Red & Gold in the Veg Patch

I spotted this gorgeous flower growing in a vegetable garden alongside Rainbow Chard, cabbages and broad beans. I was surprised to see it there and I was immediately drawn to it.

I have looked through hundreds of pictures of flowers trying to identify it but I had no luck so if you can help me out I would be very grateful.

I love the different elements of the flower, I have cropped the central section to show off the soft feathery stamen which are a delight. I also love the lush velvety petals in a deep burgundy red fringed with yellow complementing the yellow fronds at the centre. It really is a lovely flower.

Capital Sculpture

In May 2011 I had to go down to London for a couple of days for work.  I took my camera of course and went for a walk around the city taking pictures of some of the usual sites but also some more random and less obvious things, like for example the statues shown above which were in some out of the way spots.  

I had intended to show all monochrome images today but the dragons in the third picture definitely work better in colour with the rich red and gold.

Let me know what you think in the comments below.