THE TOP TEN BLUE LION PHOTOS OF 2011 - Post 2 of 6

Here in the second installment of the 2011 Blue Lion Photos Top Ten list, we have the 8^th and 7^th most viewed images from Blue Lion Photos.

NUMBER 8: “Buttonbush”

As a Biology teacher, I find a great deal of fascination in many aspects of nature. However, this flower is one of my all-time favorites. I enjoy it because it is so unusual in its shape and intricate detail. It also is an unusual flower in that it thrives at the most inhospitable time of the year – the dog days of summer in Texas (albeit in swampy locations).

NUMBER 7: “Eagle Pride”

I am always secretly pleased when people see this image and ask how I was able to capture BOTH the flag and eagle in the same shot. I then gave to confess that this is a compilation of two shots. I find pleasure in being able to have merged these two complementary subjects into one thematic piece. The greeting card version of this image has proven quite popular with both Veterans as well as friends who wanted to give a special gift for a Boy Scout who earns the rank of Eagle Scout. I am honored that folks would consider sharing my work with such worthy recipients.

Please return tomorrow to view the third installment of this series where I will share the 6^th and 5^th most popular Blue Lion Photos of 2011!

If you missed the first installment, please click HERE.

My Favorite Summer Flower

As we prepare to enter the heat of the summer months here in Texas, many folks know that we will lose the beauty of all the amazing spring blossoms that make so much of the Texas landscape appealing. Indeed the floral options during the dog days of summer are  pretty minimal given the heat throughout most of the state. However the is one flower that blooms in the heat of Texas summers that is so unusual I just have to share it with you here. By sharing it early in summer season perhaps some of you may be inspired to go out  and seek it for yourselves! This special blossom is called Buttonbush and it blooms from June to August in relatively moist areas (think lakeshores, marshes, riverbanks). After bloomimng the flowers dry up and leave a ping pong ball sized seedpod that disperses seeds in late summer/early fall.

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

As you may be able to tell from the tubular nature of the individual flowers, these are very popular with butterflies as a nectar source. Because of the bushy nature of the plant they bloom on (from 2 feet tall to over 15 feet tall) they often serve as cover for waterfowl along lake margins. Enjoy this quirky flower, I hopeyou encounter your own!  What are your favorite summertime wildflowers?

Feel free to visit Macro Flower Saturday ; Today's Flowers ; Flowers on Saturday; Macro Monday