Finding Joy In Being A Petalhead

Today we had a leisurely day and only initially intended to head out for a lunchtime pint at The Red Bull in Eccles. It was another resplendent spring day and we were more than happy to be in one of our favourite spots in the pub's garden with light filtering through the nearby trees as we enjoyed sating our liquid refreshment needs.
On our way home my brother persuaded me that we should again alight at The Friars (our local Carmelite Priory). Sometimes I feel like I know almost every inch of the grounds but I never tire of its serenity inducing qualities.
After an amble past the duckpond and a stroll along the Rosary Walk I entered the Peace Garden through the medieval gatehouse and decided that this would be the location of my blip image for today.
The Peace Garden has been thoughtfully designed to instil a sense of calm - with fountains, seating areas and beautiful planting.
The garden takes the visitor on a journey from the hot vibrant colours of the Fire Garden, the soothing movement of the grasses in the Wind Garden and finally to the tranquility of the water features and the blue and white planting of the Earth & Water Garden.
On this occasion my attention was particularly caught by the rich and vivid shade of red of some of the tulips in the Fire Garden which appeared particularly sublime as they were backlit by the glorious early afternoon sunlight. I wanted something other than a straight depiction so I crouched down to get this abstract style image by using some outer petals to frame an inner petal which had not yet unfurled.
Tulips really are amongst some of my favourite blooms - their tenure might be relatively brief but they always bring a real sense of joy to me at this time of year so I consider myself to be a bona fide petalhead :-)