Foggy, drizzly, morning at Lake Michigan’s edge ….can you see downtown Chicago? Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Resilient determination to enjoy time at Lincoln Park’s Lake Michigan’s edge. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Keep on keeping on! Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Confused by seeing very dark cloud above white clouds. In awe of nature and God. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
View from a 16th floor shows a complete range of the ever changing Ocean weather in Florida’s East coast. Always breathtaking. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Of course I chose to take a walk one day when I “thought” rain was moving away from me; heading toward Anglin’s Pier, Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
The Power in nature; ever changing colors as well as weather. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Capturing the full moon surrounded by large Cumulus cloud and Palm leaves. Ahhhhh……Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
South Pond, Lincoln Park Chicago view toward downtown in a drizzle. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Our weather forecasters say we’re three inches behind in rain levels for this fall season. So the constant drizzle the other morning was welcome in spite of our planned six mile walk beginning at South Pond in Lincoln Park, Chicago. As the weather cleared a bit we came upon this gorgeous Hydrangea with one last new bloom. I enjoy both them all, even the fading ones.
Taking a break from the rain and what else ?….. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Silver bicycle; an art statement or just locked to a random post in Lincoln Park. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
My bicycle on a ride a day later to Montrose Harbor’s dog beach area. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Late afternoon find as I walk through a street fair. Morning Glory. Copyright 2016 Pamela Breitberg
Life on a vine. Copyright 2016 Pamela Breitberg
Vibrant Morning Glory bloom on vine. As the petals begin the curl, the “morning” bloom is ending it’s show. Copyright 2016 Pamela Breitberg
Natural water resistant Bird of Paradise petals. Copyright 2015, Pamela Breitberg
Bird of Paradise after the rain at Chicago Botanic Garden. Copyright 2015 Pamela Breitberg
Partially open Rosebud. Copyright 2015, Pamela Breitberg
Chicago Botanic Garden Rose after rain. Copyright 2015 Pamela Breitberg
Before roses wake up for their summer display at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Peony blooms welcome springtime with their bright fragrant colors. My Peonies bloom in several see-from-my-window perennial beds.
These beauties were rain soaked adding to drama of the scene. The blooms are heavy, so along with their own mass the added raindrops insured the bloom’s relaxed statue.
Rain soaked Peonies. copyright 2015, Pamela Breitberg
Four different plants have the common name, Rose of Sharon. The images below are example of the species Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), a shrub, found in North America. It had just finished raining which is evident by the wet blossoms and pollen-loaded, water saturated, and immobile bee.
I admired the blooms for many years along my neighbor’s fence. When I was looking to fill some open space in my garden, she suggested I take a few of the numerous new shoots emerging between the mature shrubs. I did so. My green-thumb gardener, mother, warned me that they can be invasive and I might want to rethink my use of them in my garden. This turned out to be very true. Like other advice from a mother, it took me several years to realize her wisdom. Though I removed the three full size shrubs several years ago, I am still continuously pulling out young sprouts every few weeks all around my garden. They are easy to remove when new sprouts; and good exercise.
The images below are from this dear neighbor’s yard. The upward view on the pink blossom is because the shrub has grown to over eight feet tall and FULL of beautiful blossoms. I am grateful for my wonderful neighbors, and also that there is a wide gravel alley between our two gardens; keeping neighboring seeds at bay.
Rain soaked Rose of Sharon, copyright 2014 Pamela Breitberg
Water and pollen laden Bee on Rose of Sharon bloom, copyright 2014 Pamela Breitberg
Directing focus on the unnoticed is an amusing challenge. A macro setting on my camera was used to create these images; however, this theme could be accomplished using any lens. The eye and an open mind are critical tools in addition to a camera. Patience helps as well, because it takes a moment or longer to focus on the drops instead of the usual plant subjects.
I was weeding and cutting spent perennial blooms when I spotted these raindrops caught by several spider webs. After-rain is my preferred time to weed; as any ardent gardener knows that the weeds are easy to remove root-and-all when the ground is soft and moist. No spiders rested on their webs, though one Daddy Long Leg was observed quickly retreating when spotting my camera. Chore time was double that morning, these glorious late summer days merit deviating attentions.
Rain dops on Spiderweb on Pachysandra, copyright 2014, Pamela Breitberg
Spiderweb and Rain on Lily of Valley, copyright 2014 Pamela Breitberg
Stormy, sunny day; copyright 2014 Pamela Breitberg