tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138332382024-03-13T05:32:43.106-07:00Expression StudioAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.comBlogger685125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-64748868462728890812017-07-12T12:08:00.001-07:002017-07-12T12:11:27.571-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It appears that it's been one year since the last</div>
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Wonderfulicious Wednesday post! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBZp0taBIs4/WWZtVw2DHzI/AAAAAAACVNc/S62ad2UN9VUdNIlrgbs3QR_-i_s0h-AfwCLcBGAs/s1600/sunflower%2Bseries%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="949" height="299" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBZp0taBIs4/WWZtVw2DHzI/AAAAAAACVNc/S62ad2UN9VUdNIlrgbs3QR_-i_s0h-AfwCLcBGAs/s320/sunflower%2Bseries%2B2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunflower Series! </div>
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Experimenting with Hipstamatic</div>
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and my new iPad Pro! </div>
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Sergio Film, Cheshire Film</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qsse55KNanM/WWZtV79a1vI/AAAAAAACVNg/ZmKjJQbaAicHBRGbzSYNYzwMzGtuzYNIQCLcBGAs/s1600/sunflower%2Bseries%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="920" height="308" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qsse55KNanM/WWZtV79a1vI/AAAAAAACVNg/ZmKjJQbaAicHBRGbzSYNYzwMzGtuzYNIQCLcBGAs/s320/sunflower%2Bseries%2B3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Hipstamatic capture was featured on an Instagram Hub,</div>
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@Picturetokeep_edit</div>
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Sergio Lens, Sergio Film and then</div>
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edited in Distressed FX</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JxcHmRY-rU0/WWZtV-WHBKI/AAAAAAACVNY/SSd49qwkjyELcu23DyhUG8ZWOZSGedYVQCLcBGAs/s1600/sunflower%2Bseries%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="888" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JxcHmRY-rU0/WWZtV-WHBKI/AAAAAAACVNY/SSd49qwkjyELcu23DyhUG8ZWOZSGedYVQCLcBGAs/s320/sunflower%2Bseries%2B4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hipstamatic, Sergio Lens, Cheshire Film</div>
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Love the frame that is created with </div>
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this formula. though, I often crop</div>
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it off. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3Drc1ZBt14/WWZtWZAJmeI/AAAAAAACVNk/o3lJwESWtGs09H8bWW37jTLEyY3smFQ4ACLcBGAs/s1600/sunflower%2Bseries%2B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="888" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3Drc1ZBt14/WWZtWZAJmeI/AAAAAAACVNk/o3lJwESWtGs09H8bWW37jTLEyY3smFQ4ACLcBGAs/s320/sunflower%2Bseries%2B5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hipstamatic Sergio Lens, Cheshire Film</div>
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Hipstamatic Salvador84 lens</div>
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C-type plate film</div>
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Salvador creates multiple exposures.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mi1qchgDOxg/WWZtWqaKECI/AAAAAAACVNs/4e_zAEKdfFYmmtJQByzDMmyDu_CWRtrKACLcBGAs/s1600/sunflower%2Bseries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="728" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mi1qchgDOxg/WWZtWqaKECI/AAAAAAACVNs/4e_zAEKdfFYmmtJQByzDMmyDu_CWRtrKACLcBGAs/s320/sunflower%2Bseries.JPG" width="262" /></a></div>
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Camera + app</div>
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Edited in Distressed FX</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rVeU_Hebsas/WWZxeTQOSGI/AAAAAAACVNw/HOkoACJT2AE6YXwutLCD_deYdL7No88nwCEwYBhgL/s1600/sunflower%2Bseries%2Bbw.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="888" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rVeU_Hebsas/WWZxeTQOSGI/AAAAAAACVNw/HOkoACJT2AE6YXwutLCD_deYdL7No88nwCEwYBhgL/s320/sunflower%2Bseries%2Bbw.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Featured @BPA_Arts on Instagram.</div>
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Hipstamatic Sergio Lens, Blackeys 44 Film</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-75234429286951674782017-06-12T18:36:00.001-07:002017-06-12T18:36:53.514-07:00Eleven Months Later!I wonder if I should just call it quits on this blog, or start posting again? It seems like too much work to keep this blog going . . . when there aren't many readers. This was a place to post my photos and some of my other work, but for the last year Instagram has taken priority. Much easier to post one photo immediately on IG than to create a post here. But lately, IG has started to feel . . . can't find the word, but not satisfying comes to mind. Perhaps my mindset has changed again? I'm a moderator on two Hubs/Galleries and started my own hub, #gobeyondthe_capture where I feature photographers work. About a gazillion years I used to curate photo exhibits so I love presenting exciting edited photos to the over 500 followers of the hub!<br />
My two IG accounts are #gailpe and #dezert365<br />
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I've taken numerous photo classes in the last year and find that editing on the iPad is like a meditation. I've never been good at meditating but when I edit photos the focus is off of the myriad of issues that would love to take over my life.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMyIAX6FwZY/WT88rhV60aI/AAAAAAACSTU/HkF0rBoLyfMJ2uzqQy0brbZriM5sWURPgCLcB/s1600/IMG_6500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1110" height="256" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMyIAX6FwZY/WT88rhV60aI/AAAAAAACSTU/HkF0rBoLyfMJ2uzqQy0brbZriM5sWURPgCLcB/s320/IMG_6500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Red Oleander photographed against a white background. Then a background was created with iPad apps, mostly Stackables and Mextures. </div>
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A different capture of the red Oleander. Taken with the Hipstamatic app. Jane lens, Ina's 1982 film and Triple Crown flash and the edited in Mextures. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uewo9VgpjQE/WT8-MGXIfJI/AAAAAAACSTk/7HqvdxmQWigt7jOQgtUG4qk_lw05RWAzQCLcB/s1600/IMG_5970%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="888" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uewo9VgpjQE/WT8-MGXIfJI/AAAAAAACSTk/7HqvdxmQWigt7jOQgtUG4qk_lw05RWAzQCLcB/s320/IMG_5970%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A macro of a tiny bloom on a Society Garlic plant. Edited in Mextures</div>
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and Stackables. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8x9kxJgZhcc/WT8_6zUiwHI/AAAAAAACSTw/IFpdJnP15b8I5iDZnD5jub8KLwWBrYbWACLcB/s1600/IMG_6962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="955" height="297" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8x9kxJgZhcc/WT8_6zUiwHI/AAAAAAACSTw/IFpdJnP15b8I5iDZnD5jub8KLwWBrYbWACLcB/s320/IMG_6962.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Very angry Oriole! Her mate was hogging the Hummingbird feeder. For the last few years a pair of orioles visits nearly every day from around May to Oct. They enjoy the feeder as much as the Hummers do, but there is only room for one Oriole at at time. </div>
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Edited with Mextures, Stackables and Distressed FX.</div>
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For those who have followed my blog since the beginning, this month marks the 5 year anniversary of the Breast Cancer episode! A very emotional month for me as it turns out. </div>
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Please leave a comment if you think I should start to post here again. Hugs! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-66989899930432350202016-07-13T00:03:00.000-07:002016-07-13T00:03:49.756-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kD0hdMR-QUc/V4Xdu8KRCjI/AAAAAAABucc/E2dVS1bok38YUVVkVOEBOumvj2Ijt9cTACLcB/s1600/dancing-leaves-2-copy-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kD0hdMR-QUc/V4Xdu8KRCjI/AAAAAAABucc/E2dVS1bok38YUVVkVOEBOumvj2Ijt9cTACLcB/s320/dancing-leaves-2-copy-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What? I haven't posted since mid June?</div>
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These days I mostly post on Instagram at @gailpe.</div>
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Dancing Leaves, above.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJCvIqqDvPc/V4Xdu3ZRnpI/AAAAAAABucg/H-qWbDsHXs8-7VuDgeor5x5nru4jhj-YQCLcB/s1600/plumeria-leaf-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJCvIqqDvPc/V4Xdu3ZRnpI/AAAAAAABucg/H-qWbDsHXs8-7VuDgeor5x5nru4jhj-YQCLcB/s320/plumeria-leaf-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have a penchant for decay and or withered botanicals. </div>
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My gardener knows that if I have leaves on the patio table that</div>
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they're not to be cleaned up. Often, a leaf needs another day or</div>
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two of weathering.</div>
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I'm not sure which version of the Plumeria leaf I prefer. </div>
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The leaf was so delicate that pieces of it started flaking off</div>
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before I got it into the house.</div>
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I created all of the backgrounds.</div>
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My guy planted a yellow hibiscus 8 years ago that hasn't grown much</div>
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over the years, in fact, it's shrunk and has nearly died a few times.</div>
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It rarely blooms. This year I severely cut back a red hedge</div>
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of hibiscus and fertilized them, a lot. The bushes have filled out</div>
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and bloomed like crazy. But until the last few weeks the struggling yellow bush</div>
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continued to look pathetic and then suddenly it started filling out and </div>
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producing flowers. </div>
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The macro above is unedited. I know, rare for me . . .</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KKrK2ctwlrE/V4Xf0qNlr6I/AAAAAAABuc0/F54l0qnDGgk9SRStSo1a78Cx4rUM66ymQCLcB/s1600/hibiscus-series-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KKrK2ctwlrE/V4Xf0qNlr6I/AAAAAAABuc0/F54l0qnDGgk9SRStSo1a78Cx4rUM66ymQCLcB/s320/hibiscus-series-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The center of the yellow hibiscus is spectacular! </div>
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There is another yellow hibiscus in the yard, but it's </div>
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center is yellow, nice, but a bit ordinary.</div>
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Continuing with my love of creating a series of images </div>
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the Mexican Bird of Paradise bush started blooming . . .</div>
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I only have one bush this year after the other one</div>
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drowned last winter when the pot didn't drain. </div>
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Decayed flowers, above.</div>
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A single flower, sculptural, went through a variety of apps</div>
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to achieve the painterly/sketch effect.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GqG6c_AgnUs/V4XiE_YBuFI/AAAAAAABudE/5mDd0anUe-I9crIMr7KFi0zZDpR8kj_DACLcB/s1600/bird-of-paradse-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GqG6c_AgnUs/V4XiE_YBuFI/AAAAAAABudE/5mDd0anUe-I9crIMr7KFi0zZDpR8kj_DACLcB/s320/bird-of-paradse-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When a bunch of flowers scatter</div>
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on the ground they become precious to me.</div>
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The above flower went through a few apps to give</div>
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it a painterly/sketch effect and then it needed a background.</div>
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The background was a long process of layering and layering and layering</div>
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textures and images. I imagine I'll use the background again someday.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjNceX-6-88/V4XiL8N_LyI/AAAAAAABudU/mG5LLf4-WqkvXubA_p2jGBGnhQGILcrjwCLcB/s1600/bird-of-paradise-macro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjNceX-6-88/V4XiL8N_LyI/AAAAAAABudU/mG5LLf4-WqkvXubA_p2jGBGnhQGILcrjwCLcB/s320/bird-of-paradise-macro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And finally, a macro of the Mexican Bird of Paradise </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in all of its glory! This image is only tweaked a little</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to bring out the texture and colors. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I must have flowers, always, and always.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Claude Monet</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-59602078829738901802016-06-19T23:26:00.000-07:002016-06-19T23:34:27.267-07:00Sunday Sea Urchin Series/study<h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 3rem; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
</h2>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nYFrO4DuXZ0/V2eN83B5VOI/AAAAAAABrpQ/0JfgMX2Gw5447noc_bUOBOs5_7klI7ZswCLcB/s1600/june%2B19%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nYFrO4DuXZ0/V2eN83B5VOI/AAAAAAABrpQ/0JfgMX2Gw5447noc_bUOBOs5_7klI7ZswCLcB/s320/june%2B19%2B1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The temp hit 118 today! I rescued the above Cactus flower from the shade</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
before it wilted. Three other blooms didn't fare as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I normally photograph the Sea Urchins in the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
garden; I prefer natural light.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7yZvioYcWGw/V2eB7mTf2lI/AAAAAAABroU/0Imhx-cTF-0ZQUBmUbHxBJA74dbZpwGGwCLcB/s1600/june%2B19%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7yZvioYcWGw/V2eB7mTf2lI/AAAAAAABroU/0Imhx-cTF-0ZQUBmUbHxBJA74dbZpwGGwCLcB/s320/june%2B19%2B2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
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I had plans for the day but the flowers "spoke to me." </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I tend to listen when photographs </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
need to be made! </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jdgDk6tq9pc/V2eB71VxEpI/AAAAAAABroc/y90f5pzJDXw5hiKA_cHk9SClwsPR3XYAwCLcB/s1600/june%2B19%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jdgDk6tq9pc/V2eB71VxEpI/AAAAAAABroc/y90f5pzJDXw5hiKA_cHk9SClwsPR3XYAwCLcB/s320/june%2B19%2B3.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The wilted flowers, above, are just as glorious as the full </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
blooms are. I felt that they were every bit as much a gift</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as the perfect flower was.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IF7FtLMsmnI/V2eB79Rn6wI/AAAAAAABroo/HxCpZxh578wvyWMQKUvS8z0gVTm5LgcvgCLcB/s1600/june%2B19%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IF7FtLMsmnI/V2eB79Rn6wI/AAAAAAABroo/HxCpZxh578wvyWMQKUvS8z0gVTm5LgcvgCLcB/s320/june%2B19%2B4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Macros of the wilted flowers.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gitgoj_gbco/V2eB76iNCeI/AAAAAAABrog/oSSSjNKgi24i724dS8G6cXZwHqJF0OB7ACLcB/s1600/june%2B19%2B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gitgoj_gbco/V2eB76iNCeI/AAAAAAABrog/oSSSjNKgi24i724dS8G6cXZwHqJF0OB7ACLcB/s320/june%2B19%2B5.JPG" width="294" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2mRsAo1vu4/V2eB8BKwCzI/AAAAAAABrok/JKAPTnFWDGEEBGN3J8lhwTasA3uJm6JBACLcB/s1600/june%2B19%2B6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2mRsAo1vu4/V2eB8BKwCzI/AAAAAAABrok/JKAPTnFWDGEEBGN3J8lhwTasA3uJm6JBACLcB/s320/june%2B19%2B6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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While I have taken hundreds of photos of the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sea Urchin flowers, aka Echinopsis, I rarely </div>
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take macros of them. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jdN-hoYt_Cc/V2eB8cp-4qI/AAAAAAABrow/aRZX4C95cKQz61Y38lf3-lbWpwly-Mi0wCLcB/s1600/june%2B19%2B7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jdN-hoYt_Cc/V2eB8cp-4qI/AAAAAAABrow/aRZX4C95cKQz61Y38lf3-lbWpwly-Mi0wCLcB/s320/june%2B19%2B7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Studying the flowers from different angles . . .</div>
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abstracting the flowers with a macro lens on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the iPhone . . </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
New perspective!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j6Cvn62EycE/V2eB8aL1j1I/AAAAAAABros/gHG6tyaUuUQ6vsS6cIK2Xrf0294JZGHvACLcB/s1600/june%2B19%2B8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j6Cvn62EycE/V2eB8aL1j1I/AAAAAAABros/gHG6tyaUuUQ6vsS6cIK2Xrf0294JZGHvACLcB/s320/june%2B19%2B8.JPG" width="255" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I used only one app on the iPad to edit all of the images.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
iColorama.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhNmzc1gWZw/V2eB8Vg6VsI/AAAAAAABro0/IPMpne4z-RobZLVgzWIOv_zaxdVgglHawCLcB/s1600/june%2B19%2B9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhNmzc1gWZw/V2eB8Vg6VsI/AAAAAAABro0/IPMpne4z-RobZLVgzWIOv_zaxdVgglHawCLcB/s320/june%2B19%2B9.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I ended up concentrating on macros rather </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
than full frame photos.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SpLU0jz4bAY/V2eB7B5nIjI/AAAAAAABroY/HPCOKGC0HaMFLnJxfkljBlhi5yRJu88WwCLcB/s1600/june%2B19%2B10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SpLU0jz4bAY/V2eB7B5nIjI/AAAAAAABroY/HPCOKGC0HaMFLnJxfkljBlhi5yRJu88WwCLcB/s320/june%2B19%2B10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXBMDUNtYsU/V2eB7NKAPPI/AAAAAAABroM/HjtMVCtjrbc7joOyqdu-CPRQhcdWbM7WwCLcB/s1600/june%2B19%2B11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXBMDUNtYsU/V2eB7NKAPPI/AAAAAAABroM/HjtMVCtjrbc7joOyqdu-CPRQhcdWbM7WwCLcB/s320/june%2B19%2B11.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I probably could have taken more than a dozen photographs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but in the end a challenge to create twelve forced me to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
think about each photo . . .</div>
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Digital photography makes it easy to make numerous </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
photos and then choose the best. I come from an era when film</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
slowed down the process, something I don't often do anymore. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DmpSZ_zDHGo/V2eB7f3g7zI/AAAAAAABroQ/dAaYRi_TrT4ZhNiHxF2_98ocQCZZyVfpACLcB/s1600/june%2B19%2B12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DmpSZ_zDHGo/V2eB7f3g7zI/AAAAAAABroQ/dAaYRi_TrT4ZhNiHxF2_98ocQCZZyVfpACLcB/s320/june%2B19%2B12.JPG" width="302" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in</div>
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an ordinary place . . . I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with the way you see them." Elliott Erwitt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-7595040918044824832016-06-15T02:55:00.000-07:002016-06-15T02:59:55.599-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQavJ3OF2SY/V2EfgNRA6sI/AAAAAAABqoQ/p2Y7fDxpcw0L6xma8c3AEF9DVskTFYjNgCLcB/s1600/date-tree-out-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQavJ3OF2SY/V2EfgNRA6sI/AAAAAAABqoQ/p2Y7fDxpcw0L6xma8c3AEF9DVskTFYjNgCLcB/s320/date-tree-out-front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A challenging week made better by transforming photos!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://audio.californiareport.org/archive/R201310251630/d">Date Palms</a> are an abundant crop in the Coachella Valley: I don't know</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
what the HOA was thinking when they planted Date Palm trees</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in front yards. These aren't taken care of properly, sadly. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Right now the dates look more like olives. Of course I had</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to run the image through a few Apps.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LGBHIZzvC8w/V2EfgB2P8dI/AAAAAAABqoU/ecoKQ7vM0AIq5qo_im9x_LkSxNZXQhoIQCLcB/s1600/Hibiscus-macro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LGBHIZzvC8w/V2EfgB2P8dI/AAAAAAABqoU/ecoKQ7vM0AIq5qo_im9x_LkSxNZXQhoIQCLcB/s320/Hibiscus-macro.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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<br />
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I haven't done any macro photos in awhile; the perfect</div>
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subject is a yellow</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hibiscus from the garden<br />
And then both a yellow and<br />
red hibiscus . . .<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AuuF2WmWS9E/V2EmytNmjiI/AAAAAAABqpA/APWKOvpAbi8LJgVHSScBuxbsKqHfqp24QCLcB/s1600/IMG_0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AuuF2WmWS9E/V2EmytNmjiI/AAAAAAABqpA/APWKOvpAbi8LJgVHSScBuxbsKqHfqp24QCLcB/s320/IMG_0413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMAO-oFpwj0/V2EfgAs6UII/AAAAAAABqoY/WjZuuDu8S3Q_4HQgSNRYu84-nOrq6l5ZwCLcB/s1600/Palm-vignette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMAO-oFpwj0/V2EfgAs6UII/AAAAAAABqoY/WjZuuDu8S3Q_4HQgSNRYu84-nOrq6l5ZwCLcB/s320/Palm-vignette.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Palm tree Vignette before pruning. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
iColorama, Mextures, and Stackables were used.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DmDc2B1f_I4/V2EfgSHhsfI/AAAAAAABqoc/8CNqNKZmOuYui4EXqlHLBhG1EGm7cSTiACLcB/s1600/self-portrait-June-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DmDc2B1f_I4/V2EfgSHhsfI/AAAAAAABqoc/8CNqNKZmOuYui4EXqlHLBhG1EGm7cSTiACLcB/s320/self-portrait-June-11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the lessons in Susan Tuttle's course is Self-portraits.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm fond of the painterly effect of this one.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-48o7l5G_lYQ/V2Ehek1DkJI/AAAAAAABqow/0PWlQvyzNIs1OQHvYazmxsFNo9_if0kTACLcB/s1600/icolorama-stillness-Sunday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-48o7l5G_lYQ/V2Ehek1DkJI/AAAAAAABqow/0PWlQvyzNIs1OQHvYazmxsFNo9_if0kTACLcB/s320/icolorama-stillness-Sunday.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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Sill-life study of three miniature roses not much</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
larger than a quarter along with a</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
pewter goblet that was mom's. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eygztsWqHQo/V2EhbjeIIvI/AAAAAAABqoo/LHT_uCHd1vMyfRE3MKZyK8AeRElriLiGQCKgB/s1600/white%2Broses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eygztsWqHQo/V2EhbjeIIvI/AAAAAAABqoo/LHT_uCHd1vMyfRE3MKZyK8AeRElriLiGQCKgB/s320/white%2Broses.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Womderfulicious Wednesday!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-42315873709069067902016-06-08T23:31:00.002-07:002016-06-08T23:31:24.655-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wednesday is nearly over . . . </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHd_1X00VWA/V1j7AWX1F9I/AAAAAAABpj8/OewISc6WBU0t3jC9_SYHKKM5MMcXN-CjwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHd_1X00VWA/V1j7AWX1F9I/AAAAAAABpj8/OewISc6WBU0t3jC9_SYHKKM5MMcXN-CjwCLcB/s320/IMG_9850.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Washingtonian Fan Palms are plentiful here in Coachella Valley.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the time of year that they're heavily pruned back; I love the way the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
light hits the plumes.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTAnqyIUpU8/V1j7A8pYm6I/AAAAAAABpkM/7G_5LX6NsHEfH0LpXV0cX9iYoiJ2HuDOgCLcB/s1600/palm-june-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTAnqyIUpU8/V1j7A8pYm6I/AAAAAAABpkM/7G_5LX6NsHEfH0LpXV0cX9iYoiJ2HuDOgCLcB/s320/palm-june-5.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUcuEG8FWZo/V1j7BRDPslI/AAAAAAABpkU/FHbUxJiVT5AZfIOVHnSl88aKOW1CIaWkQCLcB/s1600/su-June-5-Desert-scene-hipstamatic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUcuEG8FWZo/V1j7BRDPslI/AAAAAAABpkU/FHbUxJiVT5AZfIOVHnSl88aKOW1CIaWkQCLcB/s320/su-June-5-Desert-scene-hipstamatic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Garden Vignette - Desert Landscape.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v2QwYVpdZM4/V1j7A5pjO4I/AAAAAAABpkI/EwVF1SSLvUgnyXnoPuTgvoraZXQoQEQ6gCLcB/s1600/Trilogy-June-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v2QwYVpdZM4/V1j7A5pjO4I/AAAAAAABpkI/EwVF1SSLvUgnyXnoPuTgvoraZXQoQEQ6gCLcB/s320/Trilogy-June-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Photograph taken from the front yard and transformed using</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a myriad of apps.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ya0mUDcud9Q/V1j7AdR966I/AAAAAAABpkA/YohAwLwSpXsCLUuIXz2DlYEfSCjTlGzBQCKgB/s1600/SU-June-5-pinhole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ya0mUDcud9Q/V1j7AdR966I/AAAAAAABpkA/YohAwLwSpXsCLUuIXz2DlYEfSCjTlGzBQCKgB/s320/SU-June-5-pinhole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Back in the day . . . I worked in B/W only and spent hours in</div>
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a darkroom. I even played with Pinhole Cameras, but these days </div>
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I'm enthralled with apps that make easy and superb Pinhole Camera images!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yi3fK_-rCmw/V1j7AprWZsI/AAAAAAABpkE/rumT8vJAiJstDQAbIAC3CKHYVCiXJv80wCKgB/s1600/SU-June-5-watered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yi3fK_-rCmw/V1j7AprWZsI/AAAAAAABpkE/rumT8vJAiJstDQAbIAC3CKHYVCiXJv80wCKgB/s320/SU-June-5-watered.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q63hqWtZJCg/V1j7AoK8ATI/AAAAAAABpkQ/210LY1Ni8lQHJ57xdCNNhj0y38pum4mBgCKgB/s1600/SU-June-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q63hqWtZJCg/V1j7AoK8ATI/AAAAAAABpkQ/210LY1Ni8lQHJ57xdCNNhj0y38pum4mBgCKgB/s320/SU-June-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Because the Sea Urchin Cactus have bloomed longer this year </div>
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I've been able to try a variety of camera settings in Hipstamatic. </div>
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I'm beginning to love B/W photography again.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--crmntxzP7M/V1j_6n7LWaI/AAAAAAABpks/z4rhWaBGFXc5jjSyIHspZpjlG_cFy7nDQCLcB/s1600/grapes-still-life-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--crmntxzP7M/V1j_6n7LWaI/AAAAAAABpks/z4rhWaBGFXc5jjSyIHspZpjlG_cFy7nDQCLcB/s320/grapes-still-life-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Three still-life images based on the Susan Tuttle </div>
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course I'm taking. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7rv64GDu6Ns/V1j_6hBEQeI/AAAAAAABpko/e7bWzQii6eUkrcfYqd6EkuXq2QNmq0JFwCLcB/s1600/Saturday-still-life-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7rv64GDu6Ns/V1j_6hBEQeI/AAAAAAABpko/e7bWzQii6eUkrcfYqd6EkuXq2QNmq0JFwCLcB/s320/Saturday-still-life-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gSXBclzMbwg/V1j_6YfOcmI/AAAAAAABpkk/DFBDIwEf3gI4SX4F4M6CBrUmM6IKlHPggCLcB/s1600/Saturday-still-life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gSXBclzMbwg/V1j_6YfOcmI/AAAAAAABpkk/DFBDIwEf3gI4SX4F4M6CBrUmM6IKlHPggCLcB/s320/Saturday-still-life.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b-bYX6BMI5k/V1kMwP5CIiI/AAAAAAABplQ/xIzb-d4CkTgzbNoWNdPEcbV6ZobyYedvwCLcB/s1600/june%2Bplumeria.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b-bYX6BMI5k/V1kMwP5CIiI/AAAAAAABplQ/xIzb-d4CkTgzbNoWNdPEcbV6ZobyYedvwCLcB/s320/june%2Bplumeria.JPG" width="205" /></a></div>
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And finally, Plumeria in the garden.</div>
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Photo-transformation. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-91299049450641045902016-06-01T00:13:00.001-07:002016-06-01T00:13:49.259-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday and June!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0OdBKAz799w/V06EocyTaUI/AAAAAAABoDw/UiM3lSZcVWcEuzxvyZYt-1-Z4ZSekcXUACLcB/s1600/birdhouse-%25233-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0OdBKAz799w/V06EocyTaUI/AAAAAAABoDw/UiM3lSZcVWcEuzxvyZYt-1-Z4ZSekcXUACLcB/s320/birdhouse-%25233-a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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More Photo Explorations.</div>
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Windswept Photo-transformation created from 4 images and</div>
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apps. The barn is another of my Dad's birdhouses superimposed into a scene</div>
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photographed from a car back in the 90's; I was the passenger. </div>
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The tree was extracted from a background. The birds-on-the-wire are an</div>
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app. iColorama painterly effect.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lTO7R84dyCk/V06EtELMEYI/AAAAAAABoFw/Y8FijuMpINMo6ajiX1KpPeO4K5X0-t9BACKgB/s1600/playing-with-apps-with-birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lTO7R84dyCk/V06EtELMEYI/AAAAAAABoFw/Y8FijuMpINMo6ajiX1KpPeO4K5X0-t9BACKgB/s320/playing-with-apps-with-birds.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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I have a few metal sculptures created by a former husband. Talented.</div>
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I tried to superimpose the Victorian house into a landscape . .. nope, didn't work.</div>
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Brainstormed and at 2am an idea struck. </div>
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The background texture was created by layering a lot of</div>
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textures in iColorama and Stackables then superimposed with the Victorian house. </div>
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Deco Sketch for the lines, Reflect for the reflection and some fog added. </div>
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The birds are from my collection of photos.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XWQ4Ga5x-bI/V06EtOox3QI/AAAAAAABoFk/35_s6AZ1lEwp_uS7y4kpfhVPXWgvXrmTwCLcB/s1600/cereus-closing-up-May-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XWQ4Ga5x-bI/V06EtOox3QI/AAAAAAABoFk/35_s6AZ1lEwp_uS7y4kpfhVPXWgvXrmTwCLcB/s320/cereus-closing-up-May-30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cerseus blooms! If I don't get up early enough I miss the night bloomers!</div>
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The one above was in the process of closing up after spending the night in</div>
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full bloom. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bC22RpoUwY8/V06EsqodOHI/AAAAAAABoFc/AerF6IxABusriUaytTpabmSpQAfFxEgagCLcB/s1600/cereus-series-May-28-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bC22RpoUwY8/V06EsqodOHI/AAAAAAABoFc/AerF6IxABusriUaytTpabmSpQAfFxEgagCLcB/s320/cereus-series-May-28-2.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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A record 14 blooms over 5 days!</div>
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Painterly effect for these 2.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9x09eR3uM8I/V06Es0tfi_I/AAAAAAABoFg/qR22FUsxXEgwaxWasaXm-UHn_UKtOEDBQCLcB/s1600/cereus-series-may-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9x09eR3uM8I/V06Es0tfi_I/AAAAAAABoFg/qR22FUsxXEgwaxWasaXm-UHn_UKtOEDBQCLcB/s320/cereus-series-may-28.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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Missed the full blooms, but</div>
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these greeted me early one morning.</div>
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Painterly effect.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8lUtbRU2PG0/V06EtQOnG4I/AAAAAAABoFs/24DU0mov9TQ7dH92XTZIKEWoxD8UluwPACLcB/s1600/tree-series-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8lUtbRU2PG0/V06EtQOnG4I/AAAAAAABoFs/24DU0mov9TQ7dH92XTZIKEWoxD8UluwPACLcB/s320/tree-series-2.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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Found Twig.</div>
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Tree series.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QqLsTI9yMPg/V06Er_fbI7I/AAAAAAABoFI/XZ8E3TISado-0cp8zcgym7NjW_Eov415wCLcB/s1600/cactus-yellow-May-apps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QqLsTI9yMPg/V06Er_fbI7I/AAAAAAABoFI/XZ8E3TISado-0cp8zcgym7NjW_Eov415wCLcB/s320/cactus-yellow-May-apps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another version of the delicate flower atop of a</div>
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prickly Barrel Cactus.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-80879984282755191132016-05-24T23:58:00.000-07:002016-05-24T23:58:12.481-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;">
Where has May gone!? </div>
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Last thing I remember it was March and mom had passed . . .</div>
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And now June is upon us! Gads! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPssTC7bw7Q/V0UGJDNKU_I/AAAAAAABm0w/61CMN_6ZEQUpCju_y-y9uAYnDyo9DjNYACLcB/s1600/barn-and-ss-Ping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPssTC7bw7Q/V0UGJDNKU_I/AAAAAAABm0w/61CMN_6ZEQUpCju_y-y9uAYnDyo9DjNYACLcB/s320/barn-and-ss-Ping.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Perhaps the time has flown due to a timely class that I'm deeply immersed in</div>
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Susan Tuttle has a new online class, Mobile Art Mastery</div>
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that appeared just when I needed something to lift me</div>
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out of a dark place. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7j2Yx2JQ4U/V0UGJGU3XGI/AAAAAAABm0s/Vh_rsf0ixgAg0iO9JfGG7XF96BSliLYBACLcB/s1600/blue-house-with-frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7j2Yx2JQ4U/V0UGJGU3XGI/AAAAAAABm0s/Vh_rsf0ixgAg0iO9JfGG7XF96BSliLYBACLcB/s320/blue-house-with-frame.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Both of the above images are based on Lesson 1. Dad built about</div>
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60 birdhouses a few years before he passed in March, 2000, the year mom</div>
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started disappearing into Alzheimer's. </div>
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For years I've wanted to use photos of the birdhouses in my work. The lesson</div>
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called for using a house or building and extracting it from a background</div>
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and blending it into a landscape. </div>
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The first piece is of the Salton Sea; the house, sunset, tree, and</div>
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birds were added.</div>
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The landscape in the second piece was created using</div>
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two images. The line of trees needed a foreground . . .</div>
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The sun, foreground tree, and textures were added.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HGNXARwrTYE/V0VBcRQ_r3I/AAAAAAABm1Q/6_UgfMwamUU8TTK9bpRvBkEZNo157KcSQCLcB/s1600/lesson-3-part-4-agave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HGNXARwrTYE/V0VBcRQ_r3I/AAAAAAABm1Q/6_UgfMwamUU8TTK9bpRvBkEZNo157KcSQCLcB/s320/lesson-3-part-4-agave.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lesson 2 images. Enter iColorama!</div>
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Oh my! This is only one of the </div>
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myriad of effects that the </div>
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app is excellent at doing.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYpIwtWAZYM/V0VBcTO750I/AAAAAAABm1I/ao2QHxQ02PwDmnN3bda_YoDwrCndHJsmwCLcB/s1600/lesson-3-part-4-chard-on-cutting-board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYpIwtWAZYM/V0VBcTO750I/AAAAAAABm1I/ao2QHxQ02PwDmnN3bda_YoDwrCndHJsmwCLcB/s320/lesson-3-part-4-chard-on-cutting-board.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
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A leaf of chard above and </div>
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succulents below.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5qOUmZVikS8/V0VBcT4CwWI/AAAAAAABm1M/Gp20REP9RQAIsvTV4O7Zv1toJy8L5Op3QCLcB/s1600/lesson-3-part-4-chard-succulents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5qOUmZVikS8/V0VBcT4CwWI/AAAAAAABm1M/Gp20REP9RQAIsvTV4O7Zv1toJy8L5Op3QCLcB/s320/lesson-3-part-4-chard-succulents.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Complete departure for me! Multiple apps were used</div>
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to create this image of a statue photographed in</div>
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Rome, 2009. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JbRz5XCFkOQ/V0VB-uaS-vI/AAAAAAABm1Y/q4BpthAyNbELXTiF_X1v_QRVyXKms196ACLcB/s1600/lesson-4-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JbRz5XCFkOQ/V0VB-uaS-vI/AAAAAAABm1Y/q4BpthAyNbELXTiF_X1v_QRVyXKms196ACLcB/s320/lesson-4-a.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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Another lesson using multiple apps.</div>
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Orvieto, Italy, 2009.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jqrqpPYxao/V0VC6qUtFCI/AAAAAAABm1s/p04578Rgv-IOX0DbF_WAkezvqHOp4PJIgCLcB/s1600/lesson-6-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jqrqpPYxao/V0VC6qUtFCI/AAAAAAABm1s/p04578Rgv-IOX0DbF_WAkezvqHOp4PJIgCLcB/s320/lesson-6-a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For years I've wanted to learn how to combine images</div>
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and now the mystery has been solved. Yay!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWRFjjdBogY/V0VC6dNXYfI/AAAAAAABm1o/sE3Olx0vNMoDaV_8f56m1NleOAhBlC44gCLcB/s1600/lesson-6-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWRFjjdBogY/V0VC6dNXYfI/AAAAAAABm1o/sE3Olx0vNMoDaV_8f56m1NleOAhBlC44gCLcB/s320/lesson-6-b.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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Two more images based on the </div>
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same lesson. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-see_63VOGD4/V0VC6XRxAtI/AAAAAAABm1k/A9yt80BYXiULqyohZfK6feFG1-4DlBJ3ACLcB/s1600/lesson-6-d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-see_63VOGD4/V0VC6XRxAtI/AAAAAAABm1k/A9yt80BYXiULqyohZfK6feFG1-4DlBJ3ACLcB/s320/lesson-6-d.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Haunted Cemetery Lesson, or in</div>
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my case, Haunted Pompeii. </div>
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Multiple apps used along with images</div>
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from my collection including two vintage ones. </div>
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The image of Pompeii is one I consider to be</div>
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an outtake and one reason I rarely delete photos; you</div>
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never know when one might be the perfect photo.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tIxDnR1b4vA/V0VC7Lc40TI/AAAAAAABm1w/2cTUgxT3y_MvyfSQn0WhWQr0UFPBUtY7gCLcB/s1600/lesson-7-final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tIxDnR1b4vA/V0VC7Lc40TI/AAAAAAABm1w/2cTUgxT3y_MvyfSQn0WhWQr0UFPBUtY7gCLcB/s320/lesson-7-final.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_Y0mOCQTUE/V0VE2IvJ5cI/AAAAAAABm2A/2I6bhRc2XFgrXwQS-YpuWZXLqMD3TWd8ACLcB/s1600/lesson-7-origninal-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_Y0mOCQTUE/V0VE2IvJ5cI/AAAAAAABm2A/2I6bhRc2XFgrXwQS-YpuWZXLqMD3TWd8ACLcB/s320/lesson-7-origninal-image.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Using what I've learned in some of</div>
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the lessons I created the photo below. </div>
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Evening Sky.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YWQQw8zeLNE/V0VF-J4EH3I/AAAAAAABm2M/paCx2uJ1JUEXIfZHAEEPDezQwvbHBbQ4wCLcB/s1600/evening-sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YWQQw8zeLNE/V0VF-J4EH3I/AAAAAAABm2M/paCx2uJ1JUEXIfZHAEEPDezQwvbHBbQ4wCLcB/s320/evening-sky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-25304267692346935652016-04-20T00:10:00.002-07:002016-04-20T00:10:35.716-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday - week in review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-leXqyjQ45vI/VxcNZXxpyyI/AAAAAAABhNI/rohn-dEHrpoia3GD2vhKOlf4dv_5b37UACLcB/s1600/cactus-yellow-april-19-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-leXqyjQ45vI/VxcNZXxpyyI/AAAAAAABhNI/rohn-dEHrpoia3GD2vhKOlf4dv_5b37UACLcB/s320/cactus-yellow-april-19-a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Garden continues to gift me with</div>
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daily reasons to grab my camera; no reason</div>
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to leave the house! </div>
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Yellow Barrel Cactus bloom against</div>
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a larger Barrel Cactus,</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KvJo-jvPlT4/VxcNZXTTKPI/AAAAAAABhNA/mjKKMJFB45A17D4NIGynIegtTvZIwzKTACLcB/s1600/ordinary-into.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KvJo-jvPlT4/VxcNZXTTKPI/AAAAAAABhNA/mjKKMJFB45A17D4NIGynIegtTvZIwzKTACLcB/s320/ordinary-into.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A tree stake is the perfect place for birds to pose. </div>
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This photo was blended with a texture layer.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp49qQXVMVY/VxcNZ_PsMZI/AAAAAAABhNQ/E9UQqEb7c3ktK4LwwTI1xN7LeekQu2DuQCLcB/s1600/shrooms-April-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp49qQXVMVY/VxcNZ_PsMZI/AAAAAAABhNQ/E9UQqEb7c3ktK4LwwTI1xN7LeekQu2DuQCLcB/s320/shrooms-April-8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Shrooms among pansies.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TBqOvgyGLXw/VxcNZSEpdrI/AAAAAAABhNE/yLPL6GMKdastpcPEV1FsG0IuoRLK6eJ4wCLcB/s1600/shrooms-April-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TBqOvgyGLXw/VxcNZSEpdrI/AAAAAAABhNE/yLPL6GMKdastpcPEV1FsG0IuoRLK6eJ4wCLcB/s320/shrooms-April-10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EK0UNXJgarI/VxcNZioJRkI/AAAAAAABhNM/BZ5K8gabFeg2gNmdOibVsJry9hc2tk1NQCLcB/s1600/shrooms-April-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EK0UNXJgarI/VxcNZioJRkI/AAAAAAABhNM/BZ5K8gabFeg2gNmdOibVsJry9hc2tk1NQCLcB/s320/shrooms-April-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCzmSzbUYYA/VxcNZ2_2sqI/AAAAAAABhNU/pri2RxBupig5FGEOyzmAxM_40oYqnkidACLcB/s1600/shrooms-April.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCzmSzbUYYA/VxcNZ2_2sqI/AAAAAAABhNU/pri2RxBupig5FGEOyzmAxM_40oYqnkidACLcB/s320/shrooms-April.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nearly daily I'm greeted with Sea Urchin Cactus flowers.. </div>
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They bloom in the </div>
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early hours and die in the afternoon desert heat.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pUbbAvjvwFM/VxcNaIsWUfI/AAAAAAABhNY/yr-j_eDz17cyWXnwaFbCdaSz8ogSf_WzgCLcB/s1600/su-april-19-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pUbbAvjvwFM/VxcNaIsWUfI/AAAAAAABhNY/yr-j_eDz17cyWXnwaFbCdaSz8ogSf_WzgCLcB/s320/su-april-19-a.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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The above 4 flowers on one plant! What a rare surprise.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz91fN77GPA/VxcNaJWZQmI/AAAAAAABhNc/YUi5cNiENIYMKzX6CNLmLdd4xrAs-pMQwCLcB/s1600/su-april-19-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz91fN77GPA/VxcNaJWZQmI/AAAAAAABhNc/YUi5cNiENIYMKzX6CNLmLdd4xrAs-pMQwCLcB/s320/su-april-19-b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Above, a different view of the flowers in the pot.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1cq3gCzCrXM/VxcNaHzxJjI/AAAAAAABhNg/1Uhnn2hZBc46zjbdC3RKqcSGyexYm1voQCLcB/s1600/su-april-19-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1cq3gCzCrXM/VxcNaHzxJjI/AAAAAAABhNg/1Uhnn2hZBc46zjbdC3RKqcSGyexYm1voQCLcB/s320/su-april-19-e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two flowers in the garden; ten bloomed that day.</div>
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<i>Gardening allows you to</i></div>
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<i>absorb the sounds of nature.</i></div>
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<i>Anthony William</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-20289989068734535272016-04-06T00:29:00.000-07:002016-04-10T15:15:35.566-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-685Ur41sPz4/VwSEKUK1q1I/AAAAAAABgmg/VhfBBpdttBQ-wsaDg8aWthADtzw4ip2LQ/s1600/oriole-bathing2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-685Ur41sPz4/VwSEKUK1q1I/AAAAAAABgmg/VhfBBpdttBQ-wsaDg8aWthADtzw4ip2LQ/s320/oriole-bathing2.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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It's hard to feel Wonderfulicious when it was only last Wednesday that mom</div>
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passed. What a rough week it's been. I plan on writing a tribute to mom</div>
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and my aunt who passed in Jan. but right now the grief is . . . </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFpTwBeAJio/VwSEJZ78uoI/AAAAAAABgmU/Kfu7Wc_u1egFKfjNz0JYavrksO0toSG2g/s1600/oriole-bathing-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFpTwBeAJio/VwSEJZ78uoI/AAAAAAABgmU/Kfu7Wc_u1egFKfjNz0JYavrksO0toSG2g/s320/oriole-bathing-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We arrived home on Monday from an appt. I barely remember </div>
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going to in time to see this cheerful Oriole, The delight</div>
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of having a playful</div>
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time bathing in the water fountain</div>
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was infectious! </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jeh-6fXIqGo/VwSEJb170rI/AAAAAAABgmY/u16qv3LUnbEME_m6mVOaUjbPe_AHkEozQ/s1600/oriole-bathing-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jeh-6fXIqGo/VwSEJb170rI/AAAAAAABgmY/u16qv3LUnbEME_m6mVOaUjbPe_AHkEozQ/s320/oriole-bathing-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Suddenly my mood changed from bleak to one </div>
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full of joy! Mom knew I've always had a fondness</div>
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for birds which she always supported even when she</div>
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was terrified of them flying near her.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXML_VCREO8/VwSEJ8zue5I/AAAAAAABgmc/x4s2l4VrD28tFFRGVMAovJUdOHgT1F30A/s1600/oriole-bathing-first-one-of-season.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXML_VCREO8/VwSEJ8zue5I/AAAAAAABgmc/x4s2l4VrD28tFFRGVMAovJUdOHgT1F30A/s320/oriole-bathing-first-one-of-season.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I was 11 and very ill dad built me a pigeon coop and mom</div>
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allowed me to have at least 2 dozen birds. They weren't the usual pigeons</div>
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of the grey variety, though I did have one of those. </div>
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The ones I had were exotic breeds, like owl pigeons, fan-tailed, </div>
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and feather footed.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jQUSC6fw4Eg/VwSEKO-O3FI/AAAAAAABgmk/FJ6aqC4cmOsLM5L7_bA1W4zjan5iIs3Qg/s1600/oriole-bathing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jQUSC6fw4Eg/VwSEKO-O3FI/AAAAAAABgmk/FJ6aqC4cmOsLM5L7_bA1W4zjan5iIs3Qg/s320/oriole-bathing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When we moved to Huntington Beach we had to</div>
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find homes for the flock and that's when a parakeet entered</div>
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my life. Followed by Cockatiels and a Parrot. It's been decades</div>
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since I've had birds in the house; I now prefer them</div>
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in the yard.</div>
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I had signs from my aunt when she first passed and</div>
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I feel certain that the bathing frolicking Oriole was </div>
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a sign from mom. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I-J8Y8Gy-30/VwSIXEV_WOI/AAAAAAABgnE/BC8S-bwkAiUDx5rmo-dq7HibauuqGtKAA/s1600/oriole-on-fountain-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I-J8Y8Gy-30/VwSIXEV_WOI/AAAAAAABgnE/BC8S-bwkAiUDx5rmo-dq7HibauuqGtKAA/s320/oriole-on-fountain-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm-ex-xaQ5c/VwSEbUWnDyI/AAAAAAABgmo/kS3Xc7E82e4QWt6GRAN_wPKxPjHrBVdIg/s1600/SU-first-of-season-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm-ex-xaQ5c/VwSEbUWnDyI/AAAAAAABgmo/kS3Xc7E82e4QWt6GRAN_wPKxPjHrBVdIg/s320/SU-first-of-season-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Every April the Sea Urchin Cactus start</div>
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blooming. Yesterday morning I was greeted </div>
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with the two blooms below. </div>
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I photographed them the night </div>
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before, photo above.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w4qccoOOTvs/VwSEbSPSi9I/AAAAAAABgm0/IU9Baj1oqXM7lq_MrElKDSapk8hRAv6mQ/s1600/SU-first-of-season-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w4qccoOOTvs/VwSEbSPSi9I/AAAAAAABgm0/IU9Baj1oqXM7lq_MrElKDSapk8hRAv6mQ/s320/SU-first-of-season-3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Every year I try to get different shots</div>
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than the year before, it's a challenge.</div>
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I must have hundreds of photos</div>
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by now.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywnXr9CLKdM/VwSEbeGJTdI/AAAAAAABgmw/CaB2PtM_jIQ1P7D-4yUw7aWHLoOfhRmkQ/s1600/SU-first-of-season-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywnXr9CLKdM/VwSEbeGJTdI/AAAAAAABgmw/CaB2PtM_jIQ1P7D-4yUw7aWHLoOfhRmkQ/s320/SU-first-of-season-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The first two Sea Urchin cactus plants are probably 15+ years old</div>
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and never grew all that well when I lived on the</div>
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Monterey Peninsula. </div>
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They've multiplied so many times</div>
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over the 9 years we've lived in the desert</div>
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that there are now over 50 plants of them</div>
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in the yard and in pots. Amazing! </div>
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<i>"The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not 'get over' the loss of a love one;</i></div>
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<i>you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss</i></div>
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<i>you have suffered. You will be be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you</i></div>
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<i>be the same the same nor would you want to."</i></div>
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<i>Elisabeth Kubler-Ross</i></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-28541140678918674272016-03-25T13:03:00.000-07:002016-04-10T15:11:20.171-07:00Agave Bloom Stalk - November, 2015 - March, 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EcmBiQFBRO0/VvTBn-XOFrI/AAAAAAABgJQ/AI1iyPsc-p0wkrnzCgj08BJsRwGdZyQGQ/s1600/agave-document-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EcmBiQFBRO0/VvTBn-XOFrI/AAAAAAABgJQ/AI1iyPsc-p0wkrnzCgj08BJsRwGdZyQGQ/s320/agave-document-l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The mystery of the Agave Bloom Stalk revealed.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ysM1_W3P-A4/VvYCjbwCT-I/AAAAAAABgMw/gCpAOxqn9pINelxIejnuwy0ns3bPmrfBA/s1600/agave-document-wed-morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ysM1_W3P-A4/VvYCjbwCT-I/AAAAAAABgMw/gCpAOxqn9pINelxIejnuwy0ns3bPmrfBA/s320/agave-document-wed-morning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GhWrx5V_lYw/VvN4CBqzOHI/AAAAAAABgGo/aJr5JkQiG54OgrNCXeFqplTQlyyPoDd-g/s1600/agave-document-g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GhWrx5V_lYw/VvN4CBqzOHI/AAAAAAABgGo/aJr5JkQiG54OgrNCXeFqplTQlyyPoDd-g/s320/agave-document-g.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some of these photos have been posted both here</div>
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on the blog and on FB, but they tell </div>
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the life-cycle of the Agave Bloom Stalk that began</div>
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last November and is nearly over.</div>
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The stalk, above, started growing in November and that's when</div>
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a decision was required. Do I allow the stalk to grow thereby cutting the</div>
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life of the agave short or do I cut the stalk off giving</div>
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the agave a longer life?</div>
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Actually, it wasn't a difficult decision; the mother-ship has</div>
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4 offspring 2 of which are shown in the photo below. Choosing to watch</div>
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and document the bloom stalk turned out to captivate me longer than</div>
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I expected. I had no idea how many stages the bloom stalk goes through.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lvFFutRf82g/VvN4CFjjB0I/AAAAAAABgGw/Z0uePPsmwP43A-354aGx0F7BEHyKKDOxA/s1600/agave-document-k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lvFFutRf82g/VvN4CFjjB0I/AAAAAAABgGw/Z0uePPsmwP43A-354aGx0F7BEHyKKDOxA/s320/agave-document-k.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
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Below. While not the best photo it</div>
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shows how close to the bedroom window</div>
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the agave is. Every morning I've</div>
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been greeted with the progress.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5gIEByJGMg/VvS1k8GTk0I/AAAAAAABgIg/lwGHDBUa078KFaoFooOTLekAXbRFi4TeA/s1600/agave-document-i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5gIEByJGMg/VvS1k8GTk0I/AAAAAAABgIg/lwGHDBUa078KFaoFooOTLekAXbRFi4TeA/s320/agave-document-i.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ua-dN1tcEk0/VvN4CATFlkI/AAAAAAABgGs/gw5as3f6xzc0I7eYsKkiWo6KrPZW2gghg/s1600/agave-document-n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ua-dN1tcEk0/VvN4CATFlkI/AAAAAAABgGs/gw5as3f6xzc0I7eYsKkiWo6KrPZW2gghg/s320/agave-document-n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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When the bloom stalk started</div>
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growing the tip looked like</div>
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asparagus, at least to me.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_H52FxZJXI/VvN4CraBTYI/AAAAAAABgG0/KIAgzEz1s-Me866ff04Pc6aoFVIZWrxMQ/s1600/agave-document-o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_H52FxZJXI/VvN4CraBTYI/AAAAAAABgG0/KIAgzEz1s-Me866ff04Pc6aoFVIZWrxMQ/s320/agave-document-o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l1OlWrzx9aY/VvN4enrf8_I/AAAAAAABgHA/WzVSsfO6zPoD5k-y1yr73f825acHw5POQ/s1600/agave-document-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l1OlWrzx9aY/VvN4enrf8_I/AAAAAAABgHA/WzVSsfO6zPoD5k-y1yr73f825acHw5POQ/s320/agave-document-3.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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As the stalk grew buds started</div>
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appearing. </div>
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At first they were tight and</div>
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then they started unfurling.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQsRZru3j3w/VvN4eqH0GjI/AAAAAAABgG4/Kse0BgaTyF0ahe8QJmfz2rH2vbI0LY9Jg/s1600/agave-document-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQsRZru3j3w/VvN4eqH0GjI/AAAAAAABgG4/Kse0BgaTyF0ahe8QJmfz2rH2vbI0LY9Jg/s320/agave-document-e.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5dO9YGi3xQ/VvN4eqyTCuI/AAAAAAABgG8/-ohS-iDJRKw2ed02aOBIZRT-5iX46WAxA/s1600/agave-document-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5dO9YGi3xQ/VvN4eqyTCuI/AAAAAAABgG8/-ohS-iDJRKw2ed02aOBIZRT-5iX46WAxA/s320/agave-document-f.jpg" width="170" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uk8CKBC-Nt8/VvN45mo1SHI/AAAAAAABgHM/kK8cCsqWQFQLoWanvyAcge4HsEQ_boitw/s1600/agave-document-m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uk8CKBC-Nt8/VvN45mo1SHI/AAAAAAABgHM/kK8cCsqWQFQLoWanvyAcge4HsEQ_boitw/s320/agave-document-m.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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It's difficult to isolate the </div>
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bloom stalk enough to </div>
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photograph it.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o6am-nFMMFg/VvTL63gFJbI/AAAAAAABgJg/PUeoZOwiGycq9GTr1yWne5okOUimi_opw/s1600/agave-from-window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o6am-nFMMFg/VvTL63gFJbI/AAAAAAABgJg/PUeoZOwiGycq9GTr1yWne5okOUimi_opw/s320/agave-from-window.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgmFzG0p8Hk/VvN45mGCr6I/AAAAAAABgHI/KS3cWRblrkAxud8ZN-SWeK_mZJRGyPt2Q/s1600/agave-document-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgmFzG0p8Hk/VvN45mGCr6I/AAAAAAABgHI/KS3cWRblrkAxud8ZN-SWeK_mZJRGyPt2Q/s320/agave-document-a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Close-up.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJIoSoLoQXk/VvSyECEX-kI/AAAAAAABgH0/cVFOZ123TQYPLcYOl1-PrxwvWMmOCSXog/s1600/agave-document-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJIoSoLoQXk/VvSyECEX-kI/AAAAAAABgH0/cVFOZ123TQYPLcYOl1-PrxwvWMmOCSXog/s320/agave-document-c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One bloom bursting open</div>
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and one in waiting.</div>
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Both blooms fully open.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYo0xBDhstM/VvS038zgasI/AAAAAAABgII/42bmBLdg5PA1Mqobnh7QR6e01FzLpZQMQ/s1600/agave-document-double-bloom-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYo0xBDhstM/VvS038zgasI/AAAAAAABgII/42bmBLdg5PA1Mqobnh7QR6e01FzLpZQMQ/s320/agave-document-double-bloom-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Close-up of a bloom.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r2Lo2u9FpbU/VvSyDK6vZaI/AAAAAAABgIA/Bxvnt5OBL9E5SNLivPYG0okF3dGknBjwg/s1600/agave--document-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r2Lo2u9FpbU/VvSyDK6vZaI/AAAAAAABgIA/Bxvnt5OBL9E5SNLivPYG0okF3dGknBjwg/s320/agave--document-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The bloom stalk grew right through the </div>
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top of the pergola. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-24-GPMGIAes/VvS-P57Wz5I/AAAAAAABgJE/xX2g_1X1rcsCszzgBPBPnubURtQ4Utotw/s1600/agave-document.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-24-GPMGIAes/VvS-P57Wz5I/AAAAAAABgJE/xX2g_1X1rcsCszzgBPBPnubURtQ4Utotw/s320/agave-document.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6LPkaoJaHOs/VvSyDayJpII/AAAAAAABgIA/jwU4IJi3tjQNj1a4EMs5A7Fj3VIij8qWg/s1600/agave-document-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6LPkaoJaHOs/VvSyDayJpII/AAAAAAABgIA/jwU4IJi3tjQNj1a4EMs5A7Fj3VIij8qWg/s320/agave-document-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A finch enjoying</div>
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the agave.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Im7PqVVRtU/VvSyEekFaCI/AAAAAAABgIA/HBU0MyQ-Kx4Yh_jW_EcqEC2y1FbVH6dkA/s1600/agave-document-d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Im7PqVVRtU/VvSyEekFaCI/AAAAAAABgIA/HBU0MyQ-Kx4Yh_jW_EcqEC2y1FbVH6dkA/s320/agave-document-d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The many stages of blooming.</div>
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The bottom ones are dying, the middle</div>
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ones are in bloom and the top are </div>
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about to burst open.</div>
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Even while dying the agave is </div>
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beautiful.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZtK02mO5Qw/VvS1csmgX_I/AAAAAAABgIU/ZcSR9brR70cL8JkFvFKMaR2hAk3xi_2Cg/s1600/agave-document-dying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZtK02mO5Qw/VvS1csmgX_I/AAAAAAABgIU/ZcSR9brR70cL8JkFvFKMaR2hAk3xi_2Cg/s320/agave-document-dying.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EISWew5jTVk/VvS3DRhb2yI/AAAAAAABgIs/YATEQiewJ4Ei7tQlCeIWipTYSmSU2cjxQ/s1600/hummer-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EISWew5jTVk/VvS3DRhb2yI/AAAAAAABgIs/YATEQiewJ4Ei7tQlCeIWipTYSmSU2cjxQ/s320/hummer-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The resident hummer enjoying</div>
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the blooms.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fdGVIGWZSWE/VvS3DbdBJSI/AAAAAAABgIw/awERMN78qY4d9Q-uhgHj-d7XsOfpRNDJQ/s1600/hummer-agave4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fdGVIGWZSWE/VvS3DbdBJSI/AAAAAAABgIw/awERMN78qY4d9Q-uhgHj-d7XsOfpRNDJQ/s320/hummer-agave4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In flight! After a few years of attempting to capture</div>
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the hummer in flight I was finally successful!</div>
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What a gift the bloom stalk has been; no</div>
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regrets about allowing it to go </div>
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through its natural life cycle. </div>
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<i>Note: I have read that cutting the </i></div>
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<i>stalk off doesn't prevent the</i></div>
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<i>Agave from dying regardless</i></div>
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<i>of what my maintenance</i></div>
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<i>gardener has said. </i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aMWtkS7LANk/VvS3DVgi2SI/AAAAAAABgI0/viqqx3-JQegjSEnN0C56KHSP3DDdet00w/s1600/hummer-agave-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aMWtkS7LANk/VvS3DVgi2SI/AAAAAAABgI0/viqqx3-JQegjSEnN0C56KHSP3DDdet00w/s320/hummer-agave-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And one last photo, Digital Art piece that</div>
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started with an image of a woodpecker borrowed</div>
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from a friend, Christina. I know that I'll use</div>
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photos of the Agave Bloom Stalk in my art work</div>
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for years to come. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zbhw1GN3jJQ/VvYS76RWUTI/AAAAAAABgNA/iLcEnZi-jOkXw265CDD0ualRRGjaDlPRg/s1600/agave-document-woodpecker-stalk-bloom-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zbhw1GN3jJQ/VvYS76RWUTI/AAAAAAABgNA/iLcEnZi-jOkXw265CDD0ualRRGjaDlPRg/s320/agave-document-woodpecker-stalk-bloom-copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I hope you've enjoyed the photos!</div>
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Happy Spring!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-78850427459881159872016-03-23T21:49:00.000-07:002016-03-23T22:12:17.481-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday - At the Living Desert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6JOZrQl5wI/VvNrguZ1rlI/AAAAAAABgF8/g0-hmcFouY0WlbWgIijKhKl71QVAYGRNw/s1600/living-desert-march-feeding-frenzy-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6JOZrQl5wI/VvNrguZ1rlI/AAAAAAABgF8/g0-hmcFouY0WlbWgIijKhKl71QVAYGRNw/s320/living-desert-march-feeding-frenzy-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally a few cooler days! The Butterfly exhibit at The Living Desert </div>
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beckoned to us. . .. but little did I know that it's Spring Break! I don't do</div>
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well in crowds. </div>
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It was worth the wait for my turn to photograph the bowl full of butterflies. </div>
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What a feeding frenzy! I didn't want to be greedy, but I was able to get 7 photos.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJGK4257AAo/VvNrgnF4F4I/AAAAAAABgGM/Wv8JrYCu9noSP1eZtHw0wAOaZ8w5Uw-Dg/s1600/living-desert-March-feeding-frenzy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJGK4257AAo/VvNrgnF4F4I/AAAAAAABgGM/Wv8JrYCu9noSP1eZtHw0wAOaZ8w5Uw-Dg/s320/living-desert-March-feeding-frenzy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The yellow butterfly was on the cement walkway, not</div>
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a very interesting background, thus a blended layer.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nhRr6LhNqFw/VvNrgjN0JpI/AAAAAAABgGA/yR6S8bh63bw2KDVoqc7g_1ZXDmWP2hADg/s1600/living-desert-march-bighorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nhRr6LhNqFw/VvNrgjN0JpI/AAAAAAABgGA/yR6S8bh63bw2KDVoqc7g_1ZXDmWP2hADg/s320/living-desert-march-bighorn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And sometimes a sky is too bland. </div>
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This is the first time I've had success getting some photos of </div>
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the Bighorn Sheep on the mountain. Usually, they're in</div>
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a ravine at the bottom of the mountain.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXrnJX1ZT_0/VvNwpuSPYlI/AAAAAAABgGY/vPoYNK350TAvEHMdsqYW3uhFh7tBPp_1Q/s1600/living-desert-march-sheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXrnJX1ZT_0/VvNwpuSPYlI/AAAAAAABgGY/vPoYNK350TAvEHMdsqYW3uhFh7tBPp_1Q/s320/living-desert-march-sheep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSvU6Ii0XMg/VvNrhF7wOOI/AAAAAAABgGE/fgb-O-P-ECgTI2kyhDsuupsT0PxPfrWiA/s1600/living-desert-march-octoillo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSvU6Ii0XMg/VvNrhF7wOOI/AAAAAAABgGE/fgb-O-P-ECgTI2kyhDsuupsT0PxPfrWiA/s320/living-desert-march-octoillo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Ocotillo were blooming and we know how much I love </div>
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bloom stalks!<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></h3>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-68744052519092503202016-03-16T01:41:00.000-07:002016-03-23T22:04:32.686-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday - #naturechallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9bzvXap5HJQ/VukP6if4uSI/AAAAAAABfeo/wkOMptyY17Es-qn9GQ-7NI5vn5wEe3f4Q/s1600/nature-challenge-pansies-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9bzvXap5HJQ/VukP6if4uSI/AAAAAAABfeo/wkOMptyY17Es-qn9GQ-7NI5vn5wEe3f4Q/s320/nature-challenge-pansies-1.jpg" width="320" /></a> A dear<a href="http://www.facebook.com/shirleya.mcelhaney"> cyber friend</a> and talented artist nominated me to join the 7-day FB #naturechallenge. I decided to take the challenge and add my own take on it and photograph daily gifts in my garden.</div>
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The pansies were placed on a rusted pan and photographed with the iPhone under florescent lights.</div>
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Day 2 is an Agave Bloom on the bloom stalk that I've had the joy of watching grow.</div>
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I've documented the journey from birth to full yellow blooms and plan to post the</div>
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photos soon.</div>
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Day 3. In just the right light the flowers on the succulents sparkle and seem </div>
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to dance in delight. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWvPb91V9pY/VukP6wVV7eI/AAAAAAABfew/qu32ANIVuLMgAdrkMfHjxLnLBPS2NiUcw/s1600/orange-bougie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWvPb91V9pY/VukP6wVV7eI/AAAAAAABfew/qu32ANIVuLMgAdrkMfHjxLnLBPS2NiUcw/s320/orange-bougie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Day 4. At this time of year it seems that the entire area is bursting</div>
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with either pink oleanders or reddish bougainvillea. I chose red oleanders for</div>
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a hedge down one side of the house and Opal Bougainvillea to grow on</div>
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a pergola post. When the afternoon sun back-lit the above vine I knew just</div>
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how I wanted to alter the final image. </div>
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Day 5. When I planted white bougainvillea vines</div>
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nine years ago I was told numerous times</div>
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that they wouldn't grow. The two vines full of white flowers</div>
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prove that it's worth it to try regardless of naysayers, </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kQxdpptLWM/VukP5dmLsYI/AAAAAAABfew/UhnW2mRsMlgu98N4Z6EKkF0JiwMWwElcg/s1600/nature-challenge-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kQxdpptLWM/VukP5dmLsYI/AAAAAAABfew/UhnW2mRsMlgu98N4Z6EKkF0JiwMWwElcg/s320/nature-challenge-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Day 6. Saw a fern unfurling, chose the<br />
macro lens . . . some color tweaking and ended up<br />
with more of an abstract effect than I expected.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6cCiIOMfPtI/VukP6ZX-T-I/AAAAAAABfew/zxruAoBQezIsEt-KFOBAhRk6URL7O-pEg/s1600/nature-challenge-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6cCiIOMfPtI/VukP6ZX-T-I/AAAAAAABfew/zxruAoBQezIsEt-KFOBAhRk6URL7O-pEg/s320/nature-challenge-7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Day 7, macro.</div>
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The saga of the grape vines. </div>
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I'm always blown away when the birth of grapes</div>
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begin. Tiny.</div>
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We've only enjoyed bunches of</div>
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grapes the first couple of years and since</div>
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then the birds feast on them. Last year</div>
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mildew claimed them. This year the</div>
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bunches seem to be very prolific . . </div>
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Time will tell what is in store for the vines. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkhZXRBdaKs/VukP5alp-OI/AAAAAAABfew/hSY-xuP6jawZdqjTIGibpme8qPNndPEXw/s1600/hummer-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkhZXRBdaKs/VukP5alp-OI/AAAAAAABfew/hSY-xuP6jawZdqjTIGibpme8qPNndPEXw/s320/hummer-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The resident Hummer enjoying the Agave Bloom. </div>
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Thank you Shirley for encouraging me to post more often. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-46043731253734507022016-03-09T00:14:00.000-08:002016-03-09T00:14:00.010-08:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday, 3 months later<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm a bit surprised that it's been three months since I've posted anything . . . Health crap again! Three years after chemo and radiation I took a nose-dive . . . and after taking control of my health things are slowly turning around. Nuff said . .. Art does heal! I've returned to my love of altering photos and signed up for a course with <a href="http://fineartgrunge.com/grungecanvas/">Sebastian Michaels</a> that has brought excitement back into my life. </div>
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Wonderfulicious Wednesday!</div>
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Flowers on a trailing succulent plant.</div>
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Elements: image of Blue Kino rock, Monarch butterflies, </div>
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and a texture layer.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-APxtKQn8T7c/Vt--NOdeHPI/AAAAAAABe6s/pJOH-GohDHg/s1600/daffodils-original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-APxtKQn8T7c/Vt--NOdeHPI/AAAAAAABe6s/pJOH-GohDHg/s320/daffodils-original.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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March is full of losses and has been since my dad passed away 16 years </div>
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ago this month. A stillborn grandson, an ex, and my guy have followed</div>
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over the years. . . and five years </div>
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ago mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. </div>
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Getting thru March is challenging but every March I seem to rally</div>
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and take on new projects; it's like I'm led into them. This year is no</div>
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exception so when a bunch of $1.49 daffodils nearly threw themselves</div>
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into the shopping cart I knew there was a reason. JOY! The color yellow</div>
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is so uplifting, begging to be photographed. And one</div>
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things leads to another.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9WrZxk7-wE/Vt--UC4olSI/AAAAAAABe6w/7u351sLamjY/s1600/march-daffodils-copy-3-with-text-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9WrZxk7-wE/Vt--UC4olSI/AAAAAAABe6w/7u351sLamjY/s320/march-daffodils-copy-3-with-text-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I tend to create series of a subject.</div>
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The top one is the original.</div>
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Elements: three layers of texture and</div>
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text from a card my remaining sent</div>
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me on my dad's birthday, March 4th. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYSUkrgSIpo/Vt-_5GxLPII/AAAAAAABe7E/K3zy8JSIoT8/s1600/IMG_8085-copy-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYSUkrgSIpo/Vt-_5GxLPII/AAAAAAABe7E/K3zy8JSIoT8/s320/IMG_8085-copy-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ever since my darkroom days back in the 80's of working</div>
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in Black and White I haven't been able to</div>
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leave a photo alone. I have no idea </div>
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why I'm compelled to take an image </div>
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and alter it but I'm</div>
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grateful for Apps and Photoshop.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LAJobdlucZk/Vt_FR2IP8EI/AAAAAAABe70/-0HDp6YDBLI/s1600/agave-bloom-and-butterfly2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LAJobdlucZk/Vt_FR2IP8EI/AAAAAAABe70/-0HDp6YDBLI/s320/agave-bloom-and-butterfly2a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This image is a combination of two images</div>
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and two texture layers. The Agave Stalk Bloom</div>
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is part of a series I will blog about soon, and</div>
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the butterfly was extracted from a busy</div>
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background. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-US6Sn2gVgU0/Vt_BDHvbpFI/AAAAAAABe7U/c5kp08fvhdI/s1600/Tarquinia-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-US6Sn2gVgU0/Vt_BDHvbpFI/AAAAAAABe7U/c5kp08fvhdI/s320/Tarquinia-image.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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Tarquinia, Italy, 2009. A grab shot as we drove through</div>
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the village. At the time I knew the image would end</div>
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up altered in some way. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZwHhtLpMCA/Vt_BGLzBoxI/AAAAAAABe7Y/dutwJXgOcss/s1600/moon-over-Tarquinia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZwHhtLpMCA/Vt_BGLzBoxI/AAAAAAABe7Y/dutwJXgOcss/s320/moon-over-Tarquinia.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Elements: A scan of an acrylic painting, image</div>
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of the Red Moon and a sunset photo from </div>
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the patio.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zxxdBjoKUvE/Vt_ByHxplUI/AAAAAAABe7g/Q1Exs17zDWs/s1600/eucalyptus-original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zxxdBjoKUvE/Vt_ByHxplUI/AAAAAAABe7g/Q1Exs17zDWs/s320/eucalyptus-original.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And a photo taken from my bedroom window of a tree on the golf</div>
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course on the block behind me. Why? Trying out the </div>
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zoom on the camera when I purchased it nearly 2 years ago. </div>
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Challenge: experimenting with layers on a mundane photo. </div>
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Elements: images of a sunset. the Red Moon and a texture layer.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WfXu_D168sM/Vt_B1tgTlbI/AAAAAAABe7k/RCLNpIFmVW8/s1600/eucalyptus-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WfXu_D168sM/Vt_B1tgTlbI/AAAAAAABe7k/RCLNpIFmVW8/s320/eucalyptus-copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>"The art of healing comes from nature, not from the</b></i></div>
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<i><b>physician. Therefore the physician must start</b></i></div>
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<i><b>from nature with an open mind."</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Paracelsus</b></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-31940325932762563542015-12-09T15:46:00.000-08:002015-12-10T12:03:28.480-08:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BoUXZlwkBP0/Vmi8LZy_kDI/AAAAAAABTuY/tRGigDbWppo/s1600/agave-bloom-stalk-Dec-8th-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BoUXZlwkBP0/Vmi8LZy_kDI/AAAAAAABTuY/tRGigDbWppo/s320/agave-bloom-stalk-Dec-8th-2.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The Agave bloom stalk continues</div>
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to enthrall me.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g-QkjvYRMuI/Vmi8LYqGg1I/AAAAAAABTug/YgZeRmP33JM/s1600/agave-bloom-stalk-Dec-8th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g-QkjvYRMuI/Vmi8LYqGg1I/AAAAAAABTug/YgZeRmP33JM/s320/agave-bloom-stalk-Dec-8th.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Buds have started to develop.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWBnE-MziP4/Vmi8MEsGOSI/AAAAAAABTus/c8aCVWSLSkM/s1600/agave-bloom-stalk-Dec-macro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWBnE-MziP4/Vmi8MEsGOSI/AAAAAAABTus/c8aCVWSLSkM/s320/agave-bloom-stalk-Dec-macro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4XO8CiepUW8/Vmi8MVOGPMI/AAAAAAABTuw/TX9Xxd4cb20/s1600/agave-bloom-stalk-Dec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4XO8CiepUW8/Vmi8MVOGPMI/AAAAAAABTuw/TX9Xxd4cb20/s320/agave-bloom-stalk-Dec.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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When the Agave sprouted the bloom</div>
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stalk right outside of the bedroom window</div>
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I felt blessed to have a front row</div>
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seat.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIK-d_FExJY/Vmi8MXYyZzI/AAAAAAABTvA/IYgRv7jsVKo/s1600/agave-bloom-stalk-dec-base.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIK-d_FExJY/Vmi8MXYyZzI/AAAAAAABTvA/IYgRv7jsVKo/s320/agave-bloom-stalk-dec-base.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The base of the stalk.<br />
<br />
Fun bloom stalk facts are <a href="http://www.discoverseaz.com/Wildlife/AgaveBlooms.html">here:</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-40684161827523895412015-11-25T15:01:00.000-08:002015-11-25T15:01:49.468-08:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday - Happy Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Wonderfulicious Wednesday end of </div>
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November nuggets.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BmpgVoO8ek/VlY608ftsgI/AAAAAAABTs8/jGIzygFqg9o/s1600/oct-clouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BmpgVoO8ek/VlY608ftsgI/AAAAAAABTs8/jGIzygFqg9o/s320/oct-clouds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gotta love cloud shapes!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e7UxZg44Zxo/VlY60_BzD0I/AAAAAAABTtU/av0Yo330BnM/s1600/for-the-love-of-plants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e7UxZg44Zxo/VlY60_BzD0I/AAAAAAABTtU/av0Yo330BnM/s320/for-the-love-of-plants.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On my desk.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5H4W_J_7JAc/VlY60BPI5CI/AAAAAAABTtA/vvUBZxLvjMU/s1600/cereus-oct-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5H4W_J_7JAc/VlY60BPI5CI/AAAAAAABTtA/vvUBZxLvjMU/s320/cereus-oct-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
For the love of blooming Cereus.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOKoLR_JiQk/VlY60JhHdwI/AAAAAAABTtM/mu2ZTIhnqDo/s1600/cereus-Oct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOKoLR_JiQk/VlY60JhHdwI/AAAAAAABTtM/mu2ZTIhnqDo/s320/cereus-Oct.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-800W9JFcK9E/VlY60EJaO4I/AAAAAAABTtE/Q-akNUMWQMs/s1600/Agave-bloom-stalk-Nov-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-800W9JFcK9E/VlY60EJaO4I/AAAAAAABTtE/Q-akNUMWQMs/s320/Agave-bloom-stalk-Nov-25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Agave blooming Stalk.</div>
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This is the first time a blooming stalk of</div>
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this stature has bloomed in the yard.</div>
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The variegated Agave is in a pot</div>
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that often falls over from the</div>
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sheer weight of the Agave. </div>
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I hope that it's weighted </div>
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down well enough</div>
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while the stalk</div>
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blooms.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-48893375017809947742015-11-18T00:05:00.000-08:002015-11-18T00:05:10.384-08:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday - Memories of Paris<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been awhile since I posted a Wonderfulicious Wednesday . . . Health has been</div>
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precarious, nuff said.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Like many Paris has been on my mind lately. The first time I saw Paris it was instant</div>
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love! How can it not be? Even though it's been 15 years since I was last there the </div>
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memories haven't faded. In 1997 after a delayed flight that involved my luggage missing</div>
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the flight from NY, I met Paris and discovered that the Eiffel Tower is truly a treasure!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PYxv7mv_VS4/VkwSDR2T2YI/AAAAAAABTkY/xDrXQZqgLMY/s1600/memories-of-Eiffel-Tower-finally094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PYxv7mv_VS4/VkwSDR2T2YI/AAAAAAABTkY/xDrXQZqgLMY/s320/memories-of-Eiffel-Tower-finally094.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
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The Seine at dusk.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CR9bJJdd4j8/VkwPIplfMoI/AAAAAAABTjY/0eboZiuc1mo/s1600/memories-of--Notre-Dame-in-route-along-the-Seine167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CR9bJJdd4j8/VkwPIplfMoI/AAAAAAABTjY/0eboZiuc1mo/s320/memories-of--Notre-Dame-in-route-along-the-Seine167.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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First sight of Notre Dame.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r6Dt3kQF8nM/VkwPJVRm1kI/AAAAAAABTjk/owDBZ68ZgDM/s1600/memories-of-Notre-Dame-172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r6Dt3kQF8nM/VkwPJVRm1kI/AAAAAAABTjk/owDBZ68ZgDM/s320/memories-of-Notre-Dame-172.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lcbs_2I_z5A/VkwPJ7sUIrI/AAAAAAABTj0/MLaeDX1Jf3E/s1600/memrories-of-Jardin-des-Tuileries158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lcbs_2I_z5A/VkwPJ7sUIrI/AAAAAAABTj0/MLaeDX1Jf3E/s320/memrories-of-Jardin-des-Tuileries158.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TASd-PUrlTc/VkwPIuKceCI/AAAAAAABTjc/T4Cpqyr_y6M/s1600/memories-of--Champ-de-Mars-108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TASd-PUrlTc/VkwPIuKceCI/AAAAAAABTjc/T4Cpqyr_y6M/s320/memories-of--Champ-de-Mars-108.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KfqcfSgz_nA/VkwPJNjm6FI/AAAAAAABTkE/ZzDIt6R088E/s1600/memories-of--Place-des-Vosges181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KfqcfSgz_nA/VkwPJNjm6FI/AAAAAAABTkE/ZzDIt6R088E/s320/memories-of--Place-des-Vosges181.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Place de Vosges where Pierce Brosnan was first</div>
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sighted. I was working on altering an SX70 Polaroid when</div>
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I looked and met his eyes. He nodded and walked on . .. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-knGvXFX2-zU/VkwPJh-XaOI/AAAAAAABTj4/KAm1p4h-uQc/s1600/memories-of-Place-des-Vosges185-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-knGvXFX2-zU/VkwPJh-XaOI/AAAAAAABTj4/KAm1p4h-uQc/s320/memories-of-Place-des-Vosges185-copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I admit that I had to have a photo of</div>
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Pierce Brosnan; he was gracious.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohWSYOEWlhE/VkwPJXtj2kI/AAAAAAABTkA/rqKlFaBWA80/s1600/memories-of-Pierce-Brosnan-during-a-James-Bond-Break197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohWSYOEWlhE/VkwPJXtj2kI/AAAAAAABTkA/rqKlFaBWA80/s320/memories-of-Pierce-Brosnan-during-a-James-Bond-Break197.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
An altered SX70 Polaroid of Notre Dame</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vuphmn4jEyc/VkwTjYPI76I/AAAAAAABTkk/Ydf8ZREwtjk/s1600/memories-of-Paris-1997449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vuphmn4jEyc/VkwTjYPI76I/AAAAAAABTkk/Ydf8ZREwtjk/s320/memories-of-Paris-1997449.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-30397116689561426202015-10-13T23:07:00.000-07:002015-10-16T15:37:27.887-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3H-ExEmtCKE/Vh3PD_RpxII/AAAAAAABTNQ/Ne3sAY-tmzE/s1600/hib-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3H-ExEmtCKE/Vh3PD_RpxII/AAAAAAABTNQ/Ne3sAY-tmzE/s320/hib-2.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Macro photos of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a Hibiscus.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxnhbHKUdWI/Vh3PD0jOxII/AAAAAAABTNY/Q7Ge1bzaczY/s1600/hib-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxnhbHKUdWI/Vh3PD0jOxII/AAAAAAABTNY/Q7Ge1bzaczY/s320/hib-3.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last Thursday we took a 50 minute trip to Palm Springs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Destination,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Quiltfest. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been a long time since we did</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
anything other than run errands. The </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Art Date was much needed!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aomExXGmCpQ/Vh3SbaP0qHI/AAAAAAABTNs/p-aGs6OSv0E/s1600/Palm-Springs-Convention-Center.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aomExXGmCpQ/Vh3SbaP0qHI/AAAAAAABTNs/p-aGs6OSv0E/s320/Palm-Springs-Convention-Center.2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Reflections in the Palm Springs<br />
Convention Center captured<br />
my attention before we even<br />
entered the building,<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yngb-b1uHqc/ViF7WPLnhUI/AAAAAAABTOw/4DW9WJVGnsw/s1600/Palm-Springs-Convention-Center.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yngb-b1uHqc/ViF7WPLnhUI/AAAAAAABTOw/4DW9WJVGnsw/s320/Palm-Springs-Convention-Center.3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ITo4Vl-yTSw/Vh3SbZzbDkI/AAAAAAABTN0/mJwydzzXWG0/s1600/Palm-Springs-Convention-Center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ITo4Vl-yTSw/Vh3SbZzbDkI/AAAAAAABTN0/mJwydzzXWG0/s320/Palm-Springs-Convention-Center.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We arrived in time to sit in</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on a Hand-stitching talk by</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Laura Wasilowski. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her approach to her work and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
life in general was the inspiration</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I needed. She is absolutely delightful!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OA_LLYVklaQ/Vh3SboppzBI/AAAAAAABTNw/DoODvqVnJkg/s1600/Palm-springs-covention-center-Laura-Wasilowski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OA_LLYVklaQ/Vh3SboppzBI/AAAAAAABTNw/DoODvqVnJkg/s320/Palm-springs-covention-center-Laura-Wasilowski.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A few of the quilts that</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
spoke to me. I forgot to jot</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
down most of the names of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the artists.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJ-c-WV6AoI/Vh3Sb5WF4zI/AAAAAAABTOU/V8kgMUPYSog/s1600/Palm-springs-quiltfest-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJ-c-WV6AoI/Vh3Sb5WF4zI/AAAAAAABTOU/V8kgMUPYSog/s320/Palm-springs-quiltfest-2.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2S0CQZIkw4/Vh3ScDrcB6I/AAAAAAABTN4/BnSvaYI0PKA/s1600/Palm-springs-quiltfest-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2S0CQZIkw4/Vh3ScDrcB6I/AAAAAAABTN4/BnSvaYI0PKA/s320/Palm-springs-quiltfest-3.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bush Fire, by </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Christine Seager, UK </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KpGUE1YNiqQ/Vh3ScbHjMpI/AAAAAAABTN8/ttimLZaVKuM/s1600/Palm-springs-quiltfest-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KpGUE1YNiqQ/Vh3ScbHjMpI/AAAAAAABTN8/ttimLZaVKuM/s320/Palm-springs-quiltfest-4.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDgxMrO-cL8/Vh3Sc2XvT6I/AAAAAAABTOI/kTCMA7U9ZNQ/s1600/Palm-springs-quiltfest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDgxMrO-cL8/Vh3Sc2XvT6I/AAAAAAABTOI/kTCMA7U9ZNQ/s320/Palm-springs-quiltfest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-20180063431558813722015-10-07T16:46:00.000-07:002015-10-13T20:32:06.132-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-upXGWvKTWuQ/VhWYYRPKM_I/AAAAAAABTJc/eAeMlNbqyxY/s1600/red-moon-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-upXGWvKTWuQ/VhWYYRPKM_I/AAAAAAABTJc/eAeMlNbqyxY/s320/red-moon-2.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not clear about why I didn't post last week . . . well, maybe I am</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but who needs to hear about more health issues?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway, the Red Super Moon/eclipse was amazing!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRzFkDGVejU/VhWYYO37lyI/AAAAAAABTJY/iP-iuHAH0JM/s1600/sept-moon-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRzFkDGVejU/VhWYYO37lyI/AAAAAAABTJY/iP-iuHAH0JM/s320/sept-moon-3.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most likely I'll be too old to care the next time there is an eclipse.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Though, I plan on photographing right up to the end!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Bz8TkiznXU/VhWYYyCX0BI/AAAAAAABTJk/UDApYOUU-BI/s1600/sept-moon-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Bz8TkiznXU/VhWYYyCX0BI/AAAAAAABTJk/UDApYOUU-BI/s320/sept-moon-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The camera caught things I couldn't see! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love that about cameras!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iaaZ4ikDPDI/VhWYZX3J-rI/AAAAAAABTJo/FUoS2bOMKRY/s1600/sept-moon-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iaaZ4ikDPDI/VhWYZX3J-rI/AAAAAAABTJo/FUoS2bOMKRY/s320/sept-moon-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
West Nile alerts here in the CA desert aren't something</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I ignore! Especially being that I'm allergic to plain mosquito</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bites, but ones carrying West Nile . .. I sprayed the yard, twice, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and myself, said a prayer of protection and stood out in the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
backyard with the camera and enjoyed the event! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dgMU20r-lEw/VhWYYYUx1fI/AAAAAAABTJ4/JIA8md48UGc/s1600/Sept-moon-yard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dgMU20r-lEw/VhWYYYUx1fI/AAAAAAABTJ4/JIA8md48UGc/s320/Sept-moon-yard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The moon and landscape lights made for an </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
interesting image of the yard. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UIIQKhhmrs4/VhWa1SipJLI/AAAAAAABTKI/_USEW8Xev6I/s1600/macro-on-pad-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UIIQKhhmrs4/VhWa1SipJLI/AAAAAAABTKI/_USEW8Xev6I/s320/macro-on-pad-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
More Macro images. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A seed pod that had dropped</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
off of a dried stalk decided to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sprout.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FoshXDCB-n8/VhWa1upQTSI/AAAAAAABTKM/oVLKiKq-h3w/s1600/pod%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FoshXDCB-n8/VhWa1upQTSI/AAAAAAABTKM/oVLKiKq-h3w/s320/pod%2B2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love it that I continue to find so</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
many things in the yard</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to photograph.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8GzusG5eBgI/VhWa1UVuWnI/AAAAAAABTKE/Cuyl4DqXFfI/s1600/tiny-flower-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8GzusG5eBgI/VhWa1UVuWnI/AAAAAAABTKE/Cuyl4DqXFfI/s320/tiny-flower-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Every year a clump of ornamental grasses</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pops up through the dry hot earth </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
an suddenly the tiniest of delicate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
white flowers appear!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWikBCSxwDU/VhWa2KILOCI/AAAAAAABTKY/BMJIChQ7UAw/s1600/tiny-flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWikBCSxwDU/VhWa2KILOCI/AAAAAAABTKY/BMJIChQ7UAw/s320/tiny-flower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The flowers are as magical fairy-like </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as the effect of floating stamens are!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ew3wi9Ag1KE/VhWpjpI7jYI/AAAAAAABTKw/5YiXnDwZgWU/s1600/sea%2Burchin%2Bstem%2Bin%2Bvase%2BSept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ew3wi9Ag1KE/VhWpjpI7jYI/AAAAAAABTKw/5YiXnDwZgWU/s320/sea%2Burchin%2Bstem%2Bin%2Bvase%2BSept.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stem of a Sea Urchin.<br />
<br />
More gifts from the garden.<br />
My love of Sea Urchin Cactus<br />
is never-ending. One bloomed<br />
in the garden on the same day that<br />
the gardeners were<br />
scheduled to do their maintenance.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvBrxUqkNvA/VhWpjVpGyBI/AAAAAAABTKs/dCIMUrBiIoo/s1600/sea-urchin-macro-sept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvBrxUqkNvA/VhWpjVpGyBI/AAAAAAABTKs/dCIMUrBiIoo/s320/sea-urchin-macro-sept.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This particular bloom of the <span style="text-align: center;"> Echinopsis family only</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
lasts a few hours. I usually leave the bloom on the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
plant to allow it to go through its natural</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cycle. This time I saved it from the miserable leaf </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
blower and heat and brought it inside. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then of course had to play with the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
macro lens.</div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f79hwMfwH_g/VhWpjh-EwfI/AAAAAAABTK4/u689TORWkHM/s1600/sea-urchin-macro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f79hwMfwH_g/VhWpjh-EwfI/AAAAAAABTK4/u689TORWkHM/s320/sea-urchin-macro.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sea Urchin end of cycle.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-90519226138018163142015-09-23T20:25:00.000-07:002015-09-23T20:25:41.184-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma2VDjJ6r78/VgNpcQwivTI/AAAAAAABR4o/iTF3ClGyHuU/s1600/pod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma2VDjJ6r78/VgNpcQwivTI/AAAAAAABR4o/iTF3ClGyHuU/s320/pod.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh my! I decided to treat myself</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to a macro lens for the iPhone. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I do love close ups! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Decades ago when I</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
had a Hassleblad camera </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and did darkroom work it was</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
all about landscapes!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jkL43vuMpkc/VgNpFFw4t-I/AAAAAAABR4M/sNgb02hFwqY/s1600/begonia-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jkL43vuMpkc/VgNpFFw4t-I/AAAAAAABR4M/sNgb02hFwqY/s320/begonia-4.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know if it's that I'm older or what, but</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
now I prefer close-ups and a more intimate </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
view of the world. Landscapes rarely interest</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
me anymore.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The macro lens caught what I</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
didn't even see on the Begonia, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a few brown spots. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAhvjnk7lnY/VgNpE7kt5yI/AAAAAAABR4Q/qS0oO6S1SXg/s1600/shell-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAhvjnk7lnY/VgNpE7kt5yI/AAAAAAABR4Q/qS0oO6S1SXg/s320/shell-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I do love the combination of sharpness against blurred</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
areas. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-palMHQcMpuA/VgNpFIuivgI/AAAAAAABR4I/Jz7ezlRiV9E/s1600/shell-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-palMHQcMpuA/VgNpFIuivgI/AAAAAAABR4I/Jz7ezlRiV9E/s320/shell-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shells on the worktable waiting to be photographed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
became perfect candidates for the first few photos</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with the new lens. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is a bit of a learning curve with </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the new lens, mostly because</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my vision is wonky. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Autumn! I'm looking</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
forward to cooler temps and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
time outdoors again. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-72262705609424243412015-09-16T17:44:00.002-07:002015-09-16T17:44:31.054-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday - some nuggets for this week.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Saw this Begonia as I walked into Trader Joe's yesterday.</div>
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I haven't had a plant call out to me in</div>
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awhile; seemed apropos on</div>
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my birthday week.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PLQrckz4Wtw/VfoHRkbv7ZI/AAAAAAABRes/IwaG9Qj6R5I/s1600/begonia-birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PLQrckz4Wtw/VfoHRkbv7ZI/AAAAAAABRes/IwaG9Qj6R5I/s320/begonia-birthday.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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Finally, a little rain yesterday. While</div>
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some areas got enough rain to flood, the</div>
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rain here was a mere surface wetting.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8LfrSQM1S3I/VfoHRqH-c7I/AAAAAAABRe4/tgdmTLTGx7U/s1600/leaf-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8LfrSQM1S3I/VfoHRqH-c7I/AAAAAAABRe4/tgdmTLTGx7U/s320/leaf-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I discovered the leaf, above, dried in a book.</div>
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I don't know where the leaf came from or</div>
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why I stuck it in a book but when it showed</div>
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up in my life it felt like a gift from the past.</div>
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I had to photograph it. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_-DS49Swvc/VfoHFN-6OvI/AAAAAAABRek/CxnCcYd4YVA/s1600/twig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_-DS49Swvc/VfoHFN-6OvI/AAAAAAABRek/CxnCcYd4YVA/s320/twig.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
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This morning the yard was full of </div>
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gifts from yesterday's wind. </div>
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The beautiful bunch of leaves, above, is from</div>
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the Calliandra vine. And below . . .</div>
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a mystery leaf.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aczZcBkathA/VfoHRrV66JI/AAAAAAABRe0/uwdZm4lkRKU/s1600/leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aczZcBkathA/VfoHRrV66JI/AAAAAAABRe0/uwdZm4lkRKU/s320/leaf.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0K2mf1x0LfI/VfoHSRHuvUI/AAAAAAABRe8/jDBpzeGYBf8/s1600/leaves-tipu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0K2mf1x0LfI/VfoHSRHuvUI/AAAAAAABRe8/jDBpzeGYBf8/s320/leaves-tipu.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The cluster of leaves, above, is from </div>
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the Tipu tree that has</div>
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quadrupled in height this</div>
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year, much to the dismay</div>
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of the gardener who recently</div>
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told me he wishes he'd pruned</div>
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more off it last year.</div>
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The growth of this tree in</div>
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8.5 years is nothing short</div>
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of phenomenal, </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-70173364951795696502015-09-08T18:08:00.000-07:002015-09-09T00:11:38.240-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday - September my Birthday Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This weeks nuggets. </div>
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Seems that most of the Wonferfulicious posts</div>
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have been of birds and flowers, so why change now?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8luy-ewsBc/Ve9-QkilaBI/AAAAAAABP_U/EqvWqw13Ths/s1600/finches-vintage-Aug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8luy-ewsBc/Ve9-QkilaBI/AAAAAAABP_U/EqvWqw13Ths/s320/finches-vintage-Aug.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finches at the nearly empty bird feeder.</div>
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More Photo therapy at work here; Vintage effect.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pwvvhBUidU0/Ve9-Q7ji8_I/AAAAAAABP_Y/ptuHeO-RRaM/s1600/Oak-San-Luis-Reservior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pwvvhBUidU0/Ve9-Q7ji8_I/AAAAAAABP_Y/ptuHeO-RRaM/s320/Oak-San-Luis-Reservior.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Blended layers. Oak limb and rust. (Perhaps I should </div>
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have saved this one for Oct.)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8gaojHey2g/Ve9-R_Yz1rI/AAAAAAABP_k/x2cBk_FSt2c/s1600/wonderfulicious-Sept-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8gaojHey2g/Ve9-R_Yz1rI/AAAAAAABP_k/x2cBk_FSt2c/s320/wonderfulicious-Sept-9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Near the front door are 2 pots of cheerful.<br />
Flamboyant-de-jardin aka<br />
Mexican Bird of Paradise.<br />
They bloom from spring<br />
to Fall.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jIxQk2xm46Q/Ve9-Q_tXrHI/AAAAAAABQAM/EQC-BeNwp68/s1600/edited-hibiscus-vintage-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jIxQk2xm46Q/Ve9-Q_tXrHI/AAAAAAABQAM/EQC-BeNwp68/s320/edited-hibiscus-vintage-2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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From the tiny Hibiscus plant that has never grown much and</div>
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normally only has one bloom a year. This year I was</div>
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gifted with two. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-joZHdvRzGWE/Ve9-S4ID6uI/AAAAAAABP_0/KEbNNkC4Pew/s1600/wonderfulicious-Sept-cereus-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-joZHdvRzGWE/Ve9-S4ID6uI/AAAAAAABP_0/KEbNNkC4Pew/s320/wonderfulicious-Sept-cereus-3.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Night blooming Cereus. At around midnight</div>
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for a few nights last month I photographed</div>
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the magical flowers that by dawn had withered. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VEb5sK8vpTU/Ve9_V4o-h-I/AAAAAAABQAY/TPuhHuujNPk/s1600/wonderfulicius-starling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VEb5sK8vpTU/Ve9_V4o-h-I/AAAAAAABQAY/TPuhHuujNPk/s320/wonderfulicius-starling.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It seems only fitting that I end this post with </div>
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another bird image. This black bird had</div>
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dibs on the fountain. Or, maybe he was</div>
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just cooling his feet on a brutally</div>
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hot day. . . .</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-49860715587520747732015-08-29T22:29:00.000-07:002015-08-29T22:32:24.325-07:00Full Moon <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FprSMS8Mc1k/VeKKFo3o63I/AAAAAAABOGo/mvjFSDa-8IE/s1600/moon-aug-29--b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FprSMS8Mc1k/VeKKFo3o63I/AAAAAAABOGo/mvjFSDa-8IE/s320/moon-aug-29--b.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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The Powerful draw of the night-blooming Cereus</div>
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has overridden my fear of West Nile</div>
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carrying Mosquitoes, or or that matter any mosquito. Allergic.</div>
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After photographing the Cereus the</div>
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moon grabbed my attention.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5kQFyeUPFXA/VeKNRlhHwqI/AAAAAAABOH4/GO9iv-nGgEg/s1600/Cereus-light-leak-with-moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5kQFyeUPFXA/VeKNRlhHwqI/AAAAAAABOH4/GO9iv-nGgEg/s320/Cereus-light-leak-with-moon.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The flowers this year chose to bloom at the same</div>
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time there is a full moon. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvpltmaFWHY/VeKKF7tRybI/AAAAAAABOGw/0JmicBYghV4/s1600/moon-aug-29-light-leak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvpltmaFWHY/VeKKF7tRybI/AAAAAAABOGw/0JmicBYghV4/s320/moon-aug-29-light-leak.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last August I took photo of the full moon with my</div>
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new camera, so perhaps photographing </div>
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the moon is an Anniversary of sorts.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pd7SGa1hKYQ/VeKKj6zJ3aI/AAAAAAABOHA/Zbqmp3T_eUE/s1600/moon-aug-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pd7SGa1hKYQ/VeKKj6zJ3aI/AAAAAAABOHA/Zbqmp3T_eUE/s320/moon-aug-26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been known to curse the full moon rather than</div>
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enjoy its </div>
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magnificence. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tWNbtco5EVc/VeKKj83VKkI/AAAAAAABOHE/2GAcPM8WwbY/s1600/moon-aug-28-behind-Tipu-vintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tWNbtco5EVc/VeKKj83VKkI/AAAAAAABOHE/2GAcPM8WwbY/s320/moon-aug-28-behind-Tipu-vintage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love the way the moon peaks through the trees.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vXEU-vx2-Ro/VeKKj08SCXI/AAAAAAABOHI/CGvgbowUk8c/s1600/moon-aug-29--c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vXEU-vx2-Ro/VeKKj08SCXI/AAAAAAABOHI/CGvgbowUk8c/s320/moon-aug-29--c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Like many others I'm sensitive to how the full</div>
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moon's gravitational pull does more than effect</div>
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the oceans. I used to think like many</div>
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that its pure lunacy that the moon has any</div>
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effect on us.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YTH6a7yQEJo/VeKLc1A-OUI/AAAAAAABOHg/JGVT0ThztOc/s1600/aug-29-moon-shadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YTH6a7yQEJo/VeKLc1A-OUI/AAAAAAABOHg/JGVT0ThztOc/s320/aug-29-moon-shadow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But after years of moderate insomnia becoming </div>
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a major issue for at least 6 days around the full moon,</div>
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I'm a believer that the moon might be the culprit for</div>
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fatigue, insomnia, irritability, and emotional highs and lows. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yTHuxcshhrM/VeKLc5Lg5BI/AAAAAAABOHc/w974vETeHLg/s1600/moon-2-aug-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yTHuxcshhrM/VeKLc5Lg5BI/AAAAAAABOHc/w974vETeHLg/s320/moon-2-aug-29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Resistance is Useless!</div>
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Through acceptance of the situation</div>
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there is peace.</div>
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The long sleepless nights are</div>
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spent reading, watching movies, or</div>
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editing photos. This week I overcame my</div>
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fear of Mosquitoes long enough to</div>
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photograph both the Cereus</div>
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and the full moon.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-olfPbm8onmc/VeKVN0uAs2I/AAAAAAABOIY/lN635ScmUKE/s1600/cereus-Image-32-split-tone-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-olfPbm8onmc/VeKVN0uAs2I/AAAAAAABOIY/lN635ScmUKE/s320/cereus-Image-32-split-tone-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-14559085126185734272015-08-26T01:32:00.000-07:002015-08-26T01:32:00.400-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wrp7dT5lEiA/Vdwdx3N6AJI/AAAAAAABNJo/k36dTua1mSs/s1600/cereus-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wrp7dT5lEiA/Vdwdx3N6AJI/AAAAAAABNJo/k36dTua1mSs/s320/cereus-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Photographing what presents itself in the yard continues . . . .</div>
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Night-blooming Cereus photographed at midnight.</div>
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Definitely Queen of The Night!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iVgMbvNMIWs/VdwdxxwuSYI/AAAAAAABNJs/MJ9qpgZPsCg/s1600/cereus-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iVgMbvNMIWs/VdwdxxwuSYI/AAAAAAABNJs/MJ9qpgZPsCg/s320/cereus-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For the next 7 blooms </div>
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I need to find the tripod!</div>
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The image below was taken with the iPhone. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_TG7ZdG01LY/VdwdyD15naI/AAAAAAABNJ4/3x9Tw21m41E/s1600/cereus-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_TG7ZdG01LY/VdwdyD15naI/AAAAAAABNJ4/3x9Tw21m41E/s320/cereus-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And of course I have to blend</div>
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and manipulate . . .</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqFwuCKOAHA/Vdwf17xjfUI/AAAAAAABNKI/IDcV3yW_Qd0/s1600/cereus-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqFwuCKOAHA/Vdwf17xjfUI/AAAAAAABNKI/IDcV3yW_Qd0/s320/cereus-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aJB1QWShEHM/Vdwf1xhevbI/AAAAAAABNKE/5-f8gRXnFK4/s1600/finch-aug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aJB1QWShEHM/Vdwf1xhevbI/AAAAAAABNKE/5-f8gRXnFK4/s320/finch-aug.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
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Backyard residents. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVFXvFAi3gI/Vdwf1_XWFHI/AAAAAAABNKU/GHASzDoJj4A/s1600/hummer-aug-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVFXvFAi3gI/Vdwf1_XWFHI/AAAAAAABNKU/GHASzDoJj4A/s320/hummer-aug-23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have been known to venture outside</div>
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of the backyard. 1997, Arles, France.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wVG3UqREjoc/VdwnKyGku8I/AAAAAAABNKk/pzyqSClJaLQ/s1600/Arles-entering992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wVG3UqREjoc/VdwnKyGku8I/AAAAAAABNKk/pzyqSClJaLQ/s320/Arles-entering992.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13833238.post-74630052460099322992015-08-26T01:20:00.002-07:002015-08-26T01:50:24.596-07:00Wonderfulicious Wednesday Part Deux<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2zexbcVOTY/Vd1wE0fl5RI/AAAAAAABNXM/ptO7GfmMxQw/s1600/cereus-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2zexbcVOTY/Vd1wE0fl5RI/AAAAAAABNXM/ptO7GfmMxQw/s320/cereus-7.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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The above image is what the Cereus looks</div>
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like before nightfall. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6yq9R_DgPfA/Vd1wYHl6cKI/AAAAAAABNXc/hdlUWbtgmmg/s1600/cereus-aug-25-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6yq9R_DgPfA/Vd1wYHl6cKI/AAAAAAABNXc/hdlUWbtgmmg/s320/cereus-aug-25-b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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At midnight the only lights</div>
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were from the patio and a</div>
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few landscape</div>
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lights. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7f92bt7ysU/Vd1wYMjShmI/AAAAAAABNXY/t4DlW0HLNvU/s1600/cereus-aug-25-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7f92bt7ysU/Vd1wYMjShmI/AAAAAAABNXY/t4DlW0HLNvU/s320/cereus-aug-25-c.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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Two flowers bloomed this time.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5a0mo0u_Eo4/Vd1wYLt_CLI/AAAAAAABNXU/hljJ10at10M/s1600/cereus-aug-25-d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5a0mo0u_Eo4/Vd1wYLt_CLI/AAAAAAABNXU/hljJ10at10M/s320/cereus-aug-25-d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Love painting effects . . .below.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-toBmB-exras/Vd1wYs2nLrI/AAAAAAABNXg/9wjMA4JaYN4/s1600/cereus-aug-25-paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-toBmB-exras/Vd1wYs2nLrI/AAAAAAABNXg/9wjMA4JaYN4/s320/cereus-aug-25-paint.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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I'm in awe that the Cereus are in their glory at night</div>
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and just bloom for the pure joy of it. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iuCRUNqTLFY/Vd1wZIOwZ4I/AAAAAAABNXk/TaXE0wgiLrc/s1600/cereus-aug-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iuCRUNqTLFY/Vd1wZIOwZ4I/AAAAAAABNXk/TaXE0wgiLrc/s320/cereus-aug-25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8R8jBipifY/Vd1wpZygPUI/AAAAAAABNX8/nEb3tG_TQNs/s1600/cactus-at-night-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8R8jBipifY/Vd1wpZygPUI/AAAAAAABNX8/nEb3tG_TQNs/s320/cactus-at-night-2.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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Couldn't resist taking a few images of </div>
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some Barrel cactus. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E80flJShWLU/Vd1wpQ6uZ2I/AAAAAAABNYE/eVhAo-j3qsg/s1600/cactus-at-night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E80flJShWLU/Vd1wpQ6uZ2I/AAAAAAABNYE/eVhAo-j3qsg/s320/cactus-at-night.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><i style="background-color: #999999;">Thanks so much for stopping by, I</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><i style="background-color: #999999;">appreciate the time you took to be here.</i></span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293864952417365250noreply@blogger.com2