this is brilliant, Astrid.
The nest if half-empty...I wonder if Mum is sad?

Picturit: Ray, your words mean a lot to me, I know dandelions are very common, but sometimes we don't see the beauty of it, I know it is the pest for my grass....but I always have to look at them...
If mom has any sense she would be proud to know that her children can survive in this world, that means she did a good job....
Astrid.

mother nature is alive and well.

Picturit: It sure is Vintage, the never ending circle of life.
Astrid

amazing detail. i like the vibrant green background.

Picturit: Thanks David, there were hundreds on the side of the road, an amazing sight.
Astrid

OMG, Astrid. It's like each little tuft is its own dandelion clock. I don't think I've noticed that before!

I love your comparison to a Life Journey and how we just don't know where Sophia Wind will carry us. I think it's a good thing we don't know ahead of time. Besides, I'm one who likes surprises. Are you?

Picturit: I love surprises, I would not mind if the wind took me to some far destination and see what happens....Sophia will know though....and I think I will have a blast again....
Astrid

One of natures great time piece's. As a child you blew it to see how many times it would take to clear the head, then that was ment to be the time.
Beautiful detail Astrid

Picturit: We always would blow these things and watch the parachutes carried away by the wind, thanks so much for your kind words.
Have a great day.
Astrid.

When I was a kid I was fascinated by this plant, and I still am!
Great details here Astrid.

Picturit: Thank you Richard, they are very fascinating, it is one of the wonders of nature, so well thought of, so delicate.
Astrid.

I love that you got the one falling and is pin sharp. Excellent

Picturit: Thanks Nigel for your kind words...I had to get the timing right..but well on my vacation I have all the time of the world..
Astrid.

This is the best photograph of a dandelion clock I have seen Astrid. Amazing to have caught one of the parachutes in mid-flight like that. I'm not usually a fan of macro shots but this is great, plus it has an extra dimension of meaning.
Ingrid

Picturit: Ingrid, I was really thinking if I would post this one, it is so 'normal', than I decided...I like it, it is the story behind it, in the polder we have thousands of dandelions..and when the wind is blowing, it is like invaders from the sky....
Your words mean a lot to me, I was standing next to a windy road on Texel and just took my luck...I had all the time of the world.
Astrid.

Very nice shot is this one,
nice sharpness!

Picturit: Thanks Robbie, on Texel there are hundreds of these dandelions, it is a pleasure to see them flying around.
Astrid.

een wondermooie foto- zo zacht en duftig en luchtig! Ik hou van de dandelion sinds mijn kindertijd, we noemen deze bloem 'Pusteblume'/paardenbloem en we hadden/hebben altijd veel plezier bij het blazen.... Enkele Duitse gedichtjes loven de schoonheid van deze poetische plant! (helaas nog niet in het Nederlands of Engels vertaald)

Löwenzahn

Fliegen im Juni auf weißer Bahn
flimmernde Monde vom Löwenzahn,
liegst du versunken im Wiesenschaum,
löschend der Monde flockenden Flaum.

Wenn du sie hauchend im Winde drehst,
Kugel auf Kugel sich weiß zerbläst,
Lampen, die stäubend im Sommer stehn,
wo die Dochte noch wolliger wehn.

Leise segelt das Löwenzahnlicht
über dein weißes Wiesengesicht,
segelt wie eine Wimper blass
in das zottig wogende Gras.

Monde um Monde wehten ins Jahr,
wehten wie Schnee auf Wange und Haar.
Zeitlose Stunde, die mich verließ,
da sich der Löwenzahn weiß zerblies.

Peter Huchel (1903-1981)

Picturit: Philine, dank je wel voor dit wondermooie gedicht, je weet dat ik het Duits redelijk tot goed beheers, ik heb het hardop gelezen, het klinkt prachtig en in gedachten zie ik de parachutes van de paardenbloemen.
Het is leuk dat de paardenbloemen geen grenzen kent, over de hele wereld hebben de kinderen en volwassenen ze 'leeggeblazen'.
Hartelijke groeten, Astrid.

The wind blows extremely, but nature quickly takes back its rights

Picturit: You are so right here, awanderer (love your name) thanks for visiting.
Astrid

Lovely macro Astrid, nice DOF

Picturit: Thank you so much Aussie, it was just fun to wait for the right moment.
Astrid

I have some of these coming up in a few days, wonder what you think of them. This one is very good, good DOF

Picturit: I will find it, I am not every day on the internet but I will keep it in mind, thank you for your kind words.
Astrid.

Great picture Astrid and I like the poetic style description. However, our lawn is covered in these plants which is the downside to such a delicate plant!

Picturit: I feel with you, when we get wind from the polder I always have to make sure, the seeds don't settle in.... thank you for your kind words.
Astrid.

Mmmmmm .... dandelion debri. richard

Picturit: You meant depris???? yes it is...LOL
Astrid

Every one else showcases the dandelion in its full glorious beauty, but I love the way you captured it this way,realities of life---equally beautiful

Picturit: Thanks Maria, life is tough and it is reality..wind is the end of this dandelion...but the circle of life will be closed if the seeds settle down..
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Astrid.

Looks like one of them is jumping away.
I like the details and the green background

Picturit: One is almost ready for take-off....thanks Magnus for your kind words.
Astrid

Captured just at the right time as one of the seeds leaves to start its journey.

Picturit: It took a while but I am on vacation, so not in a hurry at all.
Astrid.

Great macro shot. Very sharp and beautiful green tones.

Picturit: Thank you for your kind words, I could not resist this shot.
Astrid.

If you blew on it, you may get a lot of children yet ;-)
Fine detail!

Picturit: Can I get those 'children' up for adoption....I need a bigger house than...thanks Wim for you kind words.
Astrid.

Excellent detail, maybe you can answer tomorrow's question.

Picturit: Thanks Louis, I hope I can answer it, have a nice evening.
Astrid.

Only one word : SUPERB !!
I like this flower.

Picturit: Thank you so much for your kind words,
Astrid

That is such a touching description, Astrid 2008. Goedearnund btw. I like that seed as it leaves. You should have put your name on the stalk though.

Picturit: Thank you Chad...I did not dare to put my name on the stalk....the grass next to the roads are full of those balls of seed.....it really is beautiful, they sheered the sheep....funny animals now.
Have a great evening.
hartelijke groeten
Astrid.

Probably in my back garden This is a super shot Astrid and it's going in my likeys

Picturit: I am honoured Bill, thank you so much, I know the seeds can be a pest....but oh so beautiful
Astrid.

Super...

stunning shot Astrid, the one that got away eh to pastures new

Picturit: You are so right here, thank you for your kind words.
Astrid.

The dandelions are going nuts here this year. And I am finding them beautiful. Great detailed hairs!

Picturit: Thanks Ruth, there are so many here, it is a lovely sight, I know it is a pest.....
Astrid.

Classic subject but so well executed! Great job Astrid, just brilliant.