More Flutterbys!

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome back on my last post! It made my heart swell with joy to know that so many of you still care. Group hug! I replied to everyone that had a return email address attached to their Google account, but several of you didn't. FYI

My fuzzy memory can't remember how long I've had the 100mm macro lens, but I can tell you that it has rarely left my camera body since I received it. Bertha and this lens make a good marriage, I think! The poor 100-400mm lens lies neglected in my camera bag, pining away for Bertha. But what can I do? This new lens has me smitten right now. Is it possible that a camera lens has the ability to stimulate serotonin levels? Maybe I can throw these happy pills in the trash soon.

Macro photography is CHALLENGING, y'all! Why is it, when I'm walking around in this Hades-like climate, there is no breeze to cool me off? Yet the minute I point my camera at something, Mr. Breeze makes an appearance, laughing maniacally at me, I'm certain. Despite my often loud protestations and proclamations of The wind is not my friend, while begging it to CALM DOWN FOR ONE BLASTED SECOND, it continues to annoy at the worst possible moments! And just when I think I've somehow convinced Mr. B to be still, my subject moves, or worse, flies off. Maybe that's why I never get bored with doing macro shots, because just the idea of getting that perfect image is such a thrill. 

Now, on with the show! These were all taken the last week of August and first week of September at Independence Park in Baton Rouge.

Monarch

Spicebush Pipevine swallowtail
Thanks for the correction, Kim!

Talk about flitting about! These guys are constantly fluttering their wings while they feed.
Out of 200 shots I'll bet 5 had decent focus on the wing markings.

Silver-spotted skipper - a first for me.
I only had a handful of chances with this rare sighting. I'm still stalking his whereabouts to do better.

Fiery skipper (pretty sure)
Skippers are some of my favorites with those soulful brown eyes.

Eastern tiger swallowtail

A beautiful specimen with no tears on the wings.

Long-tailed skipper

Anybody know what type of butterfly this will turn into?
I have nearly Googled myself to death. Help!
Update: Thanks, Tammy & Hilary for helping me identify this is a clouded sulphur!

Tap-tap...

...is this thing still on? I do hope my friends here have not given up on me. Every few days I scour Feedly to see what you've been up to and finally decided I missed everyone too much to stay gone any longer! If I haven't already stopped by your blog, I plan to make full rounds soon.

Sometimes when life throws you curve ball after curve ball...well, in my case, let's just say I felt overwhelmed. Enormously overwhelmed. I was hypersensitive to every little slight (real or imagined); stopped calling people I love and avoided their calls; sat on the couch for hours on end, unable to move. And the panic attacks continued to plague me. Poor Double D; the man is a saint.

Last year's events finally caught up to me, I guess. Within the first quarter of 2012, I had moved in with my mother, buried her shortly thereafter, sold our house in Texas, moved to Louisiana, dealt with a troubled adult son in L.A., and for the first time in 28 years I did not have a job. As you know, if one is exposed to even one huge life change (like a death) it can cause severe adverse effects on the mind as well as the body. My own personal train wreck of 2012 (AKA: The Year of Pain) wreaked havoc on this ol' gal nine ways to Sunday! But I'm praying a lot, seeing a grief counselor, and taking anti-anxiety medication. Boy, do I feel a lot better! My therapist said to think of an electrical panel; if circuits become overloaded, the whole thing shuts down. That was me, lights out; however, now I feel like joining the living again. I'm back on Facebook, though I don't plan to post much and will not put the FB app on my phone or ipad, and I'm back on my blog!

Anywaaaayyyy, part of my therapy (suggested by my counselor though I was already doing it) is still photography. Below is a new butterfly discovered with my new 100mm Canon macro lens. If anyone is thinking of getting a dedicated macro lens, I'd highly recommend it.

Red-banded Hairstreak

This little guy was so small that I could not see his markings until I focused with the lens.
I'd say he was less than an inch in diameter. I know it looks like he's resting on a big orange fruit,
but it's actually some kind of purple flowering plant with tiny orange pods the size of a pearl.

I have other macro shots better than these, but I had to share because this is a new, beautifully marked spotting. 

In other news, one of my photos may be picked up by a national chain as a canvas print, but I won't know for sure until the end of the month. They ordered a sample a couple of weeks ago. Wish me luck! It would be a 7% royalty on 2,000-4,000 pieces. Other good news to follow in another post. Don't want to bombard y'all on the first day back!

Hiatus

Last Saturday on our way home from another failed hiking expedition, Double D and I noticed a sign for Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, Louisiana. Intrigued, and hoping to salvage what was left of the day, we decided to explore. As we got closer we started seeing deer of all types, hundreds of them, on acres and acres of green pastures. Then hubby pointed to a zebra. I was all, "What the what?!" Turning into the gates there were kangaroos and ostriches. My eyes widened to the size of Jupiter! All the wildlife calmly grazed, paying no attention to our vehicle. We arrived too late to take a tour, but we got to drive through the front section of the park, and these are the photos I was able to take from the car window. Autumn, I wish I had brought along the Apex Bean Bag you gave me!

As always, I appreciate your kind comments and cherish the relationships I've made from blogging. It has truly been a wonderful experience, for the most part. At this time, I shall be taking an extended, if not permanent break from blogging. If interested you can always find regular rantings on Twitter. My warmest and best to you all! God bless.

Camassia Natural Area

Camassia Natural Area was on our agenda for a wildflower hike on the third morning of my Portland adventure. Unfortunately, the wildflower peak had come and gone, yet I managed to find a few gems out there. If anyone can help with identification, I'd be grateful.

Coast Lotus or Witch's Teeth

Shot on ISO 6400. The only reason I can tolerate the 5D Mark II. 

Crystal Springs

Moving along with my vacation adventures, I now present to you Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. Another favorite destination in Portland, I visit this magical place each time I visit. This is the only place that I can hope to get close to the wood ducks, since they are so accustomed to human activity. And of course the flowers are something else. Hope you enjoy!

Wood duck, male and female

Stellar's jay

Red-winged blackbird, female (if not, please correct me)