July's Cool Start

I’m making a concerted effort to visit the Japan house tea garden at least bi-weekly, and I visited yesterday. I sat meditating on my surroundings on a perfect morning. Cool, dry and sunny on the first of July, manifesting spring vs summer but I’m relishing it. I take several photos, still focusing on shadows in contrast with light.

 

 

 
I'm challenging myself to observe my surroundings using all my senses. I hear the scuttling of squirrels scaling trees around me, eyeing me as a potential source of cast away food. I also heard the rhythmic chatter of pond frogs surfacing from water’s edge when I arrived. I’m sheltered in dappled shade, morning light rims the leaves of the Japanese maples around me.

 

 
Outside the tea garden I encountered Bell flower / campanula in bloom, a serene ocean blue color with a delicate scent.

 

 
I’m sitting on a large slatted, flat, wooden bench that provides no back support but it allows me to expand physically and figuratively. I originally sat in the lean to area towards the front of the garden but felt it very constricting. I prefer the expanse of this seating space. I am hit in the head by a Maple seedling, dispatched to the ground by the wind. I look up and see pairs of the pods clustered amidst the leaves. Of course I take out my camera and hopefully I captured their lacy wings, tipped in the faintest peach color.

 

 
Update, those photos were meh but I got other keepers - like these delicate reeds edging the pond:

 

 
An inviting path:

 

 

 
A follow up to post on the YouTube video on the present state of music - Rick Beato posted another commentary stating young people don’t want to practice to learn an instrument, they rely on the tools to make up for their lack of mastery. Shudder. But what caught my eye was one of the comments regarding social media:

 

 
“Social media has become a cheap substitute for real life experiences.” People would rather watch someone else’s talent or experience vs doing the work themselves. It’s far easier to be entertained for 60 seconds and get your dopamine hit after hit after hit, the problem is you only consume and never contribute or better yourself. Understandably, hard work is just that - hard.

 

 
So, seek ways to keep growing and learn new things. Eventually, what starts off as hard eases into accomplishment and a sense of enjoyment.

 

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Searching for Light and Dark

I recently attended an on-line photography seminar run by Two Mann Studios and got inspired to utilize more shadows in my photography. I visited a local Japanese garden and created these images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Created with my macro lens which I'm using a lot in the garden. Have a great weekend!

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The Daily - September 18, 2023 - Monday

Another wild dream - I’m in a cabin where I need to change clothes for upcoming travel. A group of people come up to cabin’s open screened window and spray mace inside. Or something like a smoke bomb. I gather my things and go. Then I’m at the airport and the gate is up at some mezzanine level between the first and second floor. I take the special stairs and enter an area that feels like a viewing box at an arena. Then I’m called to the gate and have to climb over people. I discover my ticket is to Germany, not home to Champaign. I’m traveling for Cabot but don’t have any of the phone numbers and I’m trying to figure all of that out. I realize I can make the flight change at the gate with the agent and I wake up. So weird!!!

 

 
30 minute bike, 20 laps and 20 minutes in the sauna. It’s chilly outside this morning and I’m now hanging out by the pond wrapped in my swim parka!

 

 
I followed up on medical insurance tasks which always makes me anxious - I know it shouldn’t but that’s something I need to work on. I did find out the local Walgreens is part of the prescription network so that is good and I can transfer any existing scripts from the CVS.

 

 
I learned a photo I had submitted to Champaign Forest Preserve’s calendar contest was short listed for inclusion in the calendar. The final process allows people to vote on their Facebook page to select the top 14 photos. I submitted two photos and this one made the cut. I took the photo in late July at the Buffalo Trace Prairie. The title is "Surprise Visitor" - can you tell why?

 

 

 
I cooked the pork dumpling meatballs and they were very tasty. I looked in on Janice’s cats. Scott came home and we ate, took a walk then went to the Aldi. I was disappointed with the empty produce shelves but happy with the selection of grass fed steaks at a nice price - we had great rib eye steaks over the weekend - so yummy.

 

 
I didn’t sleep great last night so was very tired once the sun set (7pm). We’re trying to keep lights low once the sun goes down - emphasizing that circadian rhythm element to gain better sleep.

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I Can Buy Myself Flowers

One of the most over played, overused songs of 2023 and yet here I am, falling prey to its catchy theme. The over arching message is just so damn relatable - self empowerment, self care and self love. I don’t need to wait for someone to deem me worthy enough to shower me with flowers. I will buy them for myself because they are beautiful and bring me joy.

 

 
I recently discovered a local flower farm - only 3 miles away - that sells bouquets from their roadside farm stand. It’s an honor payment system - a drop box for cash or pay via Venmo. The farm utilizes responsible growing methods and of course, I love supporting a local business. Through this vendor I’ve discovered the ranunculus flower and now I can’t get enough.

 

 

 

 
The ruffles are to die for - like layers of a croissant!

 

 

 

 

 

 
I enjoy these beauties every time I pass them in the kitchen. Looking forward to having more flowers in the house in the coming season.

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Herald The Cherry Blossoms

I finally had the chance to see this season's cherry blossom bounty yesterday, on the most perfect spring day. Sunny, barely 70 degrees F and no wind set the backdrop of a lovely two hour stroll around the Japanese Garden grounds. Armed with my cameras and accompanied by photo friends who don't mind looking at a single tree or flower for over 10 minutes, we studied the light, looked for bees and tried to capture the essense of these pale pink and ivory clusters of flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
In comparing these photos with my earlier Crab Apple blossoms, I had to research the difference between the Cherry and Crab Apple blossom since they really look the same. I learned the Cherry Blossom centers only have one single main stem Stigma carried on a Style, surrounded by numerous Anthers. A Crab Apple blossom Style branches out several Stigmas. That is the only difference! The petals of both local varieties are notched in the center.

 

 
Bonus photo - taken from my sister's backyard in North Carolina, where spring is 2-3 weeks ahead. Another Cherry Blossom - this one is a double style blossom, a Kwanzan Cherry. I did not know there was such a variety - they are so beautiful!

 

 
Finally, a group selfie of me and my photog friends, who will go to great lengths to get "the perfect shot":

 

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Lilac and Peony Season

I like all things lilacs - the color, the flowers, especially the heady fragrance. I did a quick search on the blog for the word “lilac” and it turns out I’ve churned out many images and words over the years with similar sentiment. I always find time to capture their spring blooms and this year is no different.

 

 
After an overnight frost warning, tiny dew drops formed on our lilac bush as the morning sun melted away the thin film of rime. The cold didn’t damage the flower buds, instead leaving glittering spectacle that caught my eye (while I was washing some dishes!).

 

 
Growing up, I associated the lilac with my birthday at the end of May, their blooms coinciding with each passing year. In Illinois, they bloom earlier so my birthday flower has been supplanted by the equally beautiful peony. The early varieties started blooming in the last week or so. Locally, Allerton Park showcases peonies in a massive garden so I headed there last weekend, hopeful to catch a beautiful sea of blooms.

 

 

 

 
The cooler weather slowed the emergence of blooms so the garden has not peaked yet. This merely means I will visit again in the coming weeks - I’ll probably visit at least two more times!

 

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Finding Calm

I'm at a loss for words given current events. My heart aches, so I retreat to that which brings me solace: Flowers, nature, the outdoors, ambient sounds of gurgling water, the birds and even the buzzing insects.

I met with running friends last weekend at Allerton Park to take photos of the peonies in their full glory. Through our running connection, I learned a few of us also shared a passion for photography. This was the first time we gathered for a photo-centric outing and I suspect we will do this again in the future.

Choosing to hold our outing on Sunday evening meant less crowds, nice evening light, and by chance, no wind...

This is Yahsin - she shoots with film and develops her own photos. This is something I plan to take up once I retire. You can see the expanse of the Peony garden - we are lucky to have this gem a short drive away from town. This was my first visit with the flowers in bloom. I made a visit several years ago, during the summer.

We found calm in the presence of beauty, nature and the singing mosquitos.

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Tulips and Aging Gracefully

I seldom pass the opportunity to purchase cut tulips in the store. They beckon me with their teardrop shape and graceful stems. I know I will be rewarded with a week of ever changing blooms as the tulip fully opens and finally withers.







This bouquet lasted me almost 10 days! On the last morning, even with mostly yellowed leaves and wrinkled petals barely holding on, they still gave me immense enjoyment and caused me to reflect on the prospect of aging. If the tulip can die gracefully, and in each phase of aging retain beauty, giving joy to those around them, then that is how I want to age. (Because let's all be real - each passing year brings new aches, loss of some ability and physical changes that we don't like).


Like the old tulip - open, wrinkled, withered and faded - I aim to open myself up to new ideas, new technologies; to not get bogged down in what used to be, to not close myself off from the world and people. To be flexible and flowing; to open up and show the insides that had been hidden in youth. To embrace the imperfections, the wrinkles, and know those marks still give off your beauty. To give love and joy to those around you - like the fading tulip.

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Focus Stacked Macro Tulips

With the current Stay at Home directive, I've been working from home, my kids are back from being overseas and I have a tiny bit more time on my hands. It's a great time to learn something new and I decided to try my hand at Focus Stacking. With Focus Stacking, multiple photos taken with different focus points are merged together. The composite image renders more of the subject in focus when compared with any individual image.

I own a wonderful macro lens, but due to the shallow depth of field (small slivers of the subject in focus) I find it challenging to output what my eye envisions. Focus stacking gives me the output I desire.

Case in point - the photo below has the lovely stamens in focus, but that's about it. The petals are blurry, and I while I like the overall photo, wouldn't it be great to have all of it focus?


So, to create a focus stack, select your subject and take multiple photos with different portions of the subject in focus. The most effective way is to use a tripod. The camera should be as stable as possible. A focus tip - use the Live view option on your camera (most newer cameras have this feature) and move the focus rectangle around your subject. For higher control, zoom in with live view to refine the focus area.

I'm looking down the wee opening of a white tulip - I've captured the yellow stamens here and the rest of the bloom is fuzzy, much like the first photo.


I shifted my focus point to the edge of the bloom opening. The stamens are but a yellow blur.


In the third photo, the middle section of the petals are in focus.


I used four photos in the focus stack, it was very similar to the third photo.

Here is the composite photo:

I see the stamens and the petals in focus! Success!

Here is another focus stacked composite of another tulip, taken from the side. I used 5 photos to create this composite.


Of course, the composites were created with the help of photo imaging software. Yes, you can do this in Photoshop, but I found an alternative - Affinity Photo, which automates the focus stacking process just like Photoshop without the price tag and subscription requirements. I've downloaded a 90 day trial and so far have been extremely impressed by this photo editor's capabilities. I will most likely purchase the software (currently a steal at $25!).

I have more tulip photos to run through so look for more in the coming weeks.

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April 2020 Free Calendar Download - Onion Bloom

An onion bloom doesn't really conjure up thoughts of spring right?
While not a quintessential, sought after garden plant, onion varieties like Allium provide interest with their long stems and spherical blossom heads.

I photographed this bloom in progress out of my neighbor's vegetable garden. Its delicate, snow white florets against the deep green caught my eye. The partial burst of open and tightly wound buds felt like Spring's potential about to bust wide open.



To download April's calendar, click on this link from Box.com
Link --> April Calendar 2020 - Onion Bloom

I hope everyone is doing well, hunkered down in their homes during the Covid-19 pandemic. We're all fine here on the prairie. Will share more soon.

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Sticking Around

Another week, another snowfall! This time, instead of melting away quickly, the snow stuck around for four days, and more impressively, adorned the tree branches for three full days. That is an anomaly for this area - normally we receive a snowfall, the wind picks up and the snow is blown off every branch and horizontal surface. This time, the snow started off wet, stuck to everything and then the temperatures fell precipitously to the single digits, flash-freezing the snow to everything.

The icy snow - Defying gravity on day one (Thursday)


From the pine trees in the back yard:




Friday morning greeted us with brilliant sunshine but sub-zero temperatures without the windchill. I took this from the kitchen, looking at those same pines.


Saturday morning I headed to the forest preserve with friends, hopeful for a winter wonderland. I wasn't disappointed.



We hiked through the powdery snow, caught some wildlife and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings.




It's all so fleeting - on Sunday, warmer air coupled with the sun melted the snow off the trees. Today the rain is washing away the remnants. My philosophy - get out and enjoy it while you still can.

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The Onion Blooms [Macro]

When one says "onion", the first thought centers around the pungent, tear inducing layered bulb, not the greenery above ground and most certainly not the pretty flowers produced by the developing stalks. A search on the generic term "allium" yields photos of Giant, Decorative Allium, revered for its huge, magenta - purple blooms, commonly offered through glossy nursery catalogs. I found these white beauties in my friend's backyard - her husband grows a wide variety of produce, including the lowly onion. A closer look and you see the beauty in these perfectly spherical blooms.

I initially took several photos with my 24-70mm lens but quickly determined I would not be happy with the pseudo sharpness I was seeing due to the lens limitations and my poor hand held technique. So I dug out my macro lens.







I really should use this lens more.

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Wings To Fly

I spent part of Sunday morning weeding the garden [Yes, I was really doing the hated chore that is called Yard Work], noting the heavy prevalence of thistle, crabgrass, prickly lettuce and other undesirables in the lawn, when something buzzed near my head.

Fortunately, not a wasp (I really don't like wasps, especially after several nested in the back of the mailbox and went after me when I reached in to pull out the day's mail - I think I ran screaming around the cul de sac - and yeah, I got stung twice).

It was a harmless dragonfly, flitting around our fish pond - I watched the buzz of his wings as he circled around - at the high frequency of flight, his wings appear to be a blur of blue. The he grabbed one of the Iris leaves and settled into stillness. To my surprise, its wings weren't blue, but clear with black and white spots.

And so the yard work was abandoned for a few minutes because I had just found my newest photo shoot subject...



He was a bit skittish - if I got too close, he would take off, circle around, but then find purchase again on the same branch or leaf. I was able to get several decently detailed photos before relinquishing my camera for the garden gloves.



After some web research, I learned my subject was a male twelve-spotted skimmer. Although this dragonfly is fairly common, I was glad to have captured its amazing transparent wings. And with these photos, I've hit 10,000 uploads to my flickr stream.

Yup, I take a lot of photos.... because I really need an excuse to get out of yard work every now and then....

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