Last year I came across a Martagon lily at a local garden centre and did a little dance of joy. 
I have wanted a Martagon for years. Once home, I planted it near the main walk in the back garden. This spring, I was secretly thrilled with the appearance of new green shoots.
Every day brings a few new blooms and I was pleased to find that they have reawakened my joy in photographing my garden again. Last year, I couldn’t work up the enthusiasm to take my camera out and contented myself with taking photographs with my phone.
For the past few days, I have taken out my camera and experimented with my macro lenses. Mostly I get distracted with seeing all the minute things, like tiny bugs and exquisitely-rendered spiderwebs that escape our regular sight.
So, thank you Martagon, for the inspiration. Long may you bloom. 
in the autumn light 
Yea, Kate! So nice you’ve been inspired to photograph again!!! I’m not familiar with this lily, but it’s truly beautiful. Is it at all related to “turk’s cap lily?”
And it’s so nice to be able to visit again. 🙂
Your lilies are stunning! Thank you for the beautiful photos!
Hello, Kate. Lovely to see you’re still here!I hope you’re well?
And yes, a lovely lily. Alas, not one I can grow here!
Hi Kate – nice to see you post again! I went to a martagon show last year and swooned. Definitely a plant I would like to add to my garden. Your photos are gorgeous – I am so glad you felt inspired. 🙂
Stunning image, Kate. So happy to hear from you 🙂
I’m happy hearing from you again.
Kss.
I can see why you are taken with it. What a lovely flower. Good to see your post!
Gorgeous flower. Great pictures. How could you not take pictures of something this lovely?
Welcome back! And what a stunning re-entry into the blogosphere.
These are lovely, Kate. Mine are just beginning to bloom!
Kate, I’m glad to see you posting and photographing again! And a really nice subject too. I had one martagon lily bulb that was dug up by some critter and I never got to see any flowers.
Beautiful photos! Glad you are back to posting as well.
Martagons are so lovely, no wonder they’re also inspirational!
That is indeed a very beautiful lily!
It is a beautiful Lily! I know the feeling when you get tired of the routine and life just goes on; and then there comes an inspiring moment which catapults you back into action.
This Martagon has just the right look for that inspiration: may we see more of smudges in times to come.
It’s so nice to read again from you (I like your new header!). And you restart to blog with such a beautiful lily. Just wonderful!
Hi Kate,
I hope you’re having an awesome week! I thought you might like this infographic I helped build about the health, mental, and financial benefits of gardening (http://blog.lochnesswatergardens.com/how-gardening-benefit/).
If you think your readers would like it too, please feel free to use it on the Kate Smudges blog. There’s code at the bottom of our post that makes it super easy to post on your blog. It’s all free (of course). If you have any questions about posting it, let me know and I’ll try to help.
I don’t know where else to contact you so I just posted a comment here. 🙂
Thanks!
~ Janey
janealvarado83@gmail.com