Janet Brien's photos with the keyword: flickrAward5+

Winner of FlickrDuel contest: Alpha Color: Green This image was taken during the MeetUp hike we went on to Hobart's Bluff and Soda Mountain in Southern Oregon on July 16. Thank you for your comments and awards! This image has achieved the highest tier award in these groups: (L = Level) flickr Award: Gallery (L3), Photo-Hobby (L3), Beautiful Shot, Andromeda 50 (L6), My Gear and Me Silver (L4), Photography for Recreation Sapphire (L5), FlickrDuel Winner: Alpha Color Green!! Photo AwardsCounter Click here to see the awards count for this photo. (?)

When our seasonal pond begins to dry up, lovely flowers pop up from the rich clay there. Last year I discovered a beautiful little flower atop a plant covered with spiky leaves...this year I was waiting in anticipation for the show to commence! What I didn't realize is that there are several species of this flower that grow all in the same place! Jackpot! This blue species is amazing and I loved taking pictures to show off its stunning characteristics. Downy Pincushions are well-named, as their leaves all end in sharp spines! These tiny plants grow low to the ground in a round shape, producing beautiful, prickly bouquets of gorgeous 1/4" blue flowers topped by sparkling white stamens. They are native to southern Oregon and northern California and grow in dry, open habitats. If you would like to know more about this flower, Wiki has a page here: Wiki: Downy Pincushion Plant (Navarretia pubescens) (You'll laugh when you see the picture provided...they really shouldn't have bothered!) General species listing Wiki: Navarretia Explored on October 18, 2012. Highest placement: #63.

Another image from the archives, this California Poppy was one of the flowers that bloomed from some mixed wildflower seeds I planted during the summer. I put them in a metal trough planter we used one year for sunflowers, and I really didn't know if I'd get anything to grow at all because the seeds were several years old. To my delight, we were given an amazing show of so many flowers I couldn't believe my eyes! As I can, I hope to share some of the incredible beauty that grew from this thimble full of seeds! Gérard de Nerval (May 22, 1808 – January 26, 1855) was the nom-de-plume of the French poet, essayist and translator Gérard Labrunie, one of the most essentially Romantic French poets. Wikipedia: Gérard de Nerval