I wasn’t sure today was going to produce any new pictures for me.  I had plans to get up early in search of the path around the Utica Marsh but a look out the window at 4:30am changed my mind.  The overcast sky did not look promising so I rolled over and went back to sleep.

The day eventually turned out beautiful but the list of chores was taunting me.  I attended to as many as I could even managing to take a dip in the pool (all in the guise of cleaning it).  Considering tomorrow was back to work for me I thought I would take it easy tonight even though the sunset was producing some wonderful light.

I was exploring Flickr earlier in the evening and joined a group called ‘Floral Landscapes’ which appeared to fit with some of my pictures lately.  I decided to change tactic and save the day!  I switched lenses to my Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0 macro lens and went searching around the yard for flowers I could use for this new group.

My first stop was the flower pots outside the garage.  My wife and daughter had planted them a few weeks ago and the sun was lighting the pansies up which I couldn’t resist.  There was also a cool spider sitting in his web, but that picture is for another day.

The Light Within Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/400s, 70 mm, f/4, ISO 200

I live out in the country with pasture on three sides of my little acre lot.  I generally can find some kind of wild flowers growing next to the fence.  The horse and cows don’t seem to mind me hopping over to grab a few pictures in the field if there is nothing right next to the fence.  Luckily tonight I was able to stay within the yard.

I’m not sure what variety of flower this one is but they seem to thrive right next to my yard.  I usually only have to contend with the barbed wire fence to get a good picture.  I was able to capture this one before it closed for the night.

Hint of Purple Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/200s, 70 mm, f/4, ISO 400

We have a group of hosta plants that line one side of the garage.  Every year I need to break up the clumps and I transplant them to the bank on the edge of my yard.  The plants next to the garage are just starting to bloom but there are a few over on the bank which are further along.  This blossom had already started to close for the night but I was able to lay on the ground and capture the inside.

Blushing Hosta Bloom Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/2000s, 62 mm, f/4, ISO 400

At this point the bugs started to attack!  I attempted to flee across the road to the neighbors flower garden but it was only a temporary reprieve.  I did manage to capture one nice picture before I made my hasty retreat into the house.  I have no clue what type of flower this is but I loved the look of it.  I will say I still struggle to capture flowers with a lot of deep red in them and this one was no exception.

The Crown Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/60s, 58 mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

That was my adventure for the day.  All was not lost and I have a new outlet for these floral macros I have been capturing lately.  It also re-affirms to me that I don’t always have to travel far to capture some pictures. There are plenty of subjects close at hand if I take the time to look.