Narrow Leaf Penstemon, A Colorado Wildflower

Penstemon is a very large genus of North American wildflowers also known as beardtongue. I have found the narrow leaf variety growing all over the foothills and plains of Colorado wherever sandy soil is found. Besides being a pretty flower that is very hardy and drought tolerent it was believed that Native Americans used penstemon roots to relieve toothaches.

Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light. -- Theodore Roethke

Penstemon

This narrow leaf penstemon comes in many hues of purple, lavender, violet, and amethyst.

Colorado Wildflower

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An Orgy of Orchids

My dear friends, Ron and Chris, have a passion for growing beautiful orchids and other exotic plants. The more exotic and rare the better. They travel all over collecting these beauties and what started as a hobby is now a business. I had a hard time staying out of the greenhouse while visiting them in California. The scent of sweet flowers was intoxicating! I hope you enjoy a few of my favorite orchids. Let me know which one is your personal favorite.

White and Magenta Orchid

Lavender Orchids

Black Beauty Orchid

Magenta Flame Orchid

Orange Orchids

Flame Orchids

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

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As always, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts about editorial, photography, and anything in between in my comments here or on my Facebook Page and Twitter Feed.

Spring Crocus Floral Art

Spring is that colorful flowerful sweet smelling season of renewal. And nothing says spring more than the first little crocus popping up through the brown earth. It jazzes my eyes and makes me want more. So I get up close and personal with that little flower until I can see all the striations of color and the orange stamen seems to jump at me. I played around with the background to give the photograph a complimentary colorful contemporary look. What do you think?

Crocus Art
The vibrant indigo blue of a spring crocus macro finds itself on a modern background of complimentary colors.
click here for purchase information on an 8x10 fine art photograph
click here for purchase information on a 5x7 fine art photograph

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

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As always, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts about editorial, photography, and anything in between in my comments here or on my Facebook Page and Twitter Feed.

Colorado Wildflower Blank Note Cards

Wildflower season in the Colorado Rocky Mountains is still far off but these three note cards can bring the season to you early. I have three different photos; a lovely lavender penstemon, a bold blue wild geranium, and Colorado's famous columbine. The set includes two of each flower. I love to use the blank cards for birthdays, anniversaries or get well wishes. They also work well for just dropping a note to a friend. So as I am sitting in my studio on this cold snowy March day, I am really dreaming of wildflowers in purple, lavender and blue.

Colorado Wildflowers Blank Note Cards - Set of Six Notecards
click here for purchase information on this set of six blank cards

My Colorado photography studio is featuring three different Colorado wildflowers in shades of purple, blue and lavender in this set of six note cards. The cards are printed with a matte finish and measure 4.25" x 5.5". The inside is blank and ready for your own personal message. White envelopes are included. Your satisfaction if very important to me and backed by a money back guarantee.
Price US $9.95

Would you like a chance to win these Colorado wildflower note cards? I am giving them away on Facebook for a limited time. Just hop over and enter now to win this beautiful note card set!

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

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The Midnight Call of a Steller's Jay in Colorado

I hear the raucous throaty call of a midnight blue Steller's Jay and look outside to see him posing in the early evening moonlight. Jays have quite a diversity of calls and I wish I knew what they all meant. Sometimes it's a fast clicking noise. Other times they sound just like a hawk's cry and the little birds flee from the feeder. I think I know what that one means. Then there is the sound that makes me think I live in an equatorial jungle. We call it the cry of the monkey bird because it does sound like a monkey. At least to me. But this night he sounded like his brother, the raven. Another irascible bird I admire and another story.

Midnight Jay
A brilliant blue Steller's Jay perches on a silvery blue fence rail in a night time midnight setting.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

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Butterfly on Catmint

After a series on sunset lit architecture and a commentary on snakes, I am returning to more flower photos for awhile. Today I want to share with you my latest "Butterfly on Catmint." I am not sure what type of butterfly this is but they are very common in my garden. Do you know?

The flowers are catmint, a member of the Nepeta family that also includes catnip. I no longer have a kitty, but I do know they love to roll around in these plants. The honey bees love catmint too and the plants are always humming with their ceaseless activity. I hope you enjoy my latest!

Butterfly on Catmint
An orange butterfly is perched on the top of a stem of vivid purple catmint flowers gathering nectar. I am not sure what type of butterfly this is but they are very common in the foothills of Northern Colorado.
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Graceful Resilience on Mother's Day

When you live in the Colorado Rocky Mountains you expect spring snows. I have long ago given up the notion to run outside and cover my freshly emerging spring flowers. They have to be tough! Grape hyacinths fit that bill perfectly. They gracefully bend low under the weight and then when the sun emerges to melt away the spring snow they slowly stand up again. They remind me that part of being a loving mom is graceful resilience with just a sprinkle of toughness. Wishing all you Moms out there a very Happy Mother's Day!

Snow Grapes
Deep royal blue grape hyacinths bend low under the weight of a fresh spring snow in the Colorado Rockies.
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Iris in Bloom - Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! I wish each of you a special day surrounded by family and friends. I will be with my own family today and thinking of my extended family in Ohio. My 80 year old Mom is cooking for my brother's family which has grown to fourteen this year. That includes four great grandchildren. Go Grandma! We love you!

Iris in Bloom
The light catches the delicate purple frills and folds of an iris in this artistic close up "photo painting."
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Purple Dreams

Technically purple is a large range of different shades between red and blue. But purple has many other meanings too. It brings a chaotic variety of things to my mind.

Purple is associated with royalty, nobility, spirituality, mystery and imagination. I think of flowers; violets, iris, lavender, lilacs, and orchids. And who does not think of grapes! There are childhood memories of grape Popsicles®, soda, bubble gum, and juice. And also from childhood, who has not read to their child "Harold and the Purple Crayon." Do you remember the "Purple People Eater?" What about "Purple Haze" and "Deep Purple?"

To celebrate this wonderful color I have chosen some of the very best purple photography from the Photographers of Etsy. Enjoy the beauty of purple and be sure to click and visit their shops.

Dreaming of Spring
by Tea And Brie

no longer available

Lavender Fields
by Urban Design
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Trees and Lake
by Seabelly
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Tapestry Morning
by Celtic Cat Photos
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The Garden's Secret
by zMac Photography
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Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen