Weekly Photo Challenge – From Above

“Treasure the love you receive above all.”

Og Mandino

I’ve been wanting to post some of the wonderful flowers I saw during our Magnolia Gardens outing recently. The Weekly Photo Challenge, “Above” gave me a nice opportunity to do just that.

SIMPLE BEAUTY

“A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love.”

Max Muller

As spring is finally upon us, the flowers are coming into full bloom – delivering photo opportunities at every turn. For the most part, I’ve tried to include shots that were taken from above, as challenged 🙂

IRIS IN BLOOM

“See heaven in a wild flower.”

William Blake

Here in South Carolina, spring brings an amazing bounty of flora, including the magnificent southern magnolia (the one below taken here on Kiawah, where magnolias bloom each May).

SWEET MAGNOLIA

“Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same.”

Helen Keller

HIBISCUS FROM ABOVE

“There is no color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice.”

John Calvin

The creamy whites of the magnolia and some of the iris are as glorious as the brilliant orange of the hibiscus or the lovely pink of the azalea.

AZALEA PAIR

My favorite though, is catching a bud just before it blooms, showing us nature in its infancy.

BUDDING BEAUTY

ALMOST THERE

“Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow.”

John Lennon

I will close with a photo of a stone (taken from directly above of course) which was one of the last gifts given to me by my mother before she passed away. It is prominently displayed along our front walk to be seen by anyone who visits our home, and serves as a reminder of the love she gave me without question every day.

A SPECIAL GARDEN

I hope you’ve enjoyed my visit to the gardens of Magnolia Plantation, as well as my nod to love, and to mothers, who are its personification. Finally, let me add my early wish for a Happy Mothers’ Day to all of you who mean so much to all of us.

To see more weekly challenge entries, go here.

Tags: Mothers' Day, weekly

96 thoughts on “Weekly Photo Challenge – From Above”

Dsupp on May 20, 2017 at 7:57 am said:

A bouquet of gorgeous photos. Hibiscus orange particularly stands out to me. Plus overall the flowering details of the pistons (I think they are pistons ?? …. Plant biology class was so long ago Lol)
Your mom’s gift is a heartwarming special gift. Sweet.

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Coral Swan on June 2, 2013 at 12:00 pm said:

These are fabulous… glad you dropped by my blog so I could find yours! Coral

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- Tina Schell on June 2, 2013 at 12:01 pm said:
  
  Thanks Coral!! Always nice finding a new read!!
  
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senimahar on May 12, 2013 at 10:26 am said:

Yes, they’re all beautiful … fabulous! you’re pro

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- Tina Schell on May 12, 2013 at 10:39 am said:
  
  Thanks so much Senimahar, you are very kind!
  
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Ese' s Voice on May 11, 2013 at 2:04 pm said:

Uplifting, colourful and so full of hope! Love the Hibiscus and “Almost there” 🙂

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- Tina Schell on May 11, 2013 at 3:04 pm said:
  
  Thanks Ese, it’s a glorious place!
  
  Sent from my iPhone
  
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Steve Schwartzman on May 10, 2013 at 8:57 am said:

I especially like the abstract photograph of the hibiscus. I don’t often see those colors together.

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- Tina Schell on May 10, 2013 at 9:10 am said:
  
  Thanks Steve! It’s colorful, that’s for sure 🙂
  
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- Tina Schell on May 9, 2013 at 11:44 pm said:
  
  Hey, sorry but your pingback went to my spam. Thanks for the link!
  
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pearlz on May 8, 2013 at 9:37 pm said:

Wonderful pictures, I love hibiscus too.

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- Tina Schell on May 8, 2013 at 10:01 pm said:
  
  Thank you June. I was so moved by your post.
  
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Melanie on May 8, 2013 at 2:19 am said:

Beautiful. Love the Hibiscus 🙂

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- Tina Schell on May 8, 2013 at 8:04 am said:
  
  Thanks Melanie! I should have saved it for ” orange”!!!
  
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Playamart - Zeebra Designs on May 6, 2013 at 9:46 pm said:

you unveiled lots of beautiful images! i love the white iris and the one in the background that’s out of focus. i love the magnolia.. i love the unopened iris… all great images! z

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- Tina Schell on May 6, 2013 at 9:55 pm said:
  
  Thanks Zee – it was beautiful at the Gardens that day!
  
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greenmackenzie on May 6, 2013 at 6:27 pm said:

Wonderful colourful flowers…..spring has truly sprung!

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- Tina Schell on May 6, 2013 at 6:32 pm said:
  
  And none too soon Seonaid! Thanks for stopping by!
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
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The Retiring Sort on May 6, 2013 at 1:34 pm said:

All absolutely lovely!

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- Tina Schell on May 6, 2013 at 5:20 pm said:
  
  Thanks TRS. It was a lovely day in the gardens 🙂
  
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mrscarmichael on May 6, 2013 at 10:34 am said:

all beautiful but the magnolia is my favourite.

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- Tina Schell on May 6, 2013 at 5:21 pm said:
  
  Thanks Mrs. C. The magnolia are so short-lived its always nice to catch them!
  
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Sharon Buehler on May 6, 2013 at 10:14 am said:

Yes, love the promise of a budding flower. Also love the variety of colors and forms of the flowers and plants in nature.

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- Tina Schell on May 6, 2013 at 12:35 pm said:
  
  Me too Sharon, me too!
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
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edithlevyphotography on May 6, 2013 at 9:20 am said:

These are beautiful Tina. I love the hibiscus it’s just an explosion of color.

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- Tina Schell on May 6, 2013 at 12:33 pm said:
  
  Thank you Edith! It was indeed. I used my macro extension tubes on that one.
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
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1annecasey on May 6, 2013 at 7:23 am said:

Gorgeous, delicate yet vibrant images.

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- Tina Schell on May 6, 2013 at 7:45 am said:
  
  Thanks Anne, a very special place.
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
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Madhu on May 6, 2013 at 6:21 am said:

You have captured such delicate beauty Tina! Love the Azalea pair and the first shot.

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- Tina Schell on May 6, 2013 at 5:24 pm said:
  
  Thanks Madhu, they were all beautiful in their own way. I’m not usually drawn to strong color so I think the first was my fav but don’t want to hurt their feelings LOL
  
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Nature on the Edge on May 6, 2013 at 5:31 am said:

Lovely shots Tina, the kind that lift the heart in awe with the diversity of design. Love the inner workings, and the hibiscus shot goes to the core.

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- Tina Schell on May 6, 2013 at 7:37 am said:
  
  Thanks Liz! The Gardens are beautiful at this time of year.
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
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poppytump on May 6, 2013 at 3:20 am said:

A lovely collection Tina .. ‘A Magnolia Gardens’ outing sounds dreamy …and you’ve brought a little back with you 😉

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- Tina Schell on May 6, 2013 at 7:27 am said:
  
  Thanks PT. it’s a very special place. We are lucky to be so nearby!
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
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syllabubsea on May 6, 2013 at 2:52 am said:

Love the crisp, clarity of your flowers. The Irises are my favourites.

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- Tina Schell on May 6, 2013 at 7:25 am said:
  
  Thanks SS, it was a beautiful day at the Gardens!
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
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docgelo on May 6, 2013 at 1:06 am said:

lovely set of photos.
so inspiring!

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- Tina Schell on May 6, 2013 at 7:16 am said:
  
  Thanks Docgelo! Happy that spring is finally here!!
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on May 5, 2013 at 10:46 pm said:

Your photos are not just gorgeous, they are special. I have always assumed that is the definition of art.

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 11:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much for the truly lovely compliment Charlie. Much appreciated.
  
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jackiebennett@bellsouth.net on May 5, 2013 at 9:08 pm said:

I love the “special garden”

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 9:59 pm said:
  
  Ahhh, thanks Jack. I love it too 🙂
  
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fgassette on May 5, 2013 at 8:02 pm said:

I enjoyed your amazing photos taken in the garden. I’m glad you brought some back for us to see.

BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 8:18 pm said:
  
  Thank you Francine! They were even better in person 🙂
  
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ryan on May 5, 2013 at 7:37 pm said:

Beautifully capture

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 7:42 pm said:
  
  Thank you Ryan – so many flowers, so little time!
  
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jakesprinter on May 5, 2013 at 7:35 pm said:

Excellent photography once again Tina ,Thanks for sharing 🙂

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 7:42 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jake!
  
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Mud on May 5, 2013 at 7:06 pm said:

Beautiful photos! I think your pretty blooms finally chased the rain away. I never should have mentioned the drought the other week.

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 7:07 pm said:
  
  LOL. It’s not nice to fool mother nature! Thanks Mud!
  
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Sherry Galey on May 5, 2013 at 6:25 pm said:

They’re all magnificent, Tina, but as a magnolia lover, I have to say Sweet Magnolia stole my heart!

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 6:28 pm said:
  
  Thanks Sherry – I’m a magnolia lover myself and have many favorite shots of them. I think it’s the creamy color and texture of their petals. I’m like a crazy person for the 2 or 3 weeks while they’re blooming here–running to and fro trying to get yet another shot 🙂 Fortunately no one has called the police about it yet LOL !
  
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Linda Wyatt on May 5, 2013 at 5:28 pm said:

Happy flowers.. Lovely reflections,,,brightening my day in gloomy, gray Charlotte. The last Mother’s Day present I gave my mother was a beautiful white camillia that she planted next to the front door…

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 5:35 pm said:
  
  See, moms and flowers – perfect together. Good luck tomorrow-will be thinking of you.
  
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Barbara on May 5, 2013 at 5:09 pm said:

The photos are really beautiful Tina….

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 5:11 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Barbara! Great to hear from you.
  
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  - Barbara on May 5, 2013 at 5:13 pm said:
    
    You too….
The Travelbunny on May 5, 2013 at 4:26 pm said:

So beautiful – I love the first picture of the blossom, it reminds me that spring is finally here 🙂

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 4:28 pm said:
  
  Thanks Suzanne! Spring IS finally here but at the moment it’s a pretty wet one!!
  
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elisaruland on May 5, 2013 at 4:26 pm said:

I’m amazed but happy you were able to find a dry day, Tina, our spring in Atlanta has been a big washout. Fortunately I have your lovely photographs of (dry) spring blooms to enjoy!
Elisa

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 4:27 pm said:
  
  LOL, thanks Elisa. It’s rained here for several days straight 😦 I took those photos last week, fortunately!
  
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- Tina Schell on May 9, 2013 at 11:44 pm said:
  
  Hi Joe, sorry-your pingback went to spam. Have unspammed it – thanks for the nod!
  
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Andrzej Dąbrówka on May 5, 2013 at 3:52 pm said:

I also love magnolias and I can prove it!

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 3:58 pm said:
  
  I believe you! Thanks for your comment 🙂
  
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- Andrzej Dąbrówka on May 5, 2013 at 3:59 pm said:
  
  http://dabrowka.salon24.pl/186392,koniec-wiosny-poczatek-lata#comment_2700604 –
  this is a story of my noble magnolias, with a poem I will translatee later, as this year’s magnolias develop their crowns, for the time being they are only starting to open their buds, spring is some 10 days later this year with us.
  
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  - Tina Schell on May 9, 2013 at 11:46 pm said:
    
    Hi Andrzej; for some reason your link went to spam. Couldn’t figure out your original message – now I get it! The photos are fantastic!! Thanks and sorry about the spam glitch.
  - Andrzej Dąbrówka on May 10, 2013 at 9:42 am said:
    
    I was sorry I couldn’t deliver the promised proof.
  - Tina Schell on May 10, 2013 at 10:19 am said:
    
    Not your fault – the dreaded spam-manager! Was happy to see it when I finally found it!
Viveka on May 5, 2013 at 3:38 pm said:

Tina, so delicate and beautiful!!! Of course taken from above … love landing here. SWEET MAGNOLIA, is my pick of those beauties.

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 3:59 pm said:
  
  Thanks Viveka. I actually won a magazine cover contest with that one so its a favorite of mine also!
  
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rabirius on May 5, 2013 at 3:35 pm said:

A beautiful collection of flowers.

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 3:59 pm said:
  
  Thanks Rabirius!
  
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Amy on May 5, 2013 at 3:28 pm said:

Beautiful photos and quotes! I love magnolia 🙂

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 4:00 pm said:
  
  Thanks Amy – I’m not sure what’s better – it’s beauty or its scent. Both are fantastic. A shame they are so short-lived.
  
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april kanew on May 5, 2013 at 3:23 pm said:

love the colors….wonderful detail…great eye!!!

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 4:00 pm said:
  
  Thanks, as always, April!
  
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serif and spice on May 5, 2013 at 3:16 pm said:

I love the magnolia photos. Beautiful contrast of texture.

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 4:01 pm said:
  
  Thanks S&S – also a personal favorite!
  
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sustainabilitea on May 5, 2013 at 3:12 pm said:

Your photos brought joy to my heart. I love flowers!

janet

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 4:01 pm said:
  
  Thanks Janet – your comment brought joy to mine 🙂
  
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Alma Brown on May 5, 2013 at 2:58 pm said:

Just lovely … a reminder we all need!

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 4:02 pm said:
  
  Thank you Alma – some of us more than others at the moment 🙂 Hope it’s going OK over there!
  
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Sonel on May 5, 2013 at 2:58 pm said:

Absolutely beautiful and I love the colours! Great shots Tina. 🙂

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 4:02 pm said:
  
  Thank you Sonel! don’t you just love Spring? Everything so fresh and colorful.
  
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Jane Lurie on May 5, 2013 at 2:43 pm said:

Beautiful, Tina.

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 4:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jane! Happy I finally got around to posting them.
  
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Bailey Schell on May 5, 2013 at 1:52 pm said:

Beautiful

Sent from my iPad

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 4:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks dear! If you’re happy, I’m happy 🙂
  
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The Palladian Traveler on May 5, 2013 at 1:27 pm said:

Blooming good shots, Tina.

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 4:05 pm said:
  
  Why thanks Tom – I’m blooming happy you enjoyed them!
  
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annesquared on May 5, 2013 at 1:25 pm said:

beautiful pics!

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- Tina Schell on May 5, 2013 at 4:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks Anne – for your visit and your comment!
  
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