Home of the Practically Perfect Pink Phlox and other native plants for pollinators

Monday, March 23, 2009

Something's Missing

Costco tulip

It's my camera!

Triandrus daffodil

It went missing two weeks ago~

Aesculus pavia/Red Buckeye

When I slipped and dropped it on the concrete stoop!

Poeticus Recurvus 'Pheasant's Eye'

It was only two months old!   We were just learning to work together.  It's true that most of my shots were auto-focus, but, I was ready to move to manual!   Really!

Claytonia virginica  flowers with Phlox pilosa  buds

 I miss that camera....It's incredibly important to me...It  helps  record what is happening in the garden.  But, more then  that...it connects me to blogging.  It centers me, grounds me; ideas for posts flow from a good photo.

For instance,  look at this ~

Wildflower enthusiasts will recognize the single leaves of the Dogtooth Violet.  A spring ephemeral and a native to Clay and Limestone.  It was here all along, hidden by the vinca that has spread too quickly through the garden.   When  the vinca  was pulled ... the dogtooth violet could grow.  But, with my camera in hand there would be a story~~
 
Vinca minor is pretty but smothers all in its path
 
A perfect fairy tale.  The prince held captive by the wicked invader is set free by the hand of the brave gardener.  Or something like that!

Mr I has kindly lent me his camera. It's the perfect camera for travel and fits in a purse easily. It's not mine and doesn't feel right in my hands. It feels awkward.

Phlox divaricata  wild blue phlox

 I'm   going to call the repair shop to see what's going on.  I miss my friend!  I miss blogging regularly...I miss you all..a  lot!

Gail

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” Aaron Siskind

54 comments:

  1. Gail,

    Oh no! Sorry about your camera.

    I dropped my camera on a concrete sidewalk last week. I had my Canon SX10 IS with me, but I had the neoprene pouch over it, so it didn't break. I use the pouch on the larger camera because I wear it around my neck. Sure enough, I was distracted for a split second when I took it off my neck to get in the car. The neoprene is like a wetsuit for cameras. It was only $19 and fits my camera like a glove. I have to turn the lens hood around on the lens, but that's just an easy thing to unscrew. I can email you the info if you like.

    Cameron

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  2. Call and check on it Gail - it is time you had it back!

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  3. A Garden blogger without a camera is like a truck driver without a truck! I hope you get your camera back soon Gail!

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  4. Cameron, The neophrene pouch sounds perfect! I was just going to step outside to take one more photo for a post and tripped over something I left on the stoop.
    Fortunately, I bought insurance for just such emergencies....I am thinking about the new canon sx10 with super zoom as a replacement if this one can't be fixed!

    gail

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  5. Phillip...I will and today! gail

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  6. Dave, Good analogy. Some bloggers write wonderful posts and rarely show photos...They are garden writers! Me, I am a garden variety blogger!

    gail

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  7. Oh gosh - that is a pain! But at least it's only temporary. My camera went missing about a month ago somewhere in the house. When we found it (in the electrical cord drawer in the garage - go figure!) we truly felt like having a party to celebrate.

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  8. Oh Gail... I do hope you get your camera back very soon. Oh yes... I'd be giving the shop a call or even a visit.

    Oh... I completely agree about the photos shaping the writing in postings - I blog that way too. My fingers will be crossed that you get your camera back by the end of the week and you feel complete as a blogger once again :-D

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  9. Gail, you have a lot of nice photos for someone without a camera! Though I know what you mean about being used to YOUR camera. I love spring beauties, they are one of my favorite spring ephemerals. Also love the dogtooth violet (also native here)--its splotchy leaves put me somewhat in mind of Virginia waterleaf. The dogtooth has the cutest yellow flowers that are like little sunshine umbrellas! Good luck getting your baby back!

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  10. Your computer and now your camera, too?? No wonder you feel lost, Gail! I have dropped my camera a couple times and keep thinking one of these days...
    I do hope your camera can be repaired and you get it back soon. In the meantime, it's very sweet of Mr. "I Don't" to lend you his. I would hate to miss out on seeing all your spring wildflowers!

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  11. Like a lost limb! Hope it mends soon.

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  12. I dropped one of my cameras on the kitchen floor a few weeks ago, thankfully it didn't break.

    It is funny how we get used to a camera and the way it feels in our hands. I have more than one camera now and I don't get that same bonding experience like I used too.

    I hope you can get your camera fixed soon.

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  13. I'd be terribly lost without my camera, so I can totally empathise with you, Gail. I hope they have good news when you call about it.
    My post inspiration almost always comes from the photos too. In fact, I'm often too busy taking photos to post! :)
    It's amazing how much more observant we become once we get a camera in our hands, and what a wonderful record it makes for the garden.
    I hope you get your friend back soon!
    Happy Monday! :)

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  14. It's great that your 'borrowed' camera takes some good pictures! Hope you get yours back quickly!

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  15. Oh dear! I know how lost I was when I lost my camera. I finally found it after a month it had fallen out of my husbands coat pocket behind the seat in my car. We had since bought a new camera with all the bells and whistles but I still love my little camera that fits in my purse!(-: I hope yours if fixed soon and you can get back to snapping pictures!

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  16. Gail, I'd stand in the repair shop until I had it back in my hot little hands. Fate has being particularly unkind - your camera & computer - catastrophe. The only thing worse than using a borrowed camera and feeling unfortable with it, is using one that's so fantastic and expensive that you don't want to give it back. Fingers crossed that the repair is simple, inexpensive and that the camera is ready lickity-split.

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  17. Gail, I am glad you did not slip and fall. Hopefully you'll get your camera back very soon. If not, you might have to break the bad news to Mr. I!:)

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  18. Gail,
    I feel you pain. I’m having camera issues too. I hope mine holds on a little longer. I never knew I would become so attached to my camera. I couldn't imagine not having it.

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  19. Sheesh! I would be upset too, and my camera is just a little Kodak Easy Share Z650. I am sure I could get better results using manual settings, Best I get busy and figure this little camera out.

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  20. So sorry about the camera Gail! I'm glad it was the camera that fell on the concrete instead of you.

    Your spring foliage and bloom shots are beautiful with Mr. I Don't's camera. Still, I hope you have your own more familiar, more comfortable camera back in your hands very soon.

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  21. Hi Gail, Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I hope you camera is repaired quickly so you can be reunited.

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  22. I'm with Tina. In cases like that, I'm usually glad I didn't twist an ankle or worse. But of course I hope you'll get your friend the camera back soon...

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  23. I hope you get your camera back soon. It's hard to work with inferior equipment.
    I wish someone had told me about Vinca before I transplanted some to the back garden. I've just about got rid of all of it back there, but it escaped to the property on the other side of the fence & keeps trying to return to recolonize the garden. I can't believe you have buds on your PPP already! Mine looks barely alive, although that will change in the next few weeks.

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  24. These are still great pics, even though it's not your own camera!

    I think I need to make a "me" purchase and get a good camera for taking pictures in the garden. My point and click can only do so much.

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  25. Ohhhh, I'm sorry, I know some cameras just don't feel right. Hope yours can be fixed. Once you have a relationship, it's hard to move on.
    Marnie

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  26. Hi Gail, even though I have known about your camera since the day it happened, the heart felt words you have poured onto the page are deeply touching. It is admirable how you are soldiering on. I do hope something is done soon so you can be back to capturing the changlings as they turn to their spring attire with your sweet friend.
    Frances

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  27. gail,
    glad you didn't hurt yourself in the process of messing up your camera. i had some ankle issue last year so i am trying to be careful this year. it is hard to adjust to a new camera or a borrowed one. one of my fav lens has been out of commission for about 6 months. i still feel lost without it. i need to visit the repair shop. hope you get your back soon.

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  28. First your computer and now your camera. That *sucks*! I have dropped every single pair of binoculars I've ever owned, but I think I would sit down and cry if I dropped my camera. I hope yours can be repaired and you get it back soon.

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  29. Dear Gail, your post was most touching :( I know how you feel, especially this time when spring is at its finest. I lost my camera last June (thought it was stolen) and couldn't sleep (such a part of me). My husband wiped my tears and wisked me out next AM insisting I not only replace but upgrade (he's my biggest fan :) I turned in all my old film cameras (kept lenses) and upgraded. Two weeks later I found my old camera, which is a great backup but now has a broken battery latch (must tape shut and doesn't always stay). Point being, glad I invested in new one. But that doesn't help you since yours is new ... fingers crossed that good news comes soon. In the meantime, your posted photos are lovely.

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  30. I've just discovered the joys of taking pictures of plants - so I can feel your pain. Hopefully you get it back soon.

    Sherri

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  31. Oh girl. I know just how you feel. I dropped my new camera first time out. It still needs repairing. I am now using my old camera that is very similar but it has been dropped, I quit counting, how many times but keeps working. Although it doesn't work as good as it should which is why I bought a new one. I can't imagine using my DB's camera. It is big and I don't like the way it feels either. It is all what you get used to using. I hope your camera is repaired soon.

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  32. I know I'd be crying if I didn't have my camera. I am much more comfortable photographing than writing which you've most likely been able to tell from my blog! I am incredibly impressed with the photos you are featuring tho ~ if these are from your Mr. I's camera ~ I think they're pretty darn good too. At least you have a back-up right?? Two weeks was hardly time to learn the intricacies of a new camera so I hope it's fixed soon too. Lucky for us all, the best days for photography are ahead.

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  33. Hi Gail....it goes without saying that we miss you loads.....

    I hated my new camera when I first got it....it was not a match made in heaven.....but now, like any good marriage, we are getting to understand each other.

    Love your photographs, especially of the dog tooth violets appearance.......isn't it just so lovely to clear other plants and find a little treasure......

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  34. That's a very sad story. Good luck getting your new baby fixed!

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  35. Gail .. it is true about imprinting yourself on something like a camera .. even though I "eye" others at times .. my Olympus and I have been through a lot in the last two years .. I feel your uneasiness with a strange camera in your hands (although the pictures are wonderful !) .. hang in there .. eat some chocolate and let us know what happens ? Joy : )

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  36. Sorry about your camera. Manual settings are the best !
    Your DH's camera seems be be pretty good.
    Pictures hold great memories...time goes by so quickly.

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  37. What a shame, Gail. However, the photos in this post are still beautiful!

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  38. Oh goodness, I'd be lost without mine for sure. Yesterday I experienced a bout of vertigo and fell outside on the concrete while attempting to bend over to photograph a flower. I threw my hand up to protect the camera slung around my neck. Other than bandaids, I'm fine.
    Brenda

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  39. Gail,

    I really love my Canon SX10 IS with the 20x zoom. The photos that I took of birds lately have been with this camera on a tripod.

    I took movies with it on Saturday night when my husband and friends were playing bluegrass music and singing. Great movies with great sound quality.

    For our son's white coat ceremony in pharmacy school yesterday, I used the sports setting and took continuous sequences of photos. Amazing, even cranking the zoom out since we were in the balcony.

    Cameron

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  40. Well your borrowed camera certainly takes some good photos too. I often times use my little point and shoot to do macro shots. But that must be very frustrating.

    Do you have your computer back yet? Guess when it rains...

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  41. Hi my friends...Thank you for all your wonderful comments and encouragement...Guess what! Late this evening UPS dropped a package at the door and inside is my camera...So far it seems to be back to normal! Now the computer is next...it is not fixable but I am getting ready to replace it! I hope you all have a fantastic week!

    Gail

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  42. Hi Gail,
    I keep drifting off to sleep, then waking up and reading and commenting on one more blog, so I did not get your comments read. I hope your camera is fixable. I have had some of the woodland phlox growing in a tub a few years, I am pleased the clump I put in the ground is coming back.

    Great pics!

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  43. I can relate to your feeling with camera. So totally right! What would our blogs be without our wonderful companions! I've never thought about this before and your post makes my camera more special to me. Thank you. Hope your friend gets back to you soon.

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  44. oh, I hope you get it back soon. Still, the photos are delightful!

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  45. Eek, so sorry to hear about the dropped camera. I know what you mean about using someone else's camera. It just doesn't seem the same.

    Unless it's a nicer camera, and then you just get envious. ;-)

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  46. Gail most of my albums are private, there are a few that I have made public. Those are the Muddy Boot ones.

    When you are uploading the photos into Picassa, there is a box that you can click, private or public. There are some other options also.

    Glad to read in your comments that you got your camera back. I bonded with mine and I know how that feels.

    BTW how did you do full screen shots?

    Jen

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  47. Gail, I know exactly how you feel. I am one who uses pictures in my posts to make my points. I felt so out of it when I lost mine before I could get it replaced. My daughter bought some kind of policy with hers that fixes it when it gets broken ect. (She had to use it already and got it back in 3 days).

    I like the coverage it provides in ugly bare spots, you really have to watch that it doesn't choke out wanted plants. I noticed that I have some tulips struggling to come through in a couple of places so must get busy and cut back the vinca-hard!

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  48. Jen, I just clicked on your poster/photo and the poster opened up to fit my whole screen...It was beautiful! I have checked the box that makes my photos all private....I will have to spend more time at picasa to see what they offer. The posters are pretty cool...and very helpful for bloom day posts. gail

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  49. What a lovely blog, Gail. I look forward to reading more.

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  50. Oh Gail what a shame :( I would be lost without mine. I do hope that it can be repaired or if not that you can get a satisfactory replacement as soon as possible.

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  51. Oh Gailie,

    I read through the posts hoping to read that your camera was fixed. I hope you get it back soon. Glad the "Mr" is being so nice to you! When do you get your mac back? What trauma!

    I've put my camera in my purse again...taking pictures of the Texas wildflowers and would like to take pix of all the work on our house but haven't yet...it feels so unfinished that it bothers me...maybe when we are closer to moving back in? Maybe...

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  52. This may not be your camera, Gail, but you certainly did beautifully with it. And hopefully you'll have your own friendly camera back in your hands in the next few days. Lovely shots for a spring day when we have between 6 and 10 inches of new snow....

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  53. These are wonderful photos! I picked you over at Blotanical!
    Happy Spring.

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  54. Hi Gail,
    Sorry to hear about the camera, but now I know you have it back repaired (from your comment at my place), so all right in the world again except for the new computer!

    Seeing your bulbs in bloom is making me antstier by the day for ours to bloom, but at least I'm starting to get my crocus fix! I spotted a hyacinth coming up by the front steps today when I got the mail... it's just pierced the ground, but one more bulb up!

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"Insects are the little things that run the world." Dr. E O Wilson