Discover the flora and fauna around you!
One pretty morning last week, I decided to give myself a self-assignment… to shoot the flora and fauna of a LILY PAD! We were staying at a cabin after the Fourth in Island Park, Idaho, so I packed up my macro lens, circular polarizer filter and other goodies in my camera bag, hopped on a four-wheeler and spent one hour immersing myself in the ecosystem of a nearby lily pad.
I found several species of dragon flies, frogs, and flowering lily pads, just to mention of few of the interesting creatures in the environment. Just when I thought I had seen enough, I pulled out my macro extension tubes (see #13 here) and discovered a whole new world of tiny organisms in the water and grass all around me. As I sat perfectly still for several minutes I was treated to a close up visitor an inch away from my lens. I learned from some friends/insect experts on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/carynesplin, that the smaller dragonfly species is called a damselfy. The damselfy was more friendly, and one of them landed near me and stayed for several minutes while I took some close up shots. I was delighted with the colors and details I was able to capture with my macro extension tubes. I thought maybe she was carrying around a sack of little red eggs, but my two Facebook friends told me the red egg-looking dots are really parasite freeloaders hanging on for a free ride. How fascinating! I think I like shooting insects, but it is hard to get them to hold still. Any tips?
I hope this inspires you to make yourself a SELF-ASSIGNMENT! Any ideas?
Macro Damselfly - Caryn Esplin - Island Park, Idaho - Lily Pad - Self Assignment
Lily Pad Flowers - Caryn Esplin - Island Park, Idaho - Self Assignment
Lily Pad Ecosystem - Caryn Esplin - Island Park, Idaho - Self Assignment
I love that you gave yourself an assignment. What a great post. The dragonfly is my favorite with all the colors. It’s amazing what you can find in the world with a new perspective and the macro extension tubes sure did the trick. Thanks for the inspiration of always pushing yourself to the next level.
You made my day, Rebecca! Thanks for always being so sweet and taking time to comment. 🙂
What! Wow! I totally love that dragonfly shot…. I want to know about the eggs too! I love the colors, they are so vibrant and the image is so crisp. Look at those wings!!!!
Incredible.
I love the dragon fly! its is incredible!!! such detail and very unique. not to mention Beautiful! 🙂
Thanks for the comment, Taylor! I think I love shooting insects now. 🙂
i need to get some macro lenses and try shooting some insects. ur pic has inspired me. if i buy some ill send u the pics i take. im curious what colors i can find.
Well I linked to this post on my Facebook page to ask if anyone knew about the red egg sack. I promptly received two answers that this “damselfly” is a relative of the larger dragonfly and the red dots are not eggs, but parasites that are freeloading, but not killing the damselfly. Fascinating world of insects!
I really like this photos. I defiantly agree with Rebecca, the dragonfly is my favorite. I really like the last landscape shot too. You really captured the moment. Thanks for sharing these beautiful images.
Kia Ora Caryn!
(That’s ‘Hello’ from half way around the world in New Zealand.) I just stumbled onto your blog and website and I’m just loving it!! I’ve looked at many photography blogs over the years, and although I’m acquainted with many wonderful and talented photogs, it’s not so common to find a blog with content, style and talent as professional as yours that really inspires me to improve. And you’re a lovely lady, too! I will be a regular visitor!! (My husband and I live in American Fork, Utah, but currently we are serving a Public Affairs mission in New Zealand. I have been incredibly fortunate to use my photography every week in our missionary assignments, from shooting on remote islands in Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, to shooting championship rugby games, to photographing the Prime Minister of New Zealand. And along the way I’ve been able to capture some of the magnificant beauty of this country. It has been quite a ride!) Warm regards, Karen
Hello Karen, Thank you for stopping by my blog! It is always great to meet another Karen, even if the spelling is a little different. I just checked your blog and I am so impressed with YOUR work. I love your photos of the Sydney Opera House and especially the portraits of interesting street people. I look forward to checking out your blog at more length. Are you able to do Facebook on your mission? I am curious how you found my website? Have fun with your photography in all those exotic locations! Thanks again for your comment and I look forward to sharing photos and comments in the future. I always love finding a new photog-friend. 🙂
Hmmm, let me retrace my clicks. I was looking for some online inspiration for a photography class I’m teaching this week and I stumbled across Improve Photography website and I clicked on the facebook page. I think I saw your website there. I can do facebook on our mission, but the problem is my time is very limited. I visit and comment on several blogs and websites when we are not traveling and I have a minute, but I’m pretty unreliable. We return home at the end of September, so hopefully I’ll have a bit more time then.
Beautiful work once again! You continue to improve and it’s inspiring to everyone who follows you. Great work!