Jun 23 2010
so, a little while ago…
I invested in a new camera.
The one I was using did the job but it’s five years old and a little shaky and flaky at times.
So, as luck would have it (but these days, it’s not terribly hard to find some suitable deal, I find), a company I like to deal with had a deal on the camera brand I like (Fujifilm) when I started looking for a new one. I’ve had it for a little while and really appreciate some of the features like the anti-shake and fairly decent video capabilities, as well as its ability to to function in lower light situations than my old camera which did its best work in natural light.
I first bought my previous digital to capture still life shots, mostly of florals, and because we were expecting the little guy. I used to do watercolours back then, and coloured pencil work, but I haven’t really done any at all since the birth of Sam. However, he is going to be in school full time this fall so I’m hoping I can put my typical knitting startitis aside every once in a while and maybe sit still long enough to produce a few watercolours or other paintings now and again. Having the new camera has also woken up a little spark in me sort of aiming in such a direction as well.
So while I haven’t taken gardening shots, really, for years (it’s hard to think about photography when you have your eyeballs thinking about different colourways of hand-dyed yarn every waking minute), today and recently I’ve captured a few shots from the garden which some day might become some sort of floral still-life paintings.
But even if they don’t, I’m sure I will quite enjoy the photos on their own. I haven’t really done photography seriously since university when my old Pentax ME was still working. I like how the shots come out nicely clear and detailed and I really like the brilliant colour.
And, I’m pretty impressed with my garden this year, and what I’ve managed, considering I’m not always feeling like gardening but it really has come together nicely enough. Sometimes I think gardening is more about have time to really think about it than anything. And with this year being a little on the tough side at times, the little crisp spots of colour go a long way.
I’m happy to report some knitting has made it off the needles.
A little lacey shoulder shawl I’m pleased to have knitted out of one skein of the Asherah alpaca-merino lace. I’m working on a beaded version and a pattern will be available soon.
Back to gardening…
The roses are nearly finished. They took a beating the other day when we had downpours, but a few are still showing off nice punchy colour:
I didn’t count the blossoms but I’m betting on around a hundred or so.
And, the Silver Lace is going absolutely nuts this year:
I know vines are not everyone’s cup of tea but I really appreciate the extra shade this one allows.
And, my prized white hydrangea. A few weeks back, it looked like this:
Today it looks like this, slightly mangled. Yesterday it was sprawled all over the steps to the right due to heavy rain. :( It’s now held in place by a little netting at the bottom and I hope it’s enough to help it stay upright.
Unfortunately, there were a few broken stems. Several blossoms have come into the house with me where I can enjoy them.
This one resides in a anniversary glass gifted in honour of my parents’ silver anniversary. I thought it was a pretty combination.
And, no, it’s not my anniversary (that was last month). But, it’s June. It’s bound to be someone’s anniversary. Happy Anniversary.
