About Janice

I love California, both in and out of my garden. My passions are gardening and photography. My goal is to make Plum Bird Corner a happy place to visit often.

Another Digital Camera Lesson

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Janice

Yesterday I learned about the iA (Intelligent Auto) setting on my digital camera. Earlier today I took this photo of my neighbor’s hibiscus. I noticed the colorful flower as I turned into our driveway. As usual I had my camera with me, and couldn’t resist using it. The camera was in the auto intelligent mode, so I didn’t have to make any adjustments. before taking the picture. One of the advantages of this setting.

Later I decided to try out some of the other settings available on my Lumix digital. I started with the Sports mode. It’s recommended when taking pictures in bright daylight. This mode has a faster shutter speed to freeze action. I also practiced using the zoom lens.

I enjoy taking photos of wild birds and thought that the Sports mode might be a good choice to capture the action of the birds enjoying their late afternoon visits to the fountains in our back yard.

This is a Black Phoebe that visits our yard every afternoon.The zoom lens allowed me to take this photo from across the yard.

Here is one of many finches that regularly drink from our fountains.

I’ll continue to read my manual and try different settings. I still have a lot to learn, but I am looking forward to learning. Today I used the Sports setting and the zoom lens, and I got a little more practiced at photographing wild birds in our yard. Having a camera in my hands certainly does make me take a closer look at the amazing world around me.Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Learning to Use my Lumix Digital Camera

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Janice

Above you see my Lumix DMC-ZS40 Digital Camera by Panasonic. I bought this camera last year when I started my Plum Bird Corner blog. Photos are a large part of a blog, and I knew I’d need a camera that I could use for close up photography and distance shots as well. I was taking a photography class at the time and my instructor recommended the Lumix as a camera that would fit my needs. One of the advantages of this camera over my last one, is that the Lumix has both a view finder and a monitor display. You can see both on the photo below. I usually use the monitor, because it shows me exactly what I will see in the recorded photograph. If I’m taking photographs on a very bright day, it’s not always easy to see what is displayed on the monitor, so in this instance I use the view finder which can be adjusted to suit my vision.

I’ve been very happy with my purchase, but today while looking at the manual, I realized that the Lumix does so much more than simple basics. I decided right then and there, to start from the beginning of the manual and really get to know my digital camera.

Today I started by learning to use the Intelligent Auto Mode or the iA Mode. In this mode the camera optimizes settings to match the subject and recording environment. It’s recommended for beginners, or if you’re in a situation where you want to be ready to take a photo quickly, without making adjustments to focus and exposure. Below you see two photos that I took in iA mode. By the way, all digital cameras have a fully automatic mode.

I’m very happy with this photo of our hibiscus. All I did was point and shoot. The camera did the rest. Next I photographed two pieces of ceramic green ware that I’m currently working on. Once more the camera did the work. I simply had to frame the image and press the shutter button..

I’m really looking forward to working my way through the manual and learning all there is to know about my Lumix DMCZS40. I’m hoping you’ll follow along with me as I learn and share. Perhaps you might learn something new and helpful about digital photography as well. I’d love to hear if you do.

Mystic Blue Salvia

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Janice

In September I wrote about my mandevilla plant that had suffered terribly during an extreme heat wave that occured while we were away on vacation. I’d hoped to be able to return the previously beautiful plant to good health. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to save it, even after careful watering, and relocating it to a less sunny spot in the garden. The direct early morning sun was just too much for it. The plant had looked beautiful near our front door, but now the spot was vacant. I’d recently purchased a Mystic Blue Salvia to add to my hummingbird garden. It was doing well and growing nicely in a large container. I wondered how it would look by the front door in place of the mandevilla. As you can see in the photo above the Mystic Blue is doing very well in its new place and looks even prettier than the mandevilla. It is fuller and fills the area beautifully.
Here you see the mandevilla before our vacation. Both are lovely plants, but the salvia is a better choice for the spot. Most salvia prefer full sun, so will do better in our front garden, especially in the summer. I was very sorry to lose my beautiful pink mandevilla, but I’m very happy with the end result.

Surrounded With Bright Colors

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Janice

Last evening we made a visit to Daiso Japan, or as we call it the $1.50 store. We always enjoy a trip there because everything in the store costs $1.50, or less. It’s amazing to walk along the brightly colored aisles. Here you can see the colorful wall of shoes
Loved these brightly colored ceramic cups and saucers.Found this beautiful pink hibiscus blossom.Couldn’t believe it was made of silk. It looked so real. It was part of the beautiful flower display you see below.

It really was a fun evening filled with bright colors and hundreds of items priced at $1.50 or under. What a deal!