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SilkenWinds

Loves Squirrels and Dragons :)
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Back at Last

1 min read
Hello everyone!
It's been a LONG time but finally I have updated with some new photos.
Please do like, comment, and spread the news as I would love more exposure.

I get asked a lot if my photos can be used for reference. Surely you can, just so long as I get credit for my photo. Please include a link to it if you post the art to DA.

My gear has changed, I had to sell my older gear *sigh* then was able to get new gear but I'm only using a Rebel T6 right now.
Very soon I will get back to probably 60D or 70D.

I'm also still practicing so tips and constructive crit are always welcome.  My style and goal is animal portraits.

I do not use Photoshop and all my photos have only minor editing with Photofiltre.

However in the future I do want to get Lightroom or maybe Photoshop Elements to start trying out Raw files.

THANK you all and enjoy!! :wave:
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Thanks!

1 min read
Thanks for all the birthday wishes I turned 40! Yikes! I know I’ve been sparse but the page is not dead...I’ve just been too busy to spend much time here. The Fall is coming though which is a great time for zoo photos, cooler weather is better for the animals and the photographer! I want to get a pro lens but it is taking a long time. Someday!
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Hello to all of my watchers...I FINALLY have some new photos for you, taken on all new gear!  That's right I have traded all of my Canon gear and switched to Pentax!  Why? I don't know, it seems to me I could never quite master the Canon so I decided to try something new entirely. I heard good things about Pentax and so I made the decision to try all new gear and see if that improved anything.

Well I guess you will have to be the judge of that!  I LOVE the 55-200mm lens I use now for the zoo shots, because it's so sharp!  Also this lens is spot on with the focus making my task so much more enjoyable and rewarding.

I still have a lot of learning to do and want to go to photography school or take self-taught lessons.  Another idea my brother had was to be an apprentice and learn as I also would enjoy learning to do weddings or pet portraits.  As for gear I'm slowly but surely trying to acquire a fixed lens.  I would like to have this for both zoo and bird photography.

Enjoy the new photos and please do let me know what you think! I love comments and favorites and appreciate every one of them!

:heart:

-As always, no flash, no Photoshop  (just simple editing) and no lack of patience. I try very hard to get the best shots I can with what I've got to work with.  Please do check out my gallery and thanks to all deviantart watchers for so many entries in my 50+ folder!  I really do appreciate it.  :huggle:
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Skin by Nobody


Hey everybody!  I decided to do something a little different and make a journal about a recent and amazing trip to Longwood Gardens!  This incredible place has a fascinating history and is located in Pennsylvania.  If you are anywhere near this place or want to make it a day trip, I'm telling you it is quite worth it. The Conservatory alone is worth the trip!  Anyway, I went here for the first time during their Christmas decorations and WOW, was I ever impressed.  And since they change it up every year, I am definitely going to try and make it a yearly thing from now on!  I also go at least one other time in the year for Spring...the carpets of diverse flowers they have is just incredible.
But anyway, since I had SO many great photos of this visit I thought it would just be better to do an online photo album of sorts. Be warned, a LOT of photos will be in this journal. They are unedited and unsigned, because I consider them stock.

Oh and in case anyone asks, since I've been asked many times before, you are quite welcome to use any of these for reference, just please give me credit for the photo, that is all I ask, ok? Also if you liked the journal and want more like it, let me know! Great!  Now onto the wonders of Longwood during the Holidays!  :heart:

Right from the beginning, it's eye catching.


Even in winter, Longwood knows how to use available colors for a lovely display!


Hard to find a bad angle in this place!

Now THAT is a cool way to use pinecones!  :D

One of my favorite parts of the flower garden walk, this very cool stone garden chair complete with gryphons! :drool:


Ya gotta love ornaments made from nature...


Nature provides its own natural decoration on a moss-lined tree stump!

OK not nature (but wouldn't crystal flowers be awesome), but this is just one of MANY lighted plant fixtures for the spectacular evening Christmas lights display!


The Meadow Walk has some really cool features, like these little (bronze?) frogs on the railings, so cute! :heart:

I love antique fences and gates!  Add some interesting foliage and it's certainly an eye-pleaser.

First thing that caught my eye once I entered the Conservatory...the single most beautiful place in any gardens I have ever visited. No wonder Longwood gets visitors from all over the globe every year!

The combination of holiday reds and greens blended in with Christmas trees was really a spectacular work of art, those are some amazing gardeners!

Eye pleasing at every angle!

Loved those icicle ornaments!

Wow!

The beauty just never ends! :heart:

Angles, angles, and more lovely angles...

What a cute combo.  The "furry" plant is Dusty Miller.

O Christmas trees, O Christmas trees, they're everywhere in Long-woood....♪♫

For me this green one was just stunning...  *_*

Gorgeous! I love the fancy ribbons they used.

More glorious angles  XD

Such eye catching designs!

Each year Longwood has different themes.  This year seemed to be a musical instrument theme. Love the piano next to a tree, they go together quite well!  Check out all the tiny little gold lights!

That tree was made for a mansion!

The blending of the decorated trees with the natural plants was genius.

A wind-up tree!  The key turned as it slowly spun around and played music!  :D (Notice all the instruments?)

I'd love to be a guest at that Christmas party!





I'd never want to open these presents, too pretty!!  :heart:

Great idea for your own home decorating, right?  Why put all the presents under the tree when you could also put them by the banister? ;)

The naps I would take here, maybe after a hot cup of tea and a good book... :sleep:

Interesting angles and composition are always my goal in my efforts to improve!

A gorgeous tree of red roses.  :heart:

This pretty purple plant is a Spider wort.


The other pretty plants mustn't be ignored, even during a Christmas themed event.  :)


I loved the blues, purples, and greens set against the backdrop of the lit rose tree!

This amazing Christmas tree was made entirely out of desert plants! :jawdrop:

Longwood has a stunning collection of orchids I just had to visit during my stay.

There were several trees decorated by kids, including handmade ornaments! Wow, nice art!

More flowers set against a backdrop of the lovely Christmas trees. I believe these white beauties are lilies if I am not mistaken.

The largest and most breathtaking Christmas tree in the entire Conservatory! :heart:

As evening approached, more the lights came on, including this stunner. I am really loving the combo of pale greens
with shimmering gold! :wow:

Close-up of that lovely tree.

Even the chandeliers were decked out for the holidays.

I could live here in a heartbeat!

Greens, greens, lovely greens everywhere  *_*

And what is green without the red??

Once evening drew near, the outside displays started to come on! And they were spectacular!












One of my favorite captures when all the lights were on... ;)


Neat effect caused by some fog on the lens!  XD



*_* The rose tree,now all lit up and glimmering red and gold!





This final shot was outside with a very cool and unusual windchime tree that kept "singing" every time the breeze came by!


End!

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I hope you all had a great holiday!  What are some 2017 goals you have? Mine is to get healthier (an ongoing struggle...), and continue to improve my photography!

I hope you all will enjoy some new ones I put up and there is more to come in the near future.  :)

On a side note, I could use your prayers.  I just haven't been feeling well at all the past several weeks after doing pretty well for quite some time.  I can still get to work and function, but I am frustrated to be struggling to maintain a decent level of well-being after what I've been through and how many long years I have fought. 

Thank you all in advance :)

Skin by jennyleigh
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Featured

Back at Last by SilkenWinds, journal

Thanks! by SilkenWinds, journal

Vacation photos and new gear! by SilkenWinds, journal

Photo Journal- New Year's Eve at Longwood Gardens by SilkenWinds, journal

Merry Christmas, Happy new year by SilkenWinds, journal