Pianolady's Blog at GardenStew.com

Reiman Gardens, Part 2

Pianolady — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:54:12 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:54 pm (GMT 0)

Here's the pond area at the botanical gardens. My panoramic came out fair, although a bit blurry.

Reiman Gardens, Ames, Iowa Part 1

Pianolady — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:45:45 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 12:45 am (GMT 0)

Reiman Gardens is located on the Iowa State University campus. The gardens cover 14 acres just south of Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.

A few photos from our visit Sept. 6th.

Early Autumn Photographs

Pianolady — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:46:49 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:46 am (GMT 0)

It seems like autumn appeared overnight, as we had been in the 90's until yesterday. Then, we barely got out of the 60's today! Overcast skies encouraged a day of photo taking, and I managed to snap a few shots after work before it got too dark.

This cardinal was way up high, but I was determined to get him captured.

The hostas underneath the walnut tree are putting on quite the show right now. I'm not usually a hosta flower fan, but the mass bloom is very nice.

Church Sanctuary Interior....con't. from previous post

Pianolady — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:57:28 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 5:57 pm (GMT 0)

The interior is modern, but not over-the-top. Thankfully, things were kept simple, and easy to rearrange. They did choose to go with chairs that hook together into rows. There are chairs with arms, and loveseat chairs too, enough variety to please everyone. The panoramic photo is a bit skewed, but I couldn't find a way to fix it well. The seating actually curves towards the front, not to the back. The seating can also be moved into other formations, as nothing is attached to the floor.

Click Here to see seating (large file).

This congregation combined from two separate congregations whose churches were either in a poor location, or very old and high maintenance. One was torn down, and I was able to purchase their church organ at the auction (which is now in my piano studio). The stained glass windows from the two former churches were removed an put into storage while the new church was built, then installed at each end of the main foyer to the new church.

Each large window hangs from ceiling beams.

The front of the sanctuary is very understated but very usable space, with lots of light.

New Church Building

Pianolady — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 01:04:04 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 5:04 am (GMT 0)

The congregation we attend recently moved into a newly constructed building. Many windows light up the interior of the sanctuary and the narthex.

Enjoying the Beautiful Weather

Pianolady — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:17:45 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:17 am (GMT 0)

This is my favorite time of the year, air conditioner gets shut off, windows thrown open, and there's no excuse not to spend as much time as possible outside. I can't say I'm getting much work done, as I seem to be attached to a camera 24/7 right now. But, the weeds will still be there for me to pull next week.

Hummingbirds made their daily visits....

Zinnias

Mexican Hat

Experimenting with Effects

Pianolady — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:38:46 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:38 pm (GMT 0)

These were just a few experiments with a macro shot.

Back to the Gardens

Pianolady — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:22:27 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 8:22 pm (GMT 0)

Tried my hand at using the macro lens & manual focus. I must say the auto programming of the other lens is so much easier! But, a few came out pretty good.

Dahlia

Sedum

Pink Fairy

World War I Monument

Pianolady — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:32:49 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:32 pm (GMT 0)

Today, I took our daughter and her friend around town, each with a camera in-hand. We had a wonderful time taking photographs of our city's landmarks.

This monument is in Bayliss Park, in the center of our downtown area. I was trying to make this look like an old photograph you would find in a grandparent's photo album. Sepia toning & soft focus added to get this effect.

This photo is part of the fountain in the park, I just like the colors of the various stones.

We finally got some rain today!

Pianolady — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:57:00 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:57 pm (GMT 0)

We didn't get much rain, it was more of a constant drizzle, but I'll take it. It won't be enough to really help the gardens, but made a few rain photos possible. These are all the seedheads from Jackmanii clematis vines.

This one was too big to post, but you can click here to see it.

Aug. 20 Photos

Pianolady — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:47:05 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:47 am (GMT 0)

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

D40 Auto vs. Macro/Auto vs. Program settings

Pianolady — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 13:34:51 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 5:34 pm (GMT 0)

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

New Camera Day 2 (lots of photos)

Pianolady — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:21:10 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:21 pm (GMT 0)

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.

August 15th Photos

Pianolady — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:38:00 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:38 am (GMT 0)

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

Those darn squirrels....

Pianolady — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:19:54 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:19 pm (GMT 0)

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

Lilies

Pianolady — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:33:45 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:33 pm (GMT 0)

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

What's wrong with this view?

Pianolady — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:11:50 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:11 am (GMT 0)

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.

Hidden Gardens...graphic heavy

Pianolady — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:27:24 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:27 pm (GMT 0)

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!

Boardwalk Garden July 1, 2008

Pianolady — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:35:07 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:35 pm (GMT 0)

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.

Visit to Seed Savers Heritage Farm

Pianolady — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:32:37 -0400

Author: Pianolady
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 5:32 am (GMT 0)

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).