Through the eyes of another

With Amanda away it seemed the perfect opportunity to invite a guest photographer who was as crazy about flowers as we are. Andrea Tsai Barker was the first to respond. She sent a link to some photos she'd taken and I was sold. But don't take my word for it - today's blog captures this week's shipment. And in her own words, she expresses her love for flowers: 

My love affair with flowers was cultivated at a young age by my mum.  There were weekly trips to the garden centre and, quite often, vases of fresh flowers dotted around the house.  Just as each flower was exotic, so were their names: anemones, dahlias, peonies, zinnias, proteas, ranunculus, hydrangeas...and even today, hearing these words conjures up a riot of colour and texture.

Mokara Orchids

I can think of no better subject for an image than the unique beauty of flowers -- the graceful curve of their stems, their unfurling leaves, the way the light shimmers on their petals.  There is even beauty in the last days of a spent, dying blossom, when only a few petals remain and there is little life left.  But, above all, my favourite way to photograph flowers is to capture the texture of their blossoms, so that it's almost palpable, as though you could reach out and touch it.

Spray Rose - "Babe"

  Oak Leaves

 Ranunculus

"Babe"

Ornamental Cabbage

 Duett -Roses

Viburnum (fruit) 

 Hyacinth

 Hydrangea

Ornamental Cabbage

                                                                           Delphinium

 Thistle

 Snowberry

 Germini "Capri"

Chinese Lanterns and Matricaria

We are so incredibly fortunate that Andrea was able to so beautifully portray our flowers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This week's flowers are nothing short of incredible. As always available in limited quantities. As always just for you... njb