I’m coming late to this challenge, couldn’t decide what to post.
So here are a selection of images, of a flower in its prime, then of a flower glorious in decay:
Tulip in its prime

Sentinel tulip
..tulip bowing out

Chinese lantern tulip
A rose in its prime

Pink rose
..and a rose that is saying goodbye:

Ageing dark rose
A Japanese anemone in the garden

Rear view of Japanese Anemone
…and seen better days:

Slimmed down anemone
Linked to Lens Artists Photo challenge here
Oh Sue, I really like your entry showing the flower in their prime at various angles and showing them leaving. I know I’ve said it before you see beauty in the passing of a flower and show it so very graciously and beautiful. Wonderful post and it was worth waiting for. Thanks so much for playing in the Lens-Artist challenge. 😀
Thanks, Cee – pleased you enjoyed this post, thank you for your most generous comment!
Beautiful
Many thanks, Hina…glad you like this post
I suppose I should worry that I prefer the ‘decay’ photos so much more. But I don’t. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Fabulous!!
This is a challenge that really plays to your photographic strengths Sue; and the results are beautiful.
Many thanks, Su, much appreciated 😊
My oh my Sue, this one is a beauty. I love the way you showed full of life vs on the way out. I must say I find the dying images the more beautiful and interesting although all are wonderful
Thanks, Tina! Yes, I find the decay the most poignant, and I know some others do…pleased you enjoyed this post
And the full of life ones all have blurry backgrounds to showcase them better. 🙂 🙂
Of course! Bokeh and all
Naturally 😍
lovely
Thanks!
It really wouldn’t be a post from you without at least one dying flower. But these are all lovely images.
Many thanks, Margaret!
Excellent!! Love the variations. Well done.
Many thanks, John – glad you liked these!
Lovely shots.
Many thanks, Marie!
I love the contrasts and there is beauty too in the decay that you capture perfectly.
Thanks, decaying flowers can be really beautiful