The Flickr Flowercenter Image Generatr

Beautiful pink dogwood blooms. We have had a marvelous spring, with so many blooming plants lasting much longer than we typically enjoy in Cincinnati.


Jenny Pansing photos

Today where I live is a holiday, so I asked a dear friend of mine who is also a photographer to join me for a photography day at my house. We photographed many different things, using my back terrace as a studio.

Amongst other things to photograph, she brought a pair of used ballet pointe shoes that she found in a little charity shop close to her home a few months ago. Here I have photographed them on a roll of hand made paper, and accessorised it with a silk flower made by hand using the "French silk flower technique" by a fashion designer friend of mine, given to me as a gift when I turned forty - some years ago now.

I have given this image a blue wash, and I am dedicating this photo to my dear Flickr friend Finou FinouCat who is a dancer, but currently cannot dance due to damage to her foot. I am hoping that she will be able to dance again soon.

Also known as Japanese cherry blossom, seeing the sakura blossom tree covered in delicate pink blossoms put me in mind of the song "The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring, Tra La" from my favourite Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta, "The Mikado".

"The flowers that bloom in the spring,
Tra la!
Breathe promise of merry sunshine —
As we merrily dance and we sing,
Tra la!
We welcome the hope that they bring,
Tra la!
Of a summer of roses and wine,
Of a summer of roses and wine.
And that's what we mean when we say that a thing,
Is welcome as flowers that bloom in the spring.
Tra la la la la,
Tra la la la la.
The flowers that bloom in the spring."

The theme for "Smile on Saturday" on the 6th of April is "blossoms", so whilst being in the Southern Hemisphere, I am slowly wending my way towards autumn, I do love spring, so I have lots of blossom shots that have yet to make their way up onto Flickr. The theme gives me the perfect excuse to select one and post it! My two favourite seasons are autumn, for its brightly coloured cascades of leaves, and spring for its pastel coloured blooms which are always a delight after the grey winter months. I hope you like my choice for this week’s theme, and that it makes you smile!

Dahlia, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Jenny Pansing photos

growing at Summit Park

iNaturalist link www.inaturalist.org/observations/188773892


Jenny Pansing photos

Third and last in my October Flowers Series, this one featuring a colorful Sunflower in the crisp autumn air.

We got a frost warning from the weatherman today. How did we go from summer heat to frigid frost in just three days???

Still, there are plenty of hardy and colorful flowers spreading their cheer if one knows where to look :)

Have a great new week, my Flickr friends!

Yes, spring is in the air, as winter in Melbourne makes a reluctant retreat. A few Saturdays ago it was a delightfully sunny day with glorious blue skies, so I went for a stroll. As I walked down a street I came across a white sakura cherry blossom in bloom. Not only was it beautiful, but the air around it thrummed as dozens of bees flew happily from flower to flower, enjoying their sticky pollen elevenses! There are few things more pleasurable to enjoy than happy bees busily buzzing away! The sakura cherry blossoms on the tree reminded me of little Japanese parasols.

A cherry blossom, also known as a Japanese cherry or sakura, is a flower of trees in the genus Prunus or the Prunus subgenus Cerasus. Wild species of the cherry tree are widely distributed, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. They are common in East Asia, especially in Japan. They generally refer to ornamental cherry trees, not cherry trees grown for their fruit. The cherry blossom is considered the national flower of Japan.

DAISY-MAUD: "Oh Jago!" *Scratches head with paw.*

JAGO: "Whatever is wrong, Daisy-Maud?"

DAISY-MAUD: "Oh Jago, I just cannot quite get used to it."

JAGO: "Used to what, Daisy-Maud?"

DAISY-MAUD: "Well, it's September, and yet the weather here is like it is in May back at home in England. See - this maythorn tree is is in bloom in September! It should be autumn now!"

JAGO: "Well, we are in the Southern Hemisphere, dear Daisy-Maud, and here everything is the reverse way around. Spring is in September, Autumn is in May."

DAISY-MAUD: "I don't know if I will ever get used to it." *Sighs deeply.*

JAGO: "Don't worry, my dear little sister." *Puts arm around Daisy-Maud comfortingly.* "You will get used to it in time. Don't forget, you only arrived in Australia last Christmas, after all."

DAISY-MAUD: "I know!" *Sighs again.* "I still miss Mummy June and all the Blakeney Bears so much, but," *Smiles up at Jago.* "I missed you so much, Jago. I couldn't bear being separated from you any longer. I am so glad that Mummy June let me come and stay with you, Paddy, Daddy and all our bear family."

JAGO: "I'm glad that she did too, Daisy-Maud. I missed you so much."

DAISY-MAUD: "I love you, my big brother Jago." *Snuggles against Jago.*

JAGO: "I love you too, my little sister Daisy-Maud." *Kisses Daisy-Maud on the forehead.* "Now, thinking of Daddy and Paddy, do you know what tomorrow is?"

DAISY-MAUD: "Why yes, it's Saturday, Jago. Everyone knows that Saturday comes after Friday."

JAGO: "Well, that is true, Daisy-Maud, but it is also Daddy's birthday and Paddy's birthday!"

DAISY-MAUD: *Gasps.* "Does that mean?"

JAGO: "Yes, Daisy-Maud, a birthday party!"

DAISY-MAUD: "With cake, Jago?"

JAGO: "Of course with cake! How could a birthday party be a birthday party without birthday cake, Daisy-Maud?"

DAISY-MAUD: "How wonderful!" *Claps paws with delight.*

JAGO: "And best of all, it is going to be a lovely, sunny day for Daddy and Paddy's birthday, so we can play hide-and-seek in the garden after the birthday party."

DAISY-MAUD: "Oh that's wonderful, Jago! We are such lucky bears, aren't we?" *Smiles.*

JAGO: "Yes we are, my little sister. Yes we are!" *Smiles too.*

Jago was a gift from a dear friend in England. He is made of English mohair with suede paw pads and glass eyes. He is a gentle bear, kind and patient who carries an air of calm about him. He is already fitting in with everyone else very nicely.

Daisy-Maud is Jago's little sister and was made by the same friend in England who made him. She is made of German mohair with floral fabric cotton paw pads that match her pretty sunhat, and glass eyes. A sweet and loving little girl bear, she is happy to be reunited with her big brother, Jago, and enjoys being spoiled by her new Daddy.

Colloquially known as May or the May tree, hawthorn blossom typically appears at the start of May in England (and September in Australia). However, climate change is bringing flowering forward, meaning the old English name for hawthorn may no longer be as relevant as it once was. It is similar to the wild cherry flower (they are from the same family). Sometimes the tips of the petals are pinkish, although not in this case.

Yesterday was what appears to be the real beginning of spring weather here in Melbourne. In fact, after some very cold days, we are about to move into above average temperatures for spring. Regardless of whether it is above average or not, it was too beautiful a day not to take a stroll, and so I did.

On my walk, I passed an ornamental apple blossom tree which has burst into bloom as a result of the warm weather. Its branches are now heavy with a mixture of fresh green leaves and beautiful bright carmine, pink and white blossoms like these. The blue sky around the tree, warm with sunshine and sweet with perfume was abuzz with an infinite number of busy bees happily collecting pollen. It was a pleasure to stand beneath this mature tree and take a few photos and observe the frolics of the happy bees.

Malus is a genus of about thirty to fifty-five species of small deciduous trees or shrubs in the family Rosaceae, including the domesticated orchard apple, crab apples and wild apples. It also includes ornamental apple blossom trees. The genus is native to the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. At the beginning of spring, pink and carmine red buds appear on the ornamental apple blossom tree. The color then changes to shift to variations of pure white, pink or red as the blooming evolves. At the end of the blooming season, the tree will be covered in deep green foliage that turns to orange red in autumn. At the end of summer, small red, orange or yellow apples appear and will stay on the tree for the most part of winter if not harvested. They are not edible, adding to the ornament of the ornamental apple blossom tree.

It is my ardent belief that we can all find beauty, wherever we go, if only we open our eyes and see it. I had to take a trip to see my doctor the other day and as I was waiting for the tram to go home after my consultation, I happened to notice a few pretty pink ornamental flowering almond blossoms poking through a hedge as I waited. They appeared to be saying: "peek-a-boo - we see you. Do you see us?" I'm so glad that I did see them, as I love the pink and white blossoms of the flowering almond, and they gave me a much needed smile. They are so delicate and pretty, how can one not smile when seeing them?

Spring is slowly returning to Melbourne, not that you would think so today, with extremely low temperatures and gusty winds, but when I took this photo earlier in the week, it had been a cool, yet sunny day which is typical of early spring days in Melbourne.

A spring-blooming shrub, flowering almond is a beautiful addition to any garden with sweet pink double blossoms. Sometimes the flowers are followed by small round red fruit coveted by squirrels. This shrub can grow ten to fifteen feet tall, but there is also a dwarf flowering almond (Prunus glandulosa) with pink or white flowers that grows only four to five feet tall.

Yes, spring is in the air: hopefully as a sign that winter in Melbourne really is retreating. Although today is cool, the day I took this photo it was a glorious and sunny afternoon with beautiful blue skies: the perfect weather for a stroll. There is a hawthorn (or maythorn) tree that I pass sometimes which grows in the garden of an old Edwardian villa, which when in bloom is a delight to see. I have gone past it a few times in recent times and seen as it has gone from bare branches to hundreds of buds just waiting to burst. Now burst they have, and the tree is covered in crisp white blossoms ready for presentation to the world, and bees buzz happily throughout its blossom laden boughs. The air is full of the sweet promise of spring.

Colloquially known as May or the May tree, hawthorn blossom typically appears at the start of May in England (and September in Australia). However, climate change is bringing flowering forward, meaning the old English name for hawthorn may no longer be as relevant as it once was. It is similar to the wild cherry flower (they are from the same family). Sometimes the tips of the petals are pinkish, although not in this case.

A few weeks ago, I had to do a little bit of sick visiting, and along the way I chanced upon a whole row of wonderful ornamental Japanese cherry blossom trees in full bloom! The weather wasn't the best that day, however Friday a fortnight ago, was a beautiful day with blue skies and milder temperatures (although still not warm enough to be without a coat and hat). I decided to revisit the grove of Japanese cherry blossom trees, and whilst I found that many had been destroyed by the rain and hail over the past week, and that the leaves were starting to show through, there were still some beautiful blossoms left, like this one! With the sun shining on her petals she was so eye catching and was crying out to be photographed.

A cherry blossom, also known as a Japanese cherry or sakura, is a flower of trees in the genus Prunus or the Prunus subgenus Cerasus. Wild species of the cherry tree are widely distributed, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. They are common in East Asia, especially in Japan. They generally refer to ornamental cherry trees, not cherry trees grown for their fruit. The cherry blossom is considered the national flower of Japan.

Yes, spring is in the air again, hopefully as a sign that winter in Melbourne really is finally retreating. The day I took this photo, it was cool in the morning, but a glorious and sunny afternoon with beautiful blue skies eventuated when I went for a stroll. On my walk, I walked past a wonderful Japanese cherry blossom covered in clusters of wonderful pink blossoms which reminded me of powder puffs. Perhaps they are powder puffs for faeries?

A cherry blossom, also known as a Japanese cherry or sakura, is a flower of trees in the genus Prunus or the Prunus subgenus Cerasus. Wild species of the cherry tree are widely distributed, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. They are common in East Asia, especially in Japan. They generally refer to ornamental cherry trees, not cherry trees grown for their fruit. The cherry blossom is considered the national flower of Japan.

Yes, spring is in the air again today, hopefully as a sign that winter in Melbourne really is retreating. Today was a cool in the morning, but a glorious and sunny afternoon with beautiful blue skies eventuated, so I went for a stroll with intent. Why intent? There is a hawthorn (or maythorn) tree that I pass sometimes which grows in the garden of an old Edwardian villa, which when in bloom is a delight to see. I have gone past it a few times in recent times and seen as it has gone from bare branches to hundreds of buds just waiting to burst. Now burst they have, and the tree is covered in crisp white blossoms ready for presentation to the world, and bees buzz happily throughout its blossom laden boughs. The air is full of the sweet promise of spring.

Colloquially known as May or the May tree, hawthorn blossom typically appears at the start of May in England (and September in Australia). However, climate change is bringing flowering forward, meaning the old English name for hawthorn may no longer be as relevant as it once was. It is similar to the wild cherry flower (they are from the same family). Sometimes the tips of the petals are pinkish, although not in this case.

Two Fridays ago, I had to do a little bit of sick visiting, and along the way I chanced upon a whole row of wonderful ornamental Japanese cherry blossom trees in full bloom! The weather wasn't the best that day, however Friday of this week just gone was a beautiful day with blue skies and milder temperatures (although still not warm enough to be without a coat and hat). I decided to revisit the grove of Japanese cherry blossom trees, and whilst I found that many had been destroyed by the rain and hail over the past week, and that the leaves were starting to show through, there were still some beautiful blossoms left, like this one! With the sun shining through it's petal and indeed its very centre, this delicate blossom was so eye catching as it glowed.

A cherry blossom, also known as a Japanese cherry or sakura, is a flower of trees in the genus Prunus or the Prunus subgenus Cerasus. Wild species of the cherry tree are widely distributed, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. They are common in East Asia, especially in Japan. They generally refer to ornamental cherry trees, not cherry trees grown for their fruit. The cherry blossom is considered the national flower of Japan.

I am a firm believer that classic beauty never goes out of style, and that is why that when on a walk the other day, I chanced upon this poor little broken twig of sakura with two dainty ornamental cherry blossoms, I paused to pick it up and bring it home. I thought it would look beautiful photographed against a bolt of some beautiful embroidered French satin that I have, so when I came home, I set up the shot and took a few different variations, both horizontal and vertical, as I often do.

Little did I know that just a day later, the theme for "Looking Close on Friday" for the 25th of August of "flora and fauna in a vertical photo" would be announced! How wonderfully synchronistic this was. Unfortunately, I didn't interpret the theme correctly: which required both flora and fauna in the one shot, so this one didn't meet the brief. Never mind. I am still proud of the shot, and I hope that it makes you smile.

The cherry blossom, also known as a Japanese cherry or sakura, is a flower of trees in the genus Prunus or the Prunus subgenus Cerasus. Wild species of the cherry tree are widely distributed, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. They are common in East Asia, especially in Japan. They generally refer to ornamental cherry trees, not cherry trees grown for their fruit. The cherry blossom is considered the national flower of Japan.

Perhaps I have spoken too soon, spring may be in the trees, but winter is still very evident in Melbourne air if today is anything to go by! Even as I write it is hailing outside my window!

This morning I had to do a little bit of sick visiting, so I wrapped up warmly against the chill and with my trusty brolly for protection against the persistent showers I set off. Imagine my delight when along the way I chanced upon a whole row of wonderful ornamental Japanese cherry blossom trees in full bloom! I fetched out my camera, which I always take about with me, and started to take a few shots. Just as I did, the sun popped out from behind the clouds and a bit of blue sky appeared: just long enough for me to capture a few images of the blossoms, like this blushing debutante, who all too soon will be scattered to the wind and replaced with new foliage.

A cherry blossom, also known as a Japanese cherry or sakura, is a flower of trees in the genus Prunus or the Prunus subgenus Cerasus. Wild species of the cherry tree are widely distributed, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. They are common in East Asia, especially in Japan. They generally refer to ornamental cherry trees, not cherry trees grown for their fruit. The cherry blossom is considered the national flower of Japan.

Yes, spring is in the air, as winter in Melbourne makes a reluctant retreat. Today was a cool but sunny day with glorious blue skies, so I went for a stroll. As I looked down a street, from a distance I thought I saw a few sakura blossoms coming out on a tree, and upon closer inspection I found it to be starting to bloom, covered in glorious pink buds and a few clouds of pastel blossom, full of sweet promise.

A cherry blossom, also known as a Japanese cherry or sakura, is a flower of trees in the genus Prunus or the Prunus subgenus Cerasus. Wild species of the cherry tree are widely distributed, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. They are common in East Asia, especially in Japan. They generally refer to ornamental cherry trees, not cherry trees grown for their fruit. The cherry blossom is considered the national flower of Japan.