Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Bulb Sale

The Friends of Elizabeth Park hold an annual sale of spring bulbs -- hyacinths, daffodils, tulips and the like -- to help pay for the park's plantings.  The City of Hartford and Town of West Hartford pay for the park's basic maintenance, but the extensive plantings and improvements are funded by the Friends, who also volunteer to plant and weed the flower beds.

I walked over to the park on Friday to check out the inventory.  The greenhouses were locked, so I could only look from the outside.  The greenhouses were full of gorgeous potted flowers in full bloom; it is too early for any spring bulbs to bloom outside.  By the time I returned around noon on Saturday to go inside, most of the flower pots were gone.  This is always a very successful fundraiser.

I am seeing a lot of spring bulb macro shots.  Just one flower.  They are pretty but I like scenes.  Isn't it interesting how different people's minds and eyes and tastes are?
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26 comments:

  1. LowellMarch 23, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    I think that is an excellent fundraiser: not only does it raise funds to pretty the park but also it pretties up lots of other properties throughout the city.

    I was a little worried when I read the title, though. Probably 'cause I've been called a dim bulb by so many people! You think?

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  2. LowellMarch 23, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    Hi again. I meant to add something related to your comment on Ocala DP: When you come to play golf, we're gonna mosey out to the course before 11:00! I mean, really. Do you want to sleep your life away? :-)

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  3. SRQMarch 23, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    Colorful posts! The greenhouse looks like its being overrun with colorful blooms. And, I really like how you framed the second shot with the flowers in the foreground. SDP management tends to side with you, Jack, regarding scenes. The SDP team always shoots tight shots but then management usually opts to post wider ones which provide more perspective of the scene. (That decision, of course, occurs only after a lengthy staff meeting where the pros and cons of each photo are fulling vetted.)

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  4. JanetMarch 23, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    That's a packed house!

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  5. Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.comMarch 23, 2011 at 7:32 AM

    Worthy cause and an excellent fundraiser. The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix has two plant sales per year that are extremely popular and successful.

    Like you, I like to photograph larger scenes, whereas my wife favors macros that I would never think to take.

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  6. SunnyMarch 23, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    You certainly have captured a lovely scene. The greenhouse is a sea of spring colors.
    Sometimes, when you only have one Crocus to work with, you go with the macro, haha!
    ☼ Sunny

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  7. SharonMarch 23, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    It looks so colorful inside that greenhouse. This would be a popular sale here too. When the botanical garden has it's semiannual plant sale, you can hardly find a place to park.

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  8. LynetteMarch 23, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Very interesting, Jack. Thank goodness we're not all alike--it would be so boring.

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  9. VPMarch 23, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    I just posted a bench with bulbs today!

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  10. KateMarch 23, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    I'm about ready to "go round the bend" since it's snowing again. I have a spicier vocabulary, but I'll refrain. Your photo makes me yearn for spring, if it ever arrives here!!

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  11. jooMarch 23, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    What a great idea this sale! I love spring flowers so much (OK. I love flowers so much!!) that every year I simply can't wait to see them around. My favourite are hyacinths - probably because of scent:)

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  12. Genie -- Paris and BeyondMarch 23, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    Well, I love the macro shots of a single flower showing the intricate beauty of each little part, but I am swept away by a field of sunflowers or a garden filled with spring bulbs.

    Bises,
    G

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  13. Stefan JanssonMarch 23, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    I was pretty much born in a greenhouse so I like scenes like this one.

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  14. youth_in_asiaMarch 23, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    Great shots, Jack. I'm with you on the "scenes vs. individual shot" battle (well, it's not really a battle, but you get it). Don't get me wrong, I like the macro shots (have taken and posted a number of them myself), but I find that viewing how different flora combine is much more impressive to me.

    With flowers, I guess both work. The sum of the parts (scene) can be stunning, but so can an individual. Anyway, I can't wait to see your shots of Elizabeth Park when it's in full bloom. Especially that rose covered archway.

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  15. RedPatMarch 23, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    What a pleasant sight your post was for me since it is snowing and is windy here today! Wonderful way to raise funds for the park.

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  16. cieldequimperMarch 23, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    Hmmmmm. I agree with you (though I do have one of each kind of photo for tomorrow). Fundraiser or not, this is a place I would probably spend a lot of money at, which is good, since it's a fundraising event. I just love the bright splashes of colour against the brick and white and all that so wonderfully framed by the tree.

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  17. BirdmanMarch 23, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    THINK spring!

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  18. Regina KMarch 23, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    We all do think differently which makes life interesting. I love greenhouses of all types. My eye does not capture a bloom as well as others.

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  19. SailorMarch 23, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    I am glad that the sale is not around where we live. My wife would have emptied my pocket.

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  20. RandyMarch 23, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    Bet it was just full of color! I would love to see this in person.

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  21. DawnMarch 23, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    The bigger picture is always nice.
    want to be in it! It looks so colorful:)

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  22. MalyssMarch 24, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Our differences are what make the thing interesting!
    i like the first shot very much!

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  23. cieldequimperMarch 24, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Well no, I got it wrong: it wasn't today, it's tomorrow! :-)

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  24. HalcyonMarch 24, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    What a wonderful idea to help support the park. Everyone benefits from an arrangement like this. :)

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  25. Oakland Daily PhotoMarch 26, 2011 at 5:11 AM

    Looks like spring has sprung. At least in the greenhouse. A very cheerful and inspiring image. My daffodils have already come and gone. But the lilac tree is now blooming.

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  26. UnknownMarch 29, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    Look at all those beautiful colours inside the greenhouse. Lovely!

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