Tag Archives: Summer

Summer Is Upon Us!

Leave a reply

Cone Flowers, Phlox, Daisies, Yarrow, Russian Sage, Rudbeckia
Heatherwood Summer in the “Bright & Shiny”

Summer is definitely here! Earlier this week the temperature showed 100 degrees as I was driving along the road. The hot temperatures are triggering the summer perennials to burst out in bloom. We have to water the beds every night. The water is directed to minimize waste and provide moisture only where needed.

This vignette of color is in a section of Heatherwood’s Cherry Allée. Mary requested that the design criteria for this area was to be “Bright and Shiny.” I think we have satisfied her request.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

What Is Around the Corner?

Leave a reply

Path to the Perch
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

Our Heatherwood garden continues to fill in as the plantings mature. It is hard to believe that this section of the garden was a sloping grass lawn just seven years ago. Now, a gravel path gradually weaves up the hillside to the source of a stream and waterfall. Trees and shrubs have filled in to border the pathway. One can hear the rush of falling water but cannot see the stream. A new visitor questions, “What is around the corner?”

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Lost in the Meadow

Leave a reply

Daisies
Heatherwood Meadow

The summer garden is full of color. The meadow area in the center of the garden and the cherry allée are the stars of our Heatherwood garden in the summer. The blooming perennials and grasses provide an ever changing palette of colors. Things change daily as old blooms fade and new blooms emerge. Details pop out in small vignettes and sheets of color spread out as one looks over the landscape. Early morning is a wonderful time to sit above and enjoy the color below with a cup of coffee. Walking through the garden draws me deep into the small vignettes and individual flowers. It is easy to get lost!

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Windows of Interest

Leave a reply

Steps Up the Upper Level
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

A few days ago I gave myself a photography assignment to photograph windows that drew me into our Heatherwood garden. These windows include elements like pathways, hidden views, and eye catching vignettes. This scene shows a series of steps that lead upward. From the bottom, one cannot determine where it leads to or what is beyond the top. The various textures and colors of Japanese maples, conifer shrubs, ground covers, and rocks entice a visitor to explore and see what is above. A surprise waits at the top.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Crazy Clouds

1 Reply

Overlooking the Lower Garden
Heatherwood, Late Summer

The clouds were forming crazy shapes as they moved across the sky. They overshadowed the view of Heatherwood and the valley below. They presented an eerie feeling as I walked out onto the lawn. It was a strange occurrence on a hot summer day in the mid-90’s. To emphasize the sky, I used infrared to create the feeling that the clouds produced.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Looking at Life from a Different Perspective

Leave a reply

View from Our Patio
Heatherwood & Selah Ridge

During the last two years I have been focusing my photography in our Heatherwood garden using my standard visible light camera and presenting how I see the garden in color. I was becoming stuck looking at things in the same way. Yesterday I brought out my infrared camera from retirement and took a stroll through the garden. I looked at the garden around me with a different perspective seeing the landscape with a new view. The color was gone; the sky was dark; vegetation was white; greens and reds were the same tone; clouds were dreamy. Beauty presented itself in a different way.

At times I tend to get trapped in looking at life from a set perspective. It feels good and gives me balance when I step back and open up my mind to other viewpoints, focusing on a positive perspective. Opportunities open up. Life is more enjoyable!

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Feeling Versus Reality

Leave a reply

Pond Abstract
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

I always have been drawn to the work impressionistic painters. When viewing their work I tend to walk away with a deeper feeling than I do with other forms of painting. As I photograph, many times I will focus on a scene and think this spot would be a great spot to set up an easel if I were a painter. I squint and try to envision how an impressionistic painter would attempt to create their art piece. Today, I decided to play with one of my images and try to create an impressionistic feeling.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Blue Sky Summer Day

Leave a reply

Color Against the Conifers
Heatherwood Summer

The sky is pure blue without a cloud. The eastern Washington summer is in full force. It has been very warm with the temperatures in the 90’s. The summer perennials are out in their full glory.

On a day like this, the garden opens up its full beauty. It provides a beautiful foreground to the surrounding hills as well as focused vignettes like the one above. Strolling around the garden brings me peace. I become absorbed in the environment surrounding me. I first take in the panoramic view of the garden and hills rising above. I get a feeling of perspective. After a bit of walking, little things pop up before me as small vignettes appear. I stop, observe, move around, and sometimes take a photo or two. Many times I move in and just touch the leaves, needles, or bark. Each plant has its own feeling. Some are soft and fuzzy, some have sharp points and are prickly, others are smooth, others are rough, and some even smell really good. The confusion of the world around me disappears. The clarity of nature’s beauty takes over. I am at peace.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Early Summer Color

Leave a reply

Early Summer Morning
Heatherwood Meadow

Heatherwood bursts out full of color on an early cloudy morning. An early cloudy morning is a rare occurrence in an eastern Washington summer. Colors are much brighter on a cloudy day than in full sunlight. Our meadow area is filling in as the original perennials spread. Over time the individual plants are spreading their seeds intertwining with their neighbors. This spring we had to remove many globe thistle and sea holly seedlings as they were taking over several parts of the meadow. It is a price we pay to leave the seed pods intact over the winter.

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1

Morning Sunshine Brightens My Day!

Leave a reply

Lilies & Hardy Geraniums
Heatherwood Summer

Seeing this little vignette in the early morning sunlight brightens my day! What new opportunities for adventure does the new day bring? What can I do on this bright new day? How can I make the most of the day ahead? Thoughts rattle through my head. So many opportunities. Today will be a great day!

Related Images:

200507_LongExp_WtrFall__Kotoji 200506_LongExp_WtrFall_1