'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
A few months ago I was one of the winners of a photography contest held by Fine Gardening. I was really excited about the prize - a Wingscapes Timelapse PlantCam. It arrived Friday and after reading the instruction manual, I was even more excited about using it.
The weather has been fantastic this weekend - our warmest since Thanksgiving - so even though more pressing chores needed to be done, I had to try out the camera. The instructions sounded a bit complicated but then, you have to know me. I'm not good at putting things together and I'm terrible at deciphering instructions. Michael says that I don't have common sense. I'm not going to argue with that!
Anyway, it turned out to be much easier than I expected with one exception (and after hearing it, you'll know Michael is right). You go through a menu and set various things for the camera to do - the most important being the time lapse interval. There are 11 different time lapse settings, from 30 seconds to 1 day. I set the camera up on my tripod in front of the bird feeder, went through the menu, and followed the instructions exactly as stated in the user guide. The instructions said that it would take the first photo 10 seconds after you closed the box and then do the time lapse interval that you selected. I stood back and waited, expecting to hear something. Nothing. So I keep turning it off and back on again, going through the instructions over and over and I keep thinking that it isn't working. The default time interval setting is for 1 day so I'm thinking that it is set for that and I can't override it.
After fooling around with it for about 45 minutes, I gave up in frustration, took it inside and as I was about to turn it off, I glanced at the menu and it said something about 22 photos being on it. What? I take it to the computer and download the images and there they all are with about 18 of my goofy face staring into the viewfinder in puzzlement. Michael says, "Duh, did you think the camera would make a noise? That would scare off the birds!" So, if you get one of these cameras and you don't have common sense like me, the camera is silent! Well, they could have mentioned that in the user guide!
So far, I love it even if my first attempts are not the greatest. You can take either still photos or videos. You can also take the photos you've captured and string them into a video to create a time lapse capture, such as a flower opening. I can't wait to try this!
Phillip,I totally agree with DP... you should have posted all pics! If I am still rolling around laughing the next time you and Michael come down here.. it is because I keep reading this. Just TOO FUNNY!
this is the site that i found that explained how to do the rose cuttings - like i said it's the wrong time of the year - the rose has no leaves, but i still hope some of them make it. Good Luck!
I laughed so hard thinking about those pictures you had taken of yourself! I could just hear the play of words between you and Michael. I was cracking up!!!
By the way, I am so excited for you about your new camera; it sounds delightful. Randy and I had talked about one of those before, but never really looked into getting one. Oh, and we didn't know you had won a CONTEST in Fine Gardening either. We are both impressed with that but we also know that you are a good photographer.
That will be a lot of fun Phillip! Too funny that you were waiting for the camera click! Wasn't this weekend gorgeous...Wish it were here to saty....gail
How cool! My brother has a motion activated one he put on the trail down to his pond. Got lots of interesting photos. Now I'm starting to want one too. Marnie
What! No posting of the time lapse photos of your goofy face?! This is indeed a great prize. I am looking forward to some nice time lapse photos in the future.
Congrats, Philip, on the win and the great prize. I looked on the link for the contest and winners but couldn't find it. So what was your winning picture?
What, no photos of your goofy face? We wanted to see those too! HA I would have thought it would make a noise as well. What a grand prize, and it was a glorious weekend. Back to cold now, but there are buds on the daffs. Spring can't be far off now. Hope you don't get the silly snow in the forecast. Enough already! :-) Frances
How fun!!! You should have posted your pics!! That would have been hilarious! Isn't this weather great! I hope it stays warm....but you know it won't!
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat prize...I can't wait to see some of the picture you take with it.
ReplyDeleteNow that looks like a fun toy! I'm pretty sure I would've been waiting for a sound from the camera too :)
ReplyDeletePhillip,I totally agree with DP... you should have posted all pics! If I am still rolling around laughing the next time you and Michael come down here.. it is because I keep reading this. Just TOO FUNNY!
ReplyDeleteCool toy -
ReplyDeletethanks for comments on my blog
http://www.rdrop.com/~paul/hulse.html
this is the site that i found that explained how to do the rose cuttings - like i said it's the wrong time of the year - the rose has no leaves, but i still hope some of them make it. Good Luck!
I can't wait to see a flower unfurl in your garden. What a fun toy. I have great faith in you that you will get it all figured out.
ReplyDeleteWhat, no goofy face pictures?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your camera...it looks like a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very cool new toy!
ReplyDeleteHey guys, stop requesting the face pics!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDeleteI laughed so hard thinking about those pictures you had taken of yourself! I could just hear the play of words between you and Michael. I was cracking up!!!
By the way, I am so excited for you about your new camera; it sounds delightful. Randy and I had talked about one of those before, but never really looked into getting one. Oh, and we didn't know you had won a CONTEST in Fine Gardening either. We are both impressed with that but we also know that you are a good photographer.
--Jamie
That will be a lot of fun Phillip! Too funny that you were waiting for the camera click! Wasn't this weekend gorgeous...Wish it were here to saty....gail
ReplyDeleteYou lucky thing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely toy.
Every home should have one.
Hilarious story! Those cameras are so cool for those of us who work away from home and miss out on the M-F birds.
ReplyDeleteHow cool! My brother has a motion activated one he put on the trail down to his pond. Got lots of interesting photos. Now I'm starting to want one too.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Phillip, What a terrific way to watch your garden grow. It will be like having a front row seat to witness all the action.
ReplyDeleteHow Cool! I have seen these in gardening magazines, but didn't want to spend the $$ yet :)...congrats on winning this! I'm sure you will enjoy it~!
ReplyDeleteHow cool! Great toy
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun prize!
ReplyDeleteWhat! No posting of the time lapse photos of your goofy face?! This is indeed a great prize. I am looking forward to some nice time lapse photos in the future.
ReplyDeleteGreat fun! Congrats on your prize.
ReplyDeleteCameron
What a cool gift. I think I'd like to see a time lapse garden myself now that the idea has come into my head.
ReplyDeleteAnd thumbs up on the weather. What a relief.
Congrats, Philip, on the win and the great prize. I looked on the link for the contest and winners but couldn't find it. So what was your winning picture?
ReplyDeletePam, the direct link is below. I don't see my photo on the thumbnails but if you click on my entry on the list you'll see it (Garden Wall)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.finegardening.com/item/12805/and-the-winners-of-the-november-photo-challenge-are
LOL Phillip, actually I would have like to have seen your face when you saw the pictures of your face.
ReplyDeleteAnn S.
Oh my goodness, JEALOUS! Had to laugh about the face photos.
ReplyDeleteWell done on winning such a great prize.
ReplyDeleteI'm not at all surprised you've won a photo comp. I look forward to more updates on the new toy.
What, no photos of your goofy face? We wanted to see those too! HA I would have thought it would make a noise as well. What a grand prize, and it was a glorious weekend. Back to cold now, but there are buds on the daffs. Spring can't be far off now. Hope you don't get the silly snow in the forecast. Enough already! :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Thank you for a good laugh, Phillip! I bet those first images of your face are precious! The camera is neat!
ReplyDeleteI bet those pictures of you staring into the viewfinder are priceless. :D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Have fun ...
ReplyDeleteI think the ones of you would have been more entertaining than the bird ones!
ReplyDeletePhillip, congratulations on winning. That's wonderful. Your video was really good and what fun to watche the birds closeup.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteI got a Plant Cam for Christmas, and I can't wait to try it out! I am going to take time lapse photos of my sugar snap peas.
ReplyDelete