Happy Spring!

Four weeks ago I noticed a new rosebud. This was the only bud I saw. Even now, there still are no other new rosebuds on any bushes in my yard.

It got me to thinking about being first - not necessarily the best - just the first.

Risk seems to be the major detriment to being first. Over these four weeks, this new rosebud had Texas weather that ranged from 30°F to 86°F and very little rain. 

One of the greatest advantages to being first is you get to be noticed. In fact, this rosebud was noticed enough for me to photograph it and feature it in the above mosaic.

On this first day of Spring, I say "Happy Spring!" and "Way to go first rosebud!"

Photo Sharing Websites

The below chart is using Swivel to show Alexa Page Rankings of Photo Sharing Websites. The top three are Flickr, Photobucket and ImageShack.

My Favorite Flower Photos

I'm using Google's Picasa for managing my photos and this is their easy-to-use slideshow for blogs.

Dallas Skyline - neon glow

Dallas Skyline - neon glow
Originally uploaded by grjenkin.

This is one of my photos of the Dallas skyline, stylized with PhotoShop. On the image via Flickr, I added notes for identifying the buildings.

Fractally Speaking

I've played with fractals for a number of years and started putting some of my fractal artwork on Flickr - especially the fractal animations. It's been quite a learning adventure, and I think the results are well worth the time.

Over the years, these are the fractal generators I have used:

• Apophysis
• Chaos Pro
• Chaoscope
• Eigelb.at (Paul Schmidinger)
• Fractal Explorer
• Genuine Fractals (LizardTech)
• IFS Lab
• Makin’ Magic Fractals (MMF)
• Mind Boggling Fractals
• Ultra Fractal
  
  

A web site called Fractovia has a great list and describes many fractal generators, some of which are in the list above.

• technorati tags: garrysblog, photography, flowers, fractals, flickr, animation, grjenkin, generators, fractal

My DNA on Flickr

The above link is to my Flickr DNA. Flickr DNA gathers public information about any Flickr member, analyzes it, organizes it, and creates a high-level overview.

It seems like a nice way for me to introduce myself and present my photos.

technorati tags: garrysblog, photography, flickr, viewmydna, dna

Indian Blanket

The Indian Blanket, also called Firewheel, is a popular wildflower in Texas and the State Wildflower of Oklahoma (Gaillardia pulchella). This is my first attempt at photographing this beautiful flower.

LEGEND OF THE INDIAN BLANKET MAKER

The legend tells of an old Indian blanket maker whose talent for weaving produced such beautiful blankets that other Indians would travel many miles to trade for one. The old blanket maker had never taken an apprentice and when he realized that he had only a short time left, he began weaving his own burial blanket. It blended his favorite browns, reds and yellows into the beautiful patterns for which he was so famous.

In time, the old man died and his family dutifully wrapped him in this blanket, which was to be his gift to the Great Spirit when they met. The Great Spirit was very pleased because of the beauty of the gift, but also saddened, because He realized that only those in the Happy Hunting Ground would be able to appreciate the old blanket maker’s beautiful creation. So, He decided that He would give this gift back to those that the old Indian had left behind.

The spring following the old man’s death, wildflowers of the colors and design of the old Indian’s blanket appeared in profusion upon his grave ... to bloom and spread forever.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

technorati tags: garrysblog, flowers, wildflowers, indianblanket, firewheel

kiki - from Flickr

kiki
Originally uploaded by bega_ilidza.

I've been playing with Flickr more often and especially joining more groups and getting feedback. Here's a photo I found that I made as a favorite. This kind of mastery keeps me inspired.

technorati tags: garrysblog, kiki, flickr, photography, cat, black