Damsel Connection

While fishing a few days ago a pair of mating damselflies spent some time perched about the boat providing me with a photographic opportunity.

The attachment between the mating couple is quite secure allowing them to fly in unison. Here you can observe that the attachment is so strong that the lower fly is suspended in mid air with only one leg toughing the boat seat frame.

Country Captures turns Three!

Three years ago with this photo of a small foot bridge at the Meadow Grounds Lake in Fulton County Pa Country Captures began.

After having neglected photography for twenty some years I was rediscovering it in the digital age with a little Canon S2 IS point & shoot and Photoshop Elements.

A year later, still shooting the S2 this photo of a wild sunflower graced the page

The second anniversary of Country Captures displayed a Porcupine sitting high up in the branches of an oak.

The Porcupine was content that it had reached safety as I maneuvered about the base of the tree with a Canon 30D & 100-400mm lens in an attempt to get a good photo in what has been to date my one and only photo encounter of these prickly little beast

Today, to begin the forth year of Country Captures, a pretty butterfly is the featured photo.

Two things that we do know about the Butterfly are that it is beautiful and if we were to follow it we do not know where it might lead. The same can be said of Country Captures.

Be assured that in the coming months and hopefully years, Country Captures will contain images of the Beauty that I encounter on my walk through life and that like the butterfly I do no know where my interest in photography might lead but where ever that is it will be contained here on the pages of Country Captures.

I do hope that you my faithful readers will continue this journey with me as Country Captures begins its fourth year with this the 791st post.

A Splash of Green: Damselfly

Venturing through the high weeds in the remnants of the path leading to the old swimming hole of my youth I came upon a number of brilliant metallic green Damselflies.

The late evening sunlight lit the scene well as the Damselflies would land on a leaf for a moment, then zoom off only to return to the exact same perch after a few seconds. I didn’t have the tripod or the extension tube with me so I made do shooting handheld at the 400mm lens’s closest focus.

Most of the shots were slightly out of focus since I could not hold the camera still enough to stay in focus but a few were acceptable.

Damselflies come in many sizes and colors with these being some of the largest specimens I have taken notice of.

Second Choice Image

This evening I decided to hike to an area where I had found a large concentration of Monarch Butterflies feeding on thistle last September. Upon arriving I found that I was too late. Most of the thistle had already matured and died. I did encounter one Monarch feeding on a goldenrod but before I could complete the camera setup it gracefully fluttered off among the pines.

Looking around for another available subject I spied this little butterfly. Although not the stately Monarch I was searching for: this little thumb-nail sized butterfly posed beautifully for its portrait session.

Hover Fly

While shooting this Hover Fly I suddenly noticed it quickly run across the bloom and took flight as a Bumble Bee took its place searching for nectar. I didn’t realize until I reviewed the shots later that I had actually caught the bumble bee approaching and scaring the Hover Fly away.

This shot as well as many other of my insect shots was captured in an overgrown area where Penn Dot once had a small depot. After moving out a few years ago the weeds have slowly taken over.

What appears to be an eyesore from a short distance away is a vibrant community of wildflowers and interesting insects. Often the best habitat we can provide wildlife is to simply allow some land to revert with no further intervention on our part.

Close-up: Grasshopper

From a distance a grasshopper really doesn’t look like much but when viewed up close the intricate detail and color scheme makes it into an object of beauty. I also liked the touch of color added by the thistle blossom in the foreground of this shot.


In an attempt to increase my capability for shooting macros, I added a Kenko 25mm extension tube to my gadget bag. It has performed flawlessly on the 100-400mm but with the 24-105mm I find that I have difficulty in achieving focus in the auto-focus mode.

Bejeweled

Beaded by a heavy dew and lighted by the morning sun; a spider’s web sparkles with more beauty than the jewels worn by the Kings and Queens of old.

Celebrating my Second Blog Anniversary

Two years and 500 Post

How swiftly the time has passed since I uploaded my first post on what was to become Country Captures. What began as a whim has become an interesting hobby.

I have found this blogging experience to be very positive. Thanks to you, the photo-blogging community I have learned a great deal, not only about cameras and equipment but also about the world we live in.

So to you, my blogging friends; Thank you for all of your positive comments over the years, thank you for the encouragement, thank you for all of your visits and thank you for the inspiration that comes from reading your blogs and viewing your wonderful photographs.

Resting Damselfly

Even as a kid I enjoyed watching Damselflies flitting around. Few if any creature is more agile. Their coordination is simple amazing; controlling four wings as they fly at relatively high speed, stopping instantly and hovering in mid-air for extended periods of time and then darting off in seemingly any direction going from zero to top speed in the blink of an eye.

This little Damselfly surprised me as I was photographing wildflowers and butterflies. I was not expecting to see a Damselfly as I was quite some distance from water when it appeared and perched upon this dead weed.

The flight of the damselfly reminds me of that of a helicopter. I have only once had the opportunity to ride in a helicopter. That was over two decades ago but the memory remains fresh. This was the first time I had ever flown and the bird was a two-seat crop-duster with a little clear bubble cockpit. I felt as if I could see all of creation from our vantage point above the West Virginia farm land. At one point the pilot told me we were traveling at 50MPH and a short time later he stated that we were sitting still, I could tell no difference.

Since then I have flown in fixed wing aircraft many times but no flight has been more memorable than that first time in the air. ............Flying like a Damselfly.

Popping White Dutch Clover

This image started with a macro of a White Dutch Clover bloom in my lawn. With Photoshop I increased the contrast and then brought the black level up until the background changed to mostly black effectively removing distractions. Lastly I applied a touch of unsharp mask to sharpen the edges.

My goal usually is to create an image as close as possible to how I experienced the original scene, but in this case I took the liberty to become somewhat more creative.

Personally I like the results.

What do you think? Be honest, I promise not to be offended if you don’t care for it.

White Dutch Clover, once common in lawns is now considered a weed by many. I encourage the clover in my lawn. White Dutch Clover fixes nitrogen eliminating the need for heavy fertilizer applications, it attracts and feeds bees, rabbits etc, it is also drought resistant and low growing not requiring frequent mowing. Attracting wildlife is reason enough for me to grow it, the other benefits are all bonus.

Honey from a Butterfly Weed

The Honey Bee was so intent upon being the first to gather nectar from a new bloom opening on a Butterfly Weed that it didn’t seem to mind my lens being shoved in its face.

The beautiful orange blossoms of the low growing Butterfly Weed add a touch of vivid color to our rural roadsides. Along with their beauty they also attract and provide food to many insects. Rarely do I encounter a Butterfly Weed that is not covered with ants, but in this case the lone Honey Bee was the only insect I noticed.

Overgrown roadsides are an excellent place to find a wide variety of wildflowers as mowing and cultivation rarely if ever interferes with their growth and reproduction. My wife and I discovered this particular plant as we strolled along an abandoned section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike that has been converted into a hiking/biking trail.

Tiny Snail

While composing photos of the lilies I was pleasantly surprised to find this tiny snail attached to the underside of one of the blossoms.

A macro shot reveals the beautiful intricate patterns that make up its shell.

For more Camera Critters and to join in on all the fun, visit our good friend and host Misty

Cattail Seedhead, another View

Congratulations Photowannabe Sue
Once again you are the one with the correct answer!

As I was wandering about the Meadow Grounds Lake Saturday morning I found a cattail (bulrush) seed stalk which had broken over. Taking the seed head in my hand I began rolling it and was amazed at the soft furry texture of the seeds and their filament wings.

What is it?

Make your best guess as to the subject of this mystery photograph

Seeing the Unexpected

Macro Photography frequently reveals details that would otherwise be overlooked

I failed to notice this tiny spider until I was focusing for the shot

Butterfly Hunting

A great late summer sport is butterfly hunting. Equipment requirements can be as simple as a close focusing Point & Shoot to as extravagant as a DSLR, tripod and a good 100mm+ macro lens. Butterfly hunting as those of you who have done it know, is not without challenge. I seems as if just when I have completed the setup and composed the photograph, my little friend has an immediate and urgent need to check another blossom or to leave the area altogether.

I think this is Clouded Sulphur Butterfly but if I am wrong I will be glad to stand corrected

Foxtail

Simple yet Elegant

Bee for Breakfast

A hungry little bee flew in to feed while I was photographing this pretty yellow meadow flower. The bee changed this photo from just another pretty flower shot into something special.

As so often happens in life the unexpected becomes the most memorable

Canna Seedpods

The evening sun illuminates a simple Canna Seedpod

A macro photograph taken using a large aperture translates this

ordinary scene into an object of brilliant beauty