Friday, April 11, 2014

Photo Challenge…”Close ups”

When I saw this challenge, I stopped dead in my tracks.

I realized that I don’t take very many close ups. I’ll blame it on my camera. I don’t think the automatic focus works very well but I’m too lazy busy to go to manual settings. So I never know what I’ve taken until I get home and look at them on my computer.

But I did spot these Green Anoles at the Silver River State Park a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t pass up a ‘photo shoot’.

anoleIMG_1812

According to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park website HERE,

“Green anoles have a stereotyped set of behaviors. Male anoles perform rituals of dominance and territoriality. They show their dominance by bobbing their heads, usually through pushup-like movements. They also flare their dewlap.”

anolesIMG_1146

Yes, that red flap of skin is their dewlap….who knew?

anolemaleIMG_1146

And to leave you with something pretty from the Sunshine State, here’s a flower I took up close. I didn’t see the ants on it until I looked at it on my computer. (this photo doesn’t count, Donna)

yellowfrIMG_2541

I’m taking part in Donna’s photo challenge.

personal photo challenge button

Why don’t you join us?

50 comments:

ann said...

You would be surprised at what you can with automatic, which is use with good results most of the time on my Cannon.

Crafty in the Med said...

Wonderful photos.....love to see what your area of the world is like. You bring it to life with your photos!

keep well

Amanda x

Diane said...

Very nice! I just shot some crocus and didn't see a bug/bee? on a petal until I viewed it on my computer.

Susie said...

I love your close ups. I would be afraid to get too close to those jumping things. LOL. That's a great close up of the ants too. xoxox,Susie

Montanagirl said...

Wow - these are really good photos. The Green Anole shots are very interesting to me - I've never seen one of those little critters. Your yellow flower shot is gorgeous!

J said...

Awww, cute little anoles! I can't lie, I had no idea what they were until the picture opened! To a Michigan person, those are "lizards!" The composition of the first photo is so beautiful. And I love those busy little ants - I would have thought they were dust on my screen if I'd taken them! lol

Anonymous said...

beautiful photos, I think you have excellent camera skills!

Inger said...

It you can see the ants, it has to be a good close up, I would think. I feel the same way as you do about my camera and my "business." The lizard is a great capture.

Vee said...

You said it! I think vision issues get us as we grow older so we can't see what we've done until we get bavk to the big screen. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. For a while there, I wasn't sure if you were speaking English..."They flare their dewlap" hahahahaha... Okay, learn something new every day! He's a cute little fellow and I enjoyed learning more about him. That flower photo most certainly does count!

Julie's Lifestyle said...

Diane I think that you did a great job with the close ups! The shot of the green anoles and the flower with the ants on it are amazing! I only take pictures for my blog with the iPad and iPhone! Thanks for the visit and have a wonderful weekend!
Julie

simply bev said...

Great closeups! The anoles are cute but they have very strong jaws. My son used to have a couple so I speak from experience!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Great photos! Loved the ants on the flower.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Bobbing and weaving sounds like a good way to drive off the competition. :-)
I like the flower and personally enjoy the results of an insect showing up when you see a photo blown up on the computer.

cucki said...

Beautiful photos
Happy Friday x

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

I had to laugh when I saw this post because it reminded me of the anole we saw at the Edison Museum and right after it did that dewlap thing, it grabbed another anole and they had sex. It was so amazing.

And on that happy note - have a nice weekend! xo

Art and Sand said...

I love the ants on the flower.

You took some gorgeous photos.

Decor To Adore said...

I am guilty of the same crime of not using my MF settings enough. Love your images here. Great work!

TexWisGirl said...

love the anoles. :) great close-up flower shot, too!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

These little creatures are so cute! Love the ants too, lol. Sometimes I'm shocked at what shows up in my pictures once I see them on the computer screen.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

wow, that is awesome that you got 2 in one shot - that is one for the books. i usually get one ... but you have to be on the ball ... you must have eaten your "wheaties" to be so quick. great times!! ( :

Lorrie said...

These are great shots. I was motivated to go beyond my auto settings for this challenge, too.
I learned something else - never knew those lizards were called anoles. See how educational blogging is?

podso said...

I'd say those are great photos, although those little guys are not my favorite thing in the world! The ant on the flower is a great catch! Your camera does pretty well! (and the one using it).

Primitive Stars said...

Afternoon. Love the pictures, the flower is so pretty, Francine.

Debby Ray said...

Diane...I love these! I used to have those little lizzards as pets when I was a young teen :) And the ants only made that beautiful yellow flower all the more beautiful-er :)
Great job!

Anonymous said...

I'm impressed! Your photos are really good. Have a great week end.

Donna said...

After completing this challenge, I hope you'll consider doing more macros! The little lizard is cute, and it's great that you captured it displaying its dewlap. And the flower closeup is my favorite because of the ants. They give a sense of scale. Wonderful job, sweetie!

Dogwood Lane Rambles said...

That little lizard with his throat all puffed up - great shot! The lighting is just right. The ants make the shot of your flower - a miniature world goes unnoticed until we take a closer look.

Cristal @ Dapple Design said...

I like that the ants go into your picture. It makes things look more real, less idealized.

Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap said...

the close up turned out amazing.

Jeanne said...

You little lizard is quite photogenic and I have heard that some flowers need ants on them in order for the blossoms to open. I don't know if that is true but someone told me that.
I like your yellow flower, ants and all.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Your photos are beautiful! I can't say I am a fan of lizards since there are hundreds that live in dad's yard. You have to always shut the door quickly behind you or they will run quickly into the house!
xx,
Sherry

Ricki Treleaven said...

Wow, I love the close-ups! You met that challenge head-on and conquered it!

Sam I Am...... said...

W hat great pics once again! and I always learn something from your blog. You did great with the close ups!

Jeanette said...

Love the ants! A mural artist in town paints our local schools and she puts ants in all her murals. They are usually doing something like waterskiing, sailing, skiing, whatever goes with the theme of the mural. She would love that picture (and the others too since they're so artistic).

Annie said...

That is an amazing little animal..
But the flower and the ants are great too!

Roses, Lace and Brocante said...

Your little green lizard is a winner Diane.
A beautiful macro where he is the focus - the star of the show!!!
Well done.
My eyesight isn't the best either so I need he big screen too!
Hugs
Shane

sweetbriardreams said...

Lovely close up shots! I do love macro shots and finding things when downloading them onto the computer. Not so much when a spider appears in the corner though, much worse that ants!! xx

bj said...

Just beautiful......
I am playing at this party but can't link using the ipad.....

Unknown said...

Love your shots. And what a surprise that had to be to see those ants.

Hugs~

ellen b said...

Fun photos! The lizards make me smile!

Helen Philipps said...

Great photos, Diane! Love the detail you captured and the bright sunny atmosphere there too!
Happy weekend.
Helen xox

Angela said...

the ants add so much to the shot- it's great!

Linda H said...

For someone who says they don't do closeups often, you did a great job! It's not easy to catch those anoles- they are so fast! Great job catching the flared dewlap too! Well done my friend!

Red Rose Alley said...

Diane,
You should take close-ups more often. These pictures are very nice. I think close-ups are my favorite. Jess has a set up on her camera that takes good close up shots. Your flower is so pretty. My husband loves to watch the lizards when they do their push ups haha.

Have a blessed Sunday.

love,
~Sheri

Carola Bartz said...

Those Green Anoles look pretty interesting! I would love to see some of those in "real" life.

Donna said...

Awww!! I'm Loving the flower close up with the ants! You did a great job on them All!
hughugs

Suzan said...

Very Nice macros.

Cheryl said...

Your macro photos were fun, Diane! I am not generally a fan of lizards, but in your photos, he is actually cute! (I'm afraid if I were the photographer, I'd have run!)

Great job!

Linda aka Crafty Gardener said...

cute little critter, it is always fun to discover something else in the photo once you get it up on the computer, Nice close ups

marilyn said...

Great photos....love that little green guy and I have to wonder if the ants are 'farming' the flower.