Flowers and Nature

A Field of Crocus Flowers

Late evening sun illuminated this small field of spring crocus flowers at Historic Tuckahoe. I used a vintage Helios lens to create a soft glow of these spring crocus flowers. Historic Tuckahoe is located in Goochland, Virginia

Primrose Flowers

White primrose flowers are some of the first flowers to bloom in early spring. The white primrose flowers has yellow centers with a small center, and it has bright green leaves. Although these are small beautiful flowers, they are given to someone to symbolize sadness and mourning. I photographed these small flowers with natural window light to create a hi-key appearance. I used a Lensbaby Velvet 56 lens to also create a soft dreamy glow

Pink and Orange Tulips

Tulips are perennial spring flowers that will come back annually. Pink Tulips are often an expression of friendship and caring. Orange tulips are a symbol of friendship or happiness. I photograph these pink and orange tulips at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden's display of "A Million Blooms", Richmond, Virignia

Spring Crocus

Crocus are small colorful flowers that bloom from late winter to early spring. They are low to the ground, yet a welcome sign of color after a long cold winter. Hungry bees are attracted to rich orange pollen in the center of the crocus. I photographed these crocus with a vintage Helios to created a soft blur, and I also added a texture to this image. I photographed these crocus flowers at Historic Tuckahoe, in Goochland, Virginia

Flowers often have spiritual and religious meaning, because they rise from the dirt and show their beauty for time each year. The Lotus flower is no different. The Lotus is a delicate flower with many layered petals around a central core. The Lotus flowers exude beauty and grace. Most varieties grow in the water of muddy ponds and creeks. The white and pink Lotus flowers are from the Nelumbo family, and carry a meaning of purity and devotion. I photographed this white lotus flower surrounded by its green lotus leaves at Kenilworth Aquatic Garden in Washington D.C.

Summer Dahlia

Dahlia flowers are colorful flowers that bloom from late summer into fall. Dahlias grow from tubers that are planted in late spring. I photographed this one dahlia at Historic Tuckahoe in Goochland, Virginia

Double Bloom Tulip

Double flowered tulips have several petals, which creates a fluffy look, similar to a peony flower. The extra petals of this lilac colored tulip created not only beauty, but extra depth. We planted a variety of two hundred tulips, and the double-flower tulips have lasted the longest, and they make excellent cut flowers.

Snowdrop

Snowdrops are perennials that are among the earliest spring bulbs to bloom. Snowdrops bloom between February and March, in clusters and low to the ground. I photographed this single snowdrop at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia in mid-February. I used my Lensbaby Velvet 56 lens to give this single flower a soft glow and I've added a texture to the final image.

Pink Dogwood Blooms

Pink dogwoods or cornus florida creates a nice floral show for two to four weeks in the spring. What appear to be four petals are actually bracts on dogwoods, and the blooms are pincushion-shaped buds, that open to small flowers. The Dogwood tree is the official flower for the State of Virginia, therefore one will see a variety of pink and white dogwood blooms in Virginia. While visiting Historic Tuckahoe, I photographed these pink dogwood blooms against a white sky to achieve a translucent look

Star Magnolia

The Star Magnolia tree has one of the smallest blooms of the magnolias with soft, snowy white petals. The Star Magnolia blooms in early spring. Every spring I find these blooms at an abandoned location, where I can admire their beauty. This image was shot with a macro lens, showing the details of the center of the flower.

Morning Haze

Lotus flowers open in response to the sunlight, and close in the afternoon. I photographed this pink lotus on a rainy, early morning light at Kenilworth Aquatic Garden, in Washington D.C. This one lotus bloom appeared to be peaking out from the surrounding large lotus green leaves. I have digitally enhanced this image to give it soft dreamy look.

Tulips and Buttercups

Red tulips are the one of the most poplular color flowers. Red tulips symbolize love. These red tulips were blooming among this field of buttercups at Historic Westover in Charles City, Virginia

Red Mexican Sunflower

Mexican Sunflowers are annuals that display fiery red, orange or yellow petals, all with a yellow center. Their botanical name is Tithonia rotundifolia; and they are drought tolerant, growing to a height of 3 to 8 feet. Mexican Sunflowers bloom from summer to fall. After several summer visits to Historic Tuckahoe, I finally found and photographed a Mexican Sunflower displaying its lovely curves

Mophead Hydrangeas are the most popular hydrangea in the United States. The Mophead Hydrangea has large green leaves with large flower heads that come in purple, blue and pink. This type of hydrangea are shrubs . I photographed this pink hydrangea while the light highlighted the flowers, yet created a black background.

Tahitian Dreams

The double bloom Tahiti Daffodil will brighten up your garden with its soft yellow petals and bright orange center.

Red and Pink Rose

Roses come in various shades of red and pink. This rose had petals of red and pink. I was surprised to see these two different colors on this one rose bush in the gardens at Tuckahoe Plantation. Perhaps this is a hybrid rose. I used my Lensbaby Velvet 56 lens to give this image a dreamy soft, blurred look.

Blooming Daffodil

Daffodils are perennials that bloom year after year. Daffodils are deer resistant, and are cheerful flowers. I found this double bloom daffodil the had not fully opened at Maymont Park, and I used my Lensbaby Velvet 56 to achieve this soft look. I've added a texture to this image.

Pink Cloud Tulip

I spent a morning at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia before the garden closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. While visiting the conservatory the tulips were in full bloom. On this day I carried one lens my Lensbaby Velvet 56. My goal was to concentrate on shapes of the flowers. The outside light cast a glow through the petals of the Pink Cloud Tulips.

Withered Yet Still Beautiful

Once flowers start their decline to wither and dry, they still have their details and a bit of color. I enjoy keeping my flowers, such as this spring tulip. I've photograph this tulip with a light background to give it a bit of translucency, and converted it to black and white.

Purple Columbine

Columbine flowers bloom in many bold color with exquisite shapes. The Columbine flower is in the same famly as the buttercup. They are bell shapped and have distinct spurred petals, and they grow 1-2 ft in height. I captured this purple Columbine on a late evening while roaming the gardens at Tuckahoe Plantation. I used my Lensbaby Velvet 56 lens for a soft glow effect.

Pink Beauty

Water Lilies are flowering plants from the Nymphaeaceae family. The water lily is a perennials that grow in aquatic bodies of water, where their leaves and the flower float on the water surface. I ventured to Kenilworth Aquatic Garden in Washington D.C., where there are acres of lotus and water lilies that display their beauty in this National Park.

Enlish Lavender

English Lavender is often associated with the famous purple fields of Provence. It is not native to England, but to the Mediterranean. During the pandemic I decided to plant some Lavender. It was beautiful and had a lovely scent, before I planted it. This was not a successful venture. I still have 2 lavender plants with hopes that they will come back in the spring. I'm glad that I decided to photograph the the stems before I planted it in my garden.