September rain

It's raining again. Since I don't have any rain photos I chose a photo with star magnolias from early summer this year. I had no idea this tree was a magnolia until I read it on the Internet somewhere when looking for something else. Star magnolia, a lovely name for these flowers. Although the magnolia I posted the other day is still my favorite kind of magnolia.

I don't know what happened to yesterdays post, Blogger had some trouble while I was typing it up and when I published, Blogger saved it in Drafts. I found out just now so today you get to read two posts instead of one.

Lovey dovey

Doves mate for life just like swans. These two certainly enjoys a happy marriage. I had to be very sneaky when taking this picture but it's understandable, isn't it? They're having a moment and I'm snapping pictures. At least I've disabled the shutter sound on my camera.

The second time around

The magnolias in the rose garden by the old tower bloomed a second time a couple of weeks ago. I've never seen that before. Or I just don't remember it, I'm getting to that age when things make quick drive bys in my memory. There's a reason it's called short term memory you know. Anyway, this picture isn't from the second blooming (?) but at least it's a magnolia.

Tree time again

It's been a while since I posted trees so here goes. Thick, dark brown trunks with leaves in different shades of green. Don't you feel like sitting in their shade reading a book? Or have a picnic with friends?

Summers end

Today is the first autumn day, it's dark, rainy and windy. We're experiencing the last breath of the tropical storm Leslie. An experience I would happily have lived without. And therefore I'm dreaming myself away to those few summer evenings when the weather was nice enough to allow you to stay late by the beach, sitting in the chairs by the sound with friends, watching the sea and the sunset.

Lots of tulips

How about some tulips today? Lots of tulips. It's my favorite flower and my favorite tulip color is red or deep pink. Whenever I see tulips I think of my grandmother. I wonder why, I don't remember if she loved tulips as well. Maybe she did?

Lilacs are my favorites

We're enjoying a couple of warm, sunny days at the moment. Most likely it's the last breath of summer before fall hits us. +23 was promised today but so far it's grey skies and a bit windy. Hopefully it will improve.

One of the first flowers to bloom in summer here in Helsingborg is the lilac. The light purple lilac is my favorite and one of the few flowers that I can stand smelling without getting a headache.

After the rain

Taking a bath after the rain. The natural bird bath is located in the yard where my brother lives. It's a small dent in the rocks that fills up with water during raining. Actually it's filled with water even during sunny days, not as much but still. My nephew loves to throw rocks in there and also wading through it with and without Wellington boots. Sneakers or socks only are also acceptable footwear when going in according to the kid. Sitting in the bird bath is normal behaviour even though mom and dad doesn't approve as much.

What's with the long face?

Photographywise the summer this year has been a bit disappointing. Lots of rain and grey skies has prevented me from taking pictures that I can post here. When I did go out with my camera I realized I needed to find new places to go and new things to take pictures off. The same old road with the same old flowers, birds and beaches needs a rest.

During my usual visit to my brother and his family, we were planning on going to the zoo like we did last summer. The trip would've given me a lot of photo opportunities but even though we were dressed for the rain, we had to cancel. It was raining way too much that day.

So I dug deep into my picture stash and found this elephant from our visit to the zoo last year. I barely managed to adjust the zoom in time to shoot the lady trying to grab some grass to munch on.