Tag Archives: close up

Photo of the Week – November 8, 2012

Posted on by
8

A Moment in Time

I actually saw this seed detach from a milkweed pod and float away on a breath of wind.  I tracked its flight until it got stuck – ever so slightly – on the seed head of a nearby grass plant.  I had just enough time to plop my tripod down, focus quickly, and squeeze off one shot before the gentle breeze lifted the seed again and carried it out of sight.

A butterfly milkweed seed clings (briefly) to the seed head of sideoats grama. Lincoln Creek Prairie – Aurora, Nebraska.

It was one of those rare, but gratifying, times when I actually caught a fleeting image with my camera.  Near misses are much more common – see earlier blog posts on photographing prairie dogs and bees, for example…  In fact, I often have to remind myself not to get so wrapped up in the (often fruitless) attempt to capture an image photographically that I forget to simply enjoy the moment.

This time, I got both the image and the enjoyment, which means I get to pass both along to you.

Photo of the Week – July 20, 2012

Posted on by
2

I found this dog-day cicada on our driveway.  It was sitting still, but fluttered a little when I picked it up.  I put it in a ziplock bag so my kids could take a close look at it.  Then, since it seemed cooperative, I set up my homemade photo studio (the one inside my house, not my wheelbarrow) and took a few photos. 

Cicadas are fascinating creatures when seen up close. Can see you see all five eyes? There are two big compound eyes on the sides of the head, of course, but also three simple eyes arranged in a triangle near the center of its head (they resemble little red/orange beads).  Click on this photo for a much larger and sharper view.

The cicada sat completely still as I began photographing it, and even let me arrange its legs a little.  After a few minutes of photography, though, it started getting a little more lively.  Before I knew it, it was buzzing around my kitchen, and I was trying to chase it down and catch it in a small ziplock bag.  (Why are you laughing??) When I took it outside, it flew off, looking completely happy and healthy. 

I hope the cicada enjoyed its little trick.  I know my wife did…