Today's Flowers: Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas

These flowers have an old-world charm about them that I cannot resist. There is a certain innocence and purity that hydrangeas seem to possess, no matter what the colour. My hydrangea border has this pale lilac specimen taking centre-stage at the moment. I just love it.

See more Today's Flowers by clicking at the Today's Flowers link at the bottom of this page.

Glimpses...of gardens in Capri

What lies behind these huge garden gates, barring trespassers from illegal entry? What hidden Mediterranean beauties kept protected from prying eyes? I long to ring the doorbell, but am denied getting even close to the door. Go away, curious traveller. These gardens are a sanctuary for only those who stay here.








Alas, I am only allowed a glimpse of the mysterious gardens along the quaint narrow streets of Anacapri. I have to be contented with that. I'll just walk down the hill to where the main street is and visit that cottage where the door is open all day. The lady of the house is happy to let visitors come in to her pretty garden to admire her plants. Such lovely blooms to inspire the weary traveller to seek more than a glimpse of gardens on the lovely Isle of Capri.

Macro Flowers - Spanish Roses

A rose from any corner of the world would still be a familiar, beloved flower. But these photographs of roses which I captured in Spain brings back wonderful memories of a carefree, delightful springtime holiday. They may be simple, straightforward photography, but they are bits of cherished images I would add to my photography credits in my journey of discovering the camera as my travel-companion.






This is my first post in maiaT's meme, and I am excited to be part of the community of keen photographers.
To view this gallery of  Macro Flowers, please click on the button Macro Flowers at the bottom of this page.

Blooming Friday - Hidden

A tough assignment this Friday. What would I be looking for that is hidden from me? Got to be flowers. I'm always looking for flowers wherever I go. How about the time I was in Spain? I first stepped on Spanish soil when we landed in Barcelona from Amsterdam. In Amsterdam, it was only a transit stop for two hours, so I didn't get the chance to go looking for tulips in Amsterdam.

May in Barcelona was a time for blooms, so I first searched for Blooms to feature on Blooming Friday in Barcelona. (I do get carried away with alliterations these days, forgive me for this phase I'm in). I met this mixture of flowers at Las Ramblas, and thought 'it' would be the right thing to ask where the spring flowers were hidden as this guy was dressed up as "Spring".



I walked down the Las Ramblas and saw what others (or at least one other) apparently sought.Oh no, these were not what I had in mind. Moving on...



Then at the end of the famous one kilometre promenade right through the city centre, I caught a glimpse of something hidden behind the crowd at Placa  Catalunya...could they be roses?


  

As I approached the fountain, I saw what was hidden from me...show-white roses...ahhh, I found you!!!



They looked like iceberg roses, but were not climbers, just low borders of masses of white bouquet roses.

Dear Katarina, so if I'm a trifle late at submitting my Barcelona Roses for Blooming Friday, it was because they were hidden from me.

Do visit Katarina's blog to see what else is HIDDEN! You may be looking for the link to click on...it is not hidden. Just scroll down to the bottom of the page and you'll find it there.

Maidenhair Fern

My first 'flaunting' on the First Fertilizer Friday of 2011 is of  the kind that ladies love to flaunt...their crowning glory. Here are the proud ladies who are participating in the High-Fashion Hair-Fashion Model of The Year Contest.


First on the runway is Tina Head-Turner.She's the grand old lady who rocks the stage with her dynamic wild and sassy hair-do. A big hand for Gorgeous Tina, if you please.








The next contestant is a young maiden, still green in this beauty pageant industry.Her fresh wispy green tresses make her perfect for the fashion magazines. Here she is, Miss Layered and Feathery, Helena Head-and-Shoulders!

The third to step up on this stage needs no introduction. Her sultry,exotic looks make her the contestant most likely to be voted Miss Bohemian tonight.
Making her appearance is Miss Long Fringes. Looks like asymmetric cuts are coming back into fashion.

Last but not least, is our trendy contestant, Miss Cropped Pixie Cut. Her vibrant,vivacious style is due to her short, shaggy layered look. Will this look win the judges' votes? 

Who gets your vote, Ladies and Gentlemen? Call the 1-600 numbers tonight. Dial Number 1 for Tina. Number 2 for Helena. Number 3 for Long Fringes. And Number 4 for Pixie.




  Common name : Maidenhair Fern

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Pteridopsida
Order:	Polypodiales
Family:	Pteridaceae
Genus:	Adiantum L.

   Species: There are about 200
    
Audience, make the right choice. Your votes will determine the future of these four fair maidens. We'll be back tomorrow night to count your votes. 


For more goings-on on Fertilizer Friday postings, please click on Tootsie's link at the bottom of this page. Thank you, Tootsie for hosting this meme.