Jul 29
I held out as long as I could but I finally got a smartphone. It’s mostly for internet at campgrounds with no wireless but I thought it might be a decent pocket camera too. I tried Macro mode first and it’s not bad! Here’s a shot of new growth on a baby Saguaro.
Jul 23
Along with bats and bees, the White Winged Dove plays a significant role in pollinating our Saguaro blooms. They also LOVE sipping nectar from the blossoms and eating the fruit so we’ve been hearing them COO from the time the buds show up until the last fruit fell about a week ago. With their favorite food source dwindling, there are less and less of them around now.
Jul 21
Desert Columbine is about half the size of the more common Yellow Columbine we see here at higher elevations. I captured this one at the Flagstaff Arboretum. It is my favorite composition of this plant so far but the exposure wasn’t very good so I used Photoshop to “art it up” a little. The texture in the background is made up of three images I shot of the sidewalk and curb at Hermit’s Rest (Grand Canyon) while I was waiting for the bus. I ended up with about 20 great textures during that wait!
Jul 18
I am so happy and excited when I see a butterfly in my yard because it means I’ve planted plants and shrubs they like! Here is a photo of a Gray Hairstreak on one of my Desert Lavenders which are blooming right now. Before I joined CAZBA, I never even noticed these and many other tiny butterflies. Now I grab my camera at the slightest movement which is what I did yesterday. (Canon 100mm with 25mm extension tube, ISO 800, 1/320th sec at f/11). For those who are new to macro and wonder how I achieved such a soft background with f/11, check out Understanding Depth of Field.
Jul 17
Update on Javelina Cafe…..the fence is working! I rescued many tiny Pincushion Cactus (some with bites out of them) and not only have they healed but they are thriving. Today’s photo is a composite of blooms that opened yesterday (you might have heard me squealing!) For those who live in this area, keep an eye out for them. They’re usually hiding under shrubs for protection. They will bloom for several days so you have some time to scout for them. What sets Mammillaria (species) apart from other cactus is their Tubercles.
Jul 16
As beautiful as wildflowers may be, their backgrounds are typically very distracting. Using a very large aperture can make backgrounds into big blobs of color such as with this tiny Fleabane. It can even make hot spots somewhat pleasing. So next time you capture a flower, open wide! (Canon 70-200 (f/4 non IS) Left image at f/13. Right at f/4)
Jul 15
This gorgeous flower was captured at the Flagstaff Arboretum. I’m usually diligent about writing down identities but I forgot this one. It appears to be a geranium (Purple Sticky, maybe?) but it’s not in any of my books so it must not be a native. Anyway….the background was on the gray side so I used Topaz to convert to B/W, added grain and then brought back a little color.
Jul 14
On my list of wildflowers to scout for while in Flagstaff was the Sego Lily so I was thrilled to discover this one on the Aspen Nature Loop. The wind had really picked up and the flower was in the shade so I knew I would need crank up the ISO to capture it while it was swaying. (ISO 800. Canon 70-200@98, 1/3200 sec@ f/10).
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