yes, once the card's full you can reformat. i wonder if what's happening is your software that downloads the pix is automatically trashing it on your comp, but not emptying the trash. check the settings (and look in the trash when the card's in the comp and see if the images are there). for example, i know i photo can be set up to do that. then when you take the card out and put it in the camera, the camera has no access to the pix, but they are still on the hard drive taking up room, in the inaccessible trash. that's one of the reasons i said don't delete them on your card on your computer. at any rate, reformatting in the camera will free up all the room. you can use the card indefinitely, til it corrupts and won't behave. or gets so small that it's a pain to use (that will change as you get used to a big one). i still have all of mine except one that corrupted and use most when i go on vacation & stuff. i do use the bigger ones first as it's less hassle. my flash won't tilt different ways- the old add on one for the pentax did, but not this one. it's up or down. i've messed with covering it with my hand partially, but it is unpredictable at best, and makes things look awful sometimes (half dark.half light or very red). i'd love to have a milky or grey piece of plastic to hold up in front or tape to it to diffuse it a little for closer stuff. it's just not been important enough for me to do more than wish so far. :) the flash does have a shoe for an add on, but they are so cumbersome. green eye? i get red eye sometimes, but not sure about green eye 'cept on some cats....

Thanks for the interesting responses! I too had problems with a planting of monarda that never survived. It was 'Jacob Kline' and I was amazed to find it had bit the dust. Looking back, I think I played a major part in its demise by dividing it when it was in bloom (and when it was still a young plant). Tracy, I just checked out American Meadows with Garden Watchdog. It was a good company that seemed to have a bad year in 2007. Several complaints similar to yours. I hope it will come back for you. Eduarda, I couldn't improve on Sierra's answer. Don't give up on it yet! FlowerLady, if anyone could grow this in Zone 10, it's YOU! I'll bet you have good success with it. Good luck! Edna, your bees and butterflies will surely thank you! Sierra, your photos are wonderful! Thanks everyone, Patti

I'm a bit puzzled as to why this 2 1/2 year old thread has popped up again, but I do appreciate all the photography expertise that everyone has shared. PM2, there's a second thread that came after this one if you'd like more info, linked below. I ended up getting a Nikon Coolpix P600 which has a 60x zoom (a bit longer than the 50x Cannon which I also checked out) which I like for long shots of critters in the field. I followed Jane's advice to go and hold a bunch of cameras and try them out, and found both the Canon and the Nikon comfortable, though the Nikon is a bit larger. The Nikon is also slower processing images to get ready for another shot than the Cannon, I think. I am still just beginning to learn to use it, largely using it on the standard landscape setting, though I have started checking out the different options and menus. I most often use it to take photos of critters and scenes we've spotted when we were inside since that's where it's easily available, though I also take it with me when I am going outside specifically to take photos. As Steve said above, "I also use my iPhone a lot because it's in my pocket, and it is often said that the best camera is the one you have with you." It doesn't do a great job on distance or small birds, but it has good color and is great to keep in my pocket to catch some of the surprises I see in the garden. I also use it for many of my landscape shots since it's with me and available when I'm working outside. The few times I've taken the Nikon out while I work in the garden, I've either lost track of where I've set it down, or found it in the way, so I usually just stuff the phone in my pocket when I am doing more than wandering around taking photos. In the birds and mobile features #12 thread, I've posted photos taken with both cameras: Sat, Nov 22, 14 at 9:05 - iPhone Sat, Nov 22, 14 at 9:19 - Nikon Dec 3, 14 at 18:04 - Nikon Thu, Dec 4, 14 at 7:59 - Nikon In the summer, more of the photos were phone photos since I was more likely to be out working during warm weather. Here is a link that might be useful: the second camera question thread

Sharon, while I haven't been posting directly to your photo tip threads, I've been following them avidly. I so appreciate all the effort you've gone to to explain in such an easy way so many aspects of taking good [better for some of us] pictures. The last week or so I've been very busy organizing and then hosting our family reunion at a local fancy diner and have not had a real chance to digest the latest installments. The macro stuff interests me very much. I've tried to use my macro recently and found when I did the camera refused to take the picture?? Odd. LOL.. I'll figure it out but I suspect I'll have to dig through the manual to see what the problem is. Your post makes me suspect it has something to do with the camera not being able to focus on what I'm trying to do or the distance, or something..heh.. and it won't fire as self preservation. Smiles. I'll figure it out and then be back to digest more of your post. Btw, I got a tripod for my birthday! Yay.. I relative I had staying with me for a while apparently absconded with my last tripod. Grrrr... Needless to say I'm looking forward to using the tripod to work on some of your 'lessons'. Thanks for all your great work on our behalf.