There's No Place Like Home

My favorite time of year is when my flowers bloom. I love Breck's of Holland. Normally tulips get weaker each year. A few years ago I ordered Breck's tulip collection. A few months ago I dug up twice as many as I bought. I split them into two flower boxes and replanted them. Free tulips, and so beautiful.

Because I live in deer country, I have to protect my beauties with anti-deer netting. The voracious deer will happily graze any unprotected tulips.

Mules Ears in the Forest

The Soup Springs Campground in the Modoc National Forest provided grand vistas and beautiful flowers. A surprise was Mule's Ears, named for the long, ear-shaped leaves. The flowers are a cross between a giant daisy or a very small sunf lower. They are bright, cheerful, and very common along the hiking trail. On our hike home, the flowers provided a welcome food source or resting place for a wide variety of insects. I was happy to see the insects on the flowers, and not around our hiking party.

A Field of Poppies

My photography leaves something to be desired. Rather than a glorious field of California poppies, it looks more like a patch of weeds. Just 2 years ago it was a mere handful, but this year they shine in the sun.  But give it a few more years and it will be glorious. 

The Ghost in the Window

Such an intriguing image. The beautiful geometric floor patterns. The elegant flower arrangement in the center. The gift shop beyond. But wait, something is wrong. Is that the ghost of the Larcomar in the corner of the window?