Shroom invasion !

A couple of days ago I was watering grass 'plugs' I had planted in some barren spots in the lawn (they have BIZARRE grass here in Florida if I haven't mentioned that before). Being a somewhat more observant individual these days as a result of practice during my 365 project, I spotted a few small cream-coloured dots on the ground near the stem of a cordaline plant in the flower bed. They struck me as a bit peculiar due to their smooth shape and colour, but I stayed focused on watering and I soon forgot about them.

Today as I happened by the same place, my eye again caught sight of them, except by this time they had grown about 50-fold ! The little dots were now transformed into curious aliens popping through the mulch to get a look at the world around them. I'll keep a close eye on them over the next few days in case they increase by another 50-fold !

(60mm  f22  1/5 sec  ISO200)

(Day 301) Lawn ornaments and surprises

You may not remember, so I'll remind you, that we've had our share of rain here lately. And with the temperatures still up in the comfortable range (15-20C/60-68F) that means that the grass is still growing. I thought I'd done the last of the mowing, but the lawn looks like it should have another trim before settling down for the winter.

As I noticed the length of the grass I also saw a couple of lawn ornaments poking out from among the grass, and I thought I should capture them before they too got trimmed.

Oh, and my wife shocked me this morning when she handed me the camera and asked me to look at the images on it (I always delete images from the camera once I've downloaded them). Imagine my surprise when I saw some beautiful sunRISE photos she had made ! Early morning is not prime time for me so I miss the sunrise (unless I set the alarm, which is rare). I thought I'd share one with you. Maybe I should get her a DSLR for Christmas - better yet, give her mine and I can get a shiny new one ;-)

(60mm  f7.1  1/60 sec  ISO800)

(60mm  f7.1  1/13 sec  ISO100)

 I think my endless prattle about photography must be having a subliminal effect - she mentioned that she specifically went to the pond so she could get a reflection in the shot also !

(10-22mm  f4.5  1/60 sec  ISO400) 

(Day 287) Fleeting moments

There's an acre or two of bush a couple of hundred yards in front of our house - mostly lilacs guarded by some nasty little bushes with sharp spines, and interspersed with a few tall ash trees. Hidden within are the remains of what must have been an apple orchard many years ago. It's the haunt of wildflowers (2nd photo) in early spring, but I hadn't thrashed about in there since.

Who knows how long ago these apple trees were thriving - they can live to be 80 years old, like some people. And yet, this is what they look like today - a reminder that despite a long life we too are but a fleeting moment in time. Carpe diem !

(60mm  f14  1/2 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f25  1.3 sec  ISO200)

(Day 270) Thriving in the gloom

Now that our day of rest is over for another week, it was time to get some chores done, such as mowing the lawn (we almost needed a baler, even though our son had tried valiantly to keep up during our absence). The forecast had rain starting this afternoon and continuing all day tomorrow. So, we mowed - and got it done - before the rain started.

But start it did, on cue this afternoon, and I hadn't had an opportunity yet to make some photos for my 365 project. After dinner I decided to go for a little drive to a nearby spot where I thought I might have a little protection under the trees. Everything looked pretty drab in the fading light and light drizzle. But I spotted something that seemed to thrive on the cooler temps and wet, gloomy weather, and it was pushing its way upwards through fall's detritus.

(70-200mm  f8  1.3 sec  ISO800)

(Day 235) The enchanted forest

I can't remember how old I was when the hard truth dawned on me that leprechauns and elves didn't really exist. Isn't that a wonderful time though, when you're young and your still vivid imagination can get caught up in stories about those magical little men and women who inhabit the secret places in the woods.

This morning we had the chance to go on a leisurely walk with our oldest daughter, and our 2 granddaughters. They're at the age still when the 'education' system hasn't destroyed their sense of magic and illusion and imagination. Little people can still live under mushrooms and the forest is still an enchanting place. Here are a few shots of our experiences today.

(10-22mm  f5.6  1/500 sec  ISO800)

doesn't this look enchanting ?

(70-200mm  f5.6  1/100 sec  ISO800)

one of the 'magical' mushrooms in the forest

(70-200mm  f5.6  1/50 sec  ISO800)

surely home to some of the little people of the forest !

(10-22mm  f11  1/200 sec  ISO800)

the bench with a view where we tarried a while

(70-200mm  f5.6  1/50 sec  ISO800)

the demolition crew at work - even in the enchanted forest, the old must make way for the new

 

(Day 163) Growing along the trail

Today started off rather miserably. My intention was to take my Netherlands visitors on a hike along a 'mountain' trail (now I put that word mountain in quotes because there really aren't any mountains to speak of in these parts - they're more properly called hills - but compared to the Netherlands we could consider them mountains). There was a drizzle falling steadily and the sky did not look like it would favour us any time soon. However, the rain stopped by late morning so we decided to pack a lunch and give it a try.

The weather cooperated, the scenery was beautiful, and there were countless photo opportunities, again. The mosquitoes were also plentiful and we donated several litres/quarts of good red blood as we sacrificed our bodies for the sake of making some photos. While I was able to make a variety of shots I decided to post ones of what we found growing along the trail - these were usually discovered through careful observation as we strove to not pitch headfirst into the mud by tripping on exposed roots or rocks.

(NOTE: please bear with me as I have company for a few days. I will do my best to post each day, and I will be back to visiting your blogs shortly and get caught up on your photographic experiences.)

(60mm  f4  1/50 sec  ISO800)

(60mm  f4  1/60 sec  ISO800)

(60mm  f4  1/30 sec  ISO800)