All kinds of life in the garden today

Araneus diadematus (garden spider) - with prey

Bluebelle - large hen, lays lots of eggs, always wants a treat

Lavatera (tree mallow) - flowers in late summer

Patty pan (summer squash) - last of the flowers, excellent crop

Thirsty bee - with reflection

Thirsty dog - shares the birdbath with the bees

Late summer crops - Golden Sunrise tomatoes are my favourite

Thursday Tulip

Combretum imberbe (Leadwood)

We sat under the Leadwood tree, watching the dassies (rock rabbits) on the one side, and me, quietly trying out different ISO settings on the camera. The DSLR is very forgiving in auto mode, which is great for quick snaps. But when I have the time to explore, I try different settings - this time ISO sensitivity.

Normally, a high ISO setting would be useful in low light. The high ISO and high shutter speed in low light reduce the grainy appearance of photographs. What would happen in daylight, in the African outdoors?

In these two photographs, the ISO is set to 1600. The shutter speed in the top photo is 1/200th of a second. In the second photo, it is 1/2000th of a second. That is, there was too much exposure in the top photo, and it almost appears in black and white. But it does show off the detailed structure of the tree.

Of course, a high shutter speed would normally be useful for bird photography, for example. In the photo below, ISO 1600, shutter speed 1/1600th of a second - not a bad shot.

Lilac breasted roller in flight, Lesley Beeton, 2014

Photography by Lesley Beeton

Wild dog Wednesday

See my travel review of Madikwe Game Reserve and Madikwe Safari Lodge here.

Photography by Lesley Beeton

I agree with Kate Bush

Enjoy the moment. Just because you didn't take a photo or video, it doesn't mean it didn't happen. On our recent trip to South Africa, we were privileged to see the glorious wildlife in the animals' natural surroundings. Sometimes, we were so close we could hear the cheetah purring, the lions farting and zebras' tummies rumbling. Yes, the photographs were amazing, but just being there, in the moment, at one with the animals, was incredible.

Some of our fellow travellers were quite frustrated that the ranger didn't get closer, or on the right side of the animal, for that perfect photograph. The ranger explained that he didn't want to disturb the animals, or their young, or damage the environment. Nonetheless, you could hear the shutters going, sometimes up to 50 times for one shot. 

One evening, on our way back to camp, the spotlight on the vehicle picked up a pair of eyes in the darkness. We sat, transfixed, watching a very pregnant hyena tear apart her prey - a wildebeest. Photos were impossible, although we did get a short video. Instead, we watched, and listened in the darkness. Incredible.

Devil's Trumpet (Datura stramonium)

Seen on a bush walk, whilst climbing into a cave. 

This plant is also known as Jimson weed, devil’s trumpet, angel’s trumpet, devil’s weed, thorn apple, crazy tea, stinkweed. The seeds are known as malpitte (crazy pips). 

All parts of the plant are extremely poisonous.

Reference

Photography by Lesley Beeton

Perky Poppies

This colourful sight in winter in Johannesburg.

Photography by Lesley Beeton

Wonderful Wonderful Copenhagen

Spring in Shackleford

Leaving behind spring in Shackleford for a week, we travelled to Copenhagen.

The marathon has loomed on our horizon since the end of January. I never know exactly how the training will go, but as marathon day gets closer, I can see the readiness in Mr B. He is already rather tall and skinny, and the training makes him leaner and more intense. He is very focused. The arrangements are left to me. He doesn't want to know the minutia. So the pressure is on, to make sure that everything is organised and as trouble-free as possible.

I chose the destination for the spring marathon this year - Copenhagen. If my Mother had been alive, she would have sung 'Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen' over and over again. She saw the Hans Christian Andersen movie in 1952, starring Danny Kaye, and the theme tune never left her. Nor did the wonder of seeing The Little Mermaid, when she travelled Europe as a young woman. She might be disappointed to hear that my favourite memory of Copenhagen will not be the tiny statue. My lasting memory will be beautiful parks and gardens, friendly people, stunning food and elegant design.

Do you agree with my choice of (some of) my favourite views of Copenhagen, from one week in spring 2014?

TripAdvisor reviews here.

Stylish street lighting

Sunset reflections

Spring in Tivoli Gardens

Colourful planting in Tivoli Gardens

Hotel Nimb - exotic delight in Copenhagen

Nyhavn from the Canal Tour

Gelfion Spirit

New Opera House

Linking up with Older Mum (In A Muddle) for #One Week - Spring '14.

Photography by Lesley Beeton

Macro photography: around the garden

Continuing my macrophotography study of flower parts, from around my garden.

Photography by Lesley Beeton

A Shackleford garden

On a sunny Bank Holiday weekend in early May. 

The spring garden is a delight. 

The April showers and warm days have worked their miracles.

 

Photography by Lesley Beeton

Garden of Remembrance

Linking up with One Community, a monthly photo project in which participants photograph their lives and communities with a theme in mind. The theme varies by month. The goal is to both showcase similarities and differences in our communities worldwide – and bring us all closer together in understanding through art.  This month's words of inspiration are :

Five, Mother, Recipe, and Remember.

Hosted by Sarah at Beauty School Dropout

My Mother loved to garden. Her love for gardening was second only to her love of words. She could not cook.

This is my tribute to Mom. Gone, but never forgotten.

Beautiful hellebores, which have self-seeded in my garden.
Five delicate petals nodding gently in the spring breeze.

A favourite photo of Mom, a wearer of hats.

A heart to remember.
A window on the garden my Mother never got to see.

My Mother's best recipe.

A little work

A little play.

A lot of love -

And that's a day.

Photography by Lesley Beeton