Peter: It is a whole other world taking pics like that during the day. My friend is trying to figure that out although he gets some great cloud formations before and after the storms. Nice work. I hope to see more pics by you. Jojo: I have heard the monsoons can be quite dramatic! I have even seen the storm drains dug all around the outskirts of peoples home but never saw them fill up. I can only imagine that. I have seen lightning from a distance and been very frustrated chasing them because the roads there a long and straight with no way to turn down another for miles to catch up to it..lol Been there done that. Have you ever seen lightning drop from the clouds over the prairies or horizon? It must be majestic! It is nice to meet Peter. It is always nice to see new faces. I would never come there without visiting some very nice people here if the offer is there. Going there to see people I know would be so nice. We would have to visit the Indian Reservations though, Saguaro Cactus Preserve, and look for turquoise jewelry..lol I have danced with the Navaho tribes once before! I hope many others come here with nice pictures. I would of loved to have sene the hail storm ones that some here have experienced! Mike

Well, I just got back and I had to describe the beauty that was The Multi-Grafted Mainly Moragne Rainbow Tree. No pictures, but I will do my best to describe it as plainly, realistically and accurately as possible, with simple unadorned words. Here are the facts: It was a powerful thing of beauty, inspiring awe to all who come upon it. As I approached it, I had to stop, regain my breath, and stare in bittersweet admiration (bittersweet cause I wasn't taking it home!), almost unable to get my feet to move toward The Tree. It had a beautiful classic plumeria or olive tree shape, graceful and glorious, branches gently curved out and bursting with delicate inflow of spectacular flowers. Angels looked down upon its magnificent clumps of heavenly color. On one side, Celadine, bursting with its familiar yet beloved grace - then, Kimi Moragne, glorious startling pink, then the truly unmistakable Grainy or Reddish Moragne (or possibly Moragne 93). Then, over the cloud-like top, giant globes of Daisy Wilcox, leading, ultimately, to the breathtaking beauty that is Mary Moragne. Even the hummingbirds stopped flapping their wings to stare and take it all in. I apologize if I described this too dryly I was in a hurry and just needed to get the outline of the event out of mind and onto the screen. Unfortunately, I didn't win Lotto and didn't get The Tree. Now onto the trees I did get: Both are beauties: A 6-7' Bali Hai Gold and a Divine with several blooming inflos. I apologize for the lousy nighttime pics, it was night when I got home, and I couldn't get enough light on the tree. (And Laura, I forgot to take a pic of the tree in my car! It was bigger than the buttered popcorn tree). This Bali Hai Gold tree had so many clumps of super fragrant beautifully shaped yellow blooms, and a super wide top. What a scent. I promise I will take better pics tomorrow of the Bali Hai, and of the equally beautiful Divine. Jandey, did I overdo it on the yellows? I think you would like this one.

A circular polorizing filter works very well with rainbows. You can have a rainbow that is barely visible with the naked eye and the filter will bring out tremendous detail. If you have a digital camera play with the contrast, this will also give you a brighter rainbow. I have the Minolta A-2 which is great for this. When you make adjustments you can see what you will get before you shoot. It has a 28mm to 200mm optical zoom and you can get out to 400mm with the digital zoom. You can also get an attachment that screws on the filter threads that can triple the focan lenth and get out to 1200mm. This camera is also great for copy work and close ups. This has a tremenmdouus range in a light weight package and is also very good in low light. Due to shutter lag and focus lag it is a little slow for birds in motion but acceptable. For birds in motion I prefer to use the Minolta 7d with a long telephoto lens. This camera with all the lenses in very heavy and when you play with the digital effects you don't see what you get till you veiw your picture. When you shoot you take into account what your going for and the conditions and take what you think you'll need. Can't carry everything. I wouldn't part with either camera they both have their nich.

Thanks Lily Finch and Mad Galica. It appears Cloud 10 is the way to go for me. The battle with New Dawn to keep it in line in the space available, as Mad Galicia pointed out, and its stingy rebloom are big negatives. It sure is beautiful though in full bloom, as your photos show, Lilyfinch, and in the same kind of fence setting it would be growing on here. A strong clue as to Cloud 10's potential generous bloom production is the fact that under your care, Lilyfinch, it is blooming its head off as a young climber....not typical of a reluctant bloomer. If it does that for me, I will be delighted. Most climbers don't come into their full blooming potential until they develop for a number of years. Then they give a great first flush, doing very little until the following spring. Plus, it is a Radler rose...lots of good qualities seem to be the norm with any rose he introduces, except for Rainbow Knockout, a dud, IMHO. Thanks again, Lilyfinch, for you leaving no leaf unturned, very thoughtful of you, with your numerous photos, dodging traffic to get them! It helped me out a lot. Mad Galicia, thanks for pointing out the battle I would encounter keeping New Dawn in line. Both of your knowledgeable inputs saved me from making a big blunder. Moses