Dianthus Raindrops 1
Haiku 134
Diamonds on petals
Life within a glassy bead
Sparkling reflections
.
Dianthus Raindrops 2
The odd rain shower not only provides relief to a drought-stricken land;
Dianthus Raindrops 3
But also a myriad of tiny pink diamonds –
Dianthus Raindrops 4
To adorn my plants afterwards.
Dianthus Raindrops 5
Beautiful Nature.
Devices All Three
Some of you have wondered what cameras I use for my photos.
I have three, but mostly use my little point and click Canon.
With a resolution of 10 Megapixels and a 3.0 optical zoom lens.
Devices Canon 1
Although it is quite old now, it is extremely forgiving and takes decent pictures no matter what I ask of it. You can see that the poor thing has been dropped a few times, resulting in the dents in the zoom.
Devices Canon 2
It somehow manages to take a shot in focus even if the subject is moving, or more usually, I am moving! It automatically adjusts for light and speed.
And it fits nicely in my pocket!
* * *
I also have a better quality Nikon camera.
With a resolution of 14.2 Megapixels and a 3.0 optical zoom lens (the same zoom as the Canon.)
Devices Nikon 1
It takes much better photos, but even on Auto (which I mostly use!) is not very forgiving. I have to have a very steady hand, make sure I am not too close to the subject and that the subject does not move.
Devices Nikon 2
I’ve played around with the settings on semi-auto, to get better close ups with more bokeh. I select the aperture (f stop) and the Nikon selects the shutter speed (ISO).
Yes I can hear you laughing at me! Never mind, I have fun taking my photos.
You can see a selection of Nikon photos, from when I was learning to use the camera, in my Nikon-ography series.
* * *
Then there is my Samsung Galaxy Smartphone.
The camera has a resolution of 8 Megapixels. Zooming in does not improve the quality of the photo.
Devices Galaxy 1
However, there is the Selfie option, with the added bonus of a “Beauty” setting. If you set this to the maximum, you won’t have any wrinkles at all!
Devices Galaxy 2
I really like the colour in these photos and the camera is also fairly forgiving.
But – and this is a very big but – you have to have a very steady hand! I have taken countless blurred photos because the technique I use with my Canon simply does not work with my Galaxy. You cannot point and click and walk away with a decent photo. You have to point, click and hold while the camera phone focuses, then either wait for it to finally take the shot, or click again.
* * *
So there you have it. Three ways I take my amazing (ahem!) photos. Each has its strengths and weaknesses and I choose the device according to the shot I’m trying to achieve.
Bee on Lavender 1
Haiku 133
What’s that sound I hear?
Buzzing round the lavender
Busy little bee!
.
Bee on Lavender 2
This is the Cape honey bee, Apis mellifera capensis, indigenous to South Africa.
Bees are one insect that I am happy to have in my garden; along with Ladybirds of course.
Bee on Lavender 3
Pollinate away my tiny friend.
post script: I was pretty chuffed with these close ups, (Let’s ignore the several blurred ones that I deleted!) taken with my trusty Canon point and click camera.
Camellia and Apple Tree Leaves 1
Haiku 128
Spring, Summer, Autumn?
Fallen Carpets of Rose Gold
Winter Wonderland
.
In the photo above, I took the shot into the sun and by lucky chance my trusty Canon produced the lovely rose gold carpet effect.
Camellia and Apple Tree Leaves 2
Just as my apple tree finally decides to shed its golden leaves, my camellia bush is in full bloom, also shedding many rose petals.
This is mid-winter in the Western Cape.
post script: Rose Gold is an alloy of yellow gold, copper and silver. The copper provides the red colour and the silver tones it down to produce the rose colour.
Ladybird 1
Haiku 126
Before you fly home
Stop by my roses a while
Welcome visitor!
.
Ladybird 2
Just the other day I was lamenting that it is yonks since I last saw a Ladybird in my garden. The next day my husband found this little lass, who the wind had blown into our lounge!
Ladybird 3
We gently transferred her onto the rose bush.
I hope she settles down for a lengthy stay and can keep the aphids from eating my roses!
Ladybird 4
I’m sure you all know the nursery rhyme, which dates back to 1744:
Ladybird Ladybird
Fly away home
Your house is on fire
And your children have flown.
Vineyard Open Spaces 1
Haiku 125
A room with a view?
Open to the horizon
Views with lots of room!
.
Vineyard Open Spaces 2
These photos are from a local wine estate on a winter’s morning this week in Cape Town.
Vineyard Open Spaces 3
You can see that the vines are taking a little rest before resuming their task of producing tons of delicious grapes to make excellent South African wines.
Vineyard Open Spaces 4
Yes, Cape Town is the most beautiful place in the world!
post script: A Room with a View is a novel written in 1908 by E. M. Forster.
Winter Solstice
Today, Friday 21st June 2019, is the winter solstice here in Cape Town; the shortest day and the longest night of the year.
We finally had some good rains (it rained twice in May and, counting today, twice in June; our rainy season!) and the temperature dropped. It has been 10 C in my lounge and has dropped to 6 C just before dawn. I don’t have a heater, (just as I don’t have an air conditioner) so we just wear extra clothes.
I realise that this will not seem cold to my Northern friends. Then again, when they complain of a heatwave at 25 C, I understand. It is the difference in temperature that affects you. If you are used to 15 C and suddenly it is 25 C, you will feel too hot. Likewise, if you are used to 25 C and suddenly it is 6 C, you will freeze!
Also, every morning, I open all the doors and windows. This may seem crazy, but once the sun has risen, and I can stop seeing my breath when standing on the stoep, it is warmer outside than in. Certainly during the day, the sun will warm up the air and hopefully some will penetrate into my cold house.
I have to keep quiet about how happy I am, because everyone else is moaning about how cold it is! At least, with the drought, they don’t moan about the rain anymore!
But I love it!
