Some Fleabane Love

One of natures little wonders on our place is the Fleabane. It is a delightful and delicate looking but very tough plant with many blooms. The flowers are made up of small, thin petals of white or pink (Well at least around here they are) and has a yellow center. They can withstand severe dry or heavy unrelenting rains. And they are wonderful little filling stations for pollinators. Some here is some Fleabane love!

I used my Sp-350 in this capture.
I used my Sp-350 in this capture.

A Butterfly And A Moth

I have been blessed with a new sense of an awareness of the diversity of life on our place. With that gift comes a realization of how much I really do not know of the world around me. The two photos below are just the tip of the iceberg of discovery that is before me.  I know that these two photos below are  of a butterfly and a moth but I have looked at several data bases and still need help to positively identify them. Feel free to educate me.

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Did you noticed the eggs on the leaf next to the left hand wing? Cool, no?

I used my Powershot SX10is for these captures.

Mishmash Monday

It has been one of those days and we will leave it at that………..so I present to you Mishmash Monday.

A hand held shot of the moon being eating by a cloud.
A hand-held shot of the moon being eating by a cloud.
A Long Horned Grasshopper Nymph hanging out on what I believe is a Horse Nettle.
A Long Horned Grasshopper Nymph hanging out on what I believe is a Horse Nettle.
A Butterfly soaking up some rays after the rain.
A Butterfly soaking up some rays after the rain.
A lovely spotted Spotted-Touch-Me Not after the rain
A lovely spotted Spotted-Touch-Me Not after the rain
I set this shot up to capture the water droplets and as I pushed the shutter button....the wind showed up. Nicely framed by Natures.
I set this shot up to capture the water droplets and as I pushed the shutter button….the wind showed up. Nicely framed by Natures.

Hanging Ten In A Heat Wave

The heat and its ever presence weight was rising as I did an mid-morning walkout today. The sun was hiding behind the oncoming storm clouds but it’s hot self was felt with every step. As I wrapped up the walk, and headed back to our home to mow the yard, I was thinking about insects and their ability to tolerate heat that makes me whine. So here is a couple of those wonders hanging ten, or six :), in a heat wave!

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Motorcycle Widow this one is for you. Peace.
Motorcycle Widow this one is for you. Peace.

A Belated Thank You

Since early Spring I have been in running in recovery mode. It is an automated state of being that gets one through a tragedy but at the same time it gives space to a heal from the catastrophic event(s). All through my troubles of last year I have been blessed with understanding, or at least tolerating, people who have helped and encouraged me through dark times. One of those is a couple who have their own set of troubles but have shown me much kindness in spite of their own challenges. They know I like taking pictures and are generous in allowing me to take photos around their place. So here is a belated Thanks for the kind words and prayers.

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A Trans Am In Three Flavors of HDR

I have a love for old cars and was stoked to find this old Pontiac. I am pretty sure it is a Trans Am of the mid-to late Seventies vintage. What I am sure if it is Cool even in its less than pristine condition. I saw this and thought it would be a great HDR subject. I took the photos to merge with my PowerShot SX10is. The very last picture, taken for comparison of original subject to HDR, I took with my Olympus SP-350. So here is a Trans Am in Three Flavors of HDR.

Bold and bright, a glimpse of a new tomorrow maybe?
Bold and bright, a glimpse of a new tomorrow maybe?
Still shining even in B&W even though its time has past.
Still shining even in B&W even though its time has past.
Yesterday, today and the future all wrapped up in one.
Yesterday, today and the future all wrapped up in one.
What it is: One cool old car!
What it is: One cool old car!

Where To Now?

I wanted to try something a little different for this post. Normal I photography organic things, things that are green,blossoms,bees and such but today was different. Why? The sky was incredibly rich today. With the contrast of white clouds against the brilliant blue it got me thinking trying some captures in B&W. I know it sounds weird but I thought I could get completely different feels from shooting the same object against this beautiful sky.

Where could I do this to good effect? The Cemetery of course! I had just a few minutes on my way home to grab these and plan on going back but till then: Where to now?

Taken with my Olympus SP-350 set on the full manual setting.
Taken with my Olympus SP-350 set on the full manual setting: 1/500sec @ f/5.0
Taken with my Powershot SX10is on fully manual and in B&W from the cameras on-board settings.
Taken with my Powershot SX10is on fully manual and in B&W from the cameras on-board settings:1/320 sec @ f8.0