Delicate Beauty!

Duranta Bush click photo for larger view
 This photo was taken at the Butterfly Estates in Fort Myers, Florida. With no big surprise to anyone the Duranta Bush attracts butterflies and was strategically placed in the garden. This protruding vine was showing proud, her delicate beauty, when I captured this shot.
I used textures and layers to create the mood.

Bosom Blossoms!

Side by Side
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This photo was taken at the Butterfly Estates in Fort Myers, Florida. The day was overcast and I was in a very large greenhouse! The lighting could not have been more perfect! There were so many photo opportunities and I took advantage of this not so, beach like Florida day.
I have used several texture layers and blending modes here.

Oriental Poppies!

More with Layers & Blending Modes
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These magnificent beauties have the life span of a Butterfly. They are perennials in New England, and I can't tell you how many times I almost ran off the road gazing at them in the fields of Westport, Massachusetts.
Growing them for me was a challenge, they were not easy to transplant and seemed to like their original homes better. When they did bloom in my yard  I would visit the garden often, nurturing the delicate blooms and cherishing their short lived beauty. 
I used several layers with different blending modes on each. I feel like I'm making progress and very excited to have learned something new. 

Playing with Layers & Blending Modes!

Watch Your Step
Playing with layers and blending modes and it feels like I have made some progress. I am liking the mood and the rich tones of this photo. Can't wait to try another and add more clarity to the flowers.

Clean Up on Table One!

A similar version!

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It's Time! click photo for larger view
Every Rose has it's day!!! The most exciting thing I have discovered about Photoshop is that I can take any ordinary photo, add filters and textures and come up with something new and exciting each and every time. The possibilities are endless. I have decided to play and explore with Photoshop rather than let it intimidate me. These were, I Love you Roses, from my daughter's children to her. I was about to clean up when I noticed the beautiful light filtering thru. Turning almost any chore into a photo opportunity is the way to go!

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Journey into Antiquity!

Everything European!
This photo was taken in Santa Cruz, Madeira, Portugal. As I walked into the bedroom where my grand-parents once slept, I was drawn to the light of this open window. As the breeze gently filtered thru the lace curtain, I couldn't help thinking how very European this image was in my minds eye. I wondered how many letters had been written, tears shed and precious moments shared in this blush of this delicate light?
I used a antique texture to overlay this image.

More Fun with Photoshop!

Dahlia click photos for larger views
Added some filters in photoshop on this beautiful creation!  Loved the definition on each petal. Must say that this busy little bee has very good taste. Original photo below. Can you tell the difference?

A Walk Back in Time!

Santa Cruz, Madeira, Portugal
I had the privilege of visiting Madeira, Portugal earlier this Fall. Everywhere I looked there was a photo to be taken. Standing outside my grand-father's 300 year old house I snapped this photo, giving my goose bump rating a perfect 10! Believe this old gent walked past to remind me of a time when we used to walk and he held my eager little hand. His cane always pointed out different objects of interest, that as a child, I might want to collect. Bottle caps seemed to be my favorite. He passed when I was eight years of age. I miss those walks. 

Texture Layers, A Whole new World!

A Lightbulb Moment
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Thanks MB. You have opened a whole new world for me. It is a very good thing that I know a little bit about resampling and image size. Now I see textures everywhere. Would love to create my own. Got to figure out how to burn and curl the edges though. It is amazing that this ordinary shot of an unknown flower can be transformed into something so wonderful.

Fun with Photoshop

Bouganvilla
click photo for larger view
Took this photo yesterday in my neighbors yard. Yes there is more than one way to spell it. One may be the Latin version. Playing with layers, different filters and having fun. Where does the time go? Seem to loose myself somewhere between getting up and 10:00AM. So much to learn. Guess I will have to live until I am at least 150 years of age.

Angels Walk Among Us!!!

Love, Trust, Hope......
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There are many words that we could all conjure up to describe this photo! There are people in our lives that live by good example and set the standard high. They are being observed and lessons learned. One small act of kindness from each of us on any one given day can change our world.
Thank you Dad. You have made this world a better place!!!

Waiting for a Friend!

The Farm Stand
Took this photo at a local farm stand in Westport, Massachusetts. Just never know when you are going to need that camera and there is a shot to be had!  Always loved this technique of color showing thru the black and white image. Figured it out thru trial and error. If I click enough times something is bound to happen and the effect I want will materialize.

Dare to be Different!

Rock' n Roll to the beat of a different Drummer!

Having fun with photoshop! Used an effect on this photo, along with some filters loved the outcome. Got to write down the steps. It is very easy to forget.

Border adds another dimension. My friend Mary Beth is my inspiration. I'm getting there MB. I know I can!!!

It's Turkey Time!!! Yeah!

Off the Hook for awhile! click on photo for larger view
Photo was taken at Alderbrook Farm in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. This little piglet came over to greet us and posed long enough for me to get this shot. He meandered back to his family and went about his daily activities. Rolling in the mud seemed to be the most fun. Love the lime green contrast in this photo!!!

An Ode to Pie

Waiting for the right home!
This photo was taken at Alderbrook Farm in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. The picking decision took a long while for the grand-children who pondered every size and shape. I couldn't wait to scoop out the innards and roast the seeds with a little olive oil and garlic salt. YUM!!! My husband was thinking only of pie. Funny how this uncomplicated creation can evoke so many memories!

Happy Thanksgiving!

How do you feel about that turkey dinner now???
click photo for larger view
This photo was taken at The Buttonwood Park Zoo, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. My grand-children found him or her very amusing. Makes me wonder why turkey tastes soooooo good???

Wish I Knew

Wish I Knew click photo for larger view
This photo was taken at the, Butterfly Estates in Fort Myers, Florida. Wish I knew the name of this Botanical Beauty. The texture of this gem is plush and almost surreal. Will have to make another visit to the Garden to give this magical blossom a name.

All comfy!

Roseate Spoonbill click for larger view
Took this photo at, The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples, Florida. Neat that this graceful bird could rest amongst  many other species, including alligators. 

Waiting For Ice Cream!!!

Waiting for ice cream!!!!!!
Took this picture at Fort Myers Beach. Enjoying the beautiful day, I looked up and couldn't help notice the great design created by the umbrellas. Using a new, learned technique in photoshop I made the lime green umbrella the focal point!

Original Photo
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A Rose is a Rose!!!

How perfect! Petals supporting each other in perfect harmony. I am mesmerized by their fragile beauty.

More On Hydrangeas!!!

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Loose yourself in their magnificent beauty!

Hydrangeas my favorite flower of all!

                                Hydrangeas click on photo for larger view

How do I begin to describe the fondness I have for these beautiful flowers. Up North, I grew 5 different varieties. Each gave me a great deal of satisfaction, however my favorite were the Nikko Blues. They began to bloom late June and gave color all the way thru early November, barring any early freezes.

As the temperatures dropped their colors would change into the most beautiful shades of lime greens, purples, blues and pinks. Fall was the best time to harvest and dry these treasures. I was able to enjoy them all thru the winter months.

Their texture and delicacy are captured in the photo above.