Bring the Funk
I have been in a bit of a funk lately...writers block and the photo blahs. Does this ever happen to you? I started writing three different posts and haven't finished any of them. I'm not happy with the quality of the photos I've taken the last few times I've been in my garden. So what's up? Is it a lack of inspiration? Frustration in my skill level? Are my expectations too high? Feeling overwhelmed? Or all of the above?
As I was staring at a blank screen this morning trying to work out these questions the power went out and it was almost as if time stood still. No Internet, no coffee, no photos and so in an attempt to snap myself out of this mood and find some inspiration I grabbed my camera, called the dogs and took a walk around the garden.
The swamp sunflowers are beginning to bloom. They are a good 12 feet tall and just look stunning against the blue skies. The bees love them and I spent some time watching them from down below.
I stood on the fence post to get this shot of one of the lower blooms still covered with a little morning dew.
Ironweed just glows in the fall sunlight, especially as the sun creeps over the slope. It is another pollinator favorite, especially for bees and skipper butterflies.
The hummingbird migration is in full swing and The Southern Meadows speedway is in full operation. Races are held from dawn to dusk. There are several circuits going on simultaneously. Race track officials are perched in branches around the track monitoring the feeders and making sure that everyone flies fair.
I found this little guy hanging out in the grasses. He was trying to be very inconspicuous.
The upland sea oats are one of my favorite grasses and really shine in the fall.
I wish I knew the name of this grass. It is gorgeous. We picked it up last year at our Master Gardener Plant Expo. It was the last one and didn't have a tag. I would love to get more. The blooms are iridescent but I find their dazzle very difficult to capture on camera (back to that frustration factor).
In the woodland garden the native beautyberry shrub is glowing. I love the big, round white berries. I am sure the birds love them even more.
Well, the dogs had a great run around the garden. Can you tell? Muddy paws and a big grin!
And, the power is back on and maybe I'll go put on some Parliament Funkadelic "Bring The Funk". How can George Clinton not put one in a better mood?
As I was staring at a blank screen this morning trying to work out these questions the power went out and it was almost as if time stood still. No Internet, no coffee, no photos and so in an attempt to snap myself out of this mood and find some inspiration I grabbed my camera, called the dogs and took a walk around the garden.
The swamp sunflowers are beginning to bloom. They are a good 12 feet tall and just look stunning against the blue skies. The bees love them and I spent some time watching them from down below.
I stood on the fence post to get this shot of one of the lower blooms still covered with a little morning dew.
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| Vernonia gigantea |
Ironweed just glows in the fall sunlight, especially as the sun creeps over the slope. It is another pollinator favorite, especially for bees and skipper butterflies.
The hummingbird migration is in full swing and The Southern Meadows speedway is in full operation. Races are held from dawn to dusk. There are several circuits going on simultaneously. Race track officials are perched in branches around the track monitoring the feeders and making sure that everyone flies fair.
I found this little guy hanging out in the grasses. He was trying to be very inconspicuous.
The upland sea oats are one of my favorite grasses and really shine in the fall.
I wish I knew the name of this grass. It is gorgeous. We picked it up last year at our Master Gardener Plant Expo. It was the last one and didn't have a tag. I would love to get more. The blooms are iridescent but I find their dazzle very difficult to capture on camera (back to that frustration factor).
In the woodland garden the native beautyberry shrub is glowing. I love the big, round white berries. I am sure the birds love them even more.
Well, the dogs had a great run around the garden. Can you tell? Muddy paws and a big grin!
And, the power is back on and maybe I'll go put on some Parliament Funkadelic "Bring The Funk". How can George Clinton not put one in a better mood?
