August 28, 2009

I have always been a huge proponent of carrying around a camera at all times. The one time you do not carry your camera is the one time that you will inevitably see some incredible and amazing thing. Recently, I replaced my much loved Lumix DMC-TZ5 with Panasonic's new DMC-ZS3. This new model has not only an excellent macro feature, but Panasonic has developed some rather nifty macro zoom capability. My favorite feature is the camera's ability to shoot HD movies in all modes! I'll have to post a video shot in macro zoom in the near future.

Having said all of that, I was enjoying a cool adult beverage last night at a friend's house when we discovered an excellent example of an orb weaving spider (a cat-faced spider, I believe). As an added bonus, she was enjoying an evening meal!

August 8, 2009

After another series of incredible storms (including lightening, hail, rain and more rain), we managed to sneak out once again and see who was hanging about in our favorite gardens. We had an added bonus this session of getting the opportunity to visit an amazing sunflower garden tended by Jessica, a friend's daughter. I have also included two wonderful images from another friend, Mr. Art White, who is quickly becoming an accomplished macro photographer in his own right and who has the uncanny ability to catch these elusive little blighters in some of their best poses!

July 19, 2009

Taking a short break from shooting at the gardens, these images were captured during the first of several macro photography classes at the Westminster, Colorado, Butterfly Pavilion.  They have some wonderful plants and gardens around the site and they seem to attract a fine selection of nifty Colorado bugs as well!

July 4, 2009

The Denver metro are continues to receive an unusual amount of rain for the season, and the resulting plant growth certainly reflects the almost Seattle-like weather.  We are starting to see more and more spiders setting up shop in the garden, as well as some of the more interesting insects.

June 27, 2009

After several days of rain, hail, tornado activity, more rain followed by rain, we had the chance to go out and see who might have survived the continuing deluge.  These little beasties were captured in the gardens surrounding the Westminster Butterfly Pavilion.  A slight breeze and some minor camera mechanical snafu activity made today's photo shoot pretty interesting.  However, with all of that, we managed to capture some nice images!

June 02, 2009

Stepping away from Colorado bugs for a brief moment, I thought I would share an interesting little beastie that folks in the office found nestled amongst their grapes.  Imagine getting ready to reach for a morning treat and finding this fine painted beauty staring back at you!  My best guess on this one is a Northern Black Widow, perhaps a male or juvenile female.  She (or he) are currently living in a constructed environment in my living room.  [I finally had the chance to talk with the very nice folks at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and they believe that this is an immature female Western Black Widow.  Apparently, they lose these markings as they mature, eventually sporting the glossy black body with the characteristic red hourglass marking.]

May 31, 2009

We are slowly seeing the bees return to the garden, especially as the flowers really start blooming.  The total domination of lupin is slowly giving way to yarrow, Russian sage, bearded iris and a host of perennial flowers.