roses & dahlias

I visited Fuller Gardens in North Hampton, NH today.

My timing was good; both roses and dahlias are in bloom and showing wonderful color.

gladiolus

This year's garden in Prescott Park (in Portsmouth, NH) includes a bed of gladiolus.

I'm fascinated by the colors and shape of these beautiful flowers.

rocky coastline

Saturday morning gave me the opportunity for a wonderful coastal wander. I headed to Halibut Point State Park in Rockport, MA for a walk around Babson Farm Quarry and some careful stepping on the granite at the ocean's edge.

The park is just under 25 miles from home as the crow flies; it's 14 miles further when forced to use the roads. Accessing the beauty of Halibut Point is worth the drive.

lavender

The lavender flowers of a Hosta plant stand before red background blooms.

I like the contrast of the colors.

changing sky

My walk in Odiorne Point State Park yesterday was timed perfectly. The sky was blue decorated with white clouds for much of the time; just before I reached the end the sky changed and I started to hear thunder. I was very lucky; heavy rain started right after I jumped into my car for the drive home.

Interesting... only 23 minutes separated these two photos!

a lily

Lilies have been jumping into my photos lately.

This one, wearing a bit of yellow and ivory, lives in the gardens of Prescott Park in Portsmouth, NH. I believe it is a Conca d'Or lily, a hybrid that combines Chinese Trumpet and Oriental lilies.

haze & smoke

Everything is shrouded in haze from wildfires in Ontario Canada. The sky today wore shades of yellow or brown instead of a more normal blue or gray.

This photo is from an afternoon walk in Harold Parker State Forest. It looks wrong to me.

flitter, flutter, butterfly!

Saturday morning I decided to visit the butterflies at the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory in South Deerfield, MA. I arrived as the doors opened for the day so I had some almost solo time with the butterflies before many more people decided to visit.

I always enjoy visiting the beautiful butterflies.

More photos can be seen in the gallery flitter, flutter, butterfly! 2026.

starflower

Tiny blue flowers caught my eye as I walked through a garden early this morning.

The flowers wear the name borage (or starflower). A quick search says it is an "edible herb known for its distinct cucumber-like flavor in both its blue flowers and prickly leaves".

rudbeckia hirta

It's the season of black-eyed susans, also known as rudbeckia hirta.

Their sunny yellow petals (sometimes tinged with a bit of reddish brown) create a bright splash of color.