What Do You See?

What do you see?

What do you want to see?

Tell me what you see...

Do you want to know what I see?

I see no frost.
For frost, please visit Ann.

Photography and Backdrops

Do you think the insect and weeds stand out with the beige background behind them?

With a dark-coloured backdrop, we could see the weeds clearly from this angle.

The green foliage of the chilli plant with yellow moss rose stand out with a soft, furry background.

Sometimes, I use items like a foot or a paw as a size comparison to the object in focus.

As you can see, my black and white backdrop is multi-functional.

If not properly used, backdrops can be distracting to an otherwise attractive photo.

Occasionally, I put the backdrops in focus and blur the surroundings to appreciate their importance.

Whatever would I do without them?

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day Oct 2010 at Onenezz

My second pot of lotus is showing its first bloom today.

I thought I should take this opportunity to participate in Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day for the first time.

3 days ago, my dragon fruit flower bloomed.

This morning, a fruit is forming at the base. Yippee!

Portulaca - Yellow

More Portulaca

Zinnia

Mandevilla Vine with Mt Fuji Morning Glory in the background.

Titty Fruit Flower...

....with Titty Fruit

My second agave plant is in flowers now. 

The first one which I posted recently is showing signs of old age.

I found these blooming in the shop. 

Thought you may like it.

For more blooms, please visit Carol over at May Dreams Gardens.

Lotus's Opening Hours

Three months ago, I posted photos of my very first lotus flower. At that time, I was totally caught unaware of the blooming hours. By the time I decided to take out the camera out in the afternoon, the petals were already closed. I was disappointed. I had to wait till the next day for it to bloom again. See what happens with a little procrastination.

Now that it is blooming for the second time, I am jotting down the opening hours of a Lotus Bloom for your information.

First Day

It starts to bloom at dawn.
The petals open to the maximum by around 8:30am.
It remains like this only for a few hours.

The flower petals closes almost entirely by 2pm on the same day.

Second Day

On the second day, it remains closed in the morning.
This photo was taken at noon.
It remained the same at 4pm, looking rather shy.
It closed at night.

Third Day

On the third day, the petals open up much earlier compared to the second day.
This photo was taken at 9am.
Notice the lack of freshness?
In Buddhism, flowers are used as a reminder that all things are impermanent.
They arise, mature and pass on...

The petals did not close up on the third day.
Instead, they begin to fall silently from 5pm onwards.

Fourth Day

Where have all the petals gone?
They have made way for the seed pod to develop. 

In summary, the opening hours of a Lotus Bloom are as follows:

• First Day : Morning
• Second Day : Late Afternoon
• Third Day : Morning

Timing may differ depending on which part of the world you are at.