Fall is a good time to visit the Italian Gardens. The gardens are less packed with plants and it is easier to isolate a subject. It was supposed to be mostly cloudy, but it was mostly sunny and very bright, so I used my Infrared camera, which works well in bright conditions and really shows … [Read more…]
The reflections at the Italian Gardens create surreal photographs. I look for areas that have less debris and some cloud reflections to add texture. Lotus leaves are great subjects. The blossoms and seed pods are secondary subjects. The fish below is not taken with my Infrared camera, but the cloud reflections make me wonder if she is swimming through … [Read more…]
The water lilies at the Italian Gardens are prolific this year. I like to go on a partly cloudy day to take advantage of the reflections. I usually use my Infrared camera here because the Lilies don’t open until after 8:30 am and it can be very bright by then. This day it was more … [Read more…]
I like to spend time everyday outside photographing. Growing flowers in my garden increases the odds that will happen. This June has been hot and dry, which has been both good and bad for flowers. I spend a lot of time watering. I like the glow around the Zinnia. The Calendula that is just opening … [Read more…]
I find it hard to not stop at the roadside to photograph the poppies. There is such a variety of shapes and a few surprising colors mixed in with all the bright orange. I am not the only one that enjoys the poppies. I found this cute Jumping Spider staring at me as I took the photo. Jumping Spiders … [Read more…]
I visited the poppies by the expressway again. There are many poppies past prime, but still many photographs to be had. I have a photographer friend, Courtland White, who finds faces in landscapes. It is called “Pareidolia,” the human tendency to perceive patterns, particularly faces, where none exists. He says that once you see the … [Read more…]
Clematis is a very strange name for a beautiful flower. The plural is tricky to say – Clematises. The Clematises in our yard come to us from a former owner of our house. They have been blooming reliably every spring for the 11 years that we have lived here. They are a lot of fun to … [Read more…]
I had never seen a Clary Sage blossom before I purchased a small plant at an herb festival. The plants are about 3 feet tall and have multiple blossoms. They have seeded themselves in my garden and now their population must be kept down. Since it is a biennial, it took 2 years for the Clary … [Read more…]
I revisited the Calla Lilies at the conservatory and found this friendly trio. This was in an area of pots full of Calla Lilies and I darkened the background to eliminate the clutter and fully highlight these beauties.
Peonies are one of my favorite flowers. I love their colors and fragrances. I only get to enjoy them for a few weeks each spring, but I have noticed them popping up in supermarkets for an extended time. Often peonies do not like rain and they get mashed down and decay more quickly when … [Read more…]