By Cheryl Corrigan
Wixom, MI
"This was one of those rare moments of perfect light — as the late-afternoon sun began to fade and everything was bathed in an incredible blend of purple, orange and pink light. This tulip took on an amazing iridescent hue of orange, red, yellow and purple, while the green grass beyond faded to teal. In less than a minute the light shifted so all other pictures taken after this were exposed in too dark a light. Taken with my Panasonic Lumix digital camera.

"If I remember correctly, this flower was from an single early tulip mix, and this particular tulip is a Couleur Cardinal. "

Best Springtime Garden

By James R. Rubie,
Sacramento, CA

"The Alliums are Globemasters and the background ones are Gladiators. I did not run into any lighting problems although I did use 400 asa. The picture was taken at my house; it is my front yard walkway entrance."

Best Garden Bed

By Deborah A. Carson
Tillamook, OR

"The picture is of our own garden, where my husband Larry and I work very hard, and love every minute of it! My husband started out with stumps and a blackberry patch. We worked the land, and within a year, there was a lush lawn and plans for flower beds. The picture I sent was two years into the the actual flower beds themselves. We have a Sony Cybershot camera; we take beautiful shots each year."