Hollyhocks

A beautiful display of hollyhocks in Wannsee. I love the simplicity of these flowers, in German they're called farmers roses.

And a look at the hollyhock bicycle, which I featured here back in 2015. This bicycle had been parked in the same place for almost three years... just last week I saw that it was moved to another lamppost about 50 meters away. I wonder if it gets lonely now without its longtime hollyhock companion.

Fall color at its finest

We have been having the most beautiful fall here in Berlin. Here's just a small example of some of the color that I've found in my neighborhood. Plus there's a bonus fence! You'll find more of them at Good Fences. 

PS: I am posting more regularly on my travel blog at the moment, please stop by Halcyon Travels for more of beautiful Lisbon. 

Colorful blossom

I found this beautiful dahlia on my way to work. Hope you've got an exciting weekend planned. It's going to be a hot one in Berlin, but you know where I'll be - on the golf course!

Hydrangea season

The hydrangea season has passed, but I still have memories of all the beautiful plants and bushes I passed on my way to and from work. This white beauty really flowered nicely. Sometimes I miss having my own garden, but it certainly is nice to enjoy someone else's green thumb!

Floral bench

A look back at the beautiful rhododendrons in my neighborhood. I just love these small gardens you can find on almost every corner. It's a great way for the public to enjoy the beauties of nature.

Happy Independence Day to all my American readers!!!

Buttercup

These buttercups are no more, but it's nice to look back on some of the beautiful spring flowers I had in my balcony garden. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

PS: Take a look at Halcyon Travels for more of the highlights of Rotterdam.

Chestnuts in bloom

I don't think the chestnuts have ever been prettier in Berlin. This one near Akazien Strasse is an especially fine example.

Sailing...

It was a beautiful day to be out on the water this past weekend. I caught these sailors from my view on the Wansee Ferry.

Fancy tulips

It almost looks like a peony, but it's a tulip, I promise!

Golf reflections

This picture was from a few weeks ago. The weather has heated up a bit in Berlin since then, today's view was much different! It's still a nice reflection though. Hope you're having a great weekend, don't forget to visit Weekend Reflections.

Bold color

Despite the cold, gray skies in Berlin, many plants are coming out with their bright, bold colors. The wonderful yellow hues on this bush are warming to the spirit, if not to the actual body.

This week has really flown by. I am so glad the weekend is here. I have plans for some golf, but I hope I won't get hailed on like last weekend. That was most unpleasant. Hope you have fun plans for the weekend. Happy Friday!

A magnolia blooms in Kreuzberg

This spring has been an odd one in Berlin. Despite the cold, gray weather, a few Japanese Magnolias have been blossoming around town. I found this one on Mehringdamm in Kreuzberg, not far from where I found last Monday's mural.

Looking up

Looking up into the blue skies from my vantage point on the cherry tree bench. Hope you have a great weekend. You'll find more skies of all kinds at Skywatch.

Cherry benches year three

The cherries on the square have not been nearly as beautiful as last year or the year before. But I suppose that's a byproduct of an unseasonably warm winter - these trees were almost in full bloom back in January! It's shame though, they can be really beautiful.

April theme day: Beauty of simplicity

Though spring has officially started, it doesn't look or feel like it here in Berlin. Despite the low temperatures and cold wind, I have to admit there's a certain beauty in the bare branches of this tree and the gray sky. I just hope things will change soon, a bit of warmth and some blue skies can do wonders for your golf game.

A new month is upon us. For more examples of the Beauty of Simplicity, take a look here.

Signs of spring

Although we haven't had much sun or warm weather, the crocus are coming out like mad! I love the sight of them in spring. For more signs of all kinds, take a look at Signs, Signs.

I'm going to be away on a break for a bit. I'll see you in April!

A look around

As I explained earlier this week, the cemetery was left to ruin behind the Iron Curtain. There are a few reasons for the decay, one being there were not a lot of Jewish people left in Berlin after the war. Survivors mainly went to live in the US, Israel or other countries, so there was no Jewish community to maintain the graves. The other reason is practicing any type of religion was generally frowned upon in the communist GDR.

Today volunteers from Berlin's newly thriving Jewish community are working on restoring the graves and bringing some order to the wilderness.

I really enjoyed walking around through the older part of the cemetery and just taking a look at all of the names. I was also happy to see there are new burial areas, so these sacred grounds are being used once more. I'll show you some more of the cemetery tomorrow, but until then, you'll find more signs at Signs, Signs.

Park tour

We're back to Ernst Thälmann Park. It is actually not the prettiest of places, there was a lot of graffiti and vandalism, but I managed to find some nice things to show you during my stroll. These round benches must be popular during the summer months.

 

The pond and the vegetation around it was also really pretty with all the autumnal color in the trees and being reflected back.

And a last quick look at the leaves in close-up. Hope you've enjoyed the park. You'll find more reflections at Weekend Reflections.

PS: Don't forget to take a look at Halcyon Travels for more from my trip to Israel.

Chapel entrance

A perfect scene in black and white.

PS: Don't forget to stop by Halcyon Travels for a look at my recent trip to Israel.

Two years in Berlin!

It's hard to believe I've been in Berlin for two whole years now. Blogging has been a good motivator to get me out and about with my camera and I hope you've enjoyed exploring the city with me. This is another look out over the Spree from Monbijou Park with the Berliner Dom in the background. I am loving this season!

Though I've only been in Berlin for two years, I have been a member of City Daily Photo since 2007. I've made so many friends through this blog and my previous blogs and I've even had the good fortune to meet a few of you in person. Here's to many more years in Berlin, or wherever the winds may take me.