botanical #10: day lily

summer was over in a flash this year. i took this photo when the lilies were at their peak, and before the deer nibbled them. now it's september, and my early autumn flowers are putting on their show, so stay tuned for those posts coming soon.

botanical #8: loose strife

for those who don't know about loose strife, it's a perennial plant that can overtake a garden in a very short amount of time. it is beautiful when it blooms in late july - the flowers are often referred to as goosenecks. i photographed one of my bridal spirit dolls amidst my patch of loose strife last month, and this was the graceful result.

botanical theme spirit dolls, part 7

i planted two sunflowers this year, and both survived. many times the seeds are found and eaten by squirrels before they even get a chance to sprout. this time i got lucky! here is my first beautiful sunflower, as backdrop to a silky spirit doll. i took this photo before 8am this morning, and enjoyed watching the bees visiting the numerous squash blossoms around me.

botanical theme spirit dolls, part 6

this summer has been all about raspberries. i have bushes everywhere in my yard, so in addition to being a pretty backdrop for this spirit doll, i have also managed to pick bowl after bowl of luscious berries. i end up freezing what we don't eat, so i will have the luxury of plucking a ziploc from my freezer in january, remembering the bounty of summer.

botanical theme spirit dolls, part 5

recently i was standing at my kitchen window (doing dishes, as usual), and noticed the plethora of flowers out in the back yard. i saw everything as a potential backdrop for my botanical spirit doll series, so i rushed out with a camera and took the latest shots. this yellow spirit doll is surrounded by the last of my hosta blossoms not eaten by the deer!

botanical theme spirit dolls, part 4

it's now july, and my lovely blue hydrangea bush is in full bloom. i nestled in this floral spirit doll for a beautiful photo. the doll is enhanced and complimented by nature... i am finding so much to be thankful for in my garden. for an upcoming exhibit i will probably combine a grouping of the floral dolls along with my "botanical" shots.

botanical theme spirit dolls, part 3

despite all the rain we are having in the northeast, my ferns are happier than ever.  this particular one caught my eye and seems to make the perfect spiral cradle for a spirit doll.  her linen dress is imprinted with a bold pink dahlia.  stay tuned for more in the botanical series!