Category Archives: Garden

7
May 2024

Use AI to better your Photography

In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized photography, fundamentally changing how we approach image capture. While much attention has been given to AI’s ability to generate images, this post will focus on how AI can empower beginner photographers and boost their confidence to participate in photography competitions. Reflecting on my past experiences as a member of the Preston Photography Society (2008-2010) and the Romford Camera Club (2015-2016), I recall the excitement of photography competitions. Back then, I often wished for an AI companion to provide feedback on my photos—whether it was about improving framing, enhancing colours, or adjusting contrast. With […]
10
Apr 2024

Bee collecting nectar

This delightful insect is a bee! It’s busy collecting nectar from the white daisy-like flower with its brown and black banded body. The slightly transparent wings allow it to hover gracefully as it goes about its important work. The vibrant yellow center of the flower provides a sweet reward for our hardworking bee friend. Remember, bees play a crucial role in pollination, helping plants reproduce and ensuring a healthy ecosystem. So let’s appreciate and protect these little pollinators! For those interested, I used a Canon 5D Mark III with a 24-70mm L lens and a 31mm Extension Tube Set for […]
22
Mar 2021

Carnage in the chicken coop

Last night we’ve had an unexpected visit in the chicken coop with devastating results. Seven of our chickens were killed, two are missing and one managed to escape. We don’t know for sure who did it, but we believe it was a ferret. A few chickens were decapitated, some I found dead. One was dragged and left in the garden. The ferret must have taken the chicken with grey feathers because was the fattest. I collected all of them and pilled them up in one place. To my surprise the chicken who escaped climbed on top to pay her respects, […]

Carnage in the chicken coop
20
Sep 2020

264-2020 -Tasty Apple

Today’s photo of the day, part of “a photo a day challenge 2020”, is of a tasty apple hanging in a tree in the orchard. Nothing compares with the action of walking through the orchard and pick up an apple from a tree, wipe it clean on your t-shirt and enjoy the divine taste of a simple apple. By the the way, did you know that an apple with skin on contains 50% more phytonutrients than a peeled one! Apple skins have exceptionally high concentrations of antioxidants. They also contain compounds (triterpenoids) with significant anti-cancer capabilities. Particularly so, when it comes to preventing liver, colon […]
19
Sep 2020

263-2020 – Ripe Grapes

Today’s photo of the day, part of “a photo a day challenge 2020”, is about ripe grapes hanging from a vine in our vineyard, ready to be picked up. Apparently, among other benefits, black grapes are healthier, have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, containing a key ingredient in their skin: resveratrol, which is found to reduce inflammation and have a chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effect on cancers, according to a September 2017 review in NPJ Precision Oncology. Like, comment & share!
17
Sep 2020

261-2020 – Giant Grey Moth

Today’s photo of the day, part of “a photo a day challenge 2020”, is about a giant grey moth we found in the basement of our house. My courageous wife picked it up gently and brought it outside, where I found it on a patch of grass, and started taking photos. Below are some of the stages the moth was going through as I shooting. Like, comment & share!
11
Sep 2020

255-2020 – Aronia Berries

Today’s photo of the day, part of “a photo a day challenge 2020”, is about harvesting Aronia Berries also knows as Chokeberries. They are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and powerful antioxidants that may have heart-healthy, immune-boosting, and anticancer properties. You can add fresh aronia berries to many recipes, jams and syrops or use them as a supplement. I tried them in juices, together with peaches, bananas or apples. Really nice! Like, comment & share!
8
Sep 2020

252-2020 – Not Peter Rabbit

Today’s photo of the day, part of “a photo a day challenge 2020”, is about my neighbours’ rabbit (Not Peter Rabbit) who escaped its cage this morning. I found it under the porch, grabbed it by the ears and put it back in its cage. Mission accomplished. To keep it busy for a while we dropped a bunch of dandelion leaves in the cage too. Like, comment & share!
7
Sep 2020

251-2020 – Crying Vines

Today’s photo of the day, part of “a photo a day challenge 2020”, is about the crying vines. I didn’t know about this vine tears phenomenon, which is a way for the grape vine to heal itself after pruning, preventing the penetration of bacteria, and finally closing off the cut wound.According to Botanical-Online this grape vine sap is one of the most important eye drops. It can be used to treat Skin Diseases or Conjunctivitis.
17
Aug 2020

230-2020 – Circle of Fire

Today’s photo of the day, part of “a photo a day challenge 2020”, is about the Circle of Fire. In order to achieve this image, I used a chain with a burning piece of wood at the other end and spin it for 60 seconds. I used the Slow shutter app on my iPhone 11 Pro and this is the end result. I have tried to use different illumination sources and settings and I got something like this… This small house was behind the circle of fire but it was very dark in the garden tonight. Like, comment & share!
13
Aug 2020

226-2020 – Two Chickens Dust Bathing in the Garden

Today’s photo of the day, part of “a photo a day challenge 2020”, is about two chickens dust bathing in the garden. A chicken dust bath helps to remove excess oil, as well as external parasites like lice and mites. My mother-in-law has spread a handful of wood ash to create a dust bathing area for them to do the work themselves. When done bathing, the chicken will shake off any excess ash and dead parasites. As usual, I hope you’ve learned something. Like, comment & share!
11
Aug 2020

224-2020 – Pallet Bench

Today’s photo of the day, part of “a photo a day challenge 2020”, is about my first completed pallet bench garden furniture project. From start to finish the entire process took about 4 hours and the most time-consuming task was painting the pallets. Next, we will add a few pillows for extra comfort and rounding a few corners. For now, the bench found its place underneath a mulberry tree where my father-in-law used to sit. If anyone is interested, maybe I can make a short tutorial on how you can make your own pallet sofa. Like, comment & share!

pallet-bench
10
Aug 2020

223-2020 – My Little Helper

Today’s photo of the day, part of “a photo a day challenge 2020”, is about my little helper, who is painting the last pallet, soon to become a comfy bench. I still haven’t decided on the final design. My neighbour has a vertical rear panel, but I am thinking to have it on an angle in case I want to slouch. Any suggestions are more than welcome. Like, comment & share!
5
Aug 2020

218-2020 – Yellow Flowers

Today’s photo of the day, part of “a photo a day challenge 2020”, is about an interesting phenomenon I noticed in my garden in regards to these yellow flowers. In the morning, these yellow flowers were covering a good chunk of the garden, as seen in the picture above, but in the afternoon they were gone. On a closer look, it seems that these yellow flowers don’t like the sun’s heat too much and they close up, as you can see in the image below. Like, comment & share!