I have never used Photoshop Element, but I have used PaintShop Pro since before it was a Corel Product. It edits both my jpg and raw files and is relatively inexpensive. I just upgraded to X9 for $49.00 and now I own it. It does not make sense to me to rent a product online for $10.00 a month when I can own my copy and move to a new computer without worrying about how to do so online. As for editing, there is a little bit of a learning curve, but if you are familiar with Picasa you will have no problem following PaintShop Pro.

I love the photo of the bird of paradise, but I have to ask you...... is the flower truly yellow and lavender on this plant? Normally the flowers have much more orange instead of the yellow, except if the flower happens to be of a newer strain of the plant. If it is truly a yellow (or gold) rather than orange, this one is named Mandela's Gold. You don't see many of them here in the states. Beautiful flowers.

When I was in South Africa in 2012, we also stayed in Hermanus. Your photos brought back some wonderful memories. We stayed at a bed and breakfast in town on the main highway and walked everywhere while we were there. The penguins were always active, many whales in the bay, and the people were absolutely amazing. We also spent some time in Simon's Town. Another great place in South Africa to visit. Thank you for sharing your photos, Sylvia. I am now in planning stages for another trip to South Africa in October and November 2018.

#6

I believe what you are referring to is actually a fence around the plot.

Be advised that around and just north of Asheville, NC, there are sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway that are closed due to road failure as a result of bad weather. There are several detours in this area, but, the trip is still interesting and enjoyable.

Same thing happening in Jacksonville. My amaryllis bulbs are in full bloom today and should not be until the end of March or early April. The Birds of Paradise never stopped blooming since last summer. Of course having just a cool winter was nice, but it definitely has its effects on nature. Yes, the little yellow flower does look lonely underneath the flowering trees.

I love what "Dan" was able to do while sliding around on the white stuff. My question is who was the photographer who was following so closely??

Taken in October, 2012.

(Download)

I was able to catch a photo of one in an entirely different setting while in Kruger. Would love to share it with you if you don't mind.

I really love number 2, but photos 1 and 3 disturb me. First, in photo 1, the horizon is not straight, BUT, the lighthouse is. And then in photo 3, I see that the horizon drops to the right side of the photo. Now I realize this could be straightened, but, to do so would then cause the lighthouse and building to really lean to the left. What caused this to happen and can it be prevented? I ask these questions because I have difficulty in keeping the horizons straight, but when I straighten them, the objects in the photos are normally straight. That would not be so in these two photos.

Yes, it is an agapanthus. The only comment I have here is that it also comes in a white flower just like this one. Beautiful shot.

When I lived in West Palm Beach I had banana trees and a beautiful Doberman named Herbie. Herbie loved bananas and would go to the tree and pick one or two, peel them, and eat them. I could never teach him to put the peels in the trash. Oh, he also loved grapefruit. Nice pictures of the banana stalks. Hope it stays warm enough for them to fully ripen.

I love them but, they don't love me. Are these the burpless variety? Great photo.

My late husband and I went to a sale of old "stuff" from Palm Beach County School District many years ago. They had two beautiful antique wooden card catalog cabinets for sale, which we bought. While we did not use them for cards, they made really interesting storage drawers for small things like screws, nuts, small tools, etc., in his air conditioned shop. People who visited us always commented on the cabinets because they were so unusual. They would have fit perfectly inside this library. Love the photo and the memories.