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nature

Silent Sunday #26: Last of Winter

February 1, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Leaf on Snow, last of winter

Filed Under: Photography Tagged With: #SilentSunday, nature, Photography, snow, winter

19 Interesting Tulip Facts

April 21, 2013 by info@3QuartersToday.com

I love spring, and I love flowers, good thing the two go hand in hand. The tulips haven’t bloomed yet, just the daffodils, but I’m anxiously awaiting  and while I wait I thought I would add some interesting facts about tulips. My 19 Facts About Daffodils is my highest viewed post on my blog and it stuns me every day to see how many people come to learn about daffodils.

I have photographed all of these flowers you see here, not all are in my garden, I’m a neighborhood stalker and can be found crouching on the ground in random yards. Good thing we live in a small town and people know me and my photography habits. I’m trying to see how many different varieties of tulips I can photograph.

19 Facts About Tulips
Interesting and fun facts about tulips

Fun and Interesting Facts About Tulips

1. Tulips are the 3rd most popular flower (roses are the most popular)
2. Originally from Turkey, tulips were brought to Europe during the 16th century and introduced into Holland.  Facts About Tulips

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Trowel and Error: Over 700 Organic Remedies, Shortcuts, and Tips for the GardenerTrowel and Error: Over 700 Organic Remedies, Shortcuts, and Tips for the GardenerGrowing Bulbs in Containers: A Season by Season Guide to Growing Bulbs in Containers (The Weekend Gardener Book 4)Growing Bulbs in Containers: A Season by Season Guide to Growing Bulbs in Containers (The Weekend Gardener Book 4)

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3. Over 100 species and 4000 varieties of cultivated tulips. Majority of tulips are grown and exported from Holland. Tulip Facts
4. Average height of a tulips is 10-70 centimeters, each flower has 6 petals,  and the flower life span is 3-7 days.

Yellow Tulips in spring
Interesting facts about tulips

5. National flower of Turkey and Iran is the tulip. (History of the Tulip)
6. Tulip flowers are supposed to be a token of passion, love, romance, and a perfect lover. (So why is the rose given at Valentines day?)
7. Tulips are classified into 15 different classes based on floral charateristics, time of blooming and other traits.
8. Tulips belong to the same botanical family as onions and lilies  (20 Tulip Facts)The most popular color of tulips is red, Red tulips mean “Declaration of Love”

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TULIPS: Best Tulips to GrowTULIPS: Best Tulips to GrowTulip: 70 Stunning Varieties of the World's Favorite FlowerTulip: 70 Stunning Varieties of the World’s Favorite Flower

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9. Tulips Should be planted in the fall
10. Although tulip flowers  are edible, and eaten during WWII, tulip bread is “…not very good…” according to a survivor of the war in the Netherlands (20 Tulip Facts)
11. Tulip wine, however is supposed to be very good and makes a lovely white wine Making Tulip Wine
12. Albany New York has one of the largest Tulip festivals with over 100,000 tulips in bloom

Interesting and Fun Facts about Tulips
Interesting and Fun Facts about Tulips

13. The largest Tulip grower in the United States is RoozenGaarde in Mount Vernon Washington. Owned by the Roozen family who has been growing tulips in Holland and the 14. United States since the early 1700’s
15. Tulips will bend and twist towards the light, even when placed in a vase (Interesting Tulip Facts)
16. When buying Tulips for planting the bigger the bulb the bigger the bloom. (The Flower Expert)
17. The origin of the word Tulip might be from the Turkish word “tulbend” for turban (The Flower Expert)
18. Tulip Mania occurred in the 1600’s and people have been known to trade livestock for tulips (History of the Tulip) Inflated prices caused the Tulip bubble to burst and left many Dutch bankrupt.
19. The tulip is the official symbol or the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. (Fun Tulip Facts)

I’m sure there are many other facts. Add your tulip fact below in the comment and please feel free to share this post or images on Pinterest. I LOVE Pinterest and find my biggest photography inspiration there. So stay tuned for some macro flower images once they start blooming here.

I have created a line of Tulip Greeting cards for birthdays, Mothers Day and other occasions. Each one can be customized with your message on the front and inside and are available at my Zazzle Store.

Pink Tulips in the Garden Birthday CardPink Tulips in the Garden Birthday CardPink Tulips Happy Birthday CardPink Tulips Happy Birthday Card

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Tulip Gift Ideas

For the gardener or someone who just loves tulips here are a few ideas for Mothers Day, a birthday, or just to bring a bit of spring into a cold winter day.

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Tervis Tea for Tulips Wrap Bottle with Lime Green Lid, 24-Ounce, Garden PartyTervis Tea for Tulips Wrap Bottle with Lime Green Lid, 24-Ounce, Garden PartyPink Tulip Wreath Door Decor With Burlap BowPink Tulip Wreath Door Decor With Burlap BowSENFAI Red Tulip Flower with Cat Eyes Opal Stone Crystal Pendant Necklace Woman Summer Flower Rose Gold Chain NecklacesSENFAI Red Tulip Flower with Cat Eyes Opal Stone Crystal Pendant Necklace Woman Summer Flower Rose Gold Chain NecklacesEsky Waterproof Tulip Solar Powered LED Garden Lights, Solar Path Lights for Path Patio Deck Driveway Garden Christmas Party WeddingEsky Waterproof Tulip Solar Powered LED Garden Lights, Solar Path Lights for Path Patio Deck Driveway Garden Christmas Party WeddingEverbling Tulip Flower with Red and Green Austrian Crystal 925 Sterling Silver Bead Fits Pandora Charm BraceletEverbling Tulip Flower with Red and Green Austrian Crystal 925 Sterling Silver Bead Fits Pandora Charm BraceletMulticolor Tulips Table Linens RunnerMulticolor Tulips Table Linens RunnerTulip Love: Picture Book (30 Days of Aspirations & Words Series)Tulip Love: Picture Book (30 Days of Aspirations & Words Series)20 Ways to Draw a Tulip and 44 Other Fabulous Flowers: A Sketchbook for Artists, Designers, and Doodlers20 Ways to Draw a Tulip and 44 Other Fabulous Flowers: A Sketchbook for Artists, Designers, and Doodlers

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More Facts About Tulips

15 Things You Never Knew About Tulips

It’s not Spring until the first tulip blossoms make their much-anticipated appearance. To celebrate these lovely perennials, we’ve gathered the most bizarre, historic, and all around interesting facts we could find on them. Check them out below and …

Singing praises, telling facts about tulips

Dear Readers: Tulips are beautiful and such an amazing flower. I love them, even though they may not last as long as hardier flowers. Here is an interesting fact you might not know: Tulips will continue to grow even after they’ve been cut. Yes! They …

12 Fascinating Facts About Tulips

Tulips are one of my favorite flowers. I love their elegant lines, rich waxy colors and intriguing history. I also find great delight in the spring when winter’s snow and chill finally gives way to these early blooming beauties. Read below for an …

Fun Tulip Facts for Kids – Interesting Information about Tulips

Tulip Facts for Kids. Check out our fun tulip facts for kids. Learn how many species of tulip there are, how the tulip has been used throughout history, find out  …

10 Weird Facts About Tulips | Teleflora blog

10 Weird Facts About Tulips. Apr 10, 2015 | 2 comments. Tulips are one of the most quintessential spring flowers. They’re seen often in flower beds, fields and …

20 facts about tulips | All Over Albany

May 6, 2011 … They’re all over the Capital Region. We even have a festival for them (you may have heard). So, here are 20 facts about tulips. 1. Tulips belong …

12 Fascinating Facts About Tulips

Apr 10, 2013 … Tulips are edible. Tulips once crashed an economy. Read below for an interesting overview of the beguiling tulip, an ephemeral flower that …

Filed Under: Photography Tagged With: about tulips, botanical family, facts about tulips, flower life, flowers, Gardening, Gardens, Holland, Narcissus (plant), nature, Netherlands, pictures of tulips, plants, red tulips, Spring, springtime, Tulip, tulip facts, tulip flowers, Tulip mania, tulips pictures, yellow tulips

Covered Bridges in Vermont

February 27, 2013 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Vermont has more covered bridges per square mile than any other state in the United States. An official covered bridge is not determined by age, but the method on how it is built, by trusses and a covered slanted roof. I have always had a fascination with covered bridges and although I had grown up in Connecticut I had never walked across one this piece of Americana.

Middle Bride in Woodstock, VT
Covered bridge in Woodstock Vermont

Last week I crossed this off my bucket list when I visited Woodstock Vermont and walked across Middle Bridge. I had another surprise as we took the scenic route down Rte 106 and found this picturesque bridge over a small creek.

Covered Bridge south of Woodstock Vermont
Covered Bridge south of Woodstock Vermont

The most famous bridges are those of Madison County in Iowa, so I really didn’t need to travel far from Nebraska to find covered bridges, but there is something special, romantic, and mystical about covered bridges in Vermont.

Facts About Covered Bridges

  1. First covered bridge was built in 1808 over the Mohawk river in New York
  2. Vermont contains 100 authentic covered bridges
  3. At one time the United States has over 10,000 covered bridges, 750 remain today
  4. Covered bridges are painted red because iron ochre was an inexpensive pigment.
  5. Bridges were covered to prevent the wood dry and prevent rot (not to keep horses from spooking over the water)
  6. Town Lattice is the most popular style of covered bridge
  7. There are only 8 railroad covered bridges in the United States, only 2 still function during tourist events.
  8. Only six covered bridges still carry two way traffic all the rest are one way only.
  9. Covered bridges can be found in 30 states in the United States
Related articles
  • Covered Bridges of Vermont on Amazon
  • Additional photos of Middle Bridge
  • List of Covered bridges in Vermont
  • Chitwood Covered Bridge in Lincoln County is south of U.S. 20 at milepost 17, (oregonlive.com)
  • Travel Theme – Bridges. (thegingerbreadcafe.wordpress.com)
  • A new section… Covered Bridges (houseofwoogeroo.wordpress.com)

Filed Under: Travel Adventures Tagged With: architecture, Bridge, country, Covered bridge, history, nature, new england, Photography, rural, snow, transportation, travel, Vacation, Vermont, water, winter

Rivers in Connecticut

February 22, 2013 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Connecticut is where I grew up, however I took the scenery, trees, beaches, rivers and streams for granted. I’ve lived in the Midwest for thirty years and although I love everything about the Nebraska, I do miss the the easy access to water.

In New England the Connecticut River takes center stage. It is the longest river in New England and flows from New Hampshire and empties into Long Island Sound.  It serves as the state boundary between Vermont and New Hampshire and is 407 miles long.

Farmington River in Connecticut
Farmington River in Connecticut in the Winter

Out of the over 50 tributaries of the Connecticut River I spent many summers during high school tubing on the Farmington River.  Even in Connecticut there is white water to navigate to give the challenging adventurer an adrenaline rush. The Farmington River Tubing Company provides a 2.5 miles ride, complete with tubes, lifejackets and a ride back up to your car. Can’t find white water in Nebraska. Tubing in Nebraska is more like a lazy float trip.

I’m spending a few days in Connecticut on family business and thought I would take the opportunity to get some photography in at the same time. Obviously the river in February is a little cold and nope, I’m not going to take the polar plunge and even test the water temperature.

  • Connecticut River and it’s Tributaries
  • The Connecticut River: A Photographic Journey into the Heart of New England (Garnet Books)

Filed Under: Travel Adventures Tagged With: Connecticut, Connecticut River, Farmington River, farmington river tubing, Long Island Sound, nature, Nebraska, new england, New Hampshire, Outdoors, river, summer activities, travel, tubing on the farmington river, Vermont, water

#24/52: Waterfall Photography

June 28, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

I’ve always wanted to photograph a waterfall and finally got my chance. I’m so happy with it! Shot this waterfall photo at Devils Den State Park in Northwestern Arkansas on my Mother/Daughter camping trip. I climbed out on the rocks, quite a feat since I’m afraid of heights, and a flat rock acted as my tripod.

Waterfall photography
ISO 100, f/20, 75mm, 1.3 sec Canon Rebel XS (click for larger image)

Only took two photos since the sun was going behind the trees and after looking at the results in the camera I was more than pleased. Being from Nebraska I don’t have much of an opportunity to practice waterfalls photography.

Editing notes: Almost none, opened in Lightroom 4, straightened a few degrees, adjusted white balance for a little more warmth, that was it!

Tips For Good Waterfall Photography

  • Set your camera on Manual or Shutter priority
  • Experiment with long exposures starting at 1/2 second and going up from there. The longer the exposure the smoother the water effect
  • Increase your aperture as high as it will go to reduce over exposure in sunny conditions (this photo was taken on a cloudy overcast day)
  • Use a neutral density filter on sunny days for really long exposures
  • Use a tripod and a shutter trigger
  • If you don’t have a tripod, or a good place to set up find a sturdy rock
  • To avoid blur if you don’t have a shutter release set the automatic timer

 

What Equipment Do You Need to Photograph a Waterfall

Photography doesn’t need to be complicated, nor does it need to cost a lot of money. The shot above was done with a very simple DSLR Canon Rebel camera sitting on a rock on shutter priority and the self programmed timer. You know the setting, set it for 2-10 seconds, run and get in the photo. It was a cloudy day so I didn’t have to worry about sun glare. The conditions were perfect, I had a perfectly placed flat rock and perfect weather.

However, conditions are not always perfect and having the right photography tools on hand can make it easier to get the photograph you envision. I’ve always wanted a Gorilla pod, one just because they look cool, but other reasons is they are so very flexible and you can wrap them around a tree limb.

I have since purchased a Neutral Density filter and this will act lessen the sun glare and bright spots and enhance the ambient colors. Works great for sunrises and sunsets to bring out color.

Manfrotto BeFree Compact Lightweight Tripod for Travel PhotographyJoby GP1-A1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod (Grey)Hoya 62mm HMC Neutral Density ND8 Multi-Coated GlassNeewer LCD Timer Shutter Release Remote Control for

Learn More About Waterfall Photography

Beginner’s Guide to Waterfall Photography – Digital Photography …

Beginner’s Guide to Waterfall Photography – Learn the tips, tricks, and techniques that will help you improve your waterfall photography.

Waterfall Digital Photography – Digital Photography School

Timing – pick the right time of the day to do your waterfall photography and you can definitely give yourself more options to use longer shutter speeds. Around sunrise and sunset are obvious times as light is less bright. Also overcast days are …

5 Steps to Waterfall Photography (Guest Post) | eQuipping for eMinistry

This is the final post in a series on outdoor photography for Cru staff attending IBS and national staff training in Fort Collins, Colorado. Many staff will head to Rocky Mountain National Park on their free time, hoping to find great …

Filed Under: Photography, Project 52, Travel Adventures Tagged With: Arkansas, Camping, Devils Den State Park, nature, photograph a waterfall, Photography, Travel and Tourism, University of Central Arkansas, waterfall, waterfall photography

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