Wow -- cool Egrets!

And that lion pic is lovely, Lady1. I've always loved the quote by Fernand Mery -- "God made the cat in order that humankind might have the pleasure of caressing the tiger". They really are just smaller versions of their wild cousins!

Here comes the sun... Sunrise this morning

This is a photo of a portion of my neighbor's flowers.

Wondering if anyone knows what the blue flower is? My neighbor tossed the tag out that was with it. Any help would be appreciated.




I think it is very pretty!


Here is a link to the bud that has started to grow. Possibly if no one knows what type of flower it is from the actual photo of the plant, you may be able to tell from the bud:

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa68/DakotaNorth_album/Photo118.jpg

It looks like a hydrangea to me.

Edited to add: Here's a web image

Thanks so much MadMags!

Now I see the bud and leaves, I can say definitely it's a hydrangea.. pretty bush. Anytime!

Lovely display, I hope you bought some. The colour of a hydrangea can be changed from blue to pink or vice versa by changing the acidity of the soil.

Here's an iris from my garden. These only last one day, but they rebloom frequently. They thrive on the afternoon rains we are getting now.

I will add to the run of flowers. This is a mountain bloom. I've gone through my local field guide and haven't identified it yet.

Such lovely flowers!

Another desert sunset (I'm really into sunsets, can you tell?)

I'm into your sunsets as well, Pdaz - just beautiful.

That's a real stunner, PDAZ!

Very nice flower pictures everybody.



Another sculpture from the Sculpture Walk.

Aw -- the turtle is cute, DG!

They have sculptures in Scottsdale now and then. The last time I was over there, they had painted horses (like the painted cows or Snoopys that other cities have had).

Just a typical London scene, a bus going through the main road in Hampton Hill

Sat, thanks to your photos I feel like I almost know London now. You've given us an interesting insight into the capital of England.

Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles, Cartago, Costa Rica, taken this morning.



Pilgrims come to Cartago from all over the country, many walking, to visit Costa Rica's principal church, the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles, on August 2nd, the feast day of the Virgin of the Angels. The church has a statue of the Black Madonna known as La Negrita, who supposedly had great healing powers. The sick visit her statue in the hopes of a miracle from La Negrita. There is a 22k procession, some choosing to travel on their hands and knees, and many more doing the last 1,000 metres on their knees.

More information re the Black Madonna here from wiki.

My miracle was getting this shot people-free, as the square in front is always a busy place.

A rock squirrel, guarding his rock

A glimpse of the Mississippi River through the trees in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

I've heard of rock squirrels but I never knew how they got their name. Guarding his rock? LOL



Clematis. The great thing about these flowers are that the plant was here when we bought the house and we've never had to do anything. The flowers come back every year with no attention from us.

Such a brilliant sunset, PDAZ, and beautiful pic, ClaraSue.

A wild flower

That's lantana, zorba! It's a particular favorite around here because it does so well in summer -- it seems to flower more as the heat increases. The flowers are also a favorite snack of our wild birds.

Tredici: if a plant has four petals making the shape of an x or h along with 6 stamens (4 tall, 2 short, plus the pistil) then it belongs in the Mustard family. My guess would be one of the "western wallflowers". Some of them come in varying degrees of orange, rather than just yellow.

Thanks Mags, many people see the centre of London but I take the parts where most people live and know who are locals. Here's a nice church I came across today in Willesden just down the road from me.

Lovely nature shots all round. ClaraSue, your photo is so peaceful.

Manuel Antonio is known for its vibrant sunsets.

Now that's stunning!