Viridis Japanese Maple
Heatherwood Early Fall
Our green Viridis maple is changing to its fall orange as it patiently watches over our garden waterfall. Each year it extends further toward the falling water. The combination of the flowing water and the flowing branches of the Viridis is one of my favorite scenes I keep coming back to.
Waterfall Abstract
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
Sitting by the waterfall, I continued to play with long exposures. I was looking for interesting vignettes that I could isolate with my telephoto lens. I created several images of this rock with the water flowing around its edges. By itself, it was interesting but not eye stopping. Later when reviewing my images of the morning’s session, something caught my eye. I squinted and saw a face with long white hair sweeping down along each side. The more I looked at it, the more my imagination wandered.
Can you see it ???
Waterfall Abstract
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
I was sitting by our pond having a morning cup of coffee with Mary. I had my camera in my lap and was looking up at our little waterfall. I have taken hundreds of images of the waterfall from every angle that I can think of. What could I do to create something different? I was working with long exposures and my hand slipped. I was getting ready to delete the image, when I thought maybe I could play around with a little in-camera motion. After a few tries, this is what I came up with.
Lesson learned: Stop, take the time to play. Something good usually comes out of it!
Rudbeckia and Brandywine Viburnums
Heatherwood, Early Autumn
As summer transitions into fall, the rudbeckias fade and the berries of the Brandywine viburnum’s break out with their pink berries. I don’t have the heart to cut down the spent rudbeckia blossoms. I leave them for the birds to feed on the seeds. The fallen seeds spread throughout the garden to create new plants in the spring. We have plenty of of volunteers if anyone would like to transplant them.
Coral Bark Japanese Maple – ‘Sango Kaku’
Heatherwood Early Fall
Autumn is here. The colors of the Japanese maples are starting to turn into their fall display. This long hot summer was hard on our maples. Several have many of their leaves severely scorched. I am afraid that our fall display will not be as dramatic as it has been in past years.
I have just finished five weeks working on a tree inventory and health assessment at the Yakima Arboretum. During that time I have neglected our own garden. Now is the time to do a little spruce up before a set of northwest garden representatives come to visit in late October.
During August and early September, I only got out in Heatherwood two times to create a few images. Now that I have a little more time and the garden is actively transitioning into fall, I hope the my camera and I will be out wandering around much more.
Color in the Meadow
Heatherwood Summer
The hot temperatures are back, hovering around 100 degrees. The perennials in the meadow are displaying their bright summer colors. The high heat cause blooms to fade fast, but new growth and color continue to emerge. During these hot times, the best time to be in the garden is before 8:00 am and after 8:00 pm. These are great times for morning coffee and evening refreshments.
Yukimi and Waterfall
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
During these hot summer days with the temperature in the high 90’s to mid 100’s, Heatherwood’s pond and waterfalls cool things down. The sight and flow of water creates a feeling of coolness even though the temperature is hovering around 100 degrees. This vignette was created while I was sitting comfortably in one of our Adirondack chairs overlooking the pond and waterfalls. I know that one typically does not see an Adirondack chair in a Japanese garden. We have chosen to mix a couple of cultures to provide a comfortable place to relax and enjoy nature.
This sitting area is a works-in-progress. It is shaded from the east and south but is relatively open to the afternoon sun from the west. We have planted Japanese maples, a Japanese pagoda tree, and an akebono cherry on the west to help enclose the seating area. This year we planted a honey locust tree to finish the enclosure. Now we just need to wait until the trees get a little taller to provide a 270 degree protected room with an open view of the waterfall and pond to the north.
Summer Color
Heatherwood Meadow
Heatherwood’s summer meadow is like a painter’s palette full color. The colors are brilliant and constantly changing. They blend into each other creating a vignette that reminds me of a Monet painting. My imagination wanders as I envision how Monet might view the scene.
Garden Meadow
Monet’s Perspective
Early Morning View Over Lower Garden
Heatherwood Summer
Today will be another hot one with the temperature forecast to reach 104 degrees. The early morning, around 7:00, is the most comfortable part of the day to be outside. I took the opportunity to stroll around the garden with my camera. This is the first scene that I encountered after I walked out to the upper yard. It was a great way to begin my morning walk.
Now it is time to put on my farmers straw hat and mow the yard.
Lower Meadow Area
Heatherwood Summer
The temperatures are in the mid-100’s. We are watering 24 hours per day to keep the garden healthy. The heat is taking its effect, but so far we have not lost too many plants. Even with the heat, the garden continues to put on its beautiful display of color. We try to get out in the more comfortable times of the day to enjoy its gift us.