Hiding Among The Pine Needles

A few weeks ago Hubby and I were trimming a bush beside our front door when I noticed a Praying Mantis. I made a note of where he was so I could get my camera when we were finished. A little later I couldn't find him and was disappointed more than I could say.
This week we were putting down new mulch and there he was in a small pine beside the fron porch. This time we stopped and Hubby went for my camera. He's been hanging around for a few days now so I think he's taken up residence which is more than fine with me.
You should be able to click and enlarge the above image for a more detailed view.

Posing for his closeup!

Posted for Macro Friday and Camera Critters.

Macro Monday: Morning Glories

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Dandelion: Macro Monday

One of many popping up in the yard now that the warmer temperatures are here. :(
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Macro Monday: A Forsythia Bloom

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Last week I trimmed a couple of branches from my forsythia bush and brought them inside to force them to bloom. They have since blossomed and add a little touch of Spring to the center of my dining room table. I took quite a few shots that I really like and I'll be sharing more later this week.

I like the softness of this one taken in the natural light of the window. It is straight out of the camera with no cropping. All I did was add a small frame.

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Macro Monday: More Snowflakes

A little stack of snowflakes. These are very similar to the shape of the first ones I took a couple of weeks ago.

The second photo shows some very different shapes. I know last time I mentioned that I thought they looked like rhinestone jewelry. The snowflake to the far right in the bottom photo definitely looks like a rhinestone brooch to me.

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Macro Monday: Peruvian Lily

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You can see the bouquet this macro came from by clicking here to go to my photoblog.

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Macro Monday

"At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want." ~ Lao Tzu
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Macro Monday: Snowflakes

Today I decided to try my first attempt at capturing snowflakes. I had seen attempts by others in blogland and was awed at the results. After my own attempts I am in further awe by what I've seen. I don't know how many photos I took standing outside in the pouring snow in twenty degree weather trying to get what I wanted. This isn't it; so I'll keep trying. What I do like about this one is that it reminds me of an old piece of rhinestone jewelry.
For those inquiring minds that are wondering I haven't altered the color in any way. It came straight out of the camera in this black and white tone.
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There's A Dragon In The Garden

(Be sure to enlarge to see his hairy legs.)

I had arrived home and had my camera handy when this dragonfly landed on a lily branch. I got two very quick shots before it was gone. You might ask why those lily branches are chopped as such. They were actually bitten off by a little fawn that Hubs caught in the act one day. This is the first year it's happened; but it's the first year we've had so many fawns on the property. Young little nibblers they are for sure and they aren't afraid to come all the way up to the house. All I can say is that it was a perfect landing spot for the dragonfly.

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SOOC Sunday and Macro Monday

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Both shots are straight out of the camera.

I think this will be the last of my Rose of Sharon blooms for this summer. The little fawns nibbled off quite a few buds; but I've enjoyed both the deer and the blooms that made it!

And for those of you still waiting - at least one baby pic tomorrow - I'm still working in veggies!

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Stamens Standing Tall

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This lily bloomed in my yard last month. It's at the end of my driveway where I had pulled in and stopped to open the mailbox. I had my camera with me and just grabbed it and took a few shots. This is exactly how the image came out of the camera. No enhancements, no cropping.

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SOOC Sunday and Macro Monday

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A Burst of Sunshine

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I found these little pops of yellow along the roadside Sunday afternoon. The wildflowers are blooming so it must be Spring! Enjoy!


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I've also posted a yellow daffodil on Carletta's Captures.

Mellow Yellow Forsythia

These are a couple of shots of a small forsythia branch that I pinched off of the bush and brought inside and stuck down in a cup of water. That's all I did. About a week later - blooms.
Guess you could say I made spring come to me!

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For another view check out my photoblog: Carletta's Captures.

Ruby Tuesday Meets Tom Clark Gnomes

It's time once again for posting something with a little bit of red or a lot of red. Last week our hostess Mary of Work of The Poet suggested we try macros with red. I have chosen to post a couple of macro shots of the gnomes from one of my Tom Clark figurines. I have collected these figurines for many years.
Dr. Thomas F. Clark is the lead artist for Cairn Studio, LTD. Dr. Clark is a prolific and talented sculptor in the figurine industry and is a native of North Carolina where his studio is located. Each of his creations is a limited edition.

Isn't this a friendly face!
The Figurine

"Dr. Clark imbues every creation with his personal philosophy that "the universe is basically friendly". His Gnomes and Woodspirits "show a dignity that comes from a life of worth", and he feels that his creations are successful if they make you smile!"

I hope these little faces have made you smile today.

For more friendly happenings please click the badge at the top of my post to join Mary and the other participants joining in Ruby Tuesday.

Today's Flowers: Anniversary Roses

Many of my regular readers will remember that there was much celebrating to do in my little corner of the world over the Christmas holidays. I have since blogged about baby Lily's first birthday and my daughter's twenty-seventh birthday. Over the holidays Hubs and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary. These are some of the beautiful white roses I was surprised with.

A Closeup

Our Wedding Day

This is my favorite photo from the day. We didn't pose for it. The keen eye of our photographer just captured the moment.

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Today's Flowers: A Pink Hibiscus

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In my corner of the world winter snow has already covered the ground a couple of times and more is expected this week. The flowers in my yard are long gone until Spring again awakens the land and they sprout forth from the earth once again in their beauty. So, what to do for Today's Flowers. I had family all week for the Thanksgiving holidays and haven't had a chance to scout for other flower alternatives. This hibiscus is one from my archives. I took this at my Mom's house in September. It was a surprise to her. It sprang up almost in the middle of a boxwood.

You can see the petal damage from not having enough room to really spread out. We thought it was still quite beautiful. Come spring the boxwood will be cut back to allow the hibiscus to grow.

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Today's Flowers: A Lilac Bud

Last spring the lilac bush beside my deck was filled with beautiful white blooms releasing their fragrant scent into the wind. Those blooms have long been gone as are all the leaves on the bush.

Next year's buds are waiting for the warmth of Spring.

Please click on the badge at the top of my post to join our hosts Luiz and Denise to see a beautiful bouquet of flowers from around the world.

Today's Flowers: A Plethora of Petunias

I would like to dedicate this post to my dear friend Doris in Chesapeake, Virginia. Doris was my backyard neighbor before I moved last year. We enjoyed crafts and painting and going to bead shows to buy goodies for the jewelry we make. Our kids went to school together and we were PTA buddies and worked together part time for a little while.She has been my best friend for over twenty-five years and today is her birthday. Happy Birthday Doris! I miss you more than you know.

I took these photos last week when I visited my Mom. They owe their beauty to her.

(Be sure to enlarge to see the detail.)

I hope you'll visit my friends, Luiz and Denise, our wonderful hosts for the Today's Flowers meme. Just click on the badge at the top and see all kinds of beautiful blooms from all around the world.

Alphabet Photos: Day One - Letter A

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A is for Apple Blossom

Quilly over at Pacific Paradise is hosting Alphabet Photos. Participants will post a different photo each day in the month of May. Each day will represent a letter of the alphabet. Today is the letter A. I took this macro photo a couple of weeks ago when the blossoms on the trees in my yard were blooming at their peak. It was right after a storm. I love the raindrops on the delicate petals. The blossoms have since dropped or all blown away.

Be sure to stop in over at Quilly's and check out all the other participants.

Tomorrow, I'm going to visit my sweet little Granddaugher so I'll be away from my blog for a few days. My Skywatch Friday will post later today and I hope you'll come back by and take a look. I promise to catch up with all of you when I return the first part of next week.
Here's hoping you all have a wonderful next few days. I will miss you and will come visit as soon as I get back home!