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A visit to Chickadee Gardens

I was excited to finally get to see Chickadee Gardens last week. I have followed Tamara's blog  for years. She and her husband garden on 2 acres in Saint Helens, Oregon.  When you look at the map, it appears that St. Helens is directly across the Columbia River and slightly to the north of us. However, there is no convenient bridge to get over to the Oregon side. You must go north to Ridgefield, Washington (about 30 minutes north of our house) and go across there  or travel through Portland and then go north through Scappoose. Either way, it is about a 45 minute drive. I decided to try the Ridgefield route and I was glad I did. Not only did I not have to contend with Portland traffic (it was Rose Parade weekend), I got to see country on the Oregon side that was new to me.  Tamara used to work at the beautiful Joy Creek Nursery (my favorite, but alas they are now closed) and she now works part-time at Cistus Nursery.  She focuses on native plants and sustainabili...
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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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