Sunday, April 21, 2013

Sakuras 2013 in full bloom...

The 'amateur-farmer' in me had been rather (foolishly, I'd add) unconcerned with the significance of the frost dates in the region...
So it was quite a wake-up call for me as I finally come to my senses, taking note of the frost warning on 19th April... 
Yes, frost on 19th April for a location that falls under USDA Zone 9...
Now, I have to keep this date in mind for my future seed germination plans and planting schedules...

Anyway this year, we are blessed once again, with the sakura blooms in our garden...
The above shot is that of the 'shidare' sakura, my favorite...

Another shot of the 'shidare'....

Ok, I placed the photos in reverse order... this shot shows the 'shidare' as they began to bloom.... their colors are deeper at this beginning stage...

This specimen is the 'somei yoshino', which is used as the 'standard bearer' to denote the blooming dates throughout Japan...

The 'somei yoshino' tree, in portrait style... 

Another angle of the 'somei yoshino'...

The 'somei yoshino' and our house, shot from a distance... 
For more pictures of the sakuras in the neighborhood and the hills, please see here....

Friday, April 5, 2013

Mimosa acacia in full bloom...

The mimosa acacia is native to Australia, especially New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania...
Years ago, when we moved here, I found some seedlings growing in our property...

I picked them up, transplanted them, and wooh, what a surprise...
They bloom in spring over here, and we really like the fluffy, puffy, and fragrant flowers...

I find them to be difficult photo subjects, especially the close-ups, but these few picks are quite decent shots... no?
(P.S. Notice the wild sakuras blooming in the hills at the background.)