September Theme Photo: Open Air Market

This is the outdoor flower market at Pike Place in Seattle, Washington.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Daisy in the Rain

Stigma & Stamen II

Here is more flower porn showing the reproductive organs of another plant. This photo was taken after a night of rain shower.

So what is the weather like in your neighborhood?

Raindrops on Flowers

After a week of high humidity and sweltering heat, the weather here finally cooled down with a little rain. I find that rain makes for a great opportunity to go out and take some interesting photographs.

So do you go out in the rain?

Stigmas & Stamens

Here is a macro shot of the reproductive system of a flower -- the stigmas and stamens. I guess this is the only PG-rated sexual organs I can show on the blog.

So what are your plans for the weekend?

Blooms in the Summer

I went back to the Orono Bog yesterday morning to take some more photos but left after about half an hour because I was being eaten alive by mosquitoes. The next time I go back again, I will have to put on some insect repellents and wear jeans and a long sleeve shirt.

So what sacrifices have your made for your photographs?

Purple Thistle

I saw these blooms by the river a couple weeks ago. I don't know if they are flowers or seed pods but they were definitely eye catching.

Does anyone know what they are?

Wild Flower Everywhere

This lace-like wild flower is everywhere in Maine -- on the side of the interstate highways, on the edge of the parking lots, surrounding abandoned buildings and anywhere that has not been mowed.

Does anyone know what this is?

Update: The wild flower is called Queen Anne's Lace, wild carrot, bird's nest or bishop's lace.

Marigold & Wasp

This marco shot was taken at the Norumbega Parkway flower patch at downtown Bangor. The marigold flower seemed to have a guest visiting its stamen and stigma. Maybe it was there to smell the flower.

So when was the last time you stopped to smell the flower?

Flower Bug & Aphids

Last weekend I went to the Norumbega Parkway, a small parcel of garden space by Kenduskeag Stream in downtown Bangor to photograph the flowers and plants there. To my amazement, I found lots of insects and bugs in and around the plants.

In this macro shot of a flower bud, you can see two little green aphids inside it. I didn't notice the aphids until I downloaded the photo on to my laptop. If I had known they were there, I would have taken more photos and angled my camera to focus on the aphids a little more.

So have you ever taken a photo and realized the unknown details later when you saw them on your computer?