It has a periwinkle blue cup, HDD, and is a fairly large plant with somewhat narrow light green leaves and relatively little dark blotching. Doesn't match the description in Derek's article (i.e. smaller size, red cup) or any of the FCBS photos (except maybe Golinski's?) at all. I'm not going to run out an change the tags unless I get a reliable ID on it, though. I was told that Harry gave it the thumbs up as Plutonis, but maybe I'll send him a photo the next time it blooms just to double check. I gave up trying to keep all of the concentricas and concentrica-type hybrids straight long ago. There are just too many of them!

or rather I should say this, I feel like a Pirate who has discovered The Ultimate Cave of Jewels from CharlesB!color> whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo! It's like the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime find! I always tell my Rose forumer/friend/gardener Boxofrox that he is the Magna Cum Laude landscape designer with the grounds-up drilling, research, to completed paradise. Charles, when I saw your very first gallery, I thought wowwwwwww, that is one Magna Cum Laude Orchidarian! (sorry about my invented vocabulary- lol, instead of rosarians for roses I swapped out the same translation). Plus if there was a Richard Avedon of Orchids it'd be you.color> Your orchids totally glow and amaze me one after the other. So spectacular! The colors, the textures the patterns. And of course the whole sway of arching compositions like some intricate ballet of suspended timeless beauty. A true gift of photography and unforgettable orchid blooms combined. And it's just not the orchids, but you have also left magic for other flowers as well. I am reposting your photos here so everyone can remarvel at their exquisite detail. Everyone, this is only the bare tip of Charles'Crystal Magical Iceberg. I was also wowed by the photos you took of your dogs in the garden. But thought uh, "Serena you better cease-and-desist." You better ask permission first! for the gorgeously photographed dogs. My poor lovely Eluane (border collie) does not have an owner who can take good photos of her in the garden. Your dogs look so happy and full of personality too. Eluane sends them her greetings! I just took this photo of her just a little over 2 weeks ago after her AKC agility trial (Christ-blessed miracle that we got a 1st place ribbon). She's been to just 2 agility trials so far(dogs running through hurdles, tunnels, dogwalks, yeah all the crazy stuff). The next AKC trial won't come until February.

The batteries should last longer than that. For some reason, not all of the cells are being charged. I assume that you used the 15min charger the first time you used the batteries? One idea might be the charger is, for some reason, not reconizing all the cells in the battery. If was to gues I would say maybe just 1/4 of battery is being charged. That would mean that as soon as those few cells are charged, the charger shuts off and shows full. Try putting them in the long charger today and see if the last any longer, when they run dry put them in the quick charger. Maybe the slow charger will activate more cells and they will be available the next time. If you see no change after this, take them back. There is something wrong. You should never have this much trouble with new stuff. It should work the first time when new. I actually would just take them back anyway though. Joe

"I'm all ears/eyes" is a great start. There is a book by Bryan Peterson called Understanding Exposure which is great to get your feet wet in, well....understanding exposure! :) Its a great book to begin your understanding of the relationship between aperture and shutter speed. There are many books available to read at your local bookstore or library. READ READ READ!!! Next is be all mouth. You will have questions that you feel dumb as a stump asking...ASK THEM! If you don't understand, ask again til you do. This is key...most people are more than willing to point you in the right direction. Find out if your local community college offers a beginners course or advanced course in photography. Hands on learning is great for this art. The one I took was $55 for five days and very well worth the money. I assume the D60 has an "Auto" mode. Don't become to reliant on that because at that point you only have a very expensive point and shoot camera that will limit your creativity. It will take some discipline to not let the camera do the work for you, but it will pay off ten fold when you can break out of it and let creativity take over. Learn some of the "rules" (a term used loosely) of photography. Google "rule of thirds" and "rules of photography" to get started. After learning the rules you will learn when to break them to get your desired result. Post pictures and ask for constructive criticism. This also helps, but sometimes you have to be thick skinned as some of the veteran 'togs can be harsh. Some are being goobs while most are simply trying to help. Most important advice ever is to have fun with your photography. After all it is YOUR photography. As long as you're not in it for money you only have one person to please and that's yourself! The more you learn and understand, the more you will be pleased with your results. This ended up being longer that I planned, so sorry! :) I really look forward to seeing some of your images posted, so get out and get to shootin! :) A