2011-04-10

Life in the Garden Part 46: Northwest Flower and Garden Show 2011

Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


Somehow it survived and once February rolled around it was again time for the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. The last serveral Christmases my mother gave me a new lens for my camera, and I've always used that new lens as the sole one I bring to the garden show,  This year, that lens is a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Medium Telephoto Macro Lens.

The lens gave me some nice reach and was fast enough for most shots I wanted to take (especially when I used a monopod).  The great thing about it, especially for this event, was the macro capability.  I got some really detailed shots.  The disadvantage for many of the shots, though, was that same long reach I mentiond a moment ago.  There were shots I couldn't take because I couldn't stand back far enough without other people getting in the shot, or me knocking over everything that was behind me.

I find this to be a good exercise from time-to-time.  It forces me to think more about the pictures I want to take, and I have to make decisions that I don't have to make when I carry my full kit.

This was a neat idea for a fake Koi pond -- fish figurines in black grass.

Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


This was from the section on Ikebana.

Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


The show gardens had a fictional character theme.

Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


The small gardens section in the atrium over Pike St. always has asome great views and creative designs.

Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


The doll diorama was also interesting.  They were all having a BBQ in the back yard. And the whole display was in a converted day bed.

Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


The tradeshow has lots of neat stuff for an actual dirt-based garden for people who have "land" or "space." Neither of which really applies to me, but there was still stuff worth seeing.

I managed to spend very little money at the show, except, of course, for the two container sized apple trees I bought for my deck. I may now be just a year away from growing my own apples.

If you're into gardening, plants, flowers, vegetables and related stuff, and are in the Seattle area, check out the show next year.  And good luck on not spending so much on stuff you can't afford seeds.

Northwest Flower and Garden Show_2011-02-26


More pictures from this year's show are available here.

Other posts I've written about the Garden show:

2011-03-01: Problem with a QR Code
2010-06-04: Life in the Garden Part 40: Northwest Flower and Garden Show – 2010
2009-02-22: The strengths and limitations of my new lens
2009-09-21: Life in the Garden Part 09: Photography and the Garden Show

1 comment:

Sharkbytes said...

Well, I'm always ready for a good garden show, but the commute is a bit long!