DeleteHow lovely photos. The clouds are very nice. And also the water drops. And you have still flower for the winter. They are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWe have had some days very warm here, everywhere is green and so on. But these couple days again cold... not so nice.
orvokki: Our winters are MUCH milder than yours. We will have some flowers at least the whole way through. I hope that your warmth returns - though I am loving our cooler days.
DeleteA wonderful cornucopia of shots!
ReplyDeleteLady Fi: Thank you.
DeleteYou have such beautiful flowers there!
ReplyDeleteJono: Thank you. Sadly the tree dahlias are now a thing of the past.
DeleteSorry about the frost. Ack. Very pretty though, for right now, yes.
ReplyDeleteThe Happy Whisk: They were lovely, and I am grateful for the time I had them.
DeleteThe flowers are gorgeous! Can not imagine a world without flowers. : )
ReplyDeleteCaterina: Thank you. I can - and it would be a very, very sad world.
DeleteI'm so glad you have the flowers before the frost got them - they are lovely.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the photo of the leaf with the drops of rain/dew on it. Beautiful.
I don't know how I missed this beautiful post - I'm have no internet at home right now, so it's difficult to read and post as much as I'd like. :)
Lynn: It is always a bit of a race to see if the flowers or the frost win. This year we won. For which I am grateful.
DeleteI do hope your internet woes can be sorted quickly.