Tried various shots but then realised the background did not have enough light on it. I waited until the sun got a bit higher and then got this one shot. The blossom is in a jar of water on my window sill!
Three good things:
1. Talked to son and family in Japan for several hours. Their grasp of English is not good - don't think it is taught in primary schools.
2. The Flying Pig wasn't open for lunch (winter hours still) so went on to the next small town for a good meal but the cafe had changed hands and was now run by Korean ladies. The prices had sky rocketed!
3. Wearing T shirts now in the warm weather.
This is so lovely. I love the colors and the way the stems and flowers look in the water and then above the water as well. The background is superb!! It's just almost magical. FAV
@jackie8 thanks, Jackie - that was the challenge with my bridge camera! However, I did a lot of research and practice so although it mightn't happen each time, I'm pleased with what I have got!
lots of lovely bokeh here anyway maggiemae ..the colours are very pretty & Spring has arrived for you!
I hate paying over the odds for a meal...we went out to the new place in the village the other night & it cost us £31.60 for two drinks , 1 main course, a starter & a bowl of thin French fries! Lovely friendly place & we will go back but only with friends for a more special time not for just when I can't be bothered to make tea!!
@happypat we used to have a meal of sausages, eggs and chips for $9 each there! This time, one hamburger by itself, one sandwich and a sausage roll and two coffees- $28!
@judithg yes he does, Judith - it seems to be the only lesson they get! But son aged 10 was reading an English story like a five- year old! Even his Mum is not so good with English - even after 14 years of marriage!
@maggiemae Well my Thai neighbour isn't great and she lives here - and her husband and kids hardly speak Thai so it works both ways. And a lot of the parents at school who both speak the same (non-English) language at home so it's hard to keep their kids bilingual. My German neighbour has just returned after taking her kids to Germany for a year to consolidate their German - it's a lot of work!
Such an awesome shot, Maggiemae. Lighting is just perfect and love your background. I talked to a friend today who's wife is from Korea and they moved to the USA then to Korea and their son picked up the language for the two years they were there. Once they returned to the USA they all spoke English so he started speaking English once again. It seems if they are in an environment where they speak only one language that this is all they speak unless they go to school to be taught another language. FAV
@darsphotos He probably won't forget the korean language though having learnt it at an early age. Japan is not like Germany or France or other parts of Europe where generally two languages are spoken from primary school. Its a difficult problem - we don't know what they are saying. I would never be able to remember any words or sounds in Japanese! Can do a bit of German and French though -seems to be much easier to learn.
The bokeh is nice but the shapes and lighting in the jar are even more interesting. About the languages - in India you learn two and speak at least three or four to make yourself understood. Can't imagine speaking only one.
I hate paying over the odds for a meal...we went out to the new place in the village the other night & it cost us £31.60 for two drinks , 1 main course, a starter & a bowl of thin French fries! Lovely friendly place & we will go back but only with friends for a more special time not for just when I can't be bothered to make tea!!