Monday, August 17, 2009

Gather Ye Rosbuds

(Click on the thumbnail for the bigger, better version)

Robert Herrick gave us some good advice in his poem. Just today, I was reminded to

“Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying."

Yesterday morning, I got out in the yard early. There I was, dressed to the nines (in my pj’s and bedroom slippers with that inevitable straw hat), and having a photographic feast on daisies, geraniums, petunias, and the fledging rose bush that The Husband recently planted. I was keeping one eye on the den of evil flesh-eating red ants, but mostly focused on enjoying one delicate and just opening rosebud, along with two or three buds that were mere promises. All in all, there were six or seven roses in the making. The anticipation was delicious. Soon, there would be a splendid show of the mostly white blossoms with the subtle pink touches. I was dreaming of another morning of exploration and further experimentation with the macro lens combined with Live View. (It took me a while, but I just got interested in this feature on my 50D.) When I went to bed last night, I was already relishing the dilemma of choosing among the blooms.

By now, you have probably guessed the ending of this sad tale. I awoke this morning to discover two pathetically bare rose bushes—stripped of all but one bud. The deer were probably the culprits. The hungry scoundrels had passed over the acres of grasses, along with what is left of the daisies, for our roses. Success growing roses in Bear Valley Springs is spotty. I have heard other such gloomy tales as mine. Yet, I have also seen bushes blooming away and seemingly immune from deer attacks. It’s time to learn the secrets of those whose bushes are surviving. In the meantime, I have a few photos to help me remember the sweet and fragile blossoms that I did get to enjoy.

9 comments:

  1. That macro stuff offers endless superb opportunities that often are very close to hand, so much so that it seems to become "common" and often ignored.

    I have to laugh at your adventures with the deer, me thinks you are at the beginning of a long trail. May it be a happy one.

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  2. Anita: A shame, but what's that saying..."a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." Seems you lost what may have been while you gained some beautiful photos.

    Now if you'd just post some photos of your early morning photo expedition garb. LOL

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  3. Oh no, was it a dream. A sweet dream indeed, while a nightmare sweeped over your poor plants outside your window. It's someone's peculiar way to create balance in the world.

    That's a challange, how to keep those deers away. You really don't wan't too much fence, either. Sad. I feel with you over these rosebuds that never get a chance to bloom. White with a scent of pink.... I have pions exactly like this, soooo beautiful. Have to leave them, though.

    Anyway, your picture is perfect to the poem, both equally lovely.

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  4. Anita, that certainly is a beautiful picture. Very delicate. I am with Earl on this one. I want to see a post of you with your photographer's outfit on! It sounds quite chic if I do say so myself, and I do!

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  5. Bob - Periodically, I "rediscover" macro photography and can't get enough of it—for a time. Then I am off it again.

    As for as the deer adventure goes, I think we will be outmatched, but we can try. In the meantime, my husband thinks the culprit may actually have been one of our friendly ground squirrels. It seems there was a hole dug in the bed that I had overlooked. Sure sounds like one of the burrowing-type pests, doesn't it?

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  6. Earl - I should be content since I have more photos of flowers than I will ever finish processing. But, I certainly had looked forward to that display outside our living room. Drat!

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  7. Earl and Paul - I would consider posting a self-portrait of me in my early morning photography attire, but I wouldn't want to be responsible for the pain and suffering it might cause. You guys could hurt yourselves when you fell down laughing. Simply too dangerous. You will have to take my word for how ridiculous I look. It's a good thing we have a biiig back yard, and I don't have to worry about the neighbors peeking over the fence only to keel over laughing.

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  8. Paul - Thank you for the comment on the photo. I am so glad you like it.

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  9. Ove - I know how much you love your garden. I knew that you would understand the sadness over those roses I won't see since you are about to leave behind all the flowers you have tended so well.

    I am glad that my photo pleases you. I enjoyed doing something a bit different.

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Anita