Macro
Serendipity
Technicolor Throne
This skipper moth was overlooking the splendor of his kingdom from the comfort of his technicolor throne, a purple cone flower.
This is a photo taken on our recent vacation. This image came from a flowerbed just outside the gift shop of the Topeka Zoo. While the rest of our party went to look through the shop, I stayed outside to snap more photos.
To view a larger version of the king on his throne, click on the image.
Graceful End
The delicate dandelion blossom in its last stages. The dandelion, like other members of the Asteraceae family, has very small flowers collected together in a composite flower head. Each single flower in a head is called a floret.
It seems every photographer has a dandelion photo…and this is mine. They do make interesting subjects.
To see more of the delicate details, click on the image.
Star of Bethlehem
Simple Spring
While walking through a swampy area of woods, I stumbled upon this simple, single flower. The bright area behind the flower is daylight reflecting off a wet area. I don’t know what kind of flower it was, but it was small. This bloom was only about the size of a thumbnail.
If you have a large monitor, you can view a larger version of this image by clicking on it.
Tiny Surprise
Danger lurks here! When I took this photo on a walk through the woods, I saw only a nice collection of wild violets. It wasn’t until I viewed this image on my computer that I noticed the tiny crab spider hiding in the bloom on the left.
Crab spiders don’t make webs. They hide, often in flowers, waiting for unsuspecting insects to be drawn by the flower’s nectar or pollen.
I’ve posted photos of crab spiders before – even with a short video of one trying grab lunch – that can be viewed HERE.
To view a larger image of this photo, click on it.
Morels
Opening Ceremony
Early spring gives us some of it’s first blooming beauty on the trees. This bunch of blossoms, was part of springtime’s opening ceremony. They were perfectly position at the end of a low hanging branch, discovered on a walk through a local wooded area.
I decided to take on the challenge of processing these as a monochrome image. Since they were white flowers, it proved to be more of a challenge than I bargained for. It’s difficult to maintain any kind of detail with all that white.
To get a better view, click on the image.
Daffodils Today – Tulips Tomorrow
Daffodil Standout
I was out taking photos of one of my favorite lighthouses and spotted some daffodils on the drive home. I stopped and took photos of the normal yellow variety and then thought to drive around Kewaunee, WI to see if I could find more.
This is one from a home that had an impressive display, featuring many varieties. I spent quite a bit of time snapping daffodils.
For a better view of that unusual center, click on the image.