"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure."

Peter Marshall

I've often discovered that the smallest things in life are pretty powerful. This small cluster of blossoms were waving about in the breeze, all the while calling attention to themselves. I could almost hear them shouting, 'Take our picture.' I thought I should oblige them.

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"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are."

Anais Nin

There is power in the smallest of blossoms. It's all a matter of perspective.

The word "chrysanthemum" comes from the Greek words meaning "golden flower”

The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart."

Judy Garland

There are some lovely Cyclamen flowers growing on a hillside near our house. Every year I tromp up the hill to pluck one or two blossoms before they disappear. What a treat to see them once again. I'd always been intrigued about their form, but found myself excited about the shapes found inside the Cyclamen flower. There are so many hidden delights in this glorious world!

These delicate flowers are some of the first budding plants in my neighborhood. Each white cluster is the size of a pencil eraser, yet they burst open with enough pollen to enchant any bee. Three cheers for the small things in nature that often are overlooked. As Walter Hagen said, "You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry, don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way."

Life is full of hidden delights. Once I started studying the rudbeckias very closely, I noticed that there were tiny yellow flowers surrounding the dark center. Isn't nature wonderful?

While walking down the wooded paths in our neighborhood, there is one vigorous weed that produces quite unusual flowers. I've only found it in that one location, so often I only get a few photographs each year. Friends had called it nightshade, so I mistakenly thought it might be a poisonous plant. Fortunately this is Bittersweet Nightshade. The flowers aren't poisonous, yet the berries are. There's the good news and the bad news. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanum_dulcamara

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these."

George Washington Carver

Alternative picture for the Macro Mondays theme "Pastel"

Over the years I have planted many perennial flowers. My plan was to have an abundance of sedums, ground covers, bulbs and flowers so the weeds would eventually give up in their attempt to take over. With the addition of butterfly friendly native species, I'm smiling in anticipation of new sights. Have a glorious day and don't forget to admire the plant life in your world. ;)

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see!

Thank you for your visits, faves and comments.

Macro Flowers

One of the delights of having daffodil bulbs underground is the day they begin to pop their green shoots through the soil. Here's to all the beauty of Spring, even with its abundance of pollen! "And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast

rose from the dreams of its wintry rest."

Percy Bysshe Shelley

There are times that flowers are quite lovely without petals. This plant had finished blooming, yet the structures in the center of the flower were quite interesting. It just proves that things can still be appealing as they age. ;)

"Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up."...Allen Klein

Macro Mondays

I chose a bit of macro again for this evening as time and inclination was short.

Super Tak 135mm on the Sony, 49mm to 49mm connector and the helios 44-2 reversed on the end of that.

This is a stack of about 11 images layered in ps.

I could probably do with more shots but I quite like the fall off here.

For Dad, I miss you!

Two Honey Bees,working together.

Joseph B. Wirthlin said, "The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds - even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less."

"Laughter is the fireworks of the soul."

Josh Billings

Earthbound fireworks are the best. I love explosions of color. Many thanks to my neighbors that plant incredible flowers.