Category Archives: macro

Roar of the Lion

Posted by Mike on

Columbus Botanical Garden

Puff Pop
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/160s, f/8, ISO 100

Too Much Off the Top
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/320s, f/8, ISO 100

Not To Be Overlooked

Posted by Mike on

The Little Things – TLT021
Columbus Botanical Garden

Where do I begin?

Stop being dramatic, write something!

But everything is all jumbled in my head.

When has that prevented you from rambling on…

Uncalled for…

Is it?

Fine.

Friday. The end of the work week, but the start of the weekend (at least once work is finished). Is it the closure of the “40 hrs of work”, or is it the possibilities the next 64 hours holds that excites you the most? For me, it is the possibilities (even if I have a tendency to squander them).

I went to work early so I could escape before everyone else rushing toward their weekend. I would like to say I had exciting plans but my cat Oliver had his annual check-up at 4pm. He was not going to be happy with me. Once I arrived home, fed the boys it was time to close down all of Oliver’s escape routes and hiding places. I did a good job not giving away my plan (although I think Milo knew something was up).

Surprisingly, Oliver didn’t protest and walked in his carrier without a struggle. I swear, it takes me longer to get him to the vet than the time for the actual exam. I shouldn’t complain, he is healthy and all set for another year. Once we get back home his indifference to my attempts at apologizing sting a little, but I’ll get over it.

OK. Now the weekend can begin!

A few weeks ago the botanical garden switched to their summer hours. The only difference is now they are open until 7pm on Fridays. Woo hoo! My plan is now set… get over to the garden, soak in the sun while I explore the new blossoms and then go grab some dinner at my favorite kitchen/bar around the corner from my apartment.

Once again, I think I had the garden to myself. I met quite a few of the workers as they work to get the garden ready for the next big exhibit, La Calavera Catrina. I’m really looking forward to this one as it is all summer long with plenty of scheduled events. A little over two weeks before it begins… 🙂

I’m amazed at the new blossoms for me to photograph. As you know, I visit often, so seeing new stuff makes me smile. I get a little distracted when I find this little one chillin’ out on one of the flowers. I know I shouldn’t have intruded, but I thought if I work quick enough he (or she) wouldn’t get too upset.

Back Off
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO 100

After nearly exhausting all the possibilities in the garden proper, I head down the path to the Camellia Garden. I didn’t think I would find any more little mushrooms, but the walk would be good and who knows, maybe I’ll find something interesting. Lush and green, but definitely no blossoms in this section of the garden.

I knew this… as I make my way down one of the unpaved, side paths movement catches my eye. Oh, a little frog, and by little I mean barely the size of a silver dollar. He was making his way to the edge of the path, probably so I wouldn’t step on him with my big clod hoppers. Not so scared of me that I couldn’t get a close-up though…

Pardon Me
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/125s, f/4, ISO 500

There really is not much more to see. I walk the paths, enjoying the relative silence before heading back to the entrance. It is such a nice way for me to transition from work. Batteries definitely re-charged. Time for me to go find dinner…

Today is full of possibilities… what are your plans for the weekend?

The Heart of it All

Posted by Mike on

Floral Friday
Columbus Botanical Garden

The Heart of it All
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/1250s, f/5.6, ISO 100

Crying Susan

Posted by Mike on

Columbus Botanical Garden

As I had mentioned in a previous post, this past weekend was the Daylily Festival at the botanical garden. The morning had seen its fair share of rain and I was happy for the break in the weather (sitting in the car and waiting included). I’ve been a fan of floral images with water droplets and part of my excitement for the festival was the possibility of finding said images. I won’t pretend this one has that “water droplet” look, more appropriate would be to say it has been drenched by the rain. But, it is one of my favorite floral subjects, a black-eyed susan.

Crying Susan
Nikon Z6 III, Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8, 1/100s, f/4, ISO 100

As I was getting ready to create this post, WordPress threw me a distraction… a Throwback notification for June 4th. I don’t believe there is anything special about this date, especially after looking at the listed posts, so I am curious what algorithmic logic pushed the notification to me today. As I scroll through my notification list I see WP has been giving me the option to view previous posts on each day… huh?

Apparently, I’m not very observant. Maybe this is a reminder for me to slow down. I have a routine in the morning (which could be good or bad), and I think I get fixated on working through the routine and not seeing anything in my periphery. Anyway, this morning I stopped what I was doing and looked through the posts that I have created on previous June 4ths. So, working backwards, for your viewing pleasure (or not)…

Pixley in the Morning

Awake from a Dream

Summer of ’69

Red

Shine On

A Crooked Edge

Unseen

Posted by Mike on

Bokeh Tuesday
The Little Things – TLT020
Columbus Botanical Garden

During the Daylily Festival Saturday, as people started to accumulate, I took the opportunity to walk the path through the woods to the Camellia Garden. I know the time had passed for most of the blossoms in that area but the tree cover would help shelter me from the sun, and I didn’t expect to see very many people (I was right!). I have a habit of telling new photographers I speak with to remember to look up. There is a tendency to always look straight ahead for your next image.

As I wandered the paths through the Camellia garden, especially the unpaved paths, I found I need to amend my statement above to include looking down. Which, if you think about it, is rather funny considering how much I use my macro lens and crawl all over the ground getting those close-ups of flowers. Maybe it was due to the recent rains but the ground was covered in an assortment of fungi. Not my usual subjects, but I fought my complacency and explored one little stem highlighted by a small beam of sunlight streaking through the tree cover.

Unseen
Nikon Z6 III, Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8, 1/125s, f/4, ISO 100

Blending In

Posted by Mike on

Macro Monday
Columbus Botanical Garden

Saturday was the Daylily Festival at the botanical garden (I almost wrote “my botanical garden”). Last year I was in the beginning of decline with photography but not this year. I hadn’t fully decided if I would be going (you all know, me and crowds don’t always see eye-to-eye). Mother Nature hadn’t decided if she was going to cooperate either.

I attempted to visit the Market Days in Uptown but the rain definitely kept a lot of vendors, and people, at home. That didn’t stop me from a quick stop at Veri Best Donut Co., we’ll keep that between us, before finally calling it a morning and going to Sam’s Club for a few supplies. After returning home it looked like I might be get clearing skies, so I didn’t bring the camera into the apartment. I quickly put everything away and headed back out (the cats look at me like I’m crazy when I come and go so quickly).

As soon as I parked the car it started raining. Figures! I resisted the urge to return home and waited about ten minutes in the car. Only a few raindrops continued and I decided I definitely will not melt, so changed the lens to the 85mm macro lens and walked over to the entrance. Ten minutes after getting into the garden the sun was shining bright and I could feel the humidity start to bear down on me. No worries, plenty of trees to offer shade.

There were quite an assortment of vendors, organizations and displays. I’m glad I fought my natural urge to avoid crowds, and to be honest, there were not a lot of people (yet!). I spent some time exploring everything on display. I bought a honey lollipop from one local vendor, was in awe at the amount of plantings for sale and avoided buying the beautiful ceramic flower pot (Milo would try to eat any plants I bring home).

Eventually, I walked around looking for the daylilies. The lens I was using was the Lensbaby Velvet. It produces a dreamy vignette depending on the aperture. To say it challenges me is an understatement, but I wasn’t going to improve without practice.

Look closely at the daylily. I didn’t notice as I was capturing the image but there is a ladybug enjoying the shade…

Blending In
Nikon Z6 III, Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8, 1/640s, f/4, ISO 100

Dancing

Posted by Mike on

Haiku
Columbus Botanical Garden

I’ve been all over the place with this one…

The original image is very vibrant, but I couldn’t see past the color. The ethereal tone was lost, at least to me, with the bold assault on my senses. So, I simplified it. And then the words started forming…

It has been some time since I wrote a haiku. Hopefully, I haven’t forgot how to do it…

Dancing To Be Me

Not floating, dancing
Not isolation, freedom
Learning to be me

Dancing
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/1000s, f/4, ISO 100

As part of that learning, I’m over at the cafe again this morning. I decided to be part of the community as I write this post. Still on shaky ground, as it is so far out of my wheelhouse, but, I’m learning. Maybe learning isn’t exactly the right word. How about embracing this experience? Still probably learning… 🙂