dragonfly

dragonfly, originally uploaded by O0kla.

I took this photo yesterday in my backyard as I was watering the big grape vine that climbs the awning on my deck. If you click on the image, you'be be able to take in some more grapely details. The dragonfly was huge, about 3 inches long, and really docile, letting me move the vine it was sitting on around to get a better angle as I perched on a resin lawn chair. This was the last of about 9 shots I took using different settings, and it actually taught me a lot about using the Av (aperture priority) setting on my camer for macro shots. Note to self: Higher Av=more depth of field! Thanks, Mr. (or Miss) Dragonfly!

Progress

By gum, I made some progress this weekend, knocking three projects off my monstrous project list, 90 degree weather notwithstanding.

I stumbled across a huge, cheap composter at CostCo (which, despite its eternally hellish interior, was cooler and somehow more pleasant than my yard), so my old compost enclosure made from a wad of green plastic-coated chicken wire and some sticks I'd pruned off the Portuguese Laurel has been retired, most of the compost moved via big blue bucket, and the whole thing set up to be in more direct sunlight.

I also cleaned up some pruned branches, always a joy, and then strung some lights on the awning over the deck. This area has grown into a nice sanctuary, with grapes and wisteria climbing up to give shade. It feels very cosy, and with the lights, should be a good place to hang out in the evening once things start getting darker earlier again. As it is now, the lights would only be good late at night.