Early morning photography in the garden

The sun was soft again this morning and the weather is perfect.  Not much humidity or heat.

As the sun came up, I wandered through the gardens with the Canon and tripod and captured these shots from the early morning show.

cleome

Echinacea

Lotus

Lotus

lotus

Echinacea

Aromatic lily

Day lily

Gladiolus

Daytura

Dahlia

Dahlia

Echinacea

Aromatic lily

Meaning of Flowers: Lily

Aromatic lily

Day lily

Day lily

Aromatic lily

Day lily

Day lily on black

Day lily

THE MEANING & SYMBOLISM OF LILY http://www.teleflora.com/about-flowers/flower-meaning.asp

Dating as far back as 1580 B.C., when images of lilies were discovered in a villa in Crete, these majestic flowers have long held a role in ancient mythology. Derived from the Greek word “leiron,” (generally assumed to refer to the white Madonna lily), the lily was so revered by the Greeks that they believed it sprouted from the milk of Hera, the queen of the gods. Lilies are known to be the May birth flower, and the 30th wedding anniversary flower. While white lilies symbolize chastity and virtue – and were the symbol of the Virgin Mary’s purity and her role of Queen of the Angels – as other varieties became popular, they brought with them additional meanings and symbolism as well. Peruvian lilies, or alstroemeria, represent friendship and devotion, white stargazer lilies express sympathy and pink stargazer lilies represent wealth and prosperity. Symbolizing humility and devotion, lilies of the valley are the 2nd wedding anniversary flower. As the flowers most often associated with funerals, lilies symbolize that the soul of the departed has received restored innocence after death.

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Right now, the aromatic lilies are in bloom in gardens and the Cornell Plantations Young Garden. Check them out for their beauty and aromas.

Gardens after a needed rain

Last night, it rained for the first time in a long time.  Has been a difficult summer for vegetables, flowers, and major crops around the country.  I have watered the gardens daily to keep them going. After a significant investment of time, energy, and money, I definitely wanted the gardens to flourish.  One reason is for personal pleasure and others include visitors to the garden and a Garden Conservancy tour on August 4th.

Here are some current photos of flowers blooming this morning.

Sitting area near the pond with berm in rear

Lotus

Back berm weeded and mulched

Front of pond and gardens

Lotus

Lotus

lotus

Yellow Day Lilies

Gladiolus

Gladiolus

Gladiolus

Cleome

Bee Balm

Lotus in the Pond July 15

In a short two weeks, the lotus blossoms have increased from 3 to over 70. What an explosion of beauty and peacefulness!  I never tire of photographing them at all angles, time of day, and light intensity.

This morning, it is cloudy and the opportunity to photography without the harshness of overexposure was a nice opportunity. It is humid out and the thunder is rolling a bit. We desperately need the rain for the pond, gardens, and crops.  There is no significant precipitation in Ithaca predicted, so I water and water the gardens.

These photos are mostly of the lotus, but also day lilies, aromatic lilies, and a cute chipmunk.

Several states of the flower:  bud, early flower in front, later lightening of the flower, and developing pod

Ithaca Garden in early July

The season seems to be rushing and everything is in bloom early.  It takes daily watering to keep all the plants from parching, both those in the ground and those in planters.  I have varied the heights and textures to keep interest throughout the gardens.

Right now, everything has been mulched, which adds some parameters to the garden and should help with the water retention.

The garden right behind the house used to be a swimming pool but was converted into a garden in 1980, using soil from the pond.  Another berm in the yard was formed from the second pond dig in 1991.  Additional soil was also brought in for supplementation.

The berm behind the pond was from the third excavation only 7 years ago. While digging out the cattails, the contractor found some wonderful large stones that have become sculptures and part of the berm. Each garden has its own character and makes for a very enjoyable space in the summer.

Patio and picnic table in front of greenhouse

Part of "pool" garden

Part of "pool" garden

Walkway in "pool" gaarden and plants on deck

Cluster of plants near patio

Cluster of plants heading to the back garden

Garden on back hill behind "Pool" garden

Berm garden

Berm garden

Berm garden

Petunia pole

Echinacea overlooking lotus pond

Day lilies in herb garden

Lotus pond and back berm

Back berm

Lotus

Looking at house from the herb garden

Herb garden

Path back to the house