Cornell Plantations

The Cornell Plantations includes many acres on campus and includes the gorges, the arboretum, the botanical garden, the wildflower garden, and several other sites. It is a wonderful place to wander and take pictures all during the year. I just took a walk this afternoon and photographed several plants in the gardens. This was with the macro lens that I am still getting used to.

Spring gardens

Both red and white bleeding hearts are in bloom, with their ever so perfect flowers. When the sun shines through them or dew drips from the tips, they are a sight to behold. Other flowers coming into bloom in the garden are Forget Me Nots and Bachelor Buttons (common name) which have spread to all reaches of the garden. Will have to cull some after they bloom to make room for other perennials.

Tulips galore!

I just returned from a canal cruise in the Netherlands and Belgium and especially enjoyed the tulips and daffodils at Keukenhof gardens near Amsterdam. The weather was lovely, with sun almost every day. The flowers glowed! I also visited the flower auction in Aalsmeer, which was incredible to see.

The architecture, canals, and numerous bicycles were very charming in the cities visited. What a wealth of photographic opportunities were provided by the trip!

Moosewood Art show walls

I had lunch at Moosewood in Ithaca last week...yummy...and took pictures of my exhibit on the walls. The wall color was especially supportive of the colors in my images, so it all looked very festive and handsome. If you live in Ithaca, the restaurant is warm and friendly with delicious food.

"Pets" in the Garden

I entered this photo in a contest for "Pets" in the garden. Since I do not have any personal pets, this deer seemed as close as I could get. In Ithaca, we have a considerable deer problem with them multiplying by the year. Many are malnourished, but they ravage gardens. Most repellants do not work, so many of us have resorted to fences to protect lunch in the garden. Although cute, the deer have expensive tastes.

Moosewood Art show

I just hung a show at the Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca, NY. It contains a variety of subjects, including the lotus and flower montages, flower and Buddha montages, some Cornell University building and sculpture transparency studies, and the Manhattan Bridge and other scenes from NYC. The images will be on display for the month of April.

Spring has come to Ithaca!

What glorious weather today and predicted for the weekend! After a long winter of ice, snow, and bitter cold, this is certainly a treat. Crocus are in bloom, as well as Witch Hazel. Peonies are peeking out of the soil and the daffodils are ready to pop. The Snow Drops were the first to appear, surrounded by remnants of snow. Hundreds of lotus pods from last season are floating around the pod waiting to be gathered for craft projects. The goldfish that hibernated at the bottom of the pond all winter are swimming to the surface and feeding on algae. Great re-awakening time of year!