poppies pop!

Poppies in two gardens in Portsmouth caught my eye as I wandered there yesterday.

from Peirce Island

After visiting the flowers in Prescott Park this morning I headed to Peirce Island. Views from the island were enhanced by a beautiful sky with clouds reflecting in the water.

purple

Japanese iris create a splash of purple in the garden.

morning rose

The roses at Fuller Gardens decorate the landscape with color.

for his son

I liked this sculpture before I read the story behind it. Now I like it even more!

Taking home the Governor's Award, selected by Gov. Chris Sununu, and securing a spot in next year's contest was Greg Grady Jr. for his piece titled "Wyvern Whisperer." It showed a two-legged dragon being fed a bone by a superhero boy.

"This piece was made for my son," Grady Jr. said. "He wanted a dragon. He's going to be 5 in August and he loves superheroes."

sculpted in sand

I'm always amazed at the detail and intricacy that emerges under the hand of a skilled sand sculptor.

The annual Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Classic was last week. I visited on Thursday to see the sculptors in action and returned yesterday for a look at the finished sculptures.

sand sculpture in progress, by Justin Gordon

If you're interested in seeing more photos, click to the gallery sand sculptures :: Hampton Beach 2022.

angelonia

The color and shape of an angelonia caught my eye this afternoon.

sea gull walking

A sea gull walks on the beach as the tide flows in.

sculpture in progress

Yesterday was the middle day of the Annual Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Classic. I headed to the beach in the afternoon to watch the artists at work, seeing the sculptures at various stages of completion.

I plan to return within the next couple of days to see the finished art.

mixed sky

The sky was amazing this afternoon. There was pure blue sky and white clouds in addition to dark clouds and rain.

I stayed dry. It was pure luck that the rain stayed just off the coast.

a treescape

It was a beautiful afternoon for a walk in the woods. Field Pond in Harold Parker State Forest was smooth, showing a reflection of the trees standing under a cloud-decorated sky.

tulip in a tree

As I was walking in the North Andover Common I looked up to see flowers in a tree. They were wearing the shape of small tulips.

Seeing this tree in bloom was a first for me. The tree is a tulip poplar.

peony posed

A peony living in the garden at Maudslay State Park posed for me.

mountain laurel

After the rain finished yesterday afternoon I headed to Maudslay State Park to check the state of the flowers. I found mountain laurel in bloom, some as buds, some in full flower.

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painted pansies

These pansies look like they are hand painted.

An image search told me that these flowers wear the name Viola 'Tiger Eyes' pansies.

blue water

Water reflects blue sky.

It was a beautiful day to absorb the beauty at Halibut Point State Park. It's a place far enough away that I don't get there often; photos help!

autumn color

I usually think of autumn when I see the color of deep rust in flowers or leaves.

Today the color represents spring as it dresses a bearded iris.