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Aug. 20 Photos

Category: Pianolady's Gardens | Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:47 am

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Even with the lack of rain, there are a few flowers doing well. The front gardens are getting watered now to keep them alive.

Geraniums


Dahlia Closeup


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D40 Auto vs. Macro/Auto vs. Program settings

Category: Pianolady's Gardens | Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 5:34 pm

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Here's some samples for you Joann. I did not alter or crop these photos. They were taken in full sun, and seem a bit overexposed imo, so I'll need to adjust that a bit next time.

Automatic Setting (point & shoot)


Automatic Macro Setting


Program Setting with low aperture setting


I actually don't see much difference between either automatic setting, the program setting is probably the setting you would want to use to get up-close photos with a blurred background. I'm only on day 2 with a DSLR, and use none of the automatic settings already. I could never achieve the results of the third photo with my point & shoot camera. The D40 is a really easy-to-use camera as long as you read the manual first! LOL

Last edited: Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:08 pm

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New Camera Day 2 (lots of photos)

Category: Pianolady's Gardens | Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:21 pm

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Today I actually read the Nikon D40 owner's manual (helps to know what you're doing), then went outside to try again. There are so many bells and whistles on this thing! It's so nice to be able to take 100 pictures without having to worry about the cost of film. The main thing I love about this camera over my point & shoot digital, is the lack of a lag between shots, waiting for the camera to get ready.

Butterfly Weed








Almost caught this guy clearly in flight.


I love the leaves on the variegated Weigela.




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August 15th Photos

Category: Pianolady's Gardens | Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:38 am

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We just got our Nikon D40 digital SLR, and I've got a bit of a learning curve to accomplish. So, I took the easy way out the first day, and took advantage of the auto focus feature.

Sam is 13 years old.


Purple Coneflowers


Glads


We had all that rain in Iowa earlier this year, now everything is turning brown because we haven't seen hardly a drop of rain since then.


Susans




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Those darn squirrels....

Category: Pianolady's Gardens | Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:19 pm

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Argh. I guess I'd better start feeding the squirrels. Maybe I can lure them away from my corn.



These pics are too big to post, but I'll leave links if anyone wants to see them. They're closer-ups of the back garden. It's in transition from a rose garden to cottage garden & it'll take a while. The winters are too harsh for the roses.

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

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Lilies

Category: Pianolady's Gardens | Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:33 pm

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I've always enjoyed lilies, they are always such great performers in the garden (and good subjects for a closeup).







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What's wrong with this view?

Category: Pianolady's Gardens | Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:11 am

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Rogue tree limbs, both dead and alive! But, always helpful hubby was to the rescue.



Ah, much better. Now I can see the entire garden looking out the window when I'm doing the dishes. It was getting dark by the time we were finished, so I'll try to get a better photo later.



Last edited: Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:06 pm

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Hidden Gardens...graphic heavy

Category: Pianolady's Gardens | Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:27 pm

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If you want to see the gardens at my home, you have to work at it. The front yard has a picket fence that hides what's inside, but in the back, I've built "natural" fences using trees, grasses, and shrubs to provide some privacy from the well-traveled road that runs along the back of the property.

Here's the drivers' views from the street. I've left one "window" open for those drivers who go slow enough to see it. Walkers-by stop for a closer look often. :)






Here's my "window" between the two river birch trees.


Of course, once you enter the driveway, everything appears!






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Boardwalk Garden July 1, 2008

Category: Pianolady's Gardens | Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:35 pm

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A generous relative gave me some money for my birthday, so I couldn't resist the ad on the sign in front of the nursery..."Roses, buy 2, get one free". So, I spent my birthday money on a Candy Land climber, Cherry Parfait, and Perfect Moment. Two aren't in bloom at the moment, but I know they'll be lovely.

The boardwalk garden continues to fill in nicely. I still have a few blank areas, where seed just sat and rotted in the ground I guess. Will try dividing plants instead.











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Visit to Seed Savers Heritage Farm

Category: Pianolady's Gardens | Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 5:32 am

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We took our yearly jaunt to Decorah, Iowa, and had to stop at the Seed Savers Heritage Farm while we were there.





We only had time to run into the visitor's center, but it is just as well, as rain wasn't far behind us! I did pick up some seed though: Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Gate (Polygonum orientale), Russell Lupine mix (Lupinus polyphyllus), Spider Flower mixture (Cleome Hasslerana), Love-Lies-Bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus), Prairie Lupine (Lupinus perennis), and Scarlet Magic Tassel Flower (Emilia coccinea).

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