INSIDE AND OUT

[FUJI]

The Hibiscus on my window sill decided to give us great pleasure by blooming as snow and temperatures dropped wildly just outside; what triggers this amazing plant into blooming baffles me....I am told that they can do it at any time of year when the conditions are right.

As far as I know, that is to keep them in the light, not overwatered and fairly warm......They tell you when they want water because their leaves begin to fold upwards along the centre:

Here you see deep inside, taken through my SONY 2.8/100 Macro Lens.

The other shot was taken against the white of the snow outside, thereby creating a ...High-Key result, with a tad of help from CS3 and my usual brushes and layers processing:

Best viewed LARGE......Click on Pic:

FUJI

[NannyFerret]

It's amazing how much detail you have picked up with the Macro.

Both lovely!

[Heather]

like both images but the high key one is really beautiful, lots of detail and the light through the petals gives it a delicate feel

[KateW]

What Heather said!

[FUJI]

Thanks folks.......but....but....this old duffer has been totally embarrassed by posting the High-Key shot.....why?

My Costa Coffee drinking friend has pointed out that the flower has a record infestation of ......GREENFLY.....zoom in, and you will see what I mean..

When I showed him a high quality print he thought it highly amusing.......on reaching home and taking a much closer look .....the plant is indeed suffering from a massive infestation of the little green bu** ers............but not any more, because the dying bloom and part of the stalk are now lying outside on the snow.....and the little green sap suckers won't like that.

I have checked the remainder of the plant....a few remain....once I find a suitable atomiser I will spray it with soupy water....they don't like that.

Apparently Hibiscus need watching very closely for greenfly even indoors in winter....as I have discovered......I am so pleased that none of you noticed.......SO embarrassing.

On a positive note......I too am pleased with the High-Key treatment and detail....and in the Macro shot of the inside bits and bobs.

No Gardner me?

FUJI

[NannyFerret]

Was that the little tiny things on the edges of the petals? I never thought it could be greenfly.

[FUJI]

Was that the little tiny things on the edges of the petals? I never thought it could be greenfly.

Yes Nanny......I've had a very rough count and there at least 400 of the damned things.........I am so ashamed that I didn't spot them before I posted, especially after spending at least fifteen minutes processing it.

I've just had new eyes too :-(

FUJI

[NannyFerret]

I took some shots of my tiny mint plant when I got my Raynox and saw greenfly buried deep down inside it.

I didn't notice it while I was processing it either.

I think it's because you are staring at the screen concentrating on what you are doing.