Camera Practice

On Saturday night, Scot and I went to the opening of the Spring Flower Show at Phipps.  With the weather refusing to be at all like spring, I was really looking forward to wandering around in warm temps and surrounded by pretty flowers.

I was also hoping to get some practice in with my camera.  I wanted to play with the macro settings on the camera and see what they could do for me.  I know I'm going to have to jump into full manual mode if I want to have super awesome shots but I'm not there yet.  For now, I'm still getting used to the camera and all it can do it.  I haven't even managed to plow through the whole manual yet (I'm about halfway there.)

But, despite my shortcomings as a photographer, I got a few shots that I liked.

I've always loved grape hyacinths. 

I had never seen hyacinths this color before.

 I can't remember the name of this one but I love it.

The 1/4 of me that is Dutch adores all the pretty red tulips.

That last one isn't a macro shot, of course,  but I liked it so much it's now my desktop.  When I wake up in the morning and it's 17 degrees outside and it struggles all day just to hit 40 degrees, that picture filled with bright spring color makes me happy.

Blooms

My garden is an embarrassment.  The weeds have completely taken over.  I haven't mulched in two years.  There is lawn where there isn't supposed to be lawn.  And the lawn?  It could really stand to be mowed.

But, despite the chaos, I have flowers blooming.

Looky!  Black Eyed Susans!

This is a miracle.  I've been trying to get these to bloom since I planted them when we first moved in back in 2007.  Usually the resident deer population eats them to nubbins before they even manage to bud.  This year, for reasons unknown, they've decided that my garden does not resemble the buffet at the Grand Concourse and they've left my poor plants alone.  Also, I've remembered to pepper regularly (although I've done that in years past, too).  Maybe there are too many other tasty weeds to choose from so they're not interested in the stuff I would actually like to see survive.

And looky again!  Look at all those buds!

Also, my gladiolas have begun to burst forth.

My hostas are blooming as well.  This is another small miracle because hostas are apparently heroin if you're a deer.  My hostas have regularly been the victims of the eaten-to-nubbins phenomenon.

One day, years from now, when the children are capable to not killing themselves if I'm not watching them with eagle eyes (Jamie, I'm looking at you), I will be able to show you my gardens and be proud.  For now, this will have to do.