Here In Southern New Jersey ..
The Spring season started off fast, with some warm days and a nice mix of sun and rain. Well the rain has all together stopped and the temperatures have felt a bit cool. In turn, the fast growth of plants has slowed some. I actually don't mind it so much, because I have time to enjoy the blooming season rather than see it rushed along before my eyes.
Yesterday something caught my attention.. I was taking a little #wednesdaywalk or brisk stroll around outside the house. It was morning time, the sun just poked itself above the Atlantic Ocean to warm the eastern shores.. and the irises were beginning to bloom. Ever since these annual plants poked their way through the thawed, winter soil, I had anticipated this days arrival.
I first noticed them the day before, when I was pulling in the driveway. The white Irises were the first ones to show signs of blooming.
It always seems year after year, near the small boulders that we have sitting in the bed, those white irises bloom first. Maybe it’s the heat from the rock warming in the midday sun, or the stones Wicking moisture from The air, but whatever the reason is those plants seem to grow a little bit faster than the others. So naturally the white irises in that area where the first open.
I have a mix of white and purple irises planted in this area and in other areas of the yard. They are both of the dwarf variety. I transplanted them years ago from another house we owned. They’ve performed nicely here and have spread quite rapidly given the terrible soil conditions at this house.
First will take a look at these white irises. They are simple white with yellow more towards the center. I don’t think white is a very flashy color but when you get a grouping of them together they can actually look quite pretty.
These first set of photos were captured in mornings first light. Here, the sun is at my back and the light is shining on the flowers from directly behind me.
I could see how the sun was passing through the thin dainty petals, so I turned around to the other side of the flower and put the sun directly behind it. The bright light source behind the flower really gives a unique perspective to the different parts of the flower.
These photos are kind of cool because you can see the shadow of the stem and other petals behind the thin layer of flower at the front.
I played around with a few of the shots, adjusting the lighting, and came up with a series of black and white, progressive reductions of exposure.
And then this one, where I really turned up the adjustments to make all the little details appear crisp and clean.
Sort of looks like some kind of happy little creature, standing there smiling with it's mouth open
I took a couple photographs in Yesterdays afternoon sun.. And utilize the same technique of putting the sun directly behind the flower and came up with this series of shots. I also adjusted the exposure in order to create a different effect. Not quite as interesting as the last photo in the morning sun, but kind a neat nonetheless.
On To The Purple Irises ..
I’ve always liked irises for the way some of the petals face down and some of them face up almost in opposite directions. The petals facing downward have a beautiful design and pattern on them that make them unique and different.
These designs and uniqueness can best be seen in colorful irises or ones that are not white. Like I mentioned I have purple irises as well and these or seen in these next few shots.
They always appear a slightly different shade of purple before they open, almost a true purple. Then when after they open they have a more violent magenta appearance. I assume that the way the sun shines through them also changes the appearance of that shade of purple slightly.
This next frame is a nice close-up of the design.. Including variegation of veins within the flower petals. Macro shots are always interesting because they allow you to see details you otherwise whatever look.
This photo was taken from the side as the morning sun light is hitting it from the east.
I took a photograph looking straight down on top of the iris.. This is a perspective that’s not always seen and I know I don’t stand directly over top of all my flowers looking down on them. So I thought I would include the shot for a change of perspective.
For the final photograph.. I bent down a lot lower and took a shot directly from the side as the morning sun light was shining through the foliage and flowers. It came out really good in my opinion. I like the short depth of field, blurring things in the background just enough. I can’t wait to get another photograph just like this after all the flowers are in bloom. It should make for another great photograph!
Bring On The Bees and Let's Get These Things Pollinated :-)
Molly enjoying her time amongst the blooming Pinks, on a hillside at my parents home. I use the term 'Enjoying' very loosely, because if she appears to be uncomfortable.. it's because she IS. lol
“What we do see depends mainly on what we look for. ... In the same field the farmer will notice the crop, the geologists the fossils, botanists the flowers, artists the colouring, sportmen the cover for the game. Though we may all look at the same things, it does not all follow that we should see them.”
― John Lubbock, The Beauties of Nature and the Wonders of the World We Live in
“I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.”
― William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
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All words, pictures and art pieces are the sole property of B D Miller Gallery, unless otherwise noted and credited, and are not to be reproduced or copied without the prior written consent of B D Miller Gallery.
About Me ~ The Artist
My art work incorporates a wide variety of subject matter, including landscape, seascape, cityscape, and still life images. My works are the product of a continuing process of exploration through which I seek to portray personal and visionary interpretations of my surroundings. My paintings are impressions of places and events from everyday life, an interpretation of my imagination, and personal responses to what I see and feel on a daily basis. More recently I have invested generous amounts of time into my landscape painting. I am surrounded by natural and man made beauty, which inherently presents itself in the tri-state area, and almost demands that I paint it.
Not everything is art. Art is not everything, but it comes close. Art is everywhere and all the time. Art makes you experience the beauty of the world, the people in it, and the places we call home. Art itself is so influential that it can tell stories, show feelings, and express passion or fury. Art exists in addition to language; expression of sensations and thoughts, revealing a way of thinking too subtle and delicate for words.
For me art requires love, honesty and perseverance. In return, it reveals some personal, non-analyzable, and creative untamed passion. For the public, art with its magnificent beauty, improves mood and health and builds better human beings and communities. It engages the intellect, softens the heart, strengthens the soul and frees the spirit.
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Always great to see the flowers coming out at this time
Love those shots with the shadows/silhouettes
Thanks for joining Wednesday Walk
Isn't it?! And then the heat and dry weather will roll in.. So I'll enjoy the mild temps and beauty while I can.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Yes I am also trying to make the most of the nice temps these days
I think iris's are probably my most favorite flowers. I have never owned any. I guess I always thought they weren't quite a hearty as they are. Maybe I am getting them mixed up with orchids. I always know that spring is really kicking into gear when the daffodils come up. It means it won't be long before I need to start mowing the lawn and doing all of that warm weather stuff. I got my garden in this past weekend. We will see how it goes. I am a little skeptical about my odds this year...
Irises unfortunately are short lived. But one of my favorites too! Our daffodils were up and are already gone.. I have also mowed the lawn 3 times already 😕. The one thing I hate about mowing the lawn is crabgrass .. man do I hate that crap! We don't dump a ton of money into the lawn, so I have to deal with it. I have a good feeling about your garden this year. BUT..... We shall see!! 😁
Yeah, I think the daffodils past the fence are gone too. I think I have mowed three or four times now. I put down some weed and feed in the front yard the other day. I don't usually touch the back because of our dog. The weeds are horrible this year though. I need to find something pet friendly. We shall see about the garden. The tilling didn't work the way I had hoped, so I am worried the soil is going to be too dense.
Oh wow.. Your spring IS in full effect. I don't know of anything that is animal friendly. May be a pain, but if you treat it, you can always take her out for a leash walk and avoid the back yard for about a week.. after that it should be good. Good Luck!
Yeah, that is definitely an option. It was a little chilly, but I even powerwashed the deck this weekend. We are supposed to hit close to 90 by the end of the week.
Oh wow! look at those images, I love those irises. I love love all of them. 'But Molly! is a so much like Zoe, my little
girl.
Awwwwwwwwwwwwww Zoe!!! So CUTE!!! Now I'll be heading over to your blog to see more of your pups 😍 Zoe and Molly look a lot alike. I see you keep her hair long.. we got tired of brushing it all of the time, so we have her trimmed on the short side. Shih Tzu's are Great dogs, aren't they? 😁
They are amazing, I thought Zoe was the spitting image of Molly when she was a year old, now the hair around her ears are turning slightly brownish.
I agree grooming is not all that easy since they have a thick coat. Spark's (my other dog) coat is much more manageable than Zoe's.
Awesome pictures my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Molly looks so cute with all that pink 😍
Haha.. Thanks!!! Yes She was not really all that happy with daddy putting her there and telling her to stay, but I captured a memory 😁 Pink Pink everywhere Pink!!!!
The flowers that bloom in spring look very beautiful. I love the garden in your yard. I crave a place like that
A nicely tended garden is great for the mind and spirit. Thank you for looking and passing along the wonderful compliment. If you Crave a place like it, then I guess you have to go get it! I am sure you would be a wonderful gardener 😁
I don't have enough money for such a dream house
One day maybe.. When HIVE price spikes high.. lol. Don't give up on your dreams. 😁
I like the close up of that iris petal a lot. In a garden we all notice different things indeed, a trained eye can spot a gem while a person who does not know much can pass by and believe it is a rock. I liked the quote.
Thank you! Your absolutely right. I may spend too much time looking closely at things, but I am always amazed at what I find. It makes me feel balanced and happy to be able to notice and appreciate nature just a little bit more than the day before.
😊
I actually love close ups as I can see the details so much better. And with plants this is always getting better and better with every zoom
Amazing post @bdmillergallery! The dog is also so cute! It looks like a dog for royalty! 😂 😂
Amazing? I try. lol. I don't think it's the best post ever, but I am glad you think so.. Thanks for the compliments!! 😁 Molly is the best little friend.. she has her troubles, but we LOVE her non-the-less. 😊
Thanks for stopping by and I will pass along the info to Molly.. but if I tell her she is like royalty, then she may expect that type of treatment and pampering!!! Oh Wait.. She already gets that..... hehehehehe... 😆
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