spring stuff

I haven't been here in a while and am still learning to shoot my new camera. It is still not quite spring here in Maine--very cool in the morning and at night, but in the low 40 to 50 if the sun comes out.



These are two I took this morning. I have a garden plot of lovely Lupins. The leaves/shoots are about 5 inches tall now, but the fascinating thing is the way these leaves hang on to drops of water. They look like diamonds to me. The second is some sort of lichen or something I know not what, that has bloomed on the top of an old tree log I was using as a garden prop to place flower pots etc. on just for interest. Just for perspective, the red "flower" is about the size or a little larger than the head of a pin. This was a spectacular little garden I thought. My sig pic is a pic of the first flower to bloom in the spring. IT is a skunk cabbage flower. The bright yellow ball in the middle provides pollen to the bees and if one waits around long enough, one might see a bee enter. The stinky leaves are just beginning to sprout as you can see to the left of the flower.

that are growing out of the log. They are a lichen and it is called Heathland Lichen---and it also has a Latin name, but too complicated so I will stick with the lay term.

I love the water drops. and the lighting.

Here are the specs

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0308/03081104hp945.asp

I used the macro mode to take both pictures and altered some of the programming. I like the camera so far. It was given to me as a gift.

:thumbsup:

I don't really do much in the way of nature/flower shots, but I certainly enjoy the work of others. My 'perspective' of Spring is a little different...

"Getting Ready To Open"

I have to tell you that my attic window is full of at least one hundred ladybugs. They make their way downstairs slowly and suddenly you may see one on the page of your book, or on the kitchen counter or on your hand--they are cute and beneficial bugs to have in the garden so that garden center has chosen a good name.