Picture This!!

Jo, I have never seen lilies those colours!!!!! Just stunning.

I visited Cantigny a few days ago and saw some of their neat gardens. Lisa have you ever been there when you lived in Chicago? They want photographers not to get in the way and I had my tripod so was trying to find places that were off the beaten path. Do any of you know what these trumpet like flowers are? They were sort of climbing on a fence like clematis does. I was fascinated by their shapes.

Thanks Scottie. I did a ton of research on macro equipment before I took the plunge. Many have good things to say about extension tubes and many use those in addition to a macro lens. If you ever do decide to take the plunge with a macro lens I ended up going with a 105 mm macro lens which was about $1000. The shorter lens in macro you have to get closer to the subject and depending on what you want to photograph you could spook your subject. There are longer lens than mine for a very hefty price but I am happy with it so far. I have only used my telephoto only once this since buying the macro lens. I wanted to give the macro lens a really good breaking in as it is a whole different experience that other lens. It is also quite heavy for me. I use a tripod and a remote control for flower photography and for the butterflies it had to be hand held and it really did a number on my arm muscles. Enjoy. Hope you get some time to relax eventually and enjoy this summer.

Nancy. I was a kid when I lived in Kenilworth with a mother who didn't drive at that point, so I missed many things. Love the single flower.

No more camera lens for me. I threw my 35mm ones away. I would love a right angle one. My old one does not work very well on my new camera. I got some great people shots that way.

Nice hibiscus Lisa, or at least I think that is what it is. I have heard you talk about a right angled lens before and I have never heard of that. Can you tell us more about it. I am wondering if it is a 35 mm thing before the digital age.

Joanne, thanks for looking that up. Yes, that is exactly what it is. I thought it might be a type of clematis as it was growing on a fence. My neighbor a couple doors down has clematis and the neighbor next to her says she sees hummingbirds on this ladies flowers all the time and I was assuming she meant on her clematis. I am seeing them regularly now on my feeder but they don't stay long. If I don't have the AC on I can hear them before i see them. I think they come probably much more than I realize.

Lisa, how to you get your shots of hummingbirds. Are you getting your close up shots from indoors or are you doing like a friend of mine and sitting outside with her camera waiting on them. She tells me as soon as she goes inside THEN they come to the feeder. Smart little devils.

I don't take pictures of people, but what a GREAT idea!!!

Thanks Lisa. They way I have positioned my hummer feeder I could use a right angle lens! They are drinking the nectar down pretty fast so they obviously are coming more than I can see. I would love to have one of those bird cams to see just how much they do come. I might add more feeders but may wait until next summer. I would like to use some suction cups and put them on my patio doors so I can see them more when they come.

beautiful

Same sort of winter we have in San Diego?

Lisa, very neat! I love it.

Lisa, too cool!!! I've never seen different stages in one pic.

the life of Riley

I got my macro kit this week and tomorrow is supposed to be cooler. Nearly 100 here today. Dh swears we have hummingbirds now and I have lots of swallowtails, so time to get at it and see what I can do.

Lots of great pixs ladies.

Scottie

Great pics Joanne. I have never seen zinnias like those before. So pretty. Are you sure you haven been bitten by the macro bug.

Ready to launch