Nature Photography by Richard L. Bowman

January 2, 2015

Mostly Domesticated with One on the Wild Side

These photos span the time we were in Albania this fall and early winter. (We came back to the US for hip replacement surgery for me on December 10 and plan to return to Albania on March 1.) Most of the photos are of domesticated varieties of flowers with on wildflower (weed) thrown in for good measure.

First here is one photo from oujr present time in Harrisonburg, VA, USA. It is a Poinsettia I bought yesterday Elsie for here birthday.

a poinsettia for Elsie's birthday

My Birthday Plant for Elsie: A Poinsettia (1-Jan-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

In August when we first arrived back in Lezhë, Albania, the hotel we stayed at for the first week and a half had some lovely plantings out in front. Here are some photos of hibiscus plants that were in pots. Lovely in their setting and close-up.

hibiscus as a potted plant

An Hibiscus Bush in a Pot on a Patio (12-Aug-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

close up oof a hibiscus bloom #1

Close-up of an Hibiscus Bloom (1) (12-Aug-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

close-up of a hibiscus bloom #2

Close-up of an Hibiscus Bloom (2) (12-Aug-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

Out in front of the Ambassador Hotel is a sculptured lawn with a Variegated Privet Hedge among its design.

sculptured bushes at Ambassador Hotel, Lezhe

Variegated Privet Hedge in Front of the Ambassador Hotel, Lezhë, Albania (12-Aug-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

close up of multi-colored leafed hedge

Close-up of the Variegated Privet Hedge (12-Aug-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

Back in middle of August I found the wild-flower pictured below growing along the banks of the Drini branch that flows past the market. I still have not identified this flower, so if anyone has a good guess, please let me know.

cluster of small white flowers

A Cluster of Beautiful White Flowers along a River Bank, Lezhë, Albania (14-Aug-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

small white flowers with clusters of green buds

Same Flower as Above but with More Buds (14-Aug-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

A day later I noticed the flowers and buds below on a potted plant on the patio in front of the school Again, I have not yet identified the flower or plant. The leaves are leathery, like a tulip's leaves, and the buds are formed in a net of white "spider webs."

Whte flowers on leathery leaves in a pot

An Intriguing Flower in a Pot Outside, Lezhë, Albania (145Aug-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

Whte flowers on leathery leaves from further away

A View of the Above Flower from a Few Steps Back (15-Aug-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

Also growing on the LAC campus is this lovely purple flower on a succulent plant. It is probably some species or variety of the Carpobrotus genus which includes such common names as Sour Fig and Ice Plant.

an iceplant?

Ice Plant/Sour Fig (?), Lezhë, Albania (15-Aug-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

A few days later I found this orange tree in bloom somewhere in our travels around Lezhë. But as usual, when it comes to flowers and trees, I always present the name with a bit of uncertainty.

orange blossoms

Blossoms on an Orange Tree, Lezhë, Albania (15-Aug-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

Then while we were several hours south of Lezhë at Përmet. I found this nicely colored Rose at the family home of Klementina Shahini (director of Lezha Academic Center).

a rose at Klementina's sister's home

Composition of a Rose against a Stone Wall, Përmet, Albania (23-Aug-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

I forget precisely where we saw this Zinnia flower, but my best guess is in the city park in Lezhë.

a zinnia in Lezhe, Albania

A Zinnia in Lezhë, Albania (7-Sep-14; © Richard L. Bowman)

A few weeks ago we passed a wonderfully different kind of flower--spherical and spiny fruits/flowers. Castor Bean Plant

a Caster Bean Plant

close-up of Castor Bean flowers

While we were on our way to Korçë from Lezhë--a five to six hour trip--we stopped at a small restaurant near Librazhd for our lunch. Out on their balcony they had a number of beautiful plants in bloom.

pink Germanium flowers Small Restaurant Outside of Librazhd

Mauve Germanium Blossoms near Librazhd, Albania

During the middle of October alongside of the alley to Lezha Academic Center from the main street, a number of Morning Glory vines bloomed. So over a week's time, I took several photos.

Morning Glory flower (1)

Morning Glory flower (2)

Morning Glory flower (3)

Morning Glory flower (4)

Winter time is usually a slow time for flowers, but maybe I can get some interesting photos of indoor plants. Check back to see what I have found.

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