Weddings, Weddings, Weddings

The most fun I have as a photographer is shooting weddings. As the wedding photographer for the Hummingbird Inn I have the opportunity to do at least one wedding per week, often more. I've done 31 weddings in the past 3 months!

I've been asked to post some photos, which I am happy to do here. I've taken, literally, thousands of digital photos and saved about two-thirds of them on cds, after sorting out the bad shots. It is so hard to pick out just a few favorites, but here's a sampling.

  

  

As the seasons change there are more and more beautiful spots at the Inn to take photos.  A garden with islands of roses, tiger lilies, wisteria, wild strawberries, and more. A grape arbor with ripening grapes. Borders of crepe myrtles and rose of Sharons, a Japanese Dogwood tree, just to name a few more.  The gazebo is the most popular place for the ceremonies, but there is also the Hitchin' Post in the barn, the fireplace in the parlor, a bridal arch in the meadow, the garden, and the deck overlooking the view.  As the summer flowers fade we'll be eagerly waiting for the autumn colors.  It's an ever-changing palette for the couples' special day and an unending source of inspiration for me. 

I love my job! 

Summer Wildflowers On A Country Road

With the recent rains followed by very warm weather the crop of wildflowers has been abundant and varied. Driving down our country road is always beautiful and made even more so by a fringe of color along the shoulders. I just hope the "bush hogs" (mowers) don't come by anytime soon. Here are some photos I took yesterday:

The Mimosa tree is probably not a typical wildflower, though these large frond-leafed trees add exquisite colors when found in a cluster of greenery.  From a distance the blooms look like yellow and pink oriental fans.  Up close one can see that they are feathery.  This particular tree was alive with butterflies and bees.  The delicate beauty of these trees gives way to sticky seed pods, prompting owners' complaints about the mess.  I don't have one of these trees, but bring on the sticky seed pods!  I would love to sit on the deck with a nice cool mimosa drink and gaze at the exotic tree of the same name.

The Queen Anne's Lace has been particularly prolific this year.  Many of the plants have reached four feet tall and I found flowers as large as six inches across.  The hundreds of tiny flowers emerge from a rather ugly, thistle like pod.  The deep purple flower in the center is actually sterile and serves no purpose from a reproductive aspect.  But what a beautiful curiosity!

Of course the wild daisies are always a cheerful patch of white and yellow alongside the road.  These are the larger variety and were growing near a patch of the tiny, more delicate variety.

This busy bee was nearly as large as the flower and he quickly moved from one to another.  I don't know what the flower is, but the larger blooms are gorgeous!  I love taking macro photographs to see what secrets these treasures hold.

Added 6/24:  The blue flower is "Blue Chickory" which is often cultivated for its leaves to put into salads and the roots which are baked and ground as a coffee substitute. 

This is just a sampling of the wildflowers along the country roads here in southwest Missouri, as well as across the state.  Driving the curves and hills of our rural roads requires a great deal of attention and care, so I try to be a passenger often so I can take in the beauty of the shoulders.

Our creator provided us with amazing sights.  All we have to do is to look and take it all in!  And it is all FREE!

What do you see when you look closely at a wildflower?