@Izhar…..thankyou very much! You made my day. You have summed it all up. I think journey is more important though destination has its own value as it’s the realization of one’s efforts. Journey is made up of all things that you mentioned and that is what, we all must cherish as gardeners. Share our emotions, labors, failures and make the journey exciting. As I have learned, Gardening is harnessing/controlling nature which is laborious and
sometimes less possible.
For beginners just a word of advise, gardening is not an easy way especially landscaping. But good things don’t come easy way. Even the Master gardeners fail sometimes. …..and there is lot which ends up in compost bin before bloom/final picture
@KBW……One of my real strength is encouragement from forum members!!!Thankyou. I have, an ordinary digital Panasonic Camera, no lens, and neither had I any experience of photography. On the lighter side, colors actually are vibrant here
However I do care for few things while taking photographs, these are only my opinions;
We have a specialist photographer on our forum, Mr. Faisal Riaz. Let’s see if he can give some real professional tips to us…….
1) I normally photograph in evening/cloudy days for it improves captures in following ways:-
a) There are no shadows (lighting is in equilibrium). Balanced light is very important.
b) Colors are more vibrant in these times especially foliage.
c) Plants in the evening are at their best. Even the healthiest plant in full sun is trying to conserve water, therefore appears less appealing.
In shade, there is no such problem rather plant is releasing water through hydathodes.
2) Choosing a correct angle is very important. I roam around my subject for the best view, keeping in consideration background and lighting conditions. Angle is like perspective. How we see things. Capture photos what appeals you best.
3) Focus is also very important. Most cameras now a day have good focus. Try to focus your subject/half click, even if it blurs the background. In long shots this does not hold good.
4) Choose the best level to photograph your subject. Top might not be as handsome as sideways sometimes.
5) Lastly not all photographs are worthy. Take some and then select one which appeals better.
Sea of Alyssum, Totally trouble free. Initially i was worried that it was not covering the entire beds, then i observed that the seeds that fall from the flowers germinate quickly and grow to cover the vacant places in the season.
Dahlia Figaro and Pelargonium gearing up
Helichrysum in Baby Pink and timid yellow. Whats great about Helis is their flower life. Not days but weeks
This weed. Oxalis, looks handsome even with flowers closed
Don't Gazania looks like shuttlecocks, when closing
Today i tasted Toothache plant fruit. Very strong numbing effect. It has survived harsh winters...
Amberboa Muricata
Petunias, I am still confused whether they look better in pots or ground. As they grow bigger in pots they start to get funny unattractive shapes...
but this spring they have proven to be worst pest. Frankly speaking there is nothing much one can do with such great deal of intrusion as well as because of their defense strategy. I have tried sprays but as they are protected inside leaves, it did not prove much beneficial. Leaf miner damage in most cases is not critical to plant life. However it does reduce their vigor and worst of all it destroys all cosmetic beauty of lush green....The last resort that i have been working on is to manually cut them in half 
