Raindrops on roses I think have suited my mood this past week, and there they were in my garden, like silvery glass baubles glistening on the leaves in the autumn sunlight seeping through the grey clouds.Autumn has come to my part of the world in Western Australia, and with it has come the rain that we have desperately waited for. It rained in a steady drizzle for several days, a good soaking rain, breathing life into our dry gardens and land.
I used a macro lens and shallow depth of field like F/5 to blur the background. Remember to protect your camera from the rain!
Please click on "read more" to keep reading and seeing more pics.
So why my mood? Last week we laid to rest the ashes of my father who passed away on 6 September last year and my mother-in-law who passed away on 26 December. It felt like leaving behind the last physical connection we had with them. The raindrops mingled with my tears. But I know they are at peace and reunited with their partners, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers. They will be forever in our hearts.
But there is joy too in the memories they have left behind.
I have taken this image through the leaves of other rose bushes, so that the blurred leaves in front softly framed the rose behind. Do you like the effect?
To lift my mood I went to a follow up water-colour workshop with Marguerite Aberle at Lyndendale Gallery in the beautiful Ferguson Valley near Dardanup. These miniature paintings are going to be made into cards. It is years since I have painted and I have a lot to learn. But I really enjoyed the morning. Thank you Marguerite for a lovely "play" morning and for your generosity of spirit. You are a treasure.
As you can see the paddocks have welcomed the rain. Soon the grape vines and some of the trees will be putting on their autumn colours.
You can see my first post about painting with Marguerite here - Autumn arrives in Western Australia
Thank
you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to
hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a
wonderful week. I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
Mosaic Monday
Our World Tuesday
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global
Agent Mystery Case
What's It Wednesday
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How to take great flower photos
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Autumn arrives in Western Australia
Wow - gorgeous shots of the drops!
ReplyDeleteI love raindrops ... so pretty on the lovely roses and leaves. Sorry about your father and mother-in-law ... wishing you well. A watercolor workshop ... sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteHello Jill, the raindrops look so pretty on the leaves. Lovely captures.. So sorry about your father and MIL, I am sure you and your family have many happy memories of them both... Have a happy week ahead!
ReplyDeletethank you so much Eileen. Dad passed away last September and yet when we laid his ashes I was still reduced to tears.
DeleteI am sorry for your losses. I still miss my dad even though he has been gone from my life for a long time. But your images are stunning with the rain and roses. And then to create these watercolors...I can see how they lifted your mood.
ReplyDeletePeace reigns now that they are set free. And when you look at nature you will see them in all the beauty.
ReplyDeletethank you so much Rose, I really needed these words
DeleteWow..beautiful capture.
ReplyDeleteHello Jill, I am sorry you feel sad. It's difficult to say goodbye to those we love. Be comforted that your father and mother-in-law are in a better place. I love your raindrop photos. Also, thank you for the 10 tips on taking great flower photos. Autumn is my favorite season. I think it's such a magical time of year. Have a nice week, Jill.
ReplyDeletethank you so much Christa. I am glad you enjoyed the photo tips. Thanks for visiting.
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ReplyDeleteAmazing Flowers
I love raindrop photos. I've taken a few myself in the past, I'll have to hunt them up and post them again one day.
ReplyDeleteHints for protecting the camera from rain please? I always leave mine home when it's raining and go out after the rain stops.
Hi River, if you "google" rain protection for cameras there are a few options you can consider. But for a cheap protection I always carry a heavy duty plastic bag in my carmera bag with a hole cut the opposite end to the bag opening. Just put your camera in, but make sure the lens doesn't poke out through the end of the plastic bag. It is not perfect, but it does help in light drizzle.
DeleteIt may seem silly Jill but I feel my late father can still see the beauty each day brings through my eyes. Often I look at something and say Dad, isn't this great because he loved the birds, trees and just being alive.
ReplyDeleteI would love to capture raindrops as you have and it will take practice with my macro lens.
Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.
I love your raindrop shots, Jill, and the way you framed that white rose. My dad passed away in February, so I can certainly relate to your thoughts and feelings. Joy is bittersweet sometimes. Your paintings are wonderful - how fun! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteI send you my thoughts too June. Even though it may be expected, or may be a blessing it is still hard to loose your Dad.
DeleteI really wanted to comment on your lovely blog post this week June, but it doesn't seem to want to let me. Anyways, beautiful images to welcome spring. I love that wild garlic!
DeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots!
ReplyDelete... and so sorry for your losses, Jill. My brother died in an accident several years ago, so I can relate to your feelings.
But as you they: they will be forever in our hearts and thoughts.
Moni
I think loosing a loved one in an accident would be much more distressing that watching a loved one slowly slip away after a long life. Thank you for your thoughts and for stopping by.
DeleteOh, Jill, I so much like your pictures! I can almost hear the rain and feel the humidity in the air! That's what I call good photography - when you look at it you have the feeling you are there, respectively more than one sense, more than "seeing" is implied.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos...
ReplyDeleteDear Jill – Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment. I’m glad too that my friend bought this piece. Have fun with your project! By the way, your photography is FANTASTIC!
ReplyDeleteHi Jill!!! wonderful pictures.... they are really beautiful and peaceful! your paintings are also amazing!!... I´ve been meaning to start painting again but with three kids in the house I barely have much free time, Ale my oldest has been painting since she was little and I enjoy seeing her go to far away places while she paints! Really enjoyed your post, thanks for sharing, and by the way thanks for stopping by my blog earlier this week!
ReplyDeleteStunning captures Jill ... I have been debating wether to buy a macro lens for some time & seeing your beautiful detailed raindrops convinces me that it would be well worth the financial outlay.
ReplyDeleteLovely roses .... sweet reminders of your dear Father & Mother-in-Law.
Trusting your week goes well
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Hello Jill, I like so much your raindrop photos. Also, thank you for the 10 tips on taking great flower photos.I think it's such a memorable moment. Thanks for sharing with us.
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