Garden Splendor (View Larger)

During our walk yesterday, as Scout scoured the landscape for scents

of her fellow canines, I spied this small plant hid under the leaves

of a Philodendron.

Just after day had broken, I stood in my neighbor's yard, camera in

hand, well, actually on a tripod, and captured this lovely garden

scene. This plant was new to my eyes, and I was taken by the almost

fluorescent quality of the flowers and the leaves with their thorny

projections. The flowers were displayed amongst the leaves, which

seemed to be spread out like a hand, offering a look at its wares. The

scene was rounded out by some tall reeds, just off to the right of the

plant. If I were a painter, I could not have conjured up a better

placement for this "Garden Splendor."