Flowers etc

What first got me into photography was flowers.  Seeing flowers through the camera lens somehow opened up the intricacies and complexities and symmetries of flowers for me.  Not to mention the sheer beauty.  Endless permutations of colours and patterns and shapes and shades and sizes.  
These were taken at Government House, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, "the Ceremonial Home of all British Columbians". 

 A  grand place with sweeping views over the Straits.  

I'd been to the house on several occasions but had never taken the time to stroll through the grounds and the flower gardens.  So it was a revelation to me to see how lovely they are.  An outstanding rose garden and paths that wound around the hillside through the gardens, interspersed with benches to sit and admire the views.   A colourful, quiet oasis.  The property encompasses 36 acres and contains a number of different gardens tended by different volunteer organizations.   For more:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_House_(British_Columbia)