Weed or Beauty... In the Eyes of the Beholder... Rose of Sharon...

Hibiscus syriacus is commonly known as Rose of Sharon in the US. Apparently, we are the only ones who call this bush/tree by that name. When my current next door neighbor moved in to her house, I told her it was a weed but she loves the flowers and has trained it to grow as a tree. I have to admit, I too enjoy the flowers every year.

Delicate Poppy Beauty...

My neighbor two doors down the street is the one to thank for this photo... she saw me out with my camera today and called this beauty (currently blooming in her lovely garden) to my attention. These poppies are normally done blooming by now... but our very wet and cooler than normal spring hasn't completely done them in yet!

Nose plant... Bumble-Bee after the pollen in the Lambs-ear Blossoms...

Went for a walk during a lull in the rain yesterday (pouring down hard again today)... found this bumble-bee on the Lambs-ear in a neighboring yard and took a LOT of shots to get this one... as hard as it's raining... may not have much luck with my camera today! So hope you enjoy this from yesterday and have a great weekend!

Soft focus... Deliberate... Out of the mist...

This might be Japanese spiraea (Spiraea japonica) but I'm no expert so wouldn't mind being corrected if I'm wrong! Wikipedia lists quite a few species of Spiraea (commonly known as meadowsweet) and several different hybrids as well.

I was experimenting this morning (rain has stopped for the time being) with DOF and really like how this turned out. My morning walks for exercise don't get me very far... think I'll have to start leaving the camera at home because I get totally sidetracked from the "exercise" aspect of the walk and wind up with MANY more photos than I will ever post (for fear of overwhelming everyone)!!!