It’s a Dog(wood)s Life

I’m just getting around to processing the photos I took back in early July but surprisingly, this post appears to be rather timely. Afterall, one could say we are smack dab in the “dog days of summer” so why not think about dogwoods?

My white Kousa Dogwood did not disappoint and just like last year, I wanted to try to photograph the gorgeous blossoms in a unique manner, despite the fact that my once small tree is now enormous and the flowers are getting a little out of reach! (Oh, the difficulties of being vertically challenged… 😉 )

Good thing the branches are flexible and can be pulled down allowing my macro lens closer access.

I’m not one to let “sleeping dogs lie” so here, are my favorites:

“Dog(wood) Days of Summer” (White Kousa Dogwood, Cornus kousa) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G Macro, F/6.3, 1/40s, ISO 640, Built-in i-TTL Fill Flash w/Gary Fong ‘Puffer’ Diffuser

 

“Top Dog” (White Kousa Dogwood, Cornus kousa) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G Macro, F/5.6, 1/50s, ISO 640

 

“Wag the Dog” (White Kousa Dogwood Bracts, Cornus kousa) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G Macro, F/5, 1/160s, ISO 1600, Built-in i-TTL Fill Flash w/Gary Fong ‘Puffer’ Diffuser, -1.0EV

 
Pretty, aren’t they?

However, before this summer “goes to the dogs” , I must “dog it” and get back to the pool where I am always “happier than a flea in a doghouse” . 😀

Hot, hot, hot!

With the hot temperatures we’ve been experiencing in the Northeast lately (not complaining…I love summer!), I thought it fitting to showcase a ‘hot’ flower.

“Seeing Red” (Red Zinnia) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/5.6, 1/200s, ISO 640

Zinnias are a wonderful potted annual for my landscape for many reasons:

• they are easy to grow
• they come in a variety of colors (pinks, yellow, oranges, corals, reds, etc.) adding ‘pop’s of color just where I need it
• and, the critters don’t eat them!

 
What’s not to love? 😉

Buggin’ me

Last friday, I took a break from photographing summer flowers to plant a newly acquired pot of Shasta Daisies. Heading off to the shed, I plopped the pot down onto the grass so I could grab my gardening gloves and, of course, a shovel.

When I returned just a few seconds later, the most unusual flying insect was already feasting on the luscious, sunny-side up blooms. As I was about to swat it away, I caught a glimpse of its cartoon-ish looking ‘eyes’ and knew instantly, a primo photo-op was literally, staring me in the face! 😉

“Hungry Eyes” (Thread-waisted Wasp on Shasta Daisy ‘Becky’) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/6.3, 1/400s, ISO 160

Getting the right angle to capture that adorable mug proved trickier than I’d thought (and the wasp was way more interested in eating than posing for the camera) but in the end, I got the shot and, a happy addition to my garden! 🙂

In this house

Today’s ponderings were inspired by this post over at A Half Hour a Day.

It got me thinking, “Hmmm, what are our words?”

“Shine On Me” (Cranesbill, Hardy Geranium ‘Bevan’s Variety’) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/8, 1/160s, -1.0EV, ISO 200, Built-in Rear-Curtain Slow i-TTL Flash w/Gary Fong “Puffer” Diffuser, -1.0EV

In this house…

Dust is rampant

We are forgetful

Critters come first

We eat with our hands

We are friendly and kind, generous and loyal

We dance and sing (poorly)

We laugh often (and loudly)

We converse with the cat

We sweat, fart and belch

Laundry piles up, floors get dirty

We get cranky for no reason

We are sarcastic

We give kisses and hugs freely

We share the good and the bad

We are flawed

We take things for granted

We say we’re sorry

We forgive

We try to do better than “fine”

We do happy

We do love

We do forever.

What are your words?