Tag: Desert

What’s Happening In My Yard?

Published on by tbeckerphotos2 Comments

Several years ago I sprinkled a small package of wildflower seeds that I had purchased at the Desert Botanical Garden.  The seed was a mix of Mexican Gold Poppies, Lupine (unsure of which variety) and Desert Bluebells.  The packaged stated it was enough seed  to cover about 10 sq. feet.  And after all these years, the wildflowers cover my front yard, the side yard by the driveway and part of the backyard!

Each year I allow the wildflowers to reseed for the following year.  The Gambel Quail in the neighborhood enjoying feasting on the seeds as well.  Once they have all died and released their seeds I then pull the remnants.  Not a task I enjoy doing and each year I ask myself why I let the wildflowers reseed.  Oh yes, for the joy they bring me each spring!

So what is happening in my yard right now?  Below are a few photos I took this morning.  I have never had Desert Bluebells with such large leaves or so tall!  Hope this is a sign of what is happening in the desert!  May have to do some early scouting at Bartlett Lake and Lake Pleasant.

Maybe each week I’ll  post an update of what is happening in my yard!

Desert Bluebell Leaf
Desert Bluebell Leaf
Desert Bluebells
Desert Bluebells
Not weeds, but wildflowers!
Not weeds, but wildflowers!
So many wildflowers this year!
So many wildflowers this year!
Desert Bluebells in bloom, a macro shot with my compact Nikon P7000
Desert Bluebells in bloom, a macro shot with my compact Nikon P7000

Friday Floral – Banana Anyone?

Published on by tbeckerphotos4 Comments

This week I chose to post one image processed two different ways.  One in color and one in black and white.  Originally when processing this image I immediately decided to process it in black and white.  Recently, my mind started wondering what it would look like if it had been processed in color.  Although I like the color version, the black and white is still my favorite.  A side note, this image was taken the same day I saw the rattlesnake last spring.  You can read that post at Eek!  That’s A Rattlesnake.  This image was along Four Peaks Road and taken handheld from my SUV as I was still a bit afraid of running into another rattlesnake.   A couple other images and stories can be read at After The Rattlesnake and A Different Photo….

Which do you prefer?  Let me know!  The black and white image is available for purchase at TBecker Photos.

Update, the color version is now available for purchase at TBecker Photos.

Tech Info: Nikon D7000 105 mm 2.8 macro, f5.6, 1/60 sec, iso 400, polarizer filter basic post processing
Tech Info: Nikon D7000 105 mm 2.8 macro, f5.6, 1/60 sec, iso 400, polarizer filter
basic post processing
Tech Info: Nikon D7000, 105 mm 2.8 macro, f5.6, 1/60 sec, iso 400, polarizer filter processed for black and white
Tech Info: Nikon D7000, 105 mm 2.8 macro, f5.6, 1/60 sec, iso 400, polarizer filter
processed for black and white