After taking a break from close-ups/macros with my last post, and since I had a bunch of macros just sitting rhere waiting, well, here we go again.

There is nothing in the realm of macro photography I enjoyed more than a single blade of grass, a clean background, and some dew or rain.

I would imagine that I made some slow movements in order to not disturb
the blades or the water.

My goal below was not to record a flower as to get it published in a field guide or magazine. Sometimes I did, but often no.

The entire plant or blossom need not be showing in order to make a worthwhile image.

A unique leaf and some perfect light is enough the “get the shot”, so to speak.

Of course, those of you who know me, know that the subject below is a favorite of mine. Dew covered orb webs, were right up there with mountains, sunset/sunrise, wild mammals and many sorts of birds as a favorite.

Dark shadowed backgrounds bring everything together perfectly.

Flowers in general, are one of the most popular subjects in close-up photography.

Good light, good backgrounds whether they be monotone black, or somewhat colorful, make this subject a joy.

Water laden plants can also be a great subject for the macro mode.

Super macros, bordering on micros, are fun and powerful at the same time.

Of course, close-ups of the wild world of animals is also worth the work, time, and patience that it takes to accomplish them.

I was making landscape images in the desert of west Texas and then I looked down. I have found over the years, that “looking down”, brings forth much to the nature photographer. I barely managed a couple of clicks of the shutter with this tiny lizard and it vacated the area without so much as a goodbye. I said thank you, and then returned to the land as my subject.

Who’s to say that backyard mammals are not worthy subjects. Okay, so I used a few peanuts for a bribe with this Chipmunk. I clicked the shutter and moved on, and as usual, said thank you to my subject.

As I have said and illustrated before, I love frogs. They also make nice subjects up really close.

Oh those eyes!

Words of Wisdom

The reason I still belong to social groups such as Facebook is that, along with the haters and the dregs of society, the good people are there as well.

“What does not kill me, makes me stronger.” From Nietzsche
Below are from God’s Word
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me (Jesus) before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.'” – The Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:18-25, ESV)

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV)

“For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.” – 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 (ESV)

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:11-12, ESV)

“For the sake of Christ, then, I (Paul) am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV)

“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake” – Philippians 1:29 (ESV)

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith- that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” – Philippians 3:7-16 (ESV)

“and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” – Romans 8:17 (ESV)

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” – 1 Peter 4:12-14 (ESV)

“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” – 1 Peter 4:16 (ESV)

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” – 2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV)

“Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” – Acts 5:41 (ESV)

“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.” – Hebrews 11:24-27 (ESV)

“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.” – The Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:1-3, ESV)

From me again
The bad news is, for this nation or for this world, normal is not coming back. The good news is, Jesus is.

May God truly bless,
Wayne