Flowers
Woodland Flora & Friend
Ladybugs all dressed in red
Strolling through the flowerbed.
If I were tiny just like you
I’d creep among the flowers too!
~Maria Fleming
This photo was taken in some woods not far from our home. It’s still early spring here and this small stand of early bloomers were a welcome sight. The ladybug was an added bonus. The surrounding trees, just starting to sprout leaves, provided a gentle filter for the afternoon sun.
To see a larger version of this image, simply click on it.
Spring’s Baby Blues
I don’t know the name of these flowers, but they are the first sign of spring color in our yard each year. They are very tiny, standing only 1.5 to 2 inches tall, and grow in a clump smaller than the size of my outstretched hand. My wife is disappointed that, though they are faithful to pop up every year, they don’t seem to be spreading.
To create that soft look, I applied an effect known as the “Orton Effect.” This is an image I’ve had on my computer for more than a week. I’ve been preoccupied with so many other things, I’ve not been able to post it sooner.
If you like it, please feel free to share it.
To see a larger version, simply click on the photo.
Petals of Purple
Today, please accept my simple gift of purple.
Studies show colors can affect us mentally and physically. It’s said the color purple can be uplifting, calming to the mind and nerves, offering a sense of spirituality and encouraging creativity.
I’m sorry, I don’t know what kind of flower this is. I found it was flourishing in a flowerbed in rural Indiana.
Click the image to see a larger version of it.
Tiny Dancers
This spray of Forget Me Nots remind me of giddy, forest sprites dancing among the greenery.
With the dreary, winter weather we’ve been experiencing lately, I thought a spring-like image would be welcome. (No need to thank me.)
Forget Me Nots are some of my favorite flowers. However, they are so small, I have rarely captured an image of them that I really like. I really like this one.
I put my index finger into the photo on the right to give you a reference for how tiny these little beauties are.
According to Wikipedia:
Myosotis (maɪ.əˈsoʊtɪs; from the Greek: “mouse’s ear”, after the leaf) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae that are commonly called Forget-me-nots. Its common name was calqued from the French, ne m’oubliez pas and first used in English in c. 1532.
To see a larger version of the main photo, just click on it.
Guarding the Beauty
This is kind of a beauty-and-the-beast image. The Dianthus flowers in our yard caught my eye. As I moved in to take the shot, the little crab spider made himself known. I didn’t see him until I was right on top of him. I backed off…then moved in…then backed off…then moved in. When I moved in, he would take an aggressive stance. When I backed off, he would relax. Whatever his strategy was, it must have worked well since, judging by the girth of his tiny frame, I’d say he hadn’t missed any meals.
This photo was taken several years ago with my old Kodak camera. A little “vintage” Pops Digital for you.
For a closer look, click on the photo.
Sunny Delight
Everyone loves sunflowers. There is just something about their bright, cheery disposition that even a cloudy day can’t dampen. A full field of them is sheer delight!
We’ve had some dreary, gray days – weather wise – recently. I thought a sunflower image would be a welcome sight. This field of sunflowers was found in our area of rural Kewaunee County, WI.
To see a larger version of this photo, click on the image.
Colorful Queen Ann’s Lace
I’m not overly particular about my subjects. I take photos of anything that catches my eye. This was something that caught my eye because I found it unusual.
This is common Queen Ann’s Lace. Normally the delicate flowers are snow white and create a full bouquet – with little space between the blooms. The color and sparse display for this bunch must be due to the onset of colder weather. Normally the stems are a simple green, not the purplish-red color seen here. (This photo was take this fall.)
You can view a larger version by clicking on the photo.
The Center of Passion
There is something about this image that captivates me. I’d like to say it was taken in some exotic location, but it wasn’t. It is the center of a poppy from the flower bed beside our home.
Of course, it’s the rich, deep red of the petals that initially grab me. However, it’s the purple center, ringed by the dark seeds, that keep me staring.
I realize this is one of those images that either trips your trigger…or not. Feel free to leave a comment, either way.
Click the image to see a larger version.
Botanicals
Here are a couple of the images I liked from my recent visit to Green Bay’s Botanical Gardens.
Click either photo to see a larger version of the image.
The Stand Off
While photographing wildflowers I noticed yellow spiders hiding among the foliage. I believe they are in the crab spider family. They seemed to be waiting for prey to come by. That was, in fact, the case. (See some of my previous posts.)
I’d been photographing these yellow spiders on purple thistles. Then I noticed a similar spider on a yellow flower. While I was taking his picture, a soldier beetle landed on the flower. I wondered what would happen.
After taking a few photos, I decided to switch to taking video. I remembered nature films I’d seen where an alligator snatches an unsuspecting antelope that stopped for a drink. I thought this, on a decidedly smaller scale, might provide the same kind of drama.
I only got a short, six seconds of video. It looked like the solider beetle bumped into the spider and then flew off. Not too dramatic. However, when I slowed the video down, it turns out it was a much closer call than I originally thought.
Watch the video below and pay particular attention to the slow motion footage. When slowed down, you can see the spider actually grabs the leg of the soldier beetle in its jaws. The beetle is able to pull away before the spider can get a better hold. The best way to view it is to click the full-screen icon in the lower right corner of the video box.
Click on the photo at the top to see a lager version.