Saturday & Sunday June 17-18

[Dave]

Wide awake since midnight, so why not start our Weender.

A shot taken 4 days ago in our outer front yard. I liked how the white Alyssium was aligned in front of the Gazania...

   

[Rich]

Beautiful Dave! A prime example of what depth of focus means!

[Rich]

Here is our little city park on Main street. That was the site of one of the first banks in town. A long narrow lot. It burned down many years ago.

[Man From Ironbark]

Nice arrangement of flowers Dave.
It is a good outcome to plant a park where a bank used to be.
Have you any bigger parks Rich?

[Dave]

Thanks, Rich. Once again, I am impressed with how exceptionally clean your town is.

MFI, thank you too. The longer I view your last photo, the more I like it. It combines rugged and graceful; the composition has a lot of energy; the interplay of light and shadow is intriguing. Very fine image. I wish I was a better artist, because I'd love to be able to paint this scene in watercolors

At the peak of the California Poppy extravaganza this year, our small front yard had many 100s (my best guess is at least 500) of the pretty orange blossoms. It was an especially abundant display this year, but most of the poppies are gone now.

Here's one of the last survivors, taken 3 days ago...

   

[Man From Ironbark]

Thanks Dave. I'm trying to create images that the lady from ironbark can paint. She is fussy but she does want rocks and trees and she is using watercolours.
I like Californian poppies and I applaud you for allowing native plants to live in your garden. I don't grow Californian poppies because I do try to maintain a native garden with an emphasis on plants that are local natives and plants that can survive without much attention and water. Water is expensive to use on gardens here. Though I do allow small sections of the garden to have Flanders poppies because they have significance in remembrance of those who gave their lives in war and have a reflection about peace on earth.
I steer away from plants like gazania and succulents, cactus as well because I have a battle to stop them from growing as weeds in my surrounds. They are taking over the roadsides and any disturbed ground all over my region. So much of my country is swamped with exotic weeds that it is a disgrace to any person claiming to love our country and wave a flag.

Here's more of many of rocks and trees.

[Rich]

Thanks Dave,
Well, our little town is around 16,000 so not many people to make a big mess! However we do have the Worlds Only Corn Palace which brings in 200K + tourists every year.

I took a cruise down Main today to be sure, and it is, that on nearly every street corner we have brown, covered garbage receptacles. Our city continually uses a street sweeper from 3 AM to 11 AM Monday through Friday.

Beautiful Poppy!

Peter, I agree with Dave on your terrain. Very rugged and will make a wonderful painting.

The cliffs with the grey tree is a great scene!

Yes, Peter, We have on each side of town N S E and W, a park that is a square block. When I was growing up each one had a small 3 foot deep pool. Then on the east side there is a large park with a large outdoor pool. This park started life in the late 1880 to 1900 as a horse racing track. Then turned into a car racing track, now pool, baseball field, tennis courts, bandstand, outdoor shelter with cooking facilities for family get togethers and swing, slides and playground equipment for the young and young at heart. When I recover from my hip replacement surgery coming up Friday next, I will take some photos. We are quite proud of our neighborhood parks.

[Man From Ironbark]

Thanks Rich. Yes you do have a very tidy town.