Thanks all! ngraham - the good news is, VE multiplies like crazy. When she gets it right, the flowers are amazing. farmerbell - I didn't like that seedling when it first opened, but the blooms are getting better, and the bud count and branching are out of this world. In addition, it had instant rebloom this year. PP is my little beauty. Love her. Jessica - can you believe that some of them are just starting their first blooms? I got a bunch that are late and very late, so I could extend my season. Looks like it is working! Stargate Explosion just put up its first scape! Yippee! Nikki - I posted about the photo problem on your Star Child post.... hope it works out! I like PP too! okbt - she is a hardy little bugger... even though I slid down the hill and wiped out all 3 fans last fall, she came back beautifully and gave me quite a show. Love PP. Debra - thanks!! :o) MM is new to my garden (this spring), and is doing so well! Got another bloom this morning. Hoping the colors get just a mite brighter with settling. Gotta do my yoga, then I will try to post those Star Child photos... Thanks for all the kind words.

Sarah, Those are just beautiful shots of both bird$ and blooms. Thank you for sharing them. I am inspired to try (again) some photos of my own. I seem to get so enthralled in watching the antics of these little beasties that I forget to take the photo! Yesterday my little resident QueenBird flew right into my face to let me know that the main feeder needed refilling. Sure wish I'd had my camera then. She just hung right in front of me at a distance of about 12-14 inches for several seconds. She made sure she had my attention! All I could do was laugh. spiderwoman

Flaurabunda, it's so funny you mentioned cameras. I was reloading some ancient photos into Facebook last night and it's quite startling to see how much my photo-taking has changed. Back in 2009 (the year of Gemini), I did not know how to handle my camera with the right sun exposures but even so Gemini was always beautiful; to this day save for Folklore and with Penny Lane (growing in sunlight) I've never seen a more perfectly formed rose. Kansas heat ruins rose shapes save for those 2 roses. Gemini always looked good no matter what the lighting; constantly spiraling, and your photo just reminded me so much of what she once was before she died. I loved that rose so much and she was a sport-fragranced one too. Double the Agony of losing her.... I'm afraid to get any other Gemini save from J&P because so few Gemini's have the deep coral, and I still hope to find one just like it.... I also check my local nursery but no dark coral Gemini yet...I bet you are probably being "too modest" or not breaking the hard truth for fear it'd make me "insane with grief" lol. Anyway, your photo of her was very "Haunting" and beautiful-- I felt like it was seeing her all over again.... I also forgot to say, I love your "Wall of Fire". Just brilliant! :D

Wonderful pictures! Wonderful country! Thanks for sharing. You did not happen to go home through Evanston, Wyoming via Star Valley to Cokeville, did you? If so, you drove through my town! Ack! An opportunity to meet and visit...MISSED! Glad you had a good time. Lori