Neat Flowers, Bees and Sun Effects

Bicolor dahlia in afternoon sun: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

Happy floral Friday and welcome to "this week in my Maryland garden!" While not technically the best photos I've ever taken, I thought each of this week's flower photos was neat for one reason or another. The yellow and white bicolor dahlia above has fun coloring from the afternoon sun (I took these just before sunset yesterday evening). Without the sun it almost looks like an all white dahlia.

Bee on bicolor marigold: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

In this photo my happy making effect was being able to see the bee's eyes so clearly. We only have a few marigolds still blooming and two are the bicolor French marigolds that I started from seed. The bee is enjoying one of those.

Scarlet echinacea (coneflower): Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

My wonderful husband bought me this new red echinacea (also known as coneflower). I love how bright the flowers are and while there aren't any bees on it in the photo they have been all over it since planting.

Bee on dahlia in afternoon sun: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

I love how the sunbeam lights up the bee's wings and furry parts in this photo of it on a burgundy dahlia flower.

Popping pink petunia: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

And, just because I tend to put five photos in each blog post, here's a pretty petunia. It's been blooming steadily since I bought it this spring. I love the particular shade of pink on this flower as well as the white middle and chartreuse/yellow center with veining.

How are your flowers holding up now that we're officially in autumn? Are the leaves changing where you are? They've started here but just a little bit. Thank you for visiting! I hope you have a fantastic autumn! May God bless you!

Related posts:
Sparking chrysanthemums: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/09/sparkling-chrysanthemums-dahlias-zinnia.html
Autumn blessing and flowers: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/09/happy-autumn-blessing.html
National Arboretum fall foliage: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/11/fall-foliage-at-us-national-arboretum.html
Fall foliage and capitol columns: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/11/fall-foliage-and-capitol-columns-photos.html