Twin suns

These sunflowers came to bloom the same day in Effieland, and have remained hale and blooming for about a week. We will harvest their seeds; they are a significant protein source in my meatless diet. In the meantime, we will enjoy their beauty and the incredible vibrancy  of their golden blooms.

First sunflower of the season

It’s a little spooky photographing a sunflower, because bees are fans too. I managed this portrait and a couple of others. The bees hummed, but I was not stung.

Purple meadow

Vetch is a legume that provides fodder for deer and farm animals. Its purple flowers cover part of our meadow where deer frequently feed.

Colors and Vines of Effieland

My cats Effie and Paladin are out with me in 96° Effieland, but defer from blog appearances today in favor of napping in the shade.

Lupines come in so many wonderful variegated and solid colors. . .

 

One of my favorite solids is Cream.

 

More poppies have bloomed since yesterday.

 

Grapevines are expansive throughout Effieland.

Effieland’s Purples for Beauty

Our first purple poppy of the season was like a love song. . .

 

and the purple lupine was part of the chorus.

Paladin and Flax

The blue flax flowers seem a suitable backdrop for Paladin’s dark Tabby markings.

In the pink: Here come the lupines

I welcome lupines as harbingers of summer, especially when they arrive in pink. We also have later-blooming lupines in cream and blue. The ones pictured here are beginning to bloom, and will soon fill their stalks with more petals. Effie and Paladin  took turns today, sleeping among the leaves on the side opposite the flowers.

Addendum to Faces and Flowers of Spring

Golden alyssum

 

Flax

Faces and Flowers of Spring

Lilacs announce the Spring.

Effie is pensive, but she nonetheless enjoys everything about Spring.

Paladin seeks shade under a chair.

Dwarf ruffled golden-orange tulips contribute festivity to the season.

Not to be outdone, a red dwarf ruffled tulip joins the festivities.

Effie loves fresh catnip.

Promise of Spring

Our first full-bloom daffodil of the year was so heartening after five months of off-and-on winter.