Sunset Gladiolus Spike in Tiaret Garden Fog

Soft violet and orange hues from the dying sun wash over a single gladiolus spike standing tall among terraced earth. Early summer light catches the waxy texture of the petals, turning their edges into translucent ribbons of amber. A thin layer of morning fog rests on the low-lying soil between the stone terraces, softening the background rows of green foliage into pale, hazy shapes. The flower stem rises sharply from the damp, dark soil, its leaves folded tightly against the stalk. Shadows stretch long and cool across the terraced steps, against the warm glow on the upper blooms. The tip of the highest flower head rests just above the fog line, glowing with the last intensity of the day.