Photoblog Challenges: Theme 36: Insects

I believe this to be a Variegated Fritillary caterpillar. 

Until this morning, I hadn't thought of caterpillars as baby insects. I think this little fella is quite pretty, as far as caterpillars go. 

I linked up with Photoblog Challenges theme: Insects

Photo Friday ~ Detailed

As I am sure you have already realized, I am a macro girl at heart. The little details are fascinating to me and while I certainly am willing to photograph anything and everything that catches my eye, I often seek out and enjoy finding those that don't want to be found. Like this dragonfly, just waking up for the day, the dew still damp on it's wings. Look at all the intersections that make up just one wing. Reminds me of stained glass. Just beautiful!


I linked up with Photo Friday and their theme: Detailed.


Have a great Friday friends!

My Love Affair with Nature

Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made and forgot to put a soul into.
~ Henry Ward Beecher ~

Any amount of time spent here on my blog and you easily see how much I enjoy nature and the outdoors. I have always been more comfortable in an isolated forest full of wonders than a room full of people. I have lived in large cities and while I do enjoy all they offer, I am truly a country girl at heart. 

I would much rather witness, enjoy and capture the weather than talk about it. 

I have always thought bees to be amazing little creatures. I have so many photos of them from this summer. They are very photogenic and tolerant of me, thankfully. This photo was taken on one of Spencer and my walks to the school playground. 

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

*note: I have removed the photo slideshow on my sidebar and hope my site loads faster now. Let me know if you notice an improvement or not. Thanks!

I linked up with Camera Critters.

The Best Shots are Generally Attempted Through the Lens Cap

My title is a quote I found online and can't help but relate to. Please tell me I am not the only one who does this? I can't tell you how many times on an average day I pick up my camera and in my excitement to get that "moment" forget to take off my lens cap. Sigh.


This is a Hover Fly and was one of my first photos taken this summer. 


I linked up with Camera Critters. 

Camera Critters ~ Moth at Midnight

Yes, I actually sat in the dark on my deck at midnight waiting for moths to land so I could capture them. This was before I knew snakes were hanging out underneath the deck. *shivers


I linked up with Camera Critters.

Camera Critters ~ Macro Bee

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by. I love meeting new blogging friends so leave me a comment with your blog link.


I linked up with Camera Critters.

Camera Critters ~ Ladybug

John surprised me this weekend with Lightroom 3! This is a photographer's (amateur or otherwise) dream editing software. He even found me some online tutorials. Isn't he just the BEST!?

After I stopped drooling, I edited these photos first in Photoshop, then in Lightroom.  I am in love...

Also, hello to all my new followers! Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope to find some time today to return the favor. Can't wait to get to know you all!

I linked up with Camera Critters.

Camera Critters ~ Dark Clouded Yellow Butterfly

Camera Critters ~ Virginia Tiger Moth

I found this little beauty possibly stunned after a recent heavy rain.

Camera Critters ~ Walking Stick

My friend Carolyn messaged me the other day that her kids had found a big stick bug on their front door. I have never seen a walking stick in the wild and was so excited when Carolyn said she had captured it in a bug container for me! Friends that find bugs and think of you...


I brought it home and watched it in wonder. They really are the oddest most fascinating insect. They are quite thin in body and even more so in the legs. It was a challenge photographing him but I am happy with the results. I thanked him and let him on his way to live long and prosper.


A huge thanks to Carolyn! She makes me smile every day...

 I linked up with Camera Critters.