Showing posts with label Nikon P510. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nikon P510. Show all posts

Friday, February 15, 2013

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day February 2013

February Garden

Welcome to my February garden.  Well it has certainly been an interesting winter with temperatures ranging from in the 50's one week then into the single digits the next.   Right now Long Island is buried under a blanket of heavy snow that has graced our landscape from the great blizzard Nemo of February 8th-9th 2013.  We had 19.8 inches here in Sayville and some other areas on the Island had up to 3 feet...oh my.   Thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens it is time for another walk in the garden.  When I heard the blizzard was on its way I quickly ventured out into the garden to get some photographs. Come along for a tour of my February garden. 

 'Skylands' Oriental Spruce, Dwarf Fountain Grass and Juniper 'Lime Glow' with Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar in the Backdrop

 It all began a few days ago when the garden was starting to look a little more like spring was on the way.  After all, the groundhog did not see its shadow and the little coating of snow we did have was all melted!   

 'Skylands' Oriental Spruce, Hinoki Cypress 'Aurea Nana' and Barberry 'Royal Burgundy'

The reddish-pink hue on the bark of the Coral Bark Maple was glowing in the backdrop of the Oriental Spruce and Hinoki Cypress and the Barberry was showing its small red berries. 
  
 Red Cutleaf Weeping Japanese Maple

I tried out the new Nikon camera with a close up of the Japanese Maple's twisted trunk and was quite pleased with the clarity of the close-up.  I love these beautiful and graceful trees in the landscape and enjoy their interesting structure even more so in winter.

 Nandina domestica Winter Berries

Here is Nandina domestica which is always a pleasure during the coldest days of winter with its bright red berries.  


Sedum 'Brilliant' New Growth
  Signs of spring....the Sedum 'Brilliant' is starting to show its new little buds...

   Barberry 'Rosy Glow', Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Chamaecyparis 'Gold Mop',  Arborvitae 'Emerald Green' (right) and Western Arborvitae 'Virescens' (left) with Dwarf Buddleia in front

and it almost looks like the Barberry is showing a reddish hue, perhaps from tiny new buds forming.

Heuchera 'Caramel'

And within a matter of hours the snow started coming down and gently landing on the garden.  

 Weeping White Pine, 'Yaku Jima' Maiden Grass, Golden Hinoki Cypress and 'Montgomery' Globe Blue Spruce

By evening the flakes got larger and soon everything was covered in snow. 

 'Montgomery' Globe Blue Spruce (Grafted)

So much for signs of spring.  We are now a winter wonderland for a while and the landscape is covered in a blanket of pure white.
 
Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and Barberry 'Rosy Glow' Snow Covered 

I do love the look of the winter's snow on the garden...so peaceful and serene. 
  
 Weeping Pussy Willow

 More snow is on the way tonight.
Garden Gal...Always Smiling!
Maybe we will have to wait just a little bit longer for spring and enjoy the scenery for now.  Be sure to visit our hostess Carol at May Dreams Gardens and take a look at what other gardeners have blooming in their gardens.

As Always...Happy Gardening!


Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved


Saturday, February 9, 2013

Garden Photography Close-Up with the Nikon P510

Amaryllis with Nikon P510

We are snowed in here on Long Island with 19.8 inches and 3 foot drifts so I thought I would try out my new camera from the window. The camera I am using is the Nikon Coolpix P510 with 42X Zoom Lens. I mainly use my Canon Rebel EOS for all the photographs on this blog but was looking for an additional camera for taking close ups that would give me additional sharpness. I have only had this camera for a few days and am impressed with it so far. The first photograph is of my Amaryllis plant on the windowsill with the snow in the backdrop. The only enhancement done on this was a border added. I have been wanting to get a photograph of this bloom for several weeks now and this was a good opportunity.
Knock Out Rose in Winter's Snow
Today I tried a second photograph of my snow covered Knock Out Roses through the side window with the snow in the backdrop.  The lines you see in the background were not from editing but rather from the screens in the window.  The snow in the backdrop has been providing the advantage of a clean white canvas. 
Azalea Close-Up with Nikon P510
I was actually able to venture out to the back patio to take a photograph of this distant Azalea poking up through the snow.The photograph was taken from about 15 feet with the optical zoom. I am finding that it is actually better to be a little further away to zoom in and get clarity. I am still learning with the new camera.
Amaryllis Cropped Photo Close Up of Flower
Lastly, here is a cropped view of the original Amaryllis photograph to see how the clarity turns out.  The resolution of the pictures on the new camera is higher allowing me a little more play with the originals.
 
The point-and-shoot cameras have come a long way and I am finding that I can zoom from quite a distance and get clear shots.  Hope you enjoy the photos and for those of you snowed in...keep warm. I hope to venture back outside real soon and get more practice! This taking photos from the window is not an easy task and as soon as the plow gets here I'm out! If you would like to check out some excellent photography visit Donna at Garden Walk Garden Talk.  Thanks to Donna for writing an entry about the Nikon camera and recommending it!

 
As Always...Happy Gardening!


Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved