Monday, October 3, 2011

Afternoon Delight and a Possible D-I-V-O-R-C-E

Did my post title alarm you? No worries here. Yet, anyway. :)

On Saturday I had the pleasure of shooting with a church friend for part of the afternoon. We met at Gussie Field Watterworth Park, a National Earthkind™ Trial Rose Garden. One hundred rose cultivars are evaluated for research that includes four countries, seven universities, and twenty states. However, since we're in a severe drought, this is obviously taking its toll on the roses. The plantings around the rose beds such as lantana, zinnias, salvia, and daisies are doing better than the roses.

Whether the roses were blooming or not was of no consequence to me since I'm drawn to the living creatures feasting on and making their homes in the garden. The life that these plantings attract is simply fascinating to me. This is just what I like to photograph and I don't have the strength to fight that urge. Besides, I'm from the "if it feels good do it" generation. Nature photography makes me downright giddy, so why fight it?
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On an unrelated note, is it possible to overdose on watching televised sports? I think my husband is dangerously close to needing intervention. Or a divorce. I can just see the legal papers now: "Reason for divorce: alienation of affection due to spouse's excessive watching of football, baseball, and basketball." Lord, please help me through the baseball playoffs at least. Of course, he could always countersue with the same thing, replacing ball games with photography. Ha!
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 Now on to the photos!
American Painted Lady


Skippers


I love the bokeh in this one.
A decapitated statue in the cemetery next door 
I believe this is a corn earworm moth
Red wasp. When he landed he began clutching his head like, "Ouch! That hurt!"
Say, "CHEESE!"

31 comments:

Evelyn S. said...

Did you use your 400mm lens? That dragonfly is so close!!! (I love that bokeh image, too!)

At my house, I'm the one who watches all the sports! My husband watches, but he gets distracted.

Anonymous said...

What gorgeous shots - love the surprise of the statue with no head in the middle of all the nature photos.

Over here - Word Feud would be my grounds for citing divorce!!

TexWisGirl said...

great shots! i love that painted lady and those cute skippers!!!

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Love you photos, each one.
It's good you have a wonderful interest to help fill the void creatively.

Barbara said...

Wow, Gail, these are wonderful! Great composition and focus! Love the colorful bokeh and the decapitated statue is really creepy!!

Rosemary Aubut said...

These are truly beautiful shots Gal! So wonderful for all of us viewing that you love shooting nature and do it so well!

Pat said...

These are great shots! I love that painted lady!

Tricia said...

These are some great shots, Gail. My favorite is the first dragonfly photo :)

Reena said...

these are awesome photos! And you had me laughing there on the cause for divorce! Mine could countersue for the same thing!

Unknown said...

Your photos are amazing.. That last dragonfly shot is so cool. I just love it.. These are my favorite type of shots also.. I love to take them and look at them..

Hugs, Linda

Lisa Gordon said...

These photographs are wonderful Gail!
If it makes you feel any better, you are not the only one with the sports issues! It is definitely that time of year!

Nancy said...

Like my husband says, Gail, "it could be much worse." I have to agree, so we each tolerate each other's hobbies, etc... :) It's all good.

Your photos are fantastic. The exposure is so right on and the details just wonderful. :)

the wild magnolia said...

Oh my gosh! These photos are spectacular! I see insects in a whole new light, up close and personal!

Thank you, for sharing.

Kerri Farley said...

Oh my...... These are amazing!

Starla said...

Wonderful photos! I love the bokah one too!!

Anonymous said...

What in the world happened to the poor statue? That's awful! I hope it wasn't a person that did it =0

That 1st shot actually looks 3D! Very cool shots

No divorces... no...

Shug said...

Well, you had me worried there for a moment...and when you said shoot, I thought, good Lord..Gail has lost it. She has already shot the poor fellow!!

These shots are absolutely amazing! Has anyone told you that you are a fantastic photographer? Good job!
Hugs Girl!
Shug

Travel With Lulu said...

Wow, the detail in your photos is spectacular! I can't get the little buggers to sit still long enough to capture :)

La Vie Quotidienne said...

These are just the most beautiful photos...all of these wonderful little creatures. Amazing work!

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

Excellent, Gail!! I too want to know what lens you used. I love the skippers. I can't ever get close enough to them because they're too small and quick.

Susan said...

Gail!!


These shots are INCREDIBLE.

WOW...what lens did you use?

I love your work.

Thanks for dropping by, I love visiting your awesome blog.

And I totally understand the sports situation.

I have 5 sons...I become a widow each year!!

Have a blessed day today♥

hootnonny said...

Awesome images Gail. Wonder if the hubby's saying the same thing about your photography/processing issues!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous images. I think you are not alone with the situation with husband:) In Finland it is ice hockey most of the mails. Mu hubby is not interested at all about sports but he is always in internet looking up some music technical stuff or something (which I don't know nothing) So I edit my pictures in computer and he is in internet with laptop....so quiet and peaceful:)

Anonymous said...

what delightful captures!!!

Hilary said...

These are absolutely gorgeous.. though that statue is disturbing!

beth said...

wow....these are amazing photos.....and yep, if i said too much football, i would get the same thing....well then put down your camera and look at me :)

Charlotte Wilson said...

Gail,
You just keep getting better and better and better!!

Rosie Grey said...

These photos are fantastic, Gail! And your post made me smile! :-)
I know what I missed these last weeks :-)

Georgianna said...

These are really, really beautiful, Gail. The 400 suits you! :)

septembermom said...

Gorgeous shots Gail! Your talent as a photographer is a wonderful gift that you're sharing with the world. Thanks!

Beyond the Dog Dish said...

I'm speechless - these are amazing!