autofantasia's photos with the keyword: flower

A little bit of artistic fun to brighten up these short winter days. Two images of mine combined and sent to the 'processing room' ... and no, not really shot in Amsterdam, but RHS Harlow Carr on the outskirts of Harrogate. Also for Sight and Sound ... the late, great Max Bygraves with the memorable "Tulips From Amsterdam" - enjoy: youtu.be/ors-eZeeJ0U youtu.be/qPsq6flck2A

Such crazy weather we get. Yesterday, the last of the autumn flowers, like this one here, were encrusted with frost and yet today it's grey and sodden. And no, this isn't SOOC, but I think it still works ... at least it does for me.

For this week's Sunday Challenge , which had the theme of ephemeral . Herbaceous peonies provide invaluable colour to borders and also offer cut flower material in late spring and early summer. Their large, often double flowers in whites, pinks and reds can add an element of romance and glamour to any garden. However, as beautiful as they can be, they don't care much for heavy rain or for that matter strong winds like that which we've had this summer. So, I'm afraid to say that this year their appearance and beauty has indeed been short lived as you can see from this shot taken in our back garden. Please view large on black for best effect.

For this week's Sunday Challenge , which had the theme of heat . Taken in our back garden earlier this week on one of the rare occasions that we enjoyed some warm sunshine, something that is essential if your are to see these lovely flowers open up fully. Osteospermums are in fact relatively new to most gardeners, and were almost unheard of 25 years ago. They have risen in popularity in the last decade as they have become more commercially available seeing more and more people use them as summer bedding plants, either to put in the border or into pots. As I said earlier, Osteospermums require full sun for the flowers to fully open, although while half-closed it is still possible to appreciate the different colours on the underside of the petals. The name Osteospermum is derived from the Greek osteon ( bone ) and Latin spermum ( seed ). They belong to the daisy family ( Compositae/Asteraceae), hence their common names: African Daisy or South African Daisy; Cape Daisy; and of course Blue-eyed Daisy. If you want to know more about them please follow the link below to a great little website that I've just discovered. There you can learn more about the propagation, botany and plant care of this beautiful daisy plant: www.osteospermum.com Also for Sight and Sound , what else but Morecambe & Wise with "Bring Me Sunshine" ... youtu.be/qfXjDELeW5M youtu.be/toqxJ4jbXaM

Another in my series of abstracts. As usual, you can see the original shot upon which this abstract is based in the Notes.

Taking a little break today from the cars and the bikes to upload some slightly more abstract stuff. First up this rather colourful orb - a square crop of the original shot as taken by me can be found in the Notes.

Way back before I joined The Sunday Challenge I used to upload a photo on a Friday entitled Something For The Weekend . Two reasons that I did it really: to wish my contacts a happy weekend and to demonstrate that sometimes I do indeed take photos of things that don't have wheels and/or an engine. Nowadays, what with me being a regular participant in TSC I don't feel the need, but I came across this processed, but unused shot, in the archives which I thought was worth sharing for old times sake. So, whatever you're doing this weekend ... enjoy!

Yes, another flower, but at least it isn't another car! Please feel free to comment, but I'd appreciate it if people wouldn't leave any "seen in statements or links as I've posted this in a number of groups - some of which don't accept submissions that carry those kind of statements. Anyway, what ever you have planned this weekend, I hope you enjoy it. I have my old Scirocco taxed now for the summer and the battery is on charge so weather permitting I'll have her out for a drive.

Another from the archives, but at least I've remembered this week to post something in this slot. By all accounts the weather here might be good this weekend - hope that's the same wherever you are. Either way, have a good one!

Apologies for not keeping this series going over the last couple of weeks, but other things have taken priority so to speak. Anyway, back on track now so here's a shot I took of a poppy in our back garden when we were still living in Harrogate. Won't be long until these are coming back out again.

Yet another in my ongoing series to show that I do occassionally take photos of things other than cars. Have a great weekend folks.

Well, it's Friday again and the weekend is looming so I thought I'd upload something a little different. This time around a colourful macro with warmer and hopefully sunnier days in mind.