Derelict Roses

I have had these roses since Christmas! They lasted pretty well as fresh flowers but have long since past this state.  As they were drying out beautifully, I have kept them with the intention of photographing their beauty even in 'death'.  Today, I thought it high time I moved them on to the compost heap where they will live again in a different form.

With a bit of fiddling around with layers and such like, their magnificence is recorded for ever!

Now I really must get on with something more productive - we are away for the weekend, I fly to the other side of the world on Tuesday and there is no packing done yet!