Macro photos---less is more!

Macro photography simply defined refers to photographing small objects and making them large.  For example, the photo close-up of a bug that emphasizes its bulging eyes or, as in the series below, the photographing of flowers from a very close point of view that produces a large image.

The macro process often challenges our perception of the object, and we don't always recognize it.


These three photos are of tulips:                                                 

 

 

The next series includes macro shots of orchids, most of them taken at Bayside Nursery:

 
 

 

Daisies, sunflowers, roses, begonias---all perfect for macro photography:

This bumblebee was too busy working in the hollyhock to notice my intrusion:

 

 Disclaimer:  I may have erred in some of the flower names.  Feel free to make corrections!
 

 

 

 

 

Autumn in Wisconsin

 

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.”   
-Henry David Thoreau
 

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.”    

-George Eliot

I like autumn a lot.

-Fred Thorne

 

 

These photos were taken during fall outings in Ozaukee County, Marinette County, North Kettle Moraine, the rustic roads in the Holy Hill area and other parts of Wisconsin.  

 

 

Goodman, Wisconsin mill pond.

 

Dave's Falls, Marinette County

North Kettle Moraine

 



Cedar Creek, Cedarburg

 

 

Kettle Moraine

Mequon Road

 

Northern Wisconsin



Northern Wisconsin

Dave's Falls

Cedarburg, Wisconsin

 

 

 

Fall Abstract, Lion's Den Gorge, Grafton, Wisconsin



                                                                               

 

Moths and Mimicry

The Bumblebee Moth (Snowberry Clearwing) and the Hummingbird Moth (Common Clearwing) are imposters. 

You guessed it!  One imitates a Bumblebee and the other a Hummingbird. Both have a very large proboscis (stop giggling!) which is coiled until ready to insert into a flower to extract the nectar within.  Both moths hover around the flowers and are ready for a fast escape if needed.

It is surmised that the Bumblebee Moth mimics a real Bumblebee to intimidate possible predators who would otherwise have it for lunch but are wary of Bumblebees.



Note the translucent wings and Bumblebee-like markings.

Proboscis unfurled.

 

The Hummingbird Moth has more coloration and emits a "humming" sound much

like a hummingbird.  (I was not able to identify the intruder moth.)

 
 

You can clearly see the proboscis in action here.




 

This moth obviously mimics "Vlad the Impaler, " aka Dracula.  I have no idea what kind of moth it is---I post it only because it's very cool!

Potpourri




  These photos are some of my personal favorites. 

Every once in a while an opportunity for artistic expression pops up.  (Edited)

The journey.



Early morning at Lion's Den Gorge.

Seagull feathers have beauty after all.

Julia meets tulip.



A Great Blue Heron at breakfast.



Sleeping sunflower.

 

 

 

A little bit of nature's framing at Zion National Park.

The grace of fall at Holy Hill.

A White Heron pinked.

Hummingbird and Pixie

The hummingbird is tiny but very tough.  Their wings usually flap about 80 times a second; their heart rate is about 1200 beats a minute.  During migration from Central America and Mexico to the U.S., it flies hundreds of miles, including more than 400 miles over the Gulf Coast!  During mating season, the hummingbird has been clocked at speeds over 50 m.p.h. when they dive-bomb their rivals.

These photos are of a female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird that discovered our fuchsia plants, unaware that a crazed bird photographer was lurking nearby.

 

 

 

The photo below is of a female (left) and male (right) House Finch perched on our feeder. 

 

I noticed something on the female's right shoulder so I enlarged it.

 

 

Do you believe in Pixies?

(No Photoshop or other alterations by me)