Breakthrough
The ice at the edges of the road looked crisp. I watched, fascinated , as a large bubble of water would drift downward with the flow of gravity, stop for a moment, then break through a narrow passage in the ice forming shapes of various sizes.
Ann’s Orchid
This is for Ann, who looks in on my blog. I took a photo of her orchid, which is coming into bloom. At least I think this is hers, will include more than one, just in case. Ha Ha!
Growth in a Few Days
I have taken photos of this beautiful Amaryllis for two days now since I am house and dog-sitting. Not getting too far since having some setback with the breathing problems but went to the doctor and taking medicine, drinking lots of fluids and resting.
It is amazing how fast these flowers grow, will post more of these as well as my adventures with the dogs and the beautiful environment in the city parks.
This is one stem…on the 11th and the 14th…
And this is the other stem, on the 11th and the 14th
Close-up of Field Flowers
Since the flowers in my field guide are not always as clear as I would like, as are my photos, I am guessing that rather than lupine, this might be Tufted Vetch. Gosh, I could start another blog on this topic of wild flowers alone, but not sure that I have the patience.
Florals of Early Summer
While I have posted some photos of blooms in other posts, I will try to post here what I have not included yet. I love the effort and creativity that people put into their lawns and gardens and enjoy capturing the shapes and colours.Timing is so important because so many of these blooms do not last long. I appreciate the planning that goes into a garden that continually has colour so that when one flower fades, another rises to take it’s place.
I find it a challenge to capture an image of flowers and blossoms, especially lilacs, and come up with a pleasing composition.This is dedicated to all the gardeners and all the people who appreciate them and their work. Maybe I should give back by helping with the weeding once in a while…
A Call to Cull
Ah, back again. I needed to take pause to pay respect to the events of yesterday’s funeral after the violence against the police resulting in their deaths and injuries. Hope lies in its midst, as a community of heart assembles to support one another in caring, healing and recovering.
My computer is full and since I cannot afford a new one, some images have got to go. It is enjoyable to revisit much of what I have forgotten, sometimes making me pause in reflection, sometimes making me groan with “What was I thinking?” or just plain laughing out loud. I like this one from April of last year, so am keeping it for now.
1/15 sec @f/6.3, ISO 100, 170 mm
Looking at last year’s Gardens
Admittedly it is a little dull right now with dirty snow and brown turf just before the onslaught of glorious Spring. I like colour in my life and I am sharing past images of gardens. Most are close-ups and I admire the skill it takes to first of all design a garden and secondly to take a good photo of one. Master gardener Donna from Garden Walk Garden Talk blog has inspired me with her knowledge and skill with designing as well as photography. It takes some thought and planning to take a good image of flowers and gardens.
Below are two photos from my friend Lindsay’s garden.
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Here are some photos from the Alberta Legislature grounds.
Thank you Donna, for inspiring me, I want to make photographing gardens one of my projects for the upcoming year. It will be good for me to go for the walks , practice shooting and share the results. My other projects will include my passion for the birds and landscapes.That will keep me happy and busy.
Home Again but the Flowers linger On in my Memory
Yes,it is always good to get home. In retrospect, my favourite times were cuddling with the dogs and taking photos of the flowers in the morning and evening light and watching the bees.
More about Summer -this time the Flowers
I am dog-sitting at friends who also happen to have a beautiful bounty of flowers around the house. The lilies are blooming now as are the clematis. It all is so beautiful and I enjoy being outdoors, picking g off the tops of the lilies and picking raspberries which are numerous. These photos are not edited yet on this computer so there are a few pokies and crooked images. Similar to my life right now-it is what it is. 😉
Spring Flowers and More
Ii had to share some photos from our camera club’s last outing. We visited a greenhouse which was such a joy when all we have been getting is snow the last few weeks but it is melting and today it is actually raining! Amazing variety of things at the greenhouse both plants and gift ware. Another reason to celebrate:it is my 300th blog!
Weekly Photo Challenge: Purple
I thought that I would try this photo challenge thing, could not figure out how to become part of this until I subscribed to The Daily Post at WordPress.com It just so happened that I took a picture of a thistle when I was trying out my new Canon lens 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM supersonic and image stabilizer. Did not get a lens hood because I thought that I would use my Sigma hood but no such luck.
Oh I am going to be paying for this for a while but I see a difference already. Here’s a sample of clarity in the shade, hand-held.
©Jane Chesebrough
Grateful for Spring
Yes, I am grateful for the emerging spring green of leaves and grass, for the freshness of a rainy day, for the tinge of smoke from campfires, the shout of colour from all the blossoms bursting out. it renews my spirit and gets me in touch with my deeper self. I am grateful for the large picture as well as the small flowers on the forest floor that show their beauty. It is good to stop and appreciate. I feel at peace.
©Jane Chesebrough
Spring is Busting Out
Everything is so green now! It seemed to take longer to green up especially with three snowfalls in the last month, but then everything just burst out. So come for a walk with me along the river valley and see things from my point of view.
©Jane Chesebrough
©Jane Chesebrough
©Jane Chesebrough
©Jane Chesebrough
©Jane Chesebrough
Gerbera
©Jane Chesebrough
I bought this beautiful Gerbera to put under water but did not get my telephoto lens so put it in water the regular way.I look photos using a lamp and thought the effect was pleasant. I cropped it a little because it had that “pinched” look with the petals right at the edges . Shot at an aperture of f/5.6 at a slower shutter speed and hand-held the camera. This morning I checked my calls and my lens has arrived-been a month! Immediately after work I headed to the park and will post today’s results later. For now, here’s to the promise of spring and new growth. 🙂
Yellow Gerbera
©Jane Chesebrough
Red Poinsettias
- ©Jane Chesebrough
Took this photo at the Enjoy center. It is a beautiful place, with spas, flowers, Christmas decorations, cafes,and wonderful displays. I know it is still officially fall but I think it is time to change my header. Getting out to places where there are decorations gets me in the mood to put up my decorations, so the advent candles are out, my gingerbread house that lights up and plays to the tune of “sugar plum fairy”, tree angel, coffee with eggnog…
Sunny Days
©©Jane Chesebrough
I love going to my friend’s garden and was attracted to how the light shone on these sunflowers. They add so much brightness to the environment as well as the fact they feed the birds and attract different species into the yard.
March -spring is coming!!!!
I just shook my head today as I drove down the streets of Edmonton and saw piles of snow up to five feet deep. Tomorrow is the first day of March….so I decided to post a photo of an orchid after I plugged in the block heater in my car, since it is dropping to minus 33 tonight..sigh…
©Jane Chesebrough
One Extreme to the Other
©Jane Chesebrough
Whoa! It was cold outside today, minus 26 and dropping as the afternoon progressed. But I went out to do errands and while passing the Ski Club saw the snow blowing from the snow machines and loved the clouds and fog with the lowering light in the background. Didn’t last long out there because I was FREEZING. I wanted to have my “photo frenzy” that I promised myself yesterday so I went into the conservatory. Like I say, from one extreme to another. Now here’s a place where you can find a flowing waterfall in the middle of winter. My camera was hand-held, no tripod.
©Jane Chesebrough
Staying Indoors with the Orchids
- ©Jane Chesebrough
©Jane Chesebrough
My Heartsong 