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Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back.  'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini
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Seeing the garden through a new lens

I have a new camera lens, a wide angle Sigma 10-20mm, a lens that I've needed for a long time. I just can't get used to the idea that a good lens cost more than my camera did. You might take a look at these photos and think that I got myself a dud but it is just our weather. It has been foggy, dark and wet all week here and I just heard today that we are officially out of the drought. I love all this rain but I'm wondering - does it help the plants any during the winter? Probably.

All of this rain and a head cold has kept me inside this week but I'm feeling better and couldn't wait to get out and try out the new lens.












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  1. GailDecember 18, 2008 at 11:38 AM

    Phillip, It's such a treat to tour your garden...now let's have some hot coffee and cookies while we chat about your camera and the new lens. How exciting! I am thrilled to see your sigma lens in action! I am looking at a new camera (Rebel or D-90) and knew that I would want a another lens or two! Nice to know that sigma works so well! I think the garden looks wonderful and the wider angle shows it off brilliantly! It's just a lovely garden Phillip, it makes me sigh with delight! Merry Christmas! Gail ps which camera do you have?

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  2. Phillip OliverDecember 18, 2008 at 11:43 AM

    Thanks! I have a Nikon D50 which is an earlier version of the D90. I had read that the Sigma lenses were very good and they are half the price of the Nikon counterparts. I read hundreds of reviews before taking the plunge and I'm so glad I did. I can get so much more in the photo than I could with my regular lens.

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  3. Philip BewleyDecember 18, 2008 at 12:13 PM

    I just loved the tour. The images look great, and the garden is beautiful and atmospheric.

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  4. AnonymousDecember 18, 2008 at 12:16 PM

    Cripes. The garden's so textured it looks like a pointillists painting.

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  5. F CameronDecember 18, 2008 at 4:20 PM

    Phillip,

    Your garden is beautiful in any season! It has character right now.

    Congrats on your lens. One son has a Nikon D50 and he says he'll give it to me when he upgrades...but, he told me that a lens will cost more!

    Cameron

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  6. AnonymousDecember 18, 2008 at 4:48 PM

    Even in winter your garden looks good. The mist adds to the atmosphere. Can't wait to see more photos showing off your new lens.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  7. Barbee'December 18, 2008 at 6:10 PM

    Thanks for the tour! Your garden really looks different now. Glad the drought is over. That is really good news.

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  8. Lisa at GreenbowDecember 18, 2008 at 7:00 PM

    Good bones in your garden Phillip. I can't wait to see what this new lens will show us this summer.

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  9. Chandramouli SDecember 18, 2008 at 8:38 PM

    Congratulations on the new lens! Your pics are awesome like your garden itself. The pictures somehow seem more clear to me. Cheers!

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  10. Linda LundaDecember 18, 2008 at 11:05 PM

    I am AMAZED!!!! Your garden is just WONDERFUL!
    Thanks for the tour!
    Linda

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  11. sweetbayDecember 19, 2008 at 7:42 AM

    Phillip I love the hardscape in your garden. What materials did you use in the purple wall?

    Amazing photos of an amazing garden. :)

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  12. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogDecember 19, 2008 at 8:32 AM

    Congrats on your new lens. I also own a Sigma lens, though not a wide angle, and I like it a lot. Would love a wide angle though!

    I also love the misty photos. We've had very similar weather here. All that rain will be very good for your trees. I'm always thankful to get winter rain because I know it'll help the trees along when the inevitable summer drought hits.

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  13. Roses and LilacsDecember 19, 2008 at 9:27 AM

    Lovely photos. Your garden looks like it's been there for decades or longer. Beautiful. I really like the arbor.
    Marnie

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  14. RandyDecember 19, 2008 at 10:59 AM

    Look at you with your new lens! Great shots! Our garden looks so empty now compared to yours. :-)

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  15. DaveDecember 19, 2008 at 8:31 PM

    Your garden looks like the setting you see outside of some English conservatory. Very nice! It looks like a good choice in lenses as the pictures turned out very good.

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  16. AnonymousDecember 20, 2008 at 7:59 PM

    Nice lens, I've always wanted to get a wide angle lens. The Nikon 12-24 is my dream lens but it looks like the Sigma is as good! I'm still using my old Nikon D70 and have been thinking about upgrading to D700.

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  17. KC MO Garden GuyDecember 21, 2008 at 6:39 PM

    Phillip, I don't know much about cameras or lenes but the pictures look amazing. How big of yard do you have? From the pictures it looks like a couple of acers. Your garden looks wonderful even this time of year!!

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  18. JonDecember 22, 2008 at 1:41 PM

    Phillip,
    Glad Santa brought you a new lens since you've been such a good boy this year. Your photos have always been outstanding and now even better. Icing on the cake?

    Hope y'all have a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2009!
    Jon at Mississippi Garden

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  19. WayneDecember 30, 2008 at 5:29 AM

    Even this late in the season, your garden looks wonderful!

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  20. LostRosesJanuary 3, 2009 at 1:01 AM

    Phillip, your garden photos could be the illustrations for a "garden in winter" book. What gorgeous shots, and what a gorgeous garden!

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