Wednesday, September 7, 2011

PHOTOGRAPHING NATURE IN OUR YARD

I want to thank Phyllis for taking over the blog on Monday. I am just getting over my first cold in fifteen years and I was not in any shape to be on the computer!! I have not been out of our house in five days and as much as I love our house, I am going a little stir crazy!! 

For today's blog I thought I would keep it close to home. I thought I would see what kind of images I could capture in fifteen minutes in my yard, I love to give myself little challenges lol. I would also use only one lens, my 70-200 Nikon zoom.  

I went out my door at about 8 AM and saw these in front of my house on the street. Okay, not strictly my yard but I thought it would be fun to show what we get to see many days in Florida; a couple of cranes resting on our street!! 

 
In our front garden I shot this image. It is a cloud covered morning which is great for photographing flowers.


I then walked toward our backyard and passed our Magnolia tree.
I have really enjoyed seeing this tree with its beautiful flowers. They open up and die all in one day but it is a glorious day!!
I even like this flower before it fully opens! It rained last night and you can see the drops on the flower.



I have taken pictures of these flowers before and posted a complete life cycle of one earlier this year. I thought I would try for a little different look this time.



It's the same idea with this one. I used a little diffusion to give it a dreamy painterly look.


Then it was on to my backyard to see what I could find! These are the leaves from one particular plant that is in my garden. I thought instead of taking a picture of the whole plant, I would look for some abstract images within it!



As I was photographing this plant, something moved to my left and caught my attention!! I love these little creatures and they are all over our property.


                    I saw this rain drop about to fall off!!



This image shows one of the ground covers I planted this year. I love the texture apparent on this picture!



       I was leaving when I saw this shot. I loved the lines and colors!



So there it is my walk around my backyard. I hope you enjoyed seeing it!!

Please drop by Friday, It will be the first part of a two part blog on 9-11. Phyllis and I went there on 9-21 and took some images of the destruction and of the people that were there that day. I think you will find it interesting!

25 comments:

Savira Gupta said...

I love the 3,4, and 6th pictures... Am speechless!

Teamgsquare said...

Mindboggling captures ....

Sneha said...

Just loved it...I want yellow flower :D

Do not forget to participate in nostalgic moments blogfest http://blogfestforbloggers.blogspot.com/2011/09/nostalgic-moments-blogfest-september.html

sulekkha said...

Lovely view from your yard and beautiful flowers in your garden. Jim, you sure are lucky to be surrounded by so much beauty, and what's this once in 15 years cold? I am down with cold every second day :) you really are lucky.

photos by jan said...

you are phenomenal, you are aware of this right? I love them all. I love the colors and patterns of the leaves, and the ground cover is a great capture.

Larry Lewis said...

I want your yard. The colours are just so vibrant, and you don't get the same type of wildlife here in the gloomy north east of england. I hope you recover quickly, and that you don't have man flu

JIM said...

Thank You Jan hmmm phenomenal I like that lol


Larry it really is great here we moved here from New England less then a year ago and I love the vibrant colors here. No Flu lol I'm good to go!!! Need to work on my 9-11 blog on Friday and monday!!

Nelieta said...

Beautiful Jim and then people say they don´t have photo opportunities! We just need to take time and invent them :)I love all these little animals that are hanging out there!

Melissa Tandoc said...

I hope you're getting better Jim...you're ABS (always Busy Shooting :P)...

I loved every image you've posted and you've even described each of them beautifully in details.

I loved the cranes on the streets. They gave different poses. It would be wonderful to paint them.

Oh, the second one is delightful! I loved the sunflower. I liked how you've composed it and blurred the background.

I loved the magnolias...that dewdrop too... White flowers strike me...they look so pure and fluffy. I'd love to touch them...

I also love the colors ...very defined...I could see the lines on the leaves...and yes, I finally understood the texture a photo image could bring.

So, it isn't quite bad to have colds once in a while. It gave you time to look at your beautiful yard :)

pamanner said...

Awh, loved these! I feel right at home! Wish I saw the Sandhill Cranes here in SoFlo! I recognize many of the plants! Have some in my yard!

Martha Jane Orlando said...

Despite being ill, my friend, your photographs belie the fact. You gave to us memorable, cherished moments to savor and to treasure. Like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, you didn't need to look farther than your own backyard to find joy and fulfillment!

Blessings, Jim!

Bongo said...

Awesome photos again and you captured my only favorite photos...The Magnolia.....As always...XOXOXOXOX

Sconch said...

Stunning as always :)

Unknown said...

Oh,FAB!!you made me flowery with allthose sweet flowers!And yes,how that lizard was looking at me challengingly!As if I was some intruder!!How could you catch him like this,JP?
-PORTIA

Colleen said...

Each photo is a work of art. You truly capture the beauty all around you in a way that makes me wonder if we all would see such beauty around us if we had mind and hearts that sought it out the way you do! Beautiful work! It lifted my heart today to see such loveliness!

Colleen said...

And I do hope you are felling better soon! Sounds like a bad cold!:(

sulekkha said...

Jim, how come you are not participating in my soul mates event? Please drop in and see and register...

http://sulekkha.blogspot.com/2011/09/hungry-soul.html

sulekkha said...

Jim, how come you are not participating in my soul mates event? Please drop in and see and register...

http://sulekkha.blogspot.com/2011/09/hungry-soul.html

Techmaker said...

I think this is called "macro" isn't it??

I can say one thing that is as usual "Amazing Photos" I'm highly impressed on your photos.

eigroj said...

I admired all the photos you posted... so beautifully captured..

Abhisek said...

I always love your photographs, but more than that I love your creativity.In this particular post one can judge how creative you are.The Best use of limited resources.

http://abhiseksnetwork.blogspot.com/

Jim said...

I think I just have to get a better camera. I just can't get those same great images!

JIM said...

Thank You everyone!! Jim don't feel bad I can't make a shoe lol

Rimly said...

The pictures are all beautiful but my favorite ones are the magnolias. I love that flower. I remember your series on magnolias. I would love to one day come see your garden. It must be beautiful

Manisha Bhatia said...

DAMN DAMN i loved it...each shot speaks volumes...PERFECTO!!

Dat yellow flower s amazing!

I too love nature n ths s like a treat to me!

God bless u!!