God's precious gift to me yesterday...

[IzzieK]

Yesterday was my birthday. I am now a year older than I was last year. I thought no one remembered. It was just another year anyway. I haven't heard of our supposedly Branson weekend and even if I do we can't go anyway -- not while our Tucker's whatever-ailment-he-has is still up in the air. One of those hard to diagnose sort of ailment. I am more concern about Tucker than celebrating anything...not until we know what is wrong with our dog and if it is curable...

But God did not forget. He brought me this flower. The first orchid I have ever flowered here in Missouri. Not that I did not try -- I thought the conditions for growing orchids here is non-existent. I bought and was presented orchids throughout the years I've lived here and tried to care for them but they just died on me. One I just gave up on because it never flowered.

I particularly like cymbidium orchids but last year I saw this one about to be thrown out off in Manchester's Lowes gardening section. I picked it up and paid a dollar for it. When I went downstairs this morning this beautiful sight was the one that greeted me. Isn't the CREATOR wonderful?

For C&C. Best viewed full size since this is the first time I have ever submitted this size before...just trying...

1. A bit of backlight


2. Backlighted

[Shadowman]

Happy belated birthday, well wishes to Tucker, and glad you enjoyed your morning welcome gift.

[deetheturk]

As we say in Scotland all the best auld yin,hope Tucker is on the mend pal,and not bad images into the bargain

David

[Bobobird]

The orchid was thanking you for saving it.
So will Tucker.
So will your next birthday.


Flower shots are nice. Could you not place the pot with a better background? That will bring out its texture, colours, details so much better. Perhaps manufacture a background if it cannot be moved?

I have a Chinese friend who is a Qi Kong master and also a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. He runs a clinic but makes frequent lengthy holidays sometimes a month or 2. His clinic has an orchid plant and because no one is there to care for it, it just shrivels up and looks dead. But every time he returns it perks up and starts flowering as if by magic. He attributes it to the qi kong energy. True because if I pass or stand close to him the hair on my arms lift and gravitate in his direction. Weird feeling but cool to witness. Will try to get a pic one day.

[Loose Canon]

But God did not forget.

And never does.

Happy B-Day Izzie. Sure hope Tucker bounces back quick and you can make your trip.

Branson is in my neck of the woods!

Beautiful orchid.

[Stagecoach]

Birthday wishes belatedly come to you from across the world, happy birthday Izzie !

Orchids are not at all easy to photograph, you need good diffused light and to watch those blinkies carefully

All the best to Tucker

[Brownbear]

Happy Birthday Izzie! All my best wishes for Tucker!

[Kris V]

Howdy from Texas!
Happy Birthday to you and best wishes for a speedy recovery for Tucker!

[IzzieK]

Thank you everyone for the best wishes. They are all appreciated. 'Makes my heart sing...Although it had been a difficult day yesterday (and for the last two weeks heading towards 3), seeing that orchid first thing in the morning with the backlight sun was the most beautiful sight.

Bobo -- thank you for the message about energy. I believe strongly in it but in another way. Anyway, the pot can be moved to my studio. I just fed it awhile ago so it is still wet.

I photographed it right then and there because that was what caught my eyes early in the yawning... And I can move it to my studio when I have time today to do any photography. I have other shots that did not have those wheat stalks behind. Just like Terri said in another post we only discover rubbish when the shot goes into your computer. Well this is one case. I had not been careful. And I thought I can get away with it because I was aiming for the blurred background. I had some brown and shiny black background I want to put behind the flower but with location of my shoot (bay window up front of the house) and all the decoration stuffs there, it was difficult.

[Marie Hass]

Happy birthday, Isabel!!!!!!!! What a lovely gift! Sometimes, without knowing it, we turn a corner in our lives and....find the most beautiful things there. The best to you on your birthday and good health to Tucker.

Marie

[ClaudioG]

Happy Happy Izzie!!! And hope Tucker gets better very soon!!! I

As for the image i see great bright colours and contrasting pink and dark reds which emote different feelings, maybe something you are going through? ( sometimes what we photograph shows what we feel)

I also like the way you seperated the flower from the BG compared to the last images of the tree you last posted. Subject is clear now.

Hope ou have a greaaaat day!! and maybe get a lens or 2 for ya b day!!!!

[Digital]

Happy Birthday Isabel. Yes, the Creator is wonderful.


Bruce

[Gigi71]

Happy belated birthday Izzie!

[IzzieK]

Happy Happy Izzie!!! And hope Tucker gets better very soon!!! I

As for the image i see great bright colours and contrasting pink and dark reds which emote different feelings, maybe something you are going through? ( sometimes what we photograph shows what we feel)

I also like the way you seperated the flower from the BG compared to the last images of the tree you last posted. Subject is clear now.

Hope ou have a greaaaat day!! and maybe get a lens or 2 for ya b day!!!!

Claudio...I was waiting for you to reply to show off this background separation you asked for. I was given the opportunity so I grabbed it with both hands, brought my gears downstairs and fired away...thank you for the best wishes. And no, I am not going to get a gift of lenses this time around...unless I asked for it. I asked for a trip to Branson a long time ago now...and Maine for the lobsters. Hubby insisted he just order lobsters in Maine to be shipped here. I ain't going for that crap either. I want to go there and shoot apart from eat lobsters. Mother's Day is coming soon...but I have to be careful because Father's Day is also around the corner to beat me up the other way around...

[IzzieK]

Thank you Bruce and Gigi -- 'much appreciated.

[Werner]

nice pictures, a little too light and soft to my eye.


cheers Werner

[bnnrcn]

Happy birthday Isabel and best wishes for Tucker's health.You can improve your images with PP after Tucker gets well,they are nice images

[Rita]

Happy birthday. We have something in common, our birthday. I can just imagine how special you felt seeing this beautiful orchid. Sure hope that all goes well with Tucker.

[IzzieK]

Thank you Binnur, and Rita for your comments. I really appreciate it very much...

I will put you in my calendar to greet on the same day next year...

[IzzieK]

nice pictures, a little too light and soft to my eye.
cheers Werner

Night before this I was reading up on making the sun behind approach on leaves and flowers and wanted very much to use that sun as backlighting as opposed to rim lighting the flower so when I saw this cattleya when I came downstairs, I gathered my gears downstairs and took many shots and many angles, somewhat all the time, thinking of Claudio's comments on my magnolia...to separate just one flower out of many and taking the shot. This is not one of many but I will have the chance to do that too one of these days when I cannot find a flower in my actual garden, even if I have to gather some from Dierberg's (supermarket) garden. then I can practice rim lighting to death.

These are light because it was meant to be. Thank you for your comments. I really appreciate it very much.