Cayuga Nature Photographers and the Cornell Plantations

Today, the Cayuga Nature Photographers held a photo shooting workshop in the Cornell Plantations as part of a join class in photography.  Last Wednesday was an introductory session and next Wednesday will be for follow-up on post processing and sharing images with the group.  While helping out, I took some pictures with a Nikon Cool Pix camera. We avoided serious rain and finished the session just before the breezes started interfering with flower stability.

We started at 7 AM, with heavy moisture still on the flowers.  Here are photos of a Rhododendron, Hosta (2), the Giant Magnolia (2), Allium, Lilies (2), Poppy, Catalpa flowers, Foxglove, and an iris.

Flowers on a Foggy Day

The rain was much needed and actually more would be helpful to the thirsty gardens.  Photography on a foggy day avoids glare, but requires a higher ISO setting. I used 800 for many of these outside.  The waterlilies are more prolific by the day and are beginning to be crowded by the emerging lotus leaves.

If you compare the image of the hibiscus outside and with a black background, both are attractive but the black is more poignant. What do you think?

Father's Day Vintage Car Show

There were hundred os vintage cars along the shore of Emerson Park, Auburn,  today to celebrate Father's Day and the car show.  I am not typically a car enthusiast, but had to marvel at the condition of the cars and some memories that streamed back from those good old days.  Remember the tray on the side of the car at the drive in?  The dice in the window? Each car was incredibly clean, so could not possibly be driven very often.

Anyway, a nice sunny day on Owasco Lake with lots of memories bubbling to the surface. Here are some of the images I took today.

Mallards, Monet, and Soft Sun

This is a lovely time of year in the Fingerlakes region. The soft sun in the early morning illuminates the best of nature.  I went out this morning, following an evening rain. The water lilies were just opening up, the rain water was puddled on the leaves, and the ducks were navigating the vegetation in search of food.

With patience, I was able to photograph the Mallard pair as they exited the pond and headed for the gardens.  Handsome male!  The pair were not successful in raising a family due to other wildlife, but have remained residents of the pond for now.

The photos here include Echinacea, Water Lilies, resident Mallards, unknown flower, Foxglove, and Hibiscus.  I hope you enjoy today's share.

Tiles/Trivets/Back Splash

I have been experimenting with several designs to be printed on ceramic tiles by a local artisan.  Several of another batch of tiles are in the gift shop at the Cornell Plantations visitor center.  I will have many tiles with me at the Ithaca Artist Market on July 29th at the Ithaca Farmers' Market.

The tiles are heat resistant, satin in finish, and can be used under hot items or hung on the wall.  An excellent use of them would be for a decorative backsplash interspersed with white tiles. The tiles come in 4-6-8 inch squares.  Please contact me if this is of interest to you.