My hardenbergia always sneaks into bloom. It is usually one of the first plants to flower. One day I’ll look out the window and it is already resplendent in dazzling purple cascades of tiny sweet pea shaped blossoms. Today, I caught its spring preparations. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed it with just the buds, probably because it happens when the weather is overcast and gloomy. Late this afternoon, with the sky bright and sunny and a slight warmth to the air, I wandered though my yard in search of a subject. When I walked around to the side of my house, the sun caught the purple buds as they nodded in the slight breeze. As I walked around the vine (I think it’s a vine—it has tendrils with which it clings tightly to my fence) and looked into the dipping sun, I knew that this was the view I wanted. I couldn’t decide which of these two shots I liked best so I’m posting both. A Flickr challenge from a few days ago was “hope.” These buds show there is hope for spring, despite the fact that spring is still about six weeks away.
Focal Length 70mm
ISO 100
f/2.8
1/1000
Focal Length 70mm
ISO 100
f/2.8
1/1000
OMG, I think I saw this in my email- but never looked at it until now. The light here is stunning! They are both gorgeous- but sun rays in that bottom one- MAGNIFICENT!!