White Crab Spider or Flower Spider

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Well nothing like researching creepy images so that I can nail the species for this white spider which is Diaea. The common name is White Crab Spider or if you prefer Flower Spider. Man am I going to be having nightmares tonight after viewing so many different species of spiders!

I managed this snap yesterday with my new Sigma 150mm F2,8 APO MACRO lens that turned up in the mail and just had to try the lens out straight away. I was amused to see the spider sitting back on the same flower mid afternoon today waiting for his prey once more.

It is going to take time to learn how to get the best shots with the bulk of the subject in focus but hey it is going to be fun learning and have to admit my new toy has put a spring in my step. Tell you what though, taking macro shots of bugs waving in the breeze on foliage is a good way to get motion sickness . I kid you not! Think in future I will take snaps on calm days.

I would be interested if anyone else has this motion sickness dilemma when getting close and personal with their subjects waving in the breeze? Also I found any small movement with the camera is also exaggerated when looking through the viewfinder. A tripod is one way to overcome this but not always ideal for chasing bugs.



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Red Pelargonium Flower

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In my garden I do find Pelargoniums and Geraniums grow well, although the recent hail and flooding has knocked them about quite badly.

This snapshot shows a red Pelargonium flower that is catching the late rays of sun with the dark shadows of a cement rainwater tank as a backdrop. I am quite taken with the drama of light against the dark background.

For the artist that may like to try an exercise in lost and found edges, this image would be ideal to try.

Until next time, take care!


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Gorgeous little Dog - Papillon

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For two weeks I have had the pleasure of looking after this little dog, which is a Papillon breed. Her name is Ella and she is a little over twelve months old and belongs to my son and his new wife, who arrived home yesterday from their honeymoon.

Ella has a wonderful personality and a quick learner when it comes to tricks. Some tricks that she will do by command are sneeze, roll over, sit, and high five. She has very good manners. Simple things like not taking her food until she is told she can and also sits and waits to be told she can pass through an exterior door to come indoors. Gives you time to wipe any muddy paws if need be.

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This closeup will give you a good look of her sweet face. Her markings for a papillon are not perfect but that makes no difference to those that love her and even though she only lives a hop step and jump away, I will miss the day to day company of this gorgeous little girl.





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Colour and Texture

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My last post was about a recent flood that I had experienced here on the family farm. I thought I would share a couple of images that I had taken after the floods had subsided enough for me to have a wonder around.

As you can see when the litter is wet there is plenty of colour along with texture. The extra bright added colour came from the trees stripped by the hail.

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The hail by this time was much smaller than the jagged golf ball size that was experienced with the passing storm. Not something that I am in a hurry to experience again but hey it makes an interesting snapshot.




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