Barcelona Photoblog: Search results for Flowers
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Flowers. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Flowers. Sort by date Show all posts

April 03, 2007

Almond Tree Flowers for Easter Holidays

Almond Tree Flowers for Easter Holidays
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Easter is here and many are already on holidays. Anybody there? Not my case. I keep on posting flowers in my stubborn crusade against best blogging practices, not to repeat topic. The almond tree, Prunus dulcis, grows flowers in the early spring right before the leaves. Talking about sunny skies and beautiful flowers is sort of science fiction gibberish right now. It is raining cats and dogs tonight in Barcelona but they say the weather will give us a break by Friday. Many towns in Spain will take their holy images for a walk in procession and everybody is crossing their fingers. Catholics, atheists and believers of all credes meditate, pray, disconnect from the real world or celebrate the old Roman way, you know. I am planning to open a florist shop to send you flowers online, I accept credit cards. Just kidding. I wish you all a happy Easter.
PS: I heard about Tsunami killer wave in Solomon Islands. My condolescences to the victims. I hope no one there in Asia gets hurt or affected.

May 19, 2008

Almond Flowers

Almond Flowers and activities around almond tree blooming


Almond Flowers: A Botanical Delight

Nature has gifted us with an abundance of breathtaking sights, and one such marvel is the delicate and enchanting almond flower. Almond trees, scientifically known as Prunus dulcis, belong to the Rosaceae family and are native to the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. These stunning blossoms announce the arrival of spring, transforming vast landscapes into beautiful tapestries of white and pink hues.

The almond tree's blossoming season is a magical time, typically occurring in late winter or early spring, before the emergence of leaves. As the winter chill gives way to the gentle warmth of the sun, the almond trees awaken from their dormant state. The flowers burst forth, adorning the branches with clusters of soft, fragrant petals. It is a sight that evokes a sense of joy and anticipation, symbolizing the rejuvenation and renewal of nature.

Almond flowers are small, measuring only about an inch in diameter, and possess a five-petal structure. These petals can vary in color, ranging from pure white to shades of pale pink. Each blossom showcases a vivid center, composed of a multitude of stamens and a single pistil. The stamens bear the pollen-producing anthers, while the pistil holds the ovary, which eventually develops into the almond fruit.

The scientific name of the almond flower is Prunus dulcis var. dulcis, and it is closely related to other members of the Prunus genus, including cherries, peaches, and plums. This shared lineage is evident in the similarities in their flower structure and the overall appearance of the trees.

Almond trees have a rich history and are deeply intertwined with the culture and heritage of many regions. One such place where almond trees hold a special significance is Catalonia. The gentle Mediterranean climate and fertile soils of Catalonia provide an ideal environment for almond cultivation, making it one of the prominent almond-producing regions in Europe.

The almond blossoms are not only visually stunning but also play a crucial role in the pollination process. Bees and other pollinators are drawn to their nectar and pollen, ensuring the cross-pollination necessary for the production of almonds.

The blossoming period of almond trees in Catalonia typically occurs between January and February, marking the arrival of spring. It is a time of celebration, and local communities often organize festivals and events to honor the beauty and significance of the almond flowers. Visitors can immerse themselves in the exciting atmosphere, enjoying traditional music, dances, and local delicacies made with almonds. For example, in many towns of Lleida numerous activities are organized around almond trees in bloom. Check this interesting blog with pictures at Les Garrigues, Lleida.

The next time you witness the gentle embrace of almond blossoms, take a moment to appreciate the intricate beauty and botanical marvels they represent.

April 18, 2007

Fresh Spring Flowers Online From Barcelona, Spain

Fresh Spring Flowers Online From Barcelona, Spain
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Fresh spring flowers for my stock. My online collection is growing so fast that soon I will be able to open a separate photoblog for flower plants. No need to call 1800 numbers to order a bouquet. Come around here every other day and I'll give you your daily dose of colorful flowers in between stones and landscapes. This time I found these strong pink specimens with pointed fleshy leaves and well defined petals. Here is a good list of flowers you can use to help me find the name. I know some of you are real experts so I count on you. I wish I could give you tips on how to plant bulbs for the new season but I can't possibly be more ignorant on the matter.

April 01, 2007

Red Hot Spring Flowers in Barcelona

Red Hot Spring Flowers in Barcelona
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Red hot flowers whose name I don't know. I skipped most of my botanics classes or at least I wasn't paying much attention. Why should I if I have true experts in flower names among you? One thing I am sure of: they have a strong red tone and the sepals are fleshy in appearance so I find them somehow sensual. I can't take away that American beauty scene from my eyes, I don't know why? The new week is about to start so I send these flowers in a bottle to all my friends in the other part of the world.

April 24, 2009

Sant Jordi, A Book, A Rose and Lot of People

Sant Jordi, A Book, A Rose and Lot of People [enlarge]

First of all allow me to congratulate the publishing houses, the book sellers, the florists, the illegal flower mongers for the success. Today I decided to visit the book stands scattered along La Rambla de Catalunya and Passeig de Gracia. It was hot in Barcelona. A beach day. The first very hot day of the year. Fortunately I took my Coolpix instead of the big one. My back was sweating under the backpack. People shoving me all the time. When Sant Jordi comes, you are supposed to buy a book and give away flowers. I couldn't concentrate on the books. I finally bought a small one on digital photography but once I got home, in the nearest bookshop. I did the same with the flowers. It is a real nuisance for me to buy the flowers early in the morning and carrying them around all day till I get home and handle them to my wife and daughter. Why would I do that if I have a florist a block away from home! Oh, no, tradition is tradition and people enjoy some sacrifice. There were authors dedicating books and long lines of people waiting. This year I noticed different flowers. Many red roses were painted or tinted with some blue imitating FC Barcelona colors. Others were strange like these wire flowers.

January 21, 2007

Some Flowers in Riells near Barcelona

Some Flowers in Riells near Barcelona
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Just some flowers that I shot while visiting a town near Barcelona city but still inside the province, called Riells. This small town is located inside Montseny Natural Park. As I don't know the name of the flowers I would like someone to help me find out.

May 30, 2007

Garden Flowers: Musings

Garden Flowers

Not the first time I upload some flowers to my photo blog, and certainly I hope it's not the last time. Beauty is all around and as I am not going to have the eye of Ansel Adams for landscapes or Cartier-Bresson's gift for street photography, I'd better concentrate on capturing my modest reality come what may. There is always some art in minor things too. Take for example a bunch of orange flowers in a garden on your way to work or at your neighbors'. You can take a snapshot every time you pass them by and it will always be a different picture, not just because you arranged them in different compositions but because you were many times in a different mood. So art is also a state of mind, it has to do with the soul, with spirituality, and you must be satisfied first with what you create in order to please others. You may be good at it or clumsy as hell, but it's your work, and it is as legitimate as the art of Da Vinci or Michelangelo. This is what I saw, what filled my soul with joy for some milliseconds and now I want to share the scene with you.

February 25, 2009

Of Why Flowers Are So Farking Beautiful

Flower bouquet

Have you stopped to think why flowers are so attractive, so appealing to the human eye?.

There is much more symbolism in holding a flower in your hand, even the most modest daisy, than just a blade of grass or a branch. Maybe an olive or a laurel branch could have some, but there are certainly a lot of unconscious or subconscious concepts, images, dreams, memories triggered in our mind by the mere contemplation of some beautiful flowers. Notice that I don't mean just the effect of colors but also the influence of shape and textures.

Take this bouquet I found at Las Ramblas. It is exuberant, isn't it? In what sense? I changed the colors on purpose just to see the effects playing with different channels in Photoshop. The flowers kept looking beautiful in all of them. Maybe it is just the light falling on those petals or the voluptuosity of the turgent bulbs that remind you of lips? I don't know. I finally decided to keep a touch of color but with a burnt sienna layer on top that makes it look like a canvas and much more artistic perhaps.

The hypnotic effect is still there though and I can't explain why. Can you?

Want to learn more about flowers and gardening, check Lamour et Fleurs

April 07, 2007

Orange Flowers

Orange Flowers
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Today I resume the flower posts. I leave you with these beautiful three orange flowers in a row. I would say they are daisies but I am not sure so I leave it up to you to find out. Yesterday's post was a little gross I know and besides I did not realize it was just the day Christians are not suppose to have meat. I am sorry if I hurt any feelings. It was a coincidence and almost a bad joke. I had that post on my mind for a long time and I chose a bad day for publishing. Well, I hope you like my flowers and that they give you peace of mind to enjoy these holidays.

May 04, 2007

Send Flowers For Mothers Day 2007

Send Flowers For Mothers Day 2007
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On the first Sunday of May we in Barcelona and the whole of Spain celebrate Mothers Day. Unlike the United States, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, Belgium just to mention some of the countries that celebrate Mothers Day on the second Sunday, we will be busy till next May 6th trying to find a good present, writing a beautiful postcard, stealing the most precious flowers from our neighbors or looting the nearest park (hey this is just a joke!). Many of my visitors' mothers will have to wait until next week, some others already got their present as it is the case of the UK, but the important thing is that we all think of that very important person in your life and buy her a nice bouquet or at least a small bunch of flowers like the ones in my picture.
Note: This also includes surrogate mothers, mothers-in-law, stepmothers, mothers-to-be, adoptive mothers, etc. Find a good quote here but try to write your own card or poem for Christ sake!

September 06, 2007

Red Flowers in Memoriam

Luciano Pavarotti: Red Flowers in Memoriam [enlarge]

How much I admire a person with a gift. Not the mundane kind of gift like when you have a talent to make money or to memorize the yellow pages, but the sort of gift that transforms an individual into a unique person, a historical character, a reference for generations to come. Most people have to die first so others become aware of their imprint on history but a few are lucky enough to leave this world with the satisfaction of not being just a number but an idea, a spirit, a name, flowing in the stream of the collective mind till the end of times. I did not have any particular reason to post these red flowers today but one item of news called my attention this morning: Luciano Pavarotti dies at 71. One single headline lost in a sea of tragic stories but ladies and gentlemen we should rise and give his eternal soul a stand-up ovation and throw a thousand red flowers in memoriam.
Una Furtiva Lagrima - Luciano Pavarotti

June 05, 2008

Barcelona Trees: Horse Chestnut or Conker Flowers

Barcelona Trees: Horse Chestnut or Conker Flowers  [enlarge]

Aesculus hippocastanum or common horse chestnut can be seen in some parks of Barcelona so I thought you might like the image of its flowers. These I shot in Bellaterra in early spring. I suppose it must have yielded the characteristic spiny conkers by now. From the seeds of this tree a substance called saponin aescin is extracted and used for health purposes like treating varicose veins, edema, sprains. This constituent strengthens the blood vessels and prevents thrombosis. It has haemolytic properties and is recommended as an astringent and circulatory tonic. The extracts from horse chestnut are used to treat cellulitis. So you see, the beautiful tree and its flowers are not just an adornment. Talking about adornment. Did you know that the leaves of horse chestnut trees are a common pattern in art nouveau architecture? Well, follow this fantastic link and you'll find out more about the use of nature in the Art Nouveau decoration.

September 11, 2007

Flower Bouquets at Flower Stall, La Rambla, Barcelona



These colorful flower bouquets I found at one of the flower stalls along La Rambla

It was a holiday in Barcelona as today it was the day of Catalonia, that is, La Diada that happens to coincide with the anniversary of the terrible events of the twin towers on September 11th or what we all know as 9/11. 

I went to see if I captured some new images of street artists so abundant in the area and I managed to take some pictures in the end. I will show you in coming posts since on second thought I preferred to post the flowers to honor 9/11 victims and commemorate our Diada.

As you probably know it is common to find flower stands along this famous street, in fact this part is called Ramblas de les Flors or Flower Ramblas because of the big assortment of flowers. 

There is a great offer of bouquets, made not only of natural plants but also of dried colorful flowers, some of them even painted.

Here are some links to examples of some flower bouquets of Las Ramblas, Barcelona as shown in other posts:


  1.  Flower Bouquet at La Rambla dels Flors
  2.  Carnation Fresco in Flower Stall
  3.  Flower Stock Photography
  4.  Small Colorful Bouquets of Paper Flowers
  5.  Purple Flower Fantasy in Las Ramblas
  6.  Pink Flower Fantasy in Las Ramblas


February 09, 2008

Small Colorful Bouquets of Paper Flowers in Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain

Small Colorful Bouquets of Paper Flowers in Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain

In trying to keep the colorful posts cause I think most of all like bright colors, at least that's my impression, I chose a bunch of small paper flower bouquets on sale at the stalls along Rambla dels Flors. I am not happy with the level of detail, that is, upon taking a very close look at the flowers but it was almost dark, I had to fire my flash, ask for permission to shoot, watch not to be shoved onto the flowers by passerbies, hold one cigar in my left hand which the stall owner asked me to keep an eye on and last but not least finish fast so my wife and daughter didn't get too tired of waiting.

May 05, 2007

Plants and Flowers: Carpobrotus Modestus

Send Flowers For Mothers Day 2007
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This is a Carpobrotus Modestus. A succulent perennial herb with flowers that can be pink, purple or blue. I got a snapshot of one of them to share its beauty with you.
I wish you all a nice weekend.

May 13, 2007

Yellow and Red Flowers for Mothers Day 2007

Yellow and Red Flowers for Mothers Day 2007
*© This Picture is Free

Although here in Barcelona Mothers Day was celebrated last Sunday, I would like to wish all mothers in the world a very beautiful anniversary to enjoy in the company of her beloved sons and daughters. To them I send them these impressive flowers, you may use them as wallpapers, print them, sell them, this particular picture I give everyone for free. Happy Mothers Day 2007!

April 28, 2007

Flowers from Madrid to Barcelona

Flowers from Madrid to Barcelona
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Hi, as many of you know, this blogger is spending his holidays in Madrid but I am already missing you. I want you all to have a nice weekend so here are these wild orange flowers for you to enjoy all the splendor of spring.

March 18, 2007

Flowers Against the Sky

Flowers Against the Sky
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Just another bunch of flowers to entertain the new week and administer the daily dose of energy to those friends living in cold weather countries. They have announced a drop in temperatures in Barcelona but I don't think it lasts too long after the good spring days we have enjoyed recently.

March 05, 2007

Almond Tree Flowers in the Early Spring

Almond Tree Flowers in the Early Spring
© All Rights Reserved

To start the new week a refreshing image of the fast upcoming spring: an almond tree as taken yesterday somewhere in Catalonia. Notice that the flowers are not mere blossoms but they are fully grown. It has been a spring day, a hot spring day in fact as I had to wear a T-shirt for a while. I hope these almond tree flowers give those of you enduring a bad weather something to dream on in the meantime. Hey, this is intended to make you happy not to make anybody feel envious!

June 28, 2006

Barcelona Wild Flowers

Wild Flowers


As you can see I am going wild with my posting so what better than wild flowers. 

I certify it is a picture taken somewhere in Barcelona, but if it weren't it doesn't really matter! I tried to capture them from a low angle as I did with daisies some time ago. I wish I had an image of a sundial but wild flowers have their own beauty too. 

If anyone happens to know the name please tell me.
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