Elegance in the urban landscape

While walking back to my car after my shoot Saturday at the inaugural Indy Crit cycling competition, I came across this striking, lavender-colored bloom in a couple of the gardens along the north border of University Park in Downtown Indianapolis.

Thanks to the help of a blog visitor, I've been able to identify this flower as a Cleome Rose Queen.

The closeup shot (above) comes with a bonus, tiny insect clinging upside down along one of the thin plant whiskers in the lower left portion. I like the perspective shot (below) almost as much for its elegance: the combination of bloom, its distinctive, sculpted stem and the drooping foliage of its buddy to the right.

A good one to ... well, make you feel good.

Spring is in the vicinity

The crocus flowers in my garden have bloomed; these photos were taken just a few hours ago with my Canon 30D and Sigma macro lens (105 mm f/2.8).

I know the days of winter are numbered. Still, in the past, a return frost or even snowfall has cut short these beautiful flowers' blooms, ending their seasonal tease. I always find myself hoping that at least one time they'll be allowed to hang around for a while. In the four years I've grown these, I haven't been fortunate to see that happen, though. At the same time, the foliage for my hyacinth, daffodils and tulips has broken ground. If experience holds true, the hyacinth and daffodils will bloom next, with tulips falling in shortly thereafter.

Some of you also may have noticed the main photograph at the top of the homepage has changed to reflect the nearing change of seasons. That image also was taken with the Canon 30D and Sigma macro lens; it came during my April 2, 2007, shoot of the annual Spring Bulb Show at the Garfield Park Conservatory in Indianapolis.