Today’s challenge theme is “signs of the season” and in spring in California, aphids are an annual signal that I need to do something to save my roses. I used to use systemic rose food that contained a pesticide that prevented aphids but in recent years I have found that spraying the aphids off with a strong spray from the hose does pretty well and the occasional ladybug and their larvae can usually take care of the rest of the problem. The roses in the front yard, featured in yesterday’s post, have almost no aphids and the roses in the back aren’t too bad, either. But my miniature rose tree, Winsome, had a few sprays of flowers that were covered with what I believe is called a wooly aphid. I took several shots in the backyard today and although it’s overkill for the theme, I’m including my favorites, three of Winsome and one of Abraham Darby, because of the focus and clarity of the shots that really show off my new camera’s qualities, and one of them doesn’t feature any aphids at all.
Focal Length 300mm
Aperture Priority
ISO 100
f/5.6
1/160
SOOC
This is an English rose called Abraham Darby which had only a few aphids but I liked the composition.
Focal Length 300mm
Aperture Priority
ISO 100
f/5.6
1/200
SOOC
Focal Length 300mm
Aperture Priority
ISO 100
f/5.6
1/125
SOOC
Focal Length 300mm
Aperture Priority
ISO 100
f/5.6
1/200
SOOC