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The Equinox is nearly here and I have been enjoying this wonderful spring we've been having. The weather is a touch chilled today but there's no snow and things are beginning to stir in the garden. I so love this time of year and in particular this is a sweet spring as we have the opportunity to record it with a fairly good camera!

I've been practicing with the camera, learning more and more about manual operation settings and what works when. Plus I've been doing a bunch of work with Photoshop, trying to learn as much as I can about it's many features. Sometimes using Photoshop means a photo obviously appears as something been done with it; an example would be a posterized shot, or something turned into a "painting". Part of the beauty of Photoshop, or any other good editing software; is when you don't notice it! Photo retouches to remove blemishes, highlight skin tone, with a bit of extra work a photographer can even remove unwanted elements in a shot. I've seen some great examples on Flickr   (this link goes to my own photostream), but you can explore other photos as well. It's an easy site to navigate and there are some talented photographers there! If you want to explore my own photos, try sampling the "sets" of pictures, they highlight my favorite shots and best, so far, work I've done!

In celebration of the Equinox I have begun a discussion Forum which will be linked here, and through various other sites. A Forum For Nature. Kick-starting with the beginning of spring and the awakening of our enchanted garden. If you do decide to participate, let me know you saw it here, thanks!

Here are a few shots taken just the other day, some daffodil and tulips just barely emerging from their slumber! These shots could also help you this spring. When you're doing spring cleanup around your yard watch the little shoots poking out of the ground and see if you can identify what's there. Knowing will make your job easier and save your plants from stress.

These little soft green shoots are Daffodil, or Narcissus;

 

They'll grow quickly and grace the garden with bright yellows, greens and a light fragrance too.



And these tulips won't be far behind;

 

I'll share more photos as things continue to grow in the garden and build a series of stories listing some of the more common plants to help people identify them.
You can see one done about Thistle at my newest PhotoBlog at Blogger (*boo*, *hiss*, yeah I know I feel like a traitor - BUT - THEY are directly linked to my Flickr photo server so it's worth it! Honest!!!)
Sorry about that outburst!
Okay, so  rather than making too long of a post; I'll be back on the Equinox to share more and celebrate the beginning of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere!