Flower Photography Blog

Apr 29, May's Wallpaper is Echinacea in the Perennial Garden

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 09:54:38 GMT

Echinacea in the perennial garden for May's wallpaper. Can't get much brighter than this image! The petals look like they're dancing and it just feels like a cheerful image. I hope you plaster it across your monitor this month 'cause It might just make your days a bit sunnier. Looking at this photo takes me right back to Yeomiji Botanical Gardens. Love it there! It's on Jeju-do ("do" means island in Korean.)

Apr 1, April's Wallpaper - wild lupins in the meadow.

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 06:19:01 GMT

Wild lupins in the meadow for April's wallpaper. Wild lupins grow thick at Green Timbers Urban Forest in Surrey, British Columbia. The forest has the most beautiful lake and meadow smack in the middle of the woods. On any weekend, families come to relax at the lake and mingle with the ducks! There are always several folks fishing and lots more hiking and jogging. More often than not, I spent quality camera time there during the weekday mornings when it was fairly quiet. My morning "hour of power" communing with the amazing energy of the park! Brilliant golden buttercups and blue-violet lupins shared the meadow space at the time I took this photo. The greens are strong toward the yellow side. The foliage is young and juicy and fresh. The deeper greens take over when the meadow growth matures a few weeks later. I just love the spring flowers here at the meadow! Even though I'm in Asia now, the image is still clear in my mind. All I have to do is close my eyes to see it all as clear as day! Even smell all the wildflowers! Such a peaceful, beautiful, spiritual place and so glad to share it with you for the whole month of April. Until next month, get out there with your camera and get some good ones! Warm hugs, Glenys :)

Mar 1, March already? Here are more daffodils!

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:58:39 GMT

March is coming in like a lamb here in Korea! Just a few days ago, it was cold with a bone-chilling wind. Things can change quickly! In my excitement over the warm weather, I chose another daffodil photo. I promise to change it up next month! Maybe I've been concentrating on my vacation photos a little too much! I hope you're checking out some of those vacation photos on my Facebook page! So this month's wallpaper is sunny yellow and orange with a hint of blue scattered about for good measure. I hope you haven't grown tired of daffodils... I never do! Warmly, Glenys

Mar 1, Thailand and Cambodia - some of my images

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:43:28 GMT

It was a super trip to Thailand and Cambodia. Check out my Facebook page for photos of Angkor Wat, the Bayon Temple and a great photo of a monk, Parinya, I met on the Thai-Burma "Death" Railway. Yes, the original train cars! There's a link below. Don't think I've ever seen so many orchids. Absolutely beautiful and they're everywhere! We missed the Flower Festival in Chiang Mai since we had to leave the morning it started. And not a hotel room to be found in the city because of this festival! Next year! I'm going back next winter - Cambodia and Myanmar, the southern Thai beach areas, Singapore, Bali and Borneo... should be able to do all that in 6 weeks! But for now... Shanti, Glenys

Jan 31, February 2012 Wallpaper's Up

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:32:06 GMT

February's daffodil wallpaper is totally "spring"! A huge contrast to the bold colors of tulips, I just love these pastel colors. The daffodils look like they're standing on guard in front of the yellow shrubs and pink cherry blossoms. I'm writing this to you from Chiang Mai where it's summer all year round! Quite a (pleasant) shock dropping in from the cold of winter. Got here a few days ago and spent yesterday at the amazing Chiang Mai Botanical Garden. The size of the place is mind boggling... after 5 hours we'd covered less than half the gardens and we hadn't even gone into more than a couple of the exhibitions! More on that later! Right now, I'll be sending out February's wallpaper this evening. I prepared it before I left for Thailand last weekend. Enjoy it and watch for updates on gardens I come across in Thailand and Cambodia over the next few weeks! Namaste for now.

Jan 21, Butterfly photography

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:22:07 GMT

Mastering butterfly photography is totally do-able! The only difference between shooting flowers and shooting butterflies is that butterflies don't stay in one place for long. All you need is a little knowledge about butterfly behavior and how to photograph a fluttering subject. Learn about composition and exposure. Find out how butterfly behavior changes over the time of day. You might like to try out some night-time butterfly photography!

Nov 28, December wallpaper - after the storm

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:09:03 GMT

December's wallpaper reflects the peace and stillness of winter! The photo was taken beside my sister's home in Ontario last year, right after a snow storm. There's a lovely little park with a creek and gardens and a small playground. And the beavers build a dam there every summer. I walked the dogs there every day and when I was really lucky, I caught sight of a fox or a coyote. I love to see wildlife living in harmony within the city. Oh yes, this small protected area is also a bird sanctuary and, especially in the spring and fall, the ducks make themselves at home as they pass through. Sometimes, a duck family will stick around for the whole summer, swimming along the creek with the fuzzy little babies in tow behind mamma! Enjoy my wallpaper each month - with a calendar to keep you on track!

Sep 29, Photography Contest - Gardens In Focus, Australia

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 06:35:40 GMT

Love photography contests? Well, dust off your cameras or wade through your pictures of botanical gardens because here's one for you!

There are categories for Australia, New Zealand and International Gardens so look through the rules, send in your very best photos... the cost per entry is minimal. Young or old, amateur or pro, get involved!

Entry is open until December 10, 2011.

Jul 31, August's echinacea wallpaper is up!

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:18:47 GMT

Echinacea - one of nature's natural medicines! These flowers intrigue me with their huge colorful, textured centers. I love getting right in there with a macro lens. Since I've been back here in Canada, I've been able to revisit my old haunts in Vancouver and this echinacea belongs to my favorite nature get-away, VanDusen Botanical Garden. Echinacea is not just a pretty face... she'll ease the symptoms of your cold and sore throat! Visit your local pharmacy and you'll see these pretty blossoms adorning many of the cold remedy boxes! Join me and my wallpaper friends and sign up this month for a free flower wallpaper - with a calendar to keep you on track!

Jul 26, Garden cats!

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 04:00:30 GMT

I spent a week house and cat sitting. My friend "Purr" here really enjoys being in the garden and I got some great photos of her. The very best way to shoot photos of your pets is when you're not rushed, just relaxing and enjoying them. They aren't stressed out and neither are you! Who could be stressed out in a garden, anyways? The garden at your own home is one place your pet is familiar and at ease. If a photographer comes into your home, then your pet has to get used to them so don't expect the animal to perform for a stranger! If you take your pet to a studio, that's a lot more demanding on an animal's nerves. I always go with an environment they're used to and really enjoy and have fun. Its so easy to get marvelous pictures when you just hang out with your furry friend and take all the time in the world! There are more photos of my furry feline friend in the garden on my photography Facebook page right here.

May 30, Private Garden Tour June 11 and 12

Mon, 30 May 2011 14:17:24 GMT

VanDusen Botanical Garden cancelled the private garden tour for June 11-12. It hasn't been the best year weather-wise and some felt their gardens weren't up to snuff! Disappointing for sure!

May 28, June flower wallpaper is ready!

Sat, 28 May 2011 16:35:10 GMT

Tiptoe through the tulips for June's wallpaper! This photo was from last spring but the early tulips have been blooming for several weeks now. Here's a lovely bunch of back-lit orange Darwinian tulips ... and here's more if you just can't get enough of them. You'll pick up a few flower photography tips, too. To get this wallpaper, go here.

May 26, The Photogenic Daylilies

Thu, 26 May 2011 21:22:08 GMT

The daylily opens at early light... it lives only a day. At sunset it withers and dies! Sunrise again, another bloom replaces it. But, however fleeting in life, it's forever in photos. The daylilies are some of the most photogenic flowers... the colors are dazzling! With hundreds of cultivars, you can't possibly get tired of photographing these blooms. And why not get give your creative genius a work out with a lens baby or a macro this summer?

May 11, Photography in the spring garden

Wed, 11 May 2011 04:59:02 GMT

Soft light and glorious color in the spring garden. Bring your camera and a sunny mood with you. Review some basic photography, critique a few photographs, then get started on your own spring pictures.

May 6, Vancouver Area Private Garden Tour June 11 and 12

Fri, 06 May 2011 06:49:08 GMT

VanDusen Botanical Garden is now selling tickets ($30 per person) for their private home garden tour. On June 11 & 12, private homes will be open to visitors and I'll be one of them. What a great opportunity to see some of the most beautiful gardens in the Vancouver area. A ticket allows you to enter each garden once... of course, I'll be packing my camera! Tickets will be sent out on May 16 and you can send your check with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to VanDusen's.

Apr 30, May wallpaper is a sunny daffodil with purple crocuses

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:28:58 GMT

Tough decision but the daffodil won out! Toss up between cherry blossoms and a sunny yellow bloom.

Download the wallpaper (absolutely free) to brighten up your work space... with a calendar to keep you on track!

Apr 18, Pink Petunias

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 05:22:03 GMT

Allow me to share one of my many Daegu (South Korea) walk-about joys. I often spend hours just walking around Daegu, and at times come across some interesting

Apr 11, Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival in Full Swing

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 04:15:21 GMT

The cherry blossoms are popping out all over the place now. From the sky train, its a world of pink clouds below.

Tuesday I'm off to Queen Elizabeth Park and VanDusen Botanical Garden to catch them before the petals fall like confetti!

We had three glorious days of sunshine and the warmth encouraged even more blooms to pop out. But, the trouble with cherry blossoms is that they don't stay around for long. Make sure you get out and enjoy them while they last.

Apr 11, Disney World

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 02:57:10 GMT

Disney World has so many flowers. In October my mom took my sister Rachel and I to Disney World for the first time. We were so excited! As soon as we

Mar 22, Flower Photography Garden Tours

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 22:18:06 GMT

Just planning out a flower photography garden tour for the Vancouver area end of May or beginning of June. I'm really excited about this one! Major decision! Vancouver has so many fabulous gardens but its only possible to cover 2, perhaps 3 in one day. Add on a lunch, maybe dinner and it will be a day to remember. By the way, you don't have to be from out of town to enjoy this one. If you're from the area, you'll get a whole new perspective of your home area... and share time with other garden photography enthusiasts. I'll be teaching some basic photography as well as pointing out some flower and garden-specific photography hints. These tours will be small groups so that you can get lots of one-on-one teaching. Look for more information and a firmed up schedule by April 15 on my website! I'll also post it on twitter (GlenysFocusOn) and on my Facebook Fan Page (Glenys Morgan Photography) at the link below. I can hardly wait!

Mar 19, My Invitation to you. . .

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 01:28:45 GMT

Would you like to share your garden photos and the story that goes with them? I'd love to put it on your own page on my website. Its almost spring and if you don't have pictures now, you'll be taking some great ones soon!

Look for this photo, but smaller, on the right side of the homepage... under New Pages and click. Then get your story and photos together!

And while you're checking out the link to my newest "sharing" page, take two minutes to watch the homepage video. I edited it today. Are you looking forward to a great weekend? I sure am - the weatherman is threatening us with sunshine here in rain forest country!

Mar 18, Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 06:05:44 GMT

Cherry Blossom Festival is right around the corner here in Vancouver (March 26 to April 22).

Get the cameras and video ready... you just don't want to miss this one!

Jan 5, Leaving Toronto

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 03:25:16 GMT

I managed to get the January 2011 wallpaper up on time. Leaving Toronto tomorrow with video and photos of Allan Gardens. Just before leaving Vancouver mid December, I managed to take in the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden . Impressive! I've never seen almost 1 1/2 million lights in such a show before. Another Festival of Lights at Park and Tilford Botanical Garden in North Vancouver ... also a big hit. Really glad I got that in the night before I left. Whew, out of breath - but well worth it. I've got video and photos of both and the pages are almost completed. But tomorrows a long travel day and I'll be settling in to getting those 3 pages up by the weekend. Until then, 2011 is destined to be the best year ever! PS. Hope your Christmas and New Year's celebrations were fun-filled and safe and had lots of photography involved.

Dec 2, Winter Garden Under a Blanket of Snow!

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:44:15 GMT

Snow has hit several areas in Canada and the dark rainy days are hanging over Vancouver. Make sure you click to this photo - it probably doesn't bring thoughts of flower photography to mind, but the gardens are really there! They're just resting under a blanket of snow. This is the Manitoba prairie winter and my friend tells me that the snow already has them under wraps! This winter garden photo is beautiful with the hoar frost, the blue air, and the late morning moon in the sky. Just think of what's under that snow waiting to pop up in the spring.

Nov 5, Changed the "Look and Feel" today, plus more...

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 22:09:17 GMT

The other day I was at Queen Elizabeth Park with some photography friends. It turned out to be more of a catch-up lunch date since the sun was shining down too brightly for good photos. How often do you hear that the sun's shining too brightly? At least not here in a Vancouver late fall and winter! We were more than happy just to have a glorious sun-soaked day out with friends. But I did get a few really nice pictures in some shaded areas. The fall colors hadn't completely taken over at that time. Well, except for the deep gold and brown rudbeckia decorating the walkway gardens beside the parking lot... you know, near those constantly changing fountains. I love the golden glow to these flowers and I knew that was the pallet I wanted for my new look. Just can't resist the earth tones and had to catch several photos. There's also method in my madness... I'm sitting here watching the site being rebuilt, bad idea! Everything's a bit wonky at this stage - keeping my fingers crossed that all will be well soon! There's an additional wider top image for the new three column site! That will get loaded when my plans for that third column are solid. But today brings that goal closer. Yeah! A new SBI friend asked me to share a few photos with her so she could use them on her site. When she publishes that page, I'll send everyone over to see and read the quotes she's putting together. Hope you like the site's make-over. Give me a shout to tell me "yay or nay" to the new color and feel. Cheers and have a super day.

Sep 22, Back home in Vancouver

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:44:30 GMT

Got an apartment and setting up my office and living space. There's been entirely too much rain the last week but yesterday was fabulous and sunny. I spent the day at Grouse Mountain - high up with nature. So many wildflowers and the blueberry bushes supplying such gorgeous colour on the mountainsides. I got my new monitor and my desk will arrive in 8 days. Then I'll be cranking out all these gorgeous photos I've been collecting. Its great to be in the home environment although I've already bought an air ticket for Christmas! Yippee, Christmas with family.

Sep 6, Move in Progress!

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:20:23 GMT

Sitting in my new apartment in Surrey, BC. One desk chair and a Turkish carpet plus tea and a mug! Okay, so a bed as well. Hopefully my freight is being delivered this coming Friday - but first a trip to Customs Thursday before they'll release it. So happy to be back in BC Canada, land of gardens! Day trips are being planned to Vancouver Island (the gardens and the butterflies). And I'm staying 10 days in Deep Cove, North Vancouver. Should find an abundance of wild flowers on the mountain hiking trails and lots of garden spaces. I've missed working on this site during all the packing, flying and finding a new home. That "in between time" is sure uncomfortable... when the new apartment's full of my familiar things, it'll be much better. And thank goodness for old friends who put us up when we're homeless. Still humming and hawing over the new 3-column site design - almost sure but not committed to it! A new home, a new web design, lots of photos to take and stories to write - and I guess that's all for now!

Jul 30, Changing to CSS

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:32:06 GMT

New CSS template chosen - check!

Learn CSS and build up energy to implement - in process

Move back to Canada! - in process

Get Glenys Morgan Photography facebook underway - check! Go to my homepage and befriend me! Or, cut and paste to find me at http://bit.ly/cyoLqx

Buy energy bars - check!

Jun 9, Video is SOOOOO Cool

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:14:14 GMT

I just updated my pictures of flowers page with a new video. Ah yes, time in the garden with the birds 'n the bees... Check for some light rain, lots of pink peonies, really busy insects and the sounds of happy birds. It'll only take two minutes of your time so enjoy!

May 23, The Video Guru is Now In!

Sun, 23 May 2010 08:57:22 GMT

WooHoo! Now I'm in the groove... got my new video camera under control (a bit of a challenge). Still a few more bells and whistles to add to the web player but all that in good time. Like me, my web site's a work in progress. I'm psyched - hooked totally on video and looking forward to supplying some high quality movies for all flower and garden lovers. The video camera isn't so much different than film or digital - just takes time to get comfortable and get to know your camera. The manual was way too thick and four or five languages got ripped out! Now it's a manageable take-along. Three cameras, four lenses, tripod and all the essential (or not) nick-nacks are adding up, though. Soon I'm going to have to hire a sherpa! But it's still a great photography life. Still on my list - blogging, my facebook fan page... joined Lynda.com and studying more Photoshop/Lightroom and all sorts of other marvelous subjects. Boredom doesn't live here! Oh yes, and in the summer I'll be changing my website design to CSS and using three columns. So summer is totally planned!

Jan 19, Camera tripods can clear up those soft, fuzzy pictures.

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:49:31 GMT

Camera tripods are essential gear whether you're a novice or professional photographer. Contemplating tripods but don't know where to start? Start here!

Nov 14, Gray days of fall

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:33:15 GMT

Those dull gray days have been hanging around for the last week... the fall leaves are being swept up and raked off the ground. That means winter's setting in. Yes, more time to look through my slides and remember the warm flower and garden days.

Has everyone tidied up the gardens and prepared for the cooler days?

I'm all excited now because the next few months are my productive writing time. My brain is overloaded with ideas. Time to get down to serious work on more informative pages for you.

Stick around and watch the pages of photo lessons grow! And there's going to be lots more flower pages as the cool days progress.

Oh, and very soon I'll have a monthly floral background with a calendar for you to download - my gift to you. An incentive to learn more about photography before spring flowers pop up.

I'm here to help you be the best photographer you can be!

Oct 5, Tiniest “hummingbird” in the world!

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:23:33 GMT

All it takes for me to unwind and revitalize is a few days immersed in a garden with my camera. I don't take pictures every minute, though. There's also a whole lot of meditating on the sounds of birds and the heavenly perfumes.

This trip to Jeju Island's Yeomiji Botanical Garden left me with a few hurried pictures of an incredible little visitor to the conservatory. My first thought was that it was a moth from its colors and pattern. But its wings were moving at an extraordinary rate, like a hummingbird. It was the tiniest hummingbird I've ever seen! Smaller than my baby finger!

Looking through my close-up lens, there was no thin tapered "hummingbird" beak but a long thread-like proboscis and I watched it hovering and maneuvering this nectar gathering device with amazing precision. But it still looked like a moth!

And guess what? My investigations have turned up a name! I'm spot on, on both counts. It's a mixture of the two - a type of Sphingidae, a hummingbird hawk moth. It sure put a smile on my face while it darted from flower to flower, me in hot pursuit with my camera! I managed to steal a few pictures even though he didn't stay put for long. I'll add the little guy's picture to Yeomiji Botanical Garden page. You have to take a peak at nature's little marvel!

Those few minutes brought back some special memories. Every summer a pair of ruby-throated hummingbirds used to stay with me and brighten my days. They would dart back and forth through the sprinkler and occasionally hover right in front of my face. Maybe they were reminding me to put out the feeder! Those were really special moments in my garden, hearing the thrumming of the tiny wings... feeling grateful to be visited by such special little creatures. I hope they visit your garden, too!

Cheers in gardening,

May 26, From small beginnings!

Tue, 26 May 2009 11:15:54 GMT

I hope you like what you see so far! Stick around for more pages coming to you soon. I'm working hard behind the scenes putting together new and exciting information for you. Soon you'll be seeing more on photography crafts and botanical gardens. Enjoy!