Everything’s Coming Up… Blooming

Lens-Artists Challenge #324: In the Details

In the Courtyard

Patti’s latest idea for the Lens-Artists Challenge was to “get closer and closer to the subject, focusing on a particular detail(s).” Thanks for this great opportunity and idea, Patti. It allowed the “excuse” to go around our home and look at the details. Now that we have lived here for four months, our courtyard garden and backyard are taking shape with more colors. The landscape was pretty much present in this home, but now we have started adding our touch of color.

Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world.
Constantly color your picture gray,

and your picture will always be bleak.
Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor,
and your picture begins to lighten up.
Allen Klein

The featured photo is a composite of some flower additions to our courtyard. Right by the front door, we have two pots of Wax-leaf Begonias (Begonia semperflorens). They thrive in both sunny and shaded areas. So, we also planted some more in the courtyard where they get plenty of morning sun. The other flower on the left of that photo is a Shrimp Plant (Justicia brandegeana). The striking flowers resemble shrimp and can be grown in partial to full shade.

Let’s take a closer look at these two plants.

Wax-leaf Begonia

The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.
Marcus Aurelius

Trinity
Sunny

On the left, you can see the waxy texture of those leaves in more detail. Upon closer inspection, the photo on the right shows the rich textures in the petals and color contrast with the center stamens. Clicking on the images will provide a full-size image.

Shrimp Plant

The Shrimp Plant was potted in an area along the courtyard that can also be seen from the living room. I wanted guests to see colors when seated facing that living window. If they look outside, they will inevitably see a pot of Wax-leaf Begonias outside the window and a Shrimp Plant farther out. It is also an excellent place for me to photograph wildlife coming to those plants from the comfort of our living room. Now, look at the details and textures of the Shrimp Plant.

Eyes
By a Thread

The small part of the flower you see on the left photo eventually falls off. You can see it hanging by a thread on the image on the right. Feel free to click to enlarge the pictures and see those details.

I found I could say things with color and shapes
that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.
Georgia O’Keeffe

Many thanks to all of you who brightened our days with your beautiful silent photos. I confess I did not expect such a response. Thank you for the fantastic, gorgeous images.

I look forward to seeing how you will respond to Patti’s challenge. Look at her blog to get inspired and see the easy directions she gives. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.

Tina (of Travels and Trifles) will host next Saturday at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out another exciting challenge. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.

Until then, keep on clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.


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31 Responses

  1. Rupali
    | Reply

    Shrimp plant is new to me. Lovely captures and your choice of quotes, Egidio.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Rupali, thank you for the feedback. I’m glad I could introduce you to a new plant.

  2. JohnRH
    | Reply

    Bloomin’ beautiful, Egidio. Excellent. 👏

  3. Anne Sandler
    | Reply

    Well done Egidio! I like how you used your plants full and then focusing closer to a beautiful macro.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thank you, Anne. I followed Patti’s excellent directions to present these sets.

  4. Leanne Cole
    | Reply

    I love the details you see when you go in close to flowers, these are beautiful Egidio.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks, Leanne. Like you, i also like the details that are revealed in macros.

  5. Toonsarah
    | Reply

    Lovely flower details – I especially like the begonias 🙂

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks, Sarah. The begonias have such an interesting texture all around (leaves and flowers).

  6. pattimoed
    | Reply

    I love your quotes and your colors, Egidio. Gorgeous images. I had never heard of the shrimp plant, but it’s certainly appropriately named–in terms of color and shape. The macro shots are my favorites here. They’re stunning.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Patti, I’m happy you liked the selections. As it’s often the case, the macro photos are always revealing. Thanks for a great theme.

  7. Rebecca Cuningham
    | Reply

    wonderful floral series

  8. Tina Schell
    | Reply

    Love your choice for the week Egidio, the plant is beautiful in all of its iterations but I especially loved the large vertical titled Shrimp Plant

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks for the feedback, Tina. Glad to see the WP issues seem to be working out on their own.

  9. I. J. Khanewala
    | Reply

    Beautiful

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      I.J., thank you so much for this feedback.

  10. margaret21
    | Reply

    How lovely to get a glimpse into your new-to-you garden.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Yes, Margaret, it’s wonderful. Thanks for writing.

  11. Tranature - quiet moments in nature
    | Reply

    Beautiful photographs Egidio, the begonia looks especially wonderful from these different angles 😊

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Xenia, many thanks for this compliment.

  12. Leya
    | Reply

    The Shrimp plant is new to me, I don’t think we have it here. Beautifully photographed both and the details bring them life. I understand your new home is becoming more beautiful each week!

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Many thanks, Ann-Christine. I’m glad you liked these photos. And yes, home is getting to feel more like home with each passing day.

  13. Sofia Alves
    | Reply

    Shrimp plant is also new to me and I found it fascinating. Your posts show how it’s a home for you now, I’m so glad Egídio.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      Thanks, Sofia. All I need to do now is get some of my photos o the walls.

  14. I. J. Khanewala
    | Reply

    There’s no more beautiful thing to look closely at than flowers. I like all of them, but specially the wax-leaf begonias seen through another plant.

    • Egidio Leitao
      | Reply

      I.J., thanks for this particular note. I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. The photo you mentioned in particular is the begonias sees through the other pot of begonias by our front door.

  15. PR
    | Reply

    Lovely!

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