Thanks for your responses. Jellyman - I don't know why you had a problem with the photos; must be some incompatibility in our software. Glenn - Have you regularly seen this condition as a normal winter covering? We had a few days around freezing in late December/early January, but have had a mild winter since then (mid-40s at night). I'm not sure when the fuzzy covering took over, but it is only on the upper half of the branches, not the trunk or lower half of branches. Carla - Well, it was just one leaf, and that has since fallen (photos taken 1/21). The tree is dormant, and the last leaf was mostly covered with the white fuzz. I have looked at the link you provided, and my tree's condition does not look like wooly apple aphids. In fact, I cannot detect any pests. I found one tiny spider this morning, but the fuzzy stuff is not like spider web. The tree generally appears healthy, if small, with many budding joints. I have reviewed photos at http://www.caf.wvu.edu/Kearneysville/disease_descriptions/disease_images/viskeyatbt.html, and I'm now reasonably certain that the condition is powdery mildew. I had not seen it on branches before - only leaves. Does anyone else have information contrary to my diagnosis? Here is a link that might be useful: Apple Tree Diseases

Here's my favorite hand soap: It smells good, moisturizes, AND has a plumeria label. Nice stuff! I search for plumeria EVERYWHERE! I was in the butterfly house at Dsicovery Kingdom (animal/theme park) and scoured the entire greenhouse looking for plumeria. No plumies, but hibiscus and many other nice tropicals. Oh, and butterflies galore! Yesterday I tried to convince my (sort of) step daughter to get a fake plumeria tattoo... she decided to get some other flower, even after smelling my Divine a few hours earlier! I thought that would convince her. I'll keep searching! Fun thread, thanks Dave!

Thanks! Maybe others can help me with the names of the other two? I was told by the vendor of plant #1 that this 'ornamental' plant is called 'money tree' and it bears edible red berries. For plant #2, the vendor (a different one) told me the plant is also called 'money tree' and that it bears variable colored fruits (also an ornamental plant). Now this is confusing... How can two different plants be called by the same name? Anyway, let me try to post the photos again: 1) 2) 3) (Umbrella plant... Thanks eloise!)

When I first bought this camera I was a little apprehensive about its lack of image stabilization, but I'm happy to report that it has not been an issue at all. Just make sure to use a fast shutter speed and practice holding the camera steady. I always hold my breath and concentrate on keeping still. After a while it becomes second nature. The ni-mhs should have their rating printed right on them. If yours are 1500, I would definitely step up to at the very least 2000---1500s will definitely work, but just not as long. Don't pay attention to the advertising fluff on the packaging; just look for the numeric ratings. Interesting you mentioned hummingirds. That's the main reason I bought this camera. We have lots of them because our house is decorated with many flowers. I just haven't had the chance to try and capture these birds through the lens yet. It takes some planning and luck because it's not easy getting close to these guys. A tripod and the lowest ASA 64/fastest shutter speed combination are important.