Native Goldenrod: Fall’s golden gift to wildlife gardeners and photographers
Goldenrod blooming in our gardens and along roadsides is a sure sign that fall is not far off. These are important native plants for a host of bees and butterflies that depend on the plants for late summer, early fall food sources.
Get the most out of your compact camera: Ten tips to better photos
Getting the most out of your compact camera involves getting acquainted with the camera’s features, many of which can be hidden in menus.
Our native Obedient plant (False Dragonhead) is important late-summer bloomer
Obedient plant is quick to find a home in the sandy soil in our garden. This native plant is a favourite for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds in the late summer when it begins to bloom.
Pentax F* 300mm f4.5 ED IF: My favourite wildlife lens
Capturing memorable backyard wildlife and birds often depends on getting close. The Pentax F*300mmF4.5 has long been the lens I reach for to achieve my best results when it comes to wildlife photography.
Proven Winners’ Salvia gets our patio containers Rockin’
Proven Winners’ Rockin’ Deep Purple Salvia is the star of our patio container this year. It’s been attracting hummingbirds and Bumble Bees like groupies at a rock concert and it’s low-maintenance habits have really made a fan out of me too.
Review: Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-ZS8 in the garden and on the road
The Lumix DMC-FZ8 travel camera gets the job done whether you are photographing your garden or taking the handsome little camera on vacation.
Blue Lobelia: A native plant perfect for late summer colour
Great Blue Lobelia is a native plant that is at home in both full sun or part shade in the woodland garden. Grow them with Black-Eyed-Susan and Bee Balm for a terrific tapestry in the garden.
Focus on Casio’s EXILIM Pro EX-P505
The Casio EXILIM Pro EX-P505 is a 20-year-old, 5 megapixel camera that continues to perform in the garden and as an everyday camera.
Purple pearl-like berries make Beautyberry a showstopper in native gardens
The American Beautyberry is a fall standout in the woodland garden with it pearl-like magenta berries. The native plant attracts bees and butterflies with its late summer bloom of delicate pink and white flowers, followed by spectacular late summer fruit that persists through winter.
How to capture great sunflower photos: Including ten top tips
Sunflowers are excellent plants to put in your garden. Not only are they visited by pollinators such as bees and butterflies, they eventually provide food for backyard birds. More importantly, they look great while in bloom and make excellent photography subjects in all their phases.
Why is the tree in my front yard stressed and losing its leaves?
We are not the only ones stressed out about climate change. Our suburban forests are feeling the heat too and many homeowners are not doing enough to ease that stress. The result, trees that probably won’t make it past adolesence before a lack of water kills them.
Can Canon’s PowerShot Elph 500 hold its own in the garden with flower photography
Eleven years after its introduction the Canon PowerShot Elph 500 HS continues to shine when it comes to garden photography.
Saving our native Humble Bumble Bee
The Bumble Bee needs to be celebrated for the work it does quietly and without a lot of fanfare. You can thank this native bee for the spaghetti sauce on your pasta and the toasted tomato sandwich that you ate for lunch. Unfortunately many of the native bees face an unsure future.
Macro photography: How to get up close for flower and insect photos
Garden macro photography can open up a whole new world and getting good images have never been easier. Here are some tips on capturing more intimate scenes, from flower closeups to butterflies and other insects that call your garden home.
The Garden pond vs. Container pond
A garden pond is likely the single most beneficial act you could do to attract wildlife to your backyard, but not everyone wants to make that commitment. An alternative is to use a garden container pond which brings water into the yard and allows you to grow many of the plants that woul grow in a pond.
McGee & Co. brings indoor style to the garden
McGee & Co. take home and garden decor to new heights in their impressive on-line marketplace. A little elegance, a touch of rustic and some fine house decor add up to year-round inspiration.
Fujifilm X10: Ten years on, can it still compete with modern compact cameras?
The Fujifilm X10 is a 10-year-old high-end compact camera that still has everything a garden photographer needs to capture beautiful garden images.
How important are skunks in our gardens?
Skunks are extremely beneficial in our gardens helping to reduce unwanted visitors. These gentle creatures pose no threat to us and are rarely seen accept at night.
Monarda and Cardinal flowers: Native reds Hummingbirds can’t resist
Monarda and Cardinal flower are two native reds Hummingbirds can’t resist. Both have similar tube-like flowers that are perfect for hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Ten tips for great garden and flower photography
Here are ten tips to help you improve your garden photography. A good camera and lens is a great start but more important is great vision and attention to technique to ensure good results.