As an artist, my father's hobbies are unsurprisingly rooted in his deft ability to both create and capture beauty.

A logical extension of his innate talent, both gardening and photography appealed to him and seemed to bring him fulfillment.

This, despite his heathen children, who scornfully regarded his appeals for camera poses and simple smiles as tortorous and tedious wastes of time.

Luckily for Dad, his horticulture lacked the mobility of his fleeing children.

Some of these shots have been retouched in Photo Shop because they've faded over 30 years; no retouching can, however, detract from his sharp eye for photography and his lucky, green thumb.