I took time to step off the return trail from my favorite Sandy Ridge location for a few little wild flowers. Seems to relax me at the end of a day shooting the birds and usually is quite interesting what one sees on the forest floor, as you will see in the last shot! That was very close 6ft from where I shot these flowers!

All flowers natural light w/Canon 100 macro handheld, but braced by body parts when possible

Enjoy and comment freely............

Karl

1 pretty in pinks
2 snake looking bud
3 more pinks

4 white with small buds
5 more pinks
6 white with pink

7 single show off

8 Surprise...found this guy coiled up in a spot of sun. Took several shots, not much movement, got very close to him, his eye was missing on other side, not sure he was in good health but caught me off guard!

Oh Karl my freind, I hate to say it but some of the best here are suffering from no tripod?? 3 You have a few here that would have been killer with better dof, focus and framing. I know where you are coming from, been there, looking through the view finder and not seeing. Don't hate me buddy.

Love the snake and the use of dof.

Tim

Is that a BlackSnake, Karl? I can't tell the size from this... I haven't seen one for over 40 years... I'd love to have one out here... they are great snakes! Wonder what happened to him. The last one I saw was stretched out almost 8 feet across our driveway.

You got some good shots in on the flowers, and a it looks like you had a day like me on a few of them Is there a full moon I gotta go with 1, 5 and the snake.....

Cheers mate....

Looks like somebody is just having fun shooting flowers lately. That's great, Karl, and that is what photography is all about. I believe this is also part of your personal training trying new compositions, keeping an eye on the bg, another on the DOF to develope your personal style. And this is a good thing. I personallt like the first three, Karl, because to me they show a better dynamic range with light and sweet shades. My advice: as long as you are having fun, keep shooting and keep trying.
Socrate

Hi Karl,

nice shots. There are just times I don't want to go near macros. There's always something in the way - - one way or another.....

That's why I like to shoot 40 shots from every angle.

Anyhow, # 1 is my top pick & then # 5. I'm not too hot on snakes, so I'll skip that one.

Lil

The 1st one is very pretty.

Jude

Tim Kuhn wrote:
Oh Karl my freind, I hate to say it but some of the best here are suffering from no tripod?? 3 You have a few here that would have been killer with better dof, focus and framing. I know where you are coming from, been there, looking through the view finder and not seeing. Don't hate me buddy.

Love the snake and the use of dof.
Tim

Tim ole buddy, thanks for saying what was on your mind and be honest, that works better for me I lost some snap that I had in RAW but I still need to learn better processing, will work on more DOF.........thanks for the critique

Terry D wrote:
Is that a BlackSnake, Karl? I can't tell the size from this... I haven't seen one for over 40 years... I'd love to have one out here... they are great snakes! Wonder what happened to him. The last one I saw was stretched out almost 8 feet across our driveway.

You got some good shots in on the flowers, and a it looks like you had a day like me on a few of them Is there a full moon I gotta go with 1, 5 and the snake.....

Cheers mate....

Big black snake Terry, he was coiled up and about 1 3/4 in diameter or more, largest snake I have ever seen around here. Would guess east 6-8ft head to tail. Never showed any signs of life until I gave him a delicate poke and then the tongue came out but never moved his head or body.
Perhaps a few of the flowers were borderline, should have gone to my trusty flash, as always it was fun! Still a little frustrated in what I lost from RAW to what I was able to post, maybe someday you can give me a few lessons

Shasoc wrote:
Looks like somebody is just having fun shooting flowers lately. That's great, Karl, and that is what photography is all about. I believe this is also part of your personal training trying new compositions, keeping an eye on the bg, another on the DOF to develope your personal style. And this is a good thing. I personallt like the first three, Karl, because to me they show a better dynamic range with light and sweet shades. My advice: as long as you are having fun, keep shooting and keep trying.
Socrate
Thanks Socrate, sometimes they hit, some times they clash with other more widely accepted styles of shooting. Will always keep trying, I guess a step backwards will motivate for two steps forward

Lil Judd wrote:
Hi Karl,

nice shots. There are just times I don't want to go near macros. There's always something in the way - - one way or another.....
That's why I like to shoot 40 shots from every angle.
Anyhow, # 1 is my top pick & then # 5. I'm not too hot on snakes, so I'll skip that one.

Lil
Thanks for the comments Lil, this was a short session at the end of the day, don't think there was but two more that I did shoot other than what was posted. Glad a few caught your eye

Jude Perera wrote:
The 1st one is very pretty.

Jude

Thanks Jude

Thanks for the honest critique and welcomed thoughts and suggestions, I find this most helpful
Karl

All taken like a pro! Well done Karl.


Tim

Karl you know i'm a sucker for shallow Dof love these, really really smooth bgs, gotta love the macro lenses
Cool surprise at the end so since he had only 1 eye, I assume you took advantage of that and approached him from his blinded side
That's what I would do...i'd feel safer at least

Great images here Karl!!! Just fine composition, color, contrasr and the sharpness...you did them proud!! Well done!
Dan

These are all great images. Love the shallow DOF.
Harsha

Excellent shots Karl! In the flower series, I really like 3 and 7, but my favorite is the last one, looks like a purdy little snake!

Doug

Nello Milanese wrote:
Karl you know i'm a sucker for shallow Dof love these, really really smooth bgs, gotta love the macro lenses
Cool surprise at the end so since he had only 1 eye, I assume you took advantage of that and approached him from his blinded side
That's what I would do...i'd feel safer at least

Hey Nello, thanks on the flowers That snake was a surprise, wasn't expecting any visitors around the flowers, glad I spotted him before I go too close. Wasn't sure if he was guarding anything, that is a big snake for where I live. blind side, good one, I couldn't figure out where his was then realized, it wasn't
Karl

mdbassman wrote:
Great images here Karl!!! Just fine composition, color, contrasr and the sharpness...you did them proud!! Well done!
Dan

Glad you liked them Dan, had fun with them, I like shallow DOF, doesn't always work but the color is fun to mix up. Appreciate the kind comments

harshaj1 wrote:
These are all great images. Love the shallow DOF.
Harsha

Thank you Harsha, thanks for taking time to comment and glad you liked them

Doug Bentlage wrote:
Excellent shots Karl! In the flower series, I really like 3 and 7, but my favorite is the last one, looks like a purdy little snake!

Doug
Hi Doug, not too fond of snakes but found this one interesing for its size and close proximity. I would guess it to be overall at least 6ft or more, a big snake for my area and not too common to see. I with you on #3 and #7 on the flowers, thanks for commenting on these, appreciated.

Thanks....appreciated much ..........Karl

Mr Witt,

How are you this fine sunny Day ? Really like number 1 and "The Snake" You might try to catch this one, box it up, mail it to Terry...... BUT DON"T TELL HIM..............
It'll be a BIG SURPRISE When he opens the box .............................

Do ya think he'll thank ya ?? Maybe after he's done swearing

anthony whitmo wrote:
Mr Witt,

How are you this fine sunny Day ? Really like number 1 and "The Snake" You might try to catch this one, box it up, mail it to Terry...... BUT DON"T TELL HIM..............
It'll be a BIG SURPRISE When he opens the box .............................

Do ya think he'll thank ya ?? Maybe after he's done swearing

I saw that Anthony!!! I've got a dead mouse here waiting for him....

Hey Karl, I'm sitting here wondering if the eagles got after him out there Actually, the Sandhills, the little Green Heron or any number of preditors might have taken him on. Shame he got injured, I do hope he survives......

T

I see you're having fun...and producing some nice images Karl.
The beauty down low that we often overlook.

Here by the swamps I don't go pokin' any snakes.....might get in big trouble

Love your flower shots. 6 is my favorite!
Susan