Mastering Macro

Well, I am playing with the macro feature on my new Kodak Easyshare Max z990, and find I still have a long way to go.

I have always found yellow to be a difficult color to capture. The color is OK but the photo is not as sharp as I would have liked.

This photo of summer squash is somewhat OK.

This one is pleasing.

This photo of ripening blueberries is fairly good.

I thought this photo turned out nice.

Burgundy bush bean flowers.

This one looks good to me.

I like this one too.

As with the first photo, the yellow begonias are not as sharp as I would like.
This is my first attempt using the super macro feature, and I am sure the quality of my photos will improve as I get to know the camera.

Chuckle for the day

Two little old ladies, Dorace & Jackie were sitting on a park bench outside the local town hall where a flower show was in progress.

The short one, Jackie leaned over and said,

'Life is so boring. We never have any fun any more. For $10.00 I'd take my clothes off and streak through that stupid, boring flower show!'

'You're on!' said Dorace, holding up a $10.00 note.

So Jackie slowly fumbled her way out of her clothes and,completely naked, streaked (as fast as an old lady can) through the front door of the flower show.

Waiting outside, her friend soon heard a huge commotion inside the hall, followed by loud applause and shrill whistling.

Finally, the smiling Jackie came through the exit door surrounded by a cheering, clapping crowd.

'What happened?' asked her waiting friend.

'I won $1,000 as 1st prize for 'Best Dried Arrangement... !'

At last I have something to show you

My new camera arrived on Tuesday, so am now able to take photos. Granted, I am having to learn all the new features, but so far I am well pleased with my Kodak Easyshare Z990.

The vegetable garden is flourishing. Here beets and leaf lettuce cozy up side by side.

There are so many English peas, that I will be able to share with my friends. The pods are getting fatter by the day and soon I will be able to start harvesting them.

Growing up the garden fence, are these brightly colored Nasturtiums. I do so like a splash of color in the veggie garden.

The tomatoes inside their three sided enclosure are loving the warmth, and are producing flowers already. I have two plants per tire. Early girl and Sun Sugar share a place in each tire.

Blue Lake pole beans are up and reaching for the support of the trellis. Behind are a few Violas and Gladioli for cutting.

Swiss chard, Kale, Burgundy bush beans, peas, parsnips, gourds, and some flowers share this raised bed.

Peas (two kinds) kale, lettuce, beets, and scarlet runner beans share this bed.

The burgundy bush beans are beginning to flower.

If the summer squash keep performing as they are doing now, then I should have plenty of squash to keep us going throughout the summer into fall, and some to share with friends.

Last but not least, the strawberries are the best they have ever been. I am picking loads of berries every couple of days. Some to dip in sour cream then brown sugar, some for shortcake, and some to eat right out of the garden. I nearly forgot to mention the freezer jam I will make. Yummy!

2lb of sweet strawberries picked today.

Oh my goodness,you can almost see them grow!

I really am not complaining too much about the long cool, damp Spring we are having here in the Pacific Northwest, as all my cool weather vegetables are thriving.

Sugar snap peas on the left, loose leaf lettuce in the center, shelling peas on the right, kale, far right. This picture taken mid March.

The peas have gone nuts. They have outgrown the supports I had for them, so I have had to improvise using bamboo, the trellis in back which is for the scarlet runner beans, a tomato cage and plant stakes. I hope this will do until the peas finish producing.
One thing I did learn, do not plant lettuce in between two rows of peas, as it is very difficult to harvest without breaking the pea plants.

The strawberries are fabulous this year. This is just one small planter box of strawberries, plus there is a 9 x 2 foot bed, two recycled tires, and a large pot, all full of plants loaded with berries. I am covering them with bird netting as I won't share *grin*

I am surprised the tomatoes are doing so well due to the cooler temperatures. I started them out inside their Walls 'O' Water but as they grew larger I had to remove their nice warm protection.

The tomatoes are now cozy inside their three sided plastic surround. Once again I improvised using metal plant stakes, bamboo, plastic sheeting and wooden clothes pins to construct the surround.

The summer squash is looking healthy and growing as it should.

I am well pleased with my garden this year and feel I have learned a lot about growing veggies these past few years.