Written by For the past few years that I’ve been shooting Orchid Mania, and while the quality of my pics has improved with my experience, the shots are basically the same. So I wanted to try doing something different this year. See whatcha think.
Posts in category Macro
No Two Are Alike
If I have to be out in the cold, I’m damn sure going to make sure the photos are worth it. On February 2nd, the temps were very low and we had snow. I finished shoveling (lots of snow but very light) and brushed off the truck and noticed that the flakes were sitting on top of each other. You know what I did next. (You can click on each photo for a larger view. While some aren’t sharp, you can tell that some flakes appear to be 3-dimensional.)
Frosty Morning
Yes, I’m still here. I took the rest of my vacation over the holidays and made candy, fudge, cookies and snack mix, along with making dinner. Very busy, and not a lot of time to pick up the camera. Nor am I fond of the cold weather.
BUT! If there’s a really good photo op, then I might venture outside.
So, I woke up the morning of the 13th last month, and as I’m fixing the bed, I look outside. Frost!! And it looks COOL, even from upstairs. So I finish the bed and run outside. In shorts, flip-flops and a T-shirt.
Am I nuts or what?
Answer that after you look at the pics.
Grief Therapy: Session Two
After the Rose Garden, I wandered down to the beach. I shot the Lighthouse with different lenses and speeds and filters, and was thrilled with absolutely none of them. Walking up the stairs to stop by the fountain, I stared at all the gull feathers caught in the grass. Swapping lenses again, I sat down and started clicking. My spirits lifted considerably after each shot. Beats paying a therapist.
He’s Doing Drops Again
Two weeks ago, I’m looking at the tropical hibiscus we’ve got, and it’s still raining a little bit. Just a misty kinda thing. So, of course I grab the camera. And WOW was THIS cool! So, forgive me for goin’ all “macro” again.
Looking at this after taking it off the memory card, and I see a little something on the stigma.
And there’s that little fella.
Water makes the anthers look a little jagged.
This fly sat there through probably 3 dozen shots before I thought I had a few good shots.
Up Close and Ugly
My family’s pretty kind when it comes to bugs and critters. Spiders that are found in the house usually get scooped up and placed outside, rather than smooshed with a tissue. Moths get caught and tossed out the door. Flies? No mercy. Business end of a paper or magazine. If I’m home when the spiders get caught, they’re presented to me first, in case I want to get some pics. That’s love, ya know?
Thanks to my fam, I got a few personal shots of another wolf spider. And new to my neighborhood, back on July 4th, I found a stag beetle, creeping through the grass in the backyard. Getting as close as I do with these critters can skew their actual size, but this guy is about 2 inches long and change. And those pincers don’t look like they should be taken lightly. Enjoy?
Buzzin’ the Zinnias
Shooting requires a certain element of luck. Knowing what you’re doing is a necessity, but that little something extra that makes a good picture ‘great’? Luck be a great friend. The night I was shootin’ zinnias because I thought the light was perfect, this bumblebee came along. Kind enough to take its time, and give me the opportunity to get in nice and close.
