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Posts Tagged ‘red flower’

Wrong lens, right decision

Posted in Bugs, Flowers, Gardening, Insects, Nature, Photography, tagged , , , , , on October 7, 2012| 4 Comments »

The day was winding down as I retraced my steps back to entrance of Green Spring Gardens, when I caught a glimpse of a Spotted Cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata). My initial instinct was to switch from my 55-250mm telephoto zoom lens  to my 100mm macro lens so that I could fill the frame with this colorful little insect on a single flower.

I was tired and a little impatient, so I decided to photograph the beetle with the “wrong” lens. In retrospect, I am happy that I made that decision, because I ended up with an image that I really like. Yes, the beetle is still there, but the shape and positions of individual buds of the flower are what make this image stand out for me.

What did I learn? I realize that I need to consciously question my initial instincts and consider shooting a usual subject in an unusual way. I can’t always rely on fatigue to be the causative factor for a good result.

Spotted Cucumber beetle on red flower

© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.

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Cabbage White on a Red Flower

Posted in Bugs, Flowers, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature, Photography, tagged , , , , , , on August 21, 2012| 3 Comments »

Cabbage White butterfly (Pieris rapae) on unidentified flower today at Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria, VA. Cabbage White butterflies are very common, but I find them to possess a delicate beauty in their elegant simplicity.

Cabbage White butterfly on a red flower

© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.

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I’m a little teapot…

Posted in Flowers, Gardening, Nature, Photography, tagged , , , , , , , , on August 7, 2012| 6 Comments »

As I was wandering this past weekend through the local garden where I take a lot of my photos, I came across an enchanting scene. A child-sized wrought iron table and chairs were set in the shade, with a multi-colored teapot in center of the table. In the spout of the teapot was a single red, trumpet-shaped flower.

Had a child placed the flower there earlier in the day while serving tea to real or even imaginary friends? I like to think so. For a brief moment I was transported back to the days of my youth, carefree days when summers were full of dreams and exploration.

I captured this image as a reminder of the feeling of that moment, as a reminder not to let the “serious” cares of my adult life extinguish that child-like spark of innocence, sensitivity, and creativity. It is still very much a part of me, even if it struggles to find a way to express itself.

© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.

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Beauty after the storm

Posted in Gardening, Macro Photography, Photography, tagged , , , , , , on July 9, 2012| 2 Comments »

The heat wave in the Washington DC area has finally broken. Many of us last night were awakened by the loud, cannon-like sound of thunder and the softer, more gentle sound of falling rain. This morning the skies were overcast and the ground was still wet, a likely source of frustration for commuters but a blessing for photographers.

I set off in the morning with a couple of friends for Green Spring Gardens, a county-run historic park in Alexandria, Virginia. The colors of the flowers today seemed to be extraordinarily vivid and saturated. There also were beads of water on many of the plants and flowers, creating wonderful reflections and adding additional interest.

I do not know for sure what kind of flower I captured in this photo, perhaps a hibiscus. Its color and texture caught my eye today. I probably would have passed by it yesterday without stopping. Today, however, its beauty was enhanced, enhanced by the effects of the storm.

© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved

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