Flowers (again)

We went to Cedar Rapids yesterday afternoon to help celebrate our daughter-in-law's 40th birthday. They have some gorgeous flowers growing around their driveway - so, with camera in hand, here are a couple as seen through my eyes.
(Click on a photograph to view a larger image).

Amana Colonies

The photo club I belong to went on a photo shoot at the Amana Colonies. I took a lot of photographs (really a lot) so choosing just 1 is impossible - so here are 3.


This little guy was "busy as a bee"...


I simply call this "Red".

Euphoria

Big Step... I stopped by a friends house last night to take some pictures in his flower garden (quite a site) and while I was shooting noticed this yellow jacket collecting pollen.


Busy, busy... He was quite busy and intent on his task.


Ahhhhh... After he licked (do they lick?) the nectar from the pestal, he just rolled over on his back as if he was on a "necar high".
(Click on a photo to view a larger image).

Backyard Safari

I've been roaming around my yard on what I call my "Safari" in search of photo opportunities. The top photo is a photo of a bleeding heart. [As a quick side note - I have not planted these and grown them on purpose. I have a black thumb and if I had planted these and wanted them to grow - they would have died.]

My last attemp to grow something was right after we moved into the house. I thought pampus grass was cool so I bought some, planted it and waited. It grew, grew, and grew. Then one day my sister-in-law came over and asked about the patch of weeds in back. It seems the pampus grass had died somewhere along the line and I was culvating some sort of giant weed. I did think it looked funny - but, I just thought it was going to morph into grass...


Does anyone know the name of this flower? (Don't tell me if it's a weed - just make up a name!!)
(Click on a photo to view a larger image).