The Mad Hatter

My son's elementary school had a character parade and fall festival this weekend.  Everyone had a great time.  So many fantastic costumes - I really liked the one in this photo...so much color!

Scarecrow

This photo of a scarecrow was taken at the Corn Maze in Elkton, FL.

Bowl full of Jelly Bellies

Another shot using the softbox and a macro lens.

Little Pumpkins

Actually, I'm told these are some variety of squash.  Took the picture while at Sykes and Cooper Farms' in Elkton, FL last weekend.

Jelly Beans

Another macro using my homemade softbox (see "Sweet Tarts 1 post for link softbox fab instructions).
We've been eating our way through the Jelly Beans but I think I have enough for a few more shots.  Any suggestions...maybe a pattern?

Sweet Tarts 1

I recently put together a "softbox" and tried it out using some low power strobes with a macro lens.  The strobes are Nikon R1's and the lens I used for this shot (and several more that I'll post) was a Nikon 105mm f/2.8.  I love the soft light and versatility of this little box.  If you're interested in making one, I happened upon the idea here (Strobist Blog).

The Pergola Illusion

We were on the deck of a home several days ago and I looked up through a pergola (had to look that one up) and saw an image in the making.   I shot RAW and took the image into Capture NX2 were I did some typical post processing adjustments.  I then used Color Efex Pro 3 to make a B&W version and then the Color Stylizer filter to make a second version.  I really love the results.  Hope you do as well!

Wave Crest

Another shot of a surfer taken from the St. Augustine Pier on August 2nd.

Surfs Up

Surfer near the pier at Saint Augustine Beach, Florida on Sept. 2, 2010.  Large waves compliments of Hurricane Earl.

Common Bumble Bee

For several weeks, the bumble bees have been busy in the trumpet vines outside our home.  Close-up, its amazing how much "hair" these guys have on them.  This one also had a "damaged" right antenna (about 1/2 of it is missing).  I was shooting with a macro lens and only a couple inches away much of the time.  Despite being so close, the bees paid little attention to me.

"Brown" Dragonfly

I know...it looks dead.  But, trust me, it wasn't!
This dragonfly really wanted to be photographed on this stump which was lying in a field.  It repeatedly returned to the exact same spot and sat still for long periods of time.  Wish I had such luck with butterflies.

"Green" Dragonfly

Chased this dragonfly around a bit before it settled in for a portrait.

Aphid on Daisy

During a visit to Western North Carolina, I decided to walk around a bit looking for bugs to shoot.  It's amazing what I see when I just slooooow down.  This shot is of a very tiny Aphid on a Daisy or Aster.

Lady Bug on Trumpet Vine

I'm a member of Nikonians, a user group for Nikon camera enthusiasts.  They have a variety of great inforamtion there.  If you're a Nikon guy or gal, check them out at www.nikonians.com.  Anyway, posted a number of images to a contest in the Macro forum today and will share the same images here over the next several days.  Some of the other photographer's images are just stunning.  Check them out here.

This photo is of a Lady Bug on a Trumpet Vine in our yard.  Although I believe the vine is invasive, it certainly draws a lot of insects and the occasional hummingbird.

Sled Dogs

St. Augustine Fishing Pier & Lighthouse

Stink Bugs

Not sure what happened to my interest in posting to this blog.  Guess I just became too busy with other aspects of life.  But as I was looking over a few macro shots I took yesterday of Stink Bugs, I thought I'd throw one on here.  Not the most glamorous insect but pretty interesting none the less.