Lush Lilies and Leaves: a photo essay

- Photo Essay Contest -

Hi, folks!

Continuing from the Imperfect Petals essay, here are some photos from my August garden earlier this week, just around sunrise. There is a special dedication at the end, for a good friend. ;o)

Aaron

Some of the flowers were still steeped in dawn, awaiting the sun, like this one. 

Others burst with light. 

...like the inside of these morning glories. I'm not sure why they glow so in thse particular photos - it's almost magical, isn't it? As if a world awaits inside, tempting us with light.

Can't you just feel the warm rays of the sun on my bag of drying onions? And inhale that heady scent - spicy and sweet at the same time.

Strong rays illuminate the sweet pea blossoms.

And these batisia leaves are dramatic in the golden light...

Can you tell I just learned to feather in Photoshop? I can't believe it took me so long to get this skill under my belt. Anyway - I can't remember the name of this beauty, I think it's related to netera, or cat mint, but I might be wrong. Anyway, it's got a lovely lavender blossom. This one's almost spent.

Cosmos is so easy to grow. Just sprinkle the seeds on top of mulch or in the flower garden, and presto! They thrive! My favorites are actually the white variety, named "Sonata." They shine all day and in the early evenings. But I didn't catch any of those on this photo shoot, so you'll just have to imagine it!

Here's another view of that spotted beauty featured at the top.

This orange zinnia waited patiently for the sun... 

 As did this Asiatic Lily.

In parting, I'd like to dedicate this photo essay and especially this budding Dahlia to my friend Val, who recently suffered a heart attack. A symbol of hope and renewal, it holds promises of a blossoming future that is sure to be hers. She deserves a break! Here's praying she recovers quickly and can return to her own gardens soon.

Warmest regards,

Aaron Paul Lazar - author of LeGarde Mysteries, Moore Mysteries, Seedlings columns, and more ;o)

Aaron Paul Lazar, author of the LeGarde Mystery series and Moore Mysteries, lives in Upstate New York with his wife, three daughters, two grandsons, mother-in-law, dog, and three cats. After writing in the early morning hours, he works as an electrophotographic engineer at Kodak in Rochester, New York. Additional passions include vegetable, fruit, and flower gardening; preparing large family feasts; photographing his family, gardens, and the breathtakingly beautiful Genesee Valley; cross-country skiing across the rolling hills; playing a distinctly amateur level of piano, and spending “time” with the French Impressionists whenever possible. Although he adored raising his three delightful daughters, Mr. Lazar finds grandfathering his “two little buddies” to be one of the finest experiences of his life. Visit his website at www.legardemysteries.com for excerpts, reviews, interviews, photos of the Genesee Valley and Gus’s Gardens, and music by Chopin.

Double Forté is the founding book of the LeGarde Mystery series and was released in January, 2005. Upstaged, the second book, was released in October, 2005. His third, Tremolo: cry of the loon, was released via Twilight Times Books under the Paladin Timeless Imprint in fall, 2006. Watch for Healey’s Cave: A Sam Moore Mystery and Mazurka, the fourth in the LeGarde mysteries, in 2008. Mr. Lazar is currently working on his twelfth book, For Keeps. He is a regular columnist for FMAM (Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine), Voice in the Dark literary journal, and frequently writes for the Absolute Write newsletter. Contact him at: aaron.lazar@yahoo.com.