NO MORE POSTS, SEE FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

2005-09-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

This blog was fun while it lasted, but I see no point in moving photos from Flickr: That's the place to post, present and view photos. Please see my Flickr photostream for 10 times more pictures than ever got posted here:

MY FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

PASSION II

2005-08-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

PASSION II
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

One of two passion flowers at Schoepfle Garden, a Lorain Metro Park just across the border in Erie County. Taken Sunday, August 14, 2005.

ORPHAN FLOWER II

2005-08-14T10:24:00.000-07:00

ORPHAN FLOWER II
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

Found this flower and stayed up half the night trying to find an interesting way to shoot it. Alas.

GERANIUM WITH 3 DROPLETS

2005-08-13T11:02:00.000-07:00

GERANIUM WITH 3 DROPLETS
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

Started looking at all the pictures from my wonderful contacts and got inspired to walk around the house, looking for a quick photo before work. So here's a geranium with three droplets and some pollen.

SILVER BUTTERFLY

2005-08-12T23:33:00.000-07:00

SILVER BUTTERFLY
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

A gray butterfly left over from the trip to Stan Hywet's butterfly house. 60 macro

ORANGE WITH APOLOGIES

2005-08-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

ORANGE WITH APOLOGIES
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

Sorry to post another orange butterfly shot, but at least this one is mostly in focus.* From today's trip to Butterfly Magic at the Cleveland Zoo.

Shot with the 70-300 lens, no rings, so not a true macro. Alas.

*Hmm ... does not look as sharp in Flickr as it does on my own screen. I will check into that and report back if I make any interesting discoveries.

MORE INFO ON THIS BUTTERFLY
Banded Orange, Dryadula phaetusa, central / south Asia

"This passionflower butterfly displays the bright warning colors and patterns used by other species to avoid predators." (" ... and attract photographers," I might add.)

See Flickr for more photos.

ANOTHER GARDEN SUNDAY

2005-08-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

ANOTHER GARDEN SUNDAY
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

Went to Schoepfle Garden again this Sunday and found a few things of interest; this little bee -- or perhaps a hoverfly -- was enjoying himself in the berry patch. Best seen large.

FULL SIZE

BUMBLE BEE STUDY 3

2005-08-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

BUMBLE BEE STUDY 3
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

This guy is serious about his lunch. Didn't pay me any mind as I jammed a macro lens 2 inches from him. But see two much better bumble bee macros on the next page or see one HERE and another one HERE. I only included this one because I like the colors. This was taken at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Thursday, August 4, 2005, about 4 in the afternoon on a 90+ degree day. Best seen BIG.

BUMBLE BEE STUDY 1

2005-08-04T16:55:00.000-07:00

BUMBLE BEE STUDY 1
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

A bumble bee at the Stan Hywet Gardens on Thursday, August 4, 2005. He was quite active on this 90-degree day. Best seen large.

Also, I am getting brave: Taken, not with the telephoto and rings, but with the sixty macro and the small ring, which means I was about 2 inches from him.

I also shot lots of butterfies, which I will post later once I recover from my hour in their super-hot and totally humidified butterfly house.
FULL SIZE

THE AVIATOR

2005-08-03T12:21:00.000-07:00

THE AVIATOR
Originally uploaded by jon fobes.

This little guy was on my car as I was about to run an errand, so instead of doing my chore, I took his picture instead. I took so many pictures that eventually he started waving at me, as you can see. Once I was done pointing my camera, I gently moved him and went about my business.

INTO THE BLUE 2

2005-08-01T23:27:00.000-07:00

INTO THE BLUE 2
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Another shot of a red-orange dragonfly contemplating his next move into the friendly skies of Schoepfle Garden. And believe me, he's on the verge of takeoff. Yes, I wish the dragonfly focus was sharper. Maybe next time. FULL SIZE

THREE CONEFLOWERS

2005-07-31T15:42:00.000-07:00

THREE CONEFLOWERS
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I thought I would see how three coneflowers in a row looked. OK I guess. FULL SIZE

More offerings from this Sunday's trip to Schoepfle Garden on Flickr.

DRAGONFLY PASTEL

2005-07-31T15:05:00.000-07:00

DRAGONFLY PASTEL
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

The pond colors are already shifting to various shades of pastel.
FULL SIZE

RED ON BLUE

2005-07-30T11:16:00.000-07:00

RED MAPLE LEAVES 2
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Japanese Maple leaves. 60 macro lens, no rings. Friday, July 29, 2005. FULL SIZE

EYE ON THE FLY

2005-07-28T15:03:00.000-07:00

EYE ON THE FLY
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Turns out I wasn't alone as I searched for Maple spinners. 60 macro lens with a single extension ring, the 36 mm one, the fat boy. I would never include a fly photo here except for the colorful background. This one can go to the macro group. FULL SIZE.
Here's what I was really shooting for when the fly came along: CLICK HERE.

GRAND OPENING

2005-07-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

EMERGENCE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Hosta flower opening. Front yard. Thursday, July 28, 2005. 60 macro with three rings and SB-600 flash.

PAPA PAPILLON

2005-07-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

CLEAN & WELL-LIGHTED
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Like a Hemingway character, this butterfly is hanging around in a clean and well-lighted place.

Another shot from Wednesday's trip to the Cleveland Botanical Garden; check beck because I am going to identify all these butterflies as soon as I get a field guide. More shots on Flickr. Click image for larger size and you will be transported to my Flickr photostream.

BUTTERFLY HEAVEN

2005-07-27T23:58:00.000-07:00

BUTTERFLY HEAVEN
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Returned to the butterfly house at the Cleveland Botanical Garden today. Tried to buy a field guide so I could identify these critters, but they don't sell them. If I was smart I simply would have photographed one. Next time. Then I will go back and identify all the shots.

See FULL SIZE. More shots on Flickr.

BROWN AND TATTERED

2005-07-26T22:53:00.000-07:00

BROWN AND TATTERED
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

A somewhat tattered speciman from the Butterfly Magic exhibit at the Cleveland Zoo on Saturday.

HUNGER 2

2005-07-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

HUNGER 2
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Another shot of the hungriest butterfly I have ever seen. From Butterfly Magic at the Cleveland Zoo last Saturday.

AT LAST, AN EYE-TO-EYE MEETING

2005-07-23T19:43:00.000-07:00

AT LAST
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

It took me two hours, but I finally found a creature outside the butterfly house that was awake and aware. Having completed my mission, I struck out for Nate's Deli and Restaurant. Click here for FULL SIZE.

BUTTERFLY MAGIC -- SORT OF

2005-07-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

BUTTERFLY MAGIC
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I went to the Cleveland Zoo today. Mostly I saw sleeping children being pushed around by half-dead parents, and sleeping animals surrounded by sleeping children and half-dead parents, and sleeping animals being pushed around by half-dead children -- see, the whole thing made me delusional!

But to save the day there were a few butterflies in the greenhouse. Billed as "Butterfly Magic," the exhibit hardly compared to the Cleveland Botanical Garden butterfly house ... but I got a few decent shots. I hope. Click here for FULL SIZE.

ZOO FLOWER

2005-07-23T18:44:00.000-07:00

ZOO FLOWER
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

One last shot from the Cleveland Zoo afternoon, just because it has some unusual colors. For some reason, I like it. Click here for FULL SIZE.

I TOLD YOU

2005-07-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

I TOLD YOU
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

See, everything outside the butterfly house was either sleeping -- or trying to.

THE DARK AND THE LIGHT

2005-07-23T16:22:00.000-07:00

THE DARK AND THE LIGHT
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

This is a case where the background is better than the foreground. Mist, flitered sunlight and exotic vegetation mix well at times. Click here for FULL SIZE.

HERE HE COMES AGAIN, SAY "CHEESE"

2005-07-23T15:56:00.000-07:00

SAY CHEESE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

By the time I had made my fourth circuit through the "Butterfly Magic" greenhouse, they were waiting for me, smiling their little butterfly smiles and waving tiny signs that read, "Hi, Mom!"

Oops, I am slipping back into that delusional state; I think all that heat and humidity took its toll. Time for a cool shower.

Click here for FULL SIZE.

I should add that all these butterfly shots were taken with the 70-300 zoom (almost always zoomed out to the max) with the SB-600 flash (fill-flash setting) and just using the automatic/snapshot setting to regulate things as I was too stupified by all the sleeping children to think straight, so I let the camera do the thinking for me.

YOU'LL POKE YOUR EYE OUT

2005-07-23T15:44:00.000-07:00

YOU'LL POKE YOUR EYE OUT
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

"Butterfly Magic" featured some interesting vegetation. But this looks dangerous! Now I understand the sign, "Beware Blind Butterflies." Click here for FULL SIZE.

REALLY INTO IT

2005-07-23T15:29:00.000-07:00

REALLY INTO IT
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

There was plenty of fruit sitting around at the "Butterfly Magic" exhibit, but that didn't stop this butterfly from burying itself in its dinner. Click here for FULL SIZE.

FLOWER AND MAGIC MIST

2005-07-23T15:18:00.000-07:00

FLOWER AND MIST
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

The "Butterfly Magic" area was small but well humidified. Indeed, the misters came on about every 5 minutes. You can see some mist floating down in the background. Click here for FULL SIZE.

BACKYARD BABY ROSE 2

2005-07-18T17:11:00.000-07:00

BABY ROSE 2
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

OK, I am off work with a sore back (and knee and foot, all thanks to a deformed disk), and I have been on and off the ice pack about 5 hours and should NOT be shooting pictures. But on a walk around the house I noticed a new baby rose out back and rushed out to take a picture (actually 6) before the thunderstorm hit.

This rose is about as big as a quarter. Macro lens with all three rings. FULL SIZE

BACKYARD BABY ROSE 1

2005-07-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

BABY ROSE 1
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

BLACK AND GREEN AND IN BETWEEN

2005-07-18T11:41:00.000-07:00

BLACK AND GREEN
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Another lily pad from the Cleveland Botanical Garden reflecting pool. Taken last Wednesday. I will return this week if my bad back allows it. It doesn't seem like photography should strain my back, but it certainly does. FULL SIZE

MERRY BERRY

2005-07-17T11:35:00.000-07:00

BERRY LIGHT
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

And on the other side of the house, the berries are almost glowing after being washed by yesterday's storms.
FULL SIZE

YELLOW AND BLUE

2005-07-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

MELLOW YELLOW
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Sideyard sunflower provides seems very soft today. FULL SIZE

BETTER DOF TODAY

2005-07-16T18:47:00.000-07:00

BETTER DOF TODAY
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I think the DOF is getting a bit better. Both sets of tips are almost in focus. Still needs more work. It was too overcast today to do the test properly. Maybe next weekend when I have two days off in a row. FULL SIZE

AFTER THE STORM

2005-07-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

AFTER THE STORM
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Just because I left Schoeplfe Garden doesn't mean I am done taking pictures this afternoon, my one night off in 13 nights! My sideyard berries are fitting subjects. FULL SIZE

ON PATROL

2005-07-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

ON PATROL
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Finally managed to get a dragonfly in flight as he makes his rounds at the north end of the back pond, which was somewhat murky this afternoon. FULL SIZE

TATTERED

2005-07-16T13:27:00.000-07:00

TATTERED
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Returned to Schoepfle Garden today for a few shots before thunderstorms chased me home. This poor guy is looking a little worse for the wear. Old age, the heat, battles with his neighbors? Something's got that wing looking quite tattered.
FULL SIZE

ANOTHER SHOT FROM THE POOL

2005-07-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

ANOTHER SHOT FROM THE POOL
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Not so "Pacman" as the other shot, but I like they way it looks on the site. It floats on the sceen like it floats in the pool.

Click on image to see larger Flickr file and Flickr photostream or CLICK HERE for full upload size, 12 inches x 72 dpi.

ALMOST ALWAYS ON THE MOVE

2005-07-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

FLEEING FROM ANNOYING PERSON WITH CAMERA
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Butterflies are everywhere in the glasshouse, flying freely in every direction. Once in a while one will get tired and rest on a leaf, but mostly it's just fly, fly, fly.

FULL SIZE

OUTDOOR PACMAN

2005-07-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

OUTDOOR PACMAN
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I went to the Cleveland Botanical Garden for a couple hours before work Wednesday to shoot some butterflies. If I knew they had outdoor Pacman in the reflecting pool, I would have brought more quarters.

FULL SIZE

BLUE BUTTERFLY, FLAPS DOWN

2005-07-14T09:46:00.001-07:00

BLUE BUTTERFLY, FLAPS DOWN
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

The biggest butterfly in the Cleveland Botanical Garden glasshouse looks quite different, depending on wing position. But beautiful either way.

BLUE BUTTERFLY, FLAPS UP

2005-07-14T09:46:00.000-07:00

BLUE BUTTERFLY, FLAPS UP
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

The biggest butterfly in the Cleveland Botanical Garden glasshouse looks quite different, depending on wing position. But beautiful either way.

BOTANICAL BEE

2005-07-14T00:33:00.000-07:00

BOTANICAL BEE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I will say one thing: Botanical garden bees are bigger and bolder than mine and are better photo subjects.

FULL SIZE

FLOWER IN REFLECTING POOL

2005-07-14T00:23:00.001-07:00

FLOWER IN REFLECTING POOL
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Spent a couple hours at Cleveland Botanical Garden today before work. I took a lot of pictures, but most aren't worth much. Not sure this one is worth posting, but I want something to show for my time.

FULL SIZE

BUTTERFLY FEEDING

2005-07-14T00:23:00.000-07:00

BUTTERFLY FEEDING
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

MAKING A BEELINE

2005-07-12T22:57:00.000-07:00

APPROACH
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Yes, the bee could be much sharper, but maybe next time. I never use autofocus with the macro or macro-telephoto setup. It shows in this shot. Click image for larger file.

BEE DRINKING | DOF EXERCISE

2005-07-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

BEE DRINKING | DOF EXERCISE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Sideyard flower bed. 70-300 lens with three Kenko rings. f16 at a 60th with flash dialed up to +3. This looks like about as much depth of field as I am going to get with the rings. It will have to do.

FULL SIZE

BACK TO THE GARDEN

2005-07-09T16:47:00.000-07:00

BACK TO THE GARDEN
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Returned to Schoepfle Garden today (Saturday, July 9, 2005) with only one purpuse: Get a decent dragonfly picture. Can't say I am disappointed with this shot. My favorite picture of the day. I like it so much I am putting it on all three sites!

NOTE: I took most of these shots with the 70-300 lens and all three extension rings. I shot about 320 pictures and will post about 10 or 12. That's about normal for me. I may post a few more in a couple days once I go back through and see if I missed anything worthy.

MUST SEE THIS AT FULL SIZE.

SAME GUY FROM ART BANNER?

2005-07-09T16:46:00.000-07:00

SAME GUY FROM ART BANNER?
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I couldn't leave without getting a frog picture. I am guessing this is the same guy who's pictured in the art banner.

SEE FULL SIZE

PRIVATE PARTS 1

2005-07-09T16:45:00.002-07:00

PRIVATE PARTS 1
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Stumbled across a new flower bed, and took some pictures of the private parts of various flowers. Variations on a theme.

FULL SIZE

PRIVATE PARTS 2

2005-07-09T16:45:00.001-07:00

PRIVATE PARTS 2
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Stumbled across a new flower bed, and took some pictures of the private parts of various flowers. Variations on a theme.

SEE FULL SIZE

PRIVATE PARTS 3

2005-07-09T16:45:00.000-07:00

PRIVATE PARTS 3
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Stumbled across a new flower bed, and took some pictures of the private parts of various flowers. Variations on a theme.

SEE FULL SIZE

WING SHADOW

2005-07-09T16:44:00.002-07:00

WING SHADOW
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

It's hard to believe such delicate wings would cast a shadow, but there it is.

WEIRD SHOT OF THE DAY

2005-07-09T16:44:00.001-07:00

WEIRD SHOT OF THE DAY
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Somehow this pine sprig -- or maybe it's juniper -- shot through this lily pad like a living dart.

RECESS

2005-07-09T16:44:00.000-07:00

RECESS
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Even dragonflies get recess. This guy decided bouncing on the end of a frond was lots of fun.

ART BANNER CANDIDATE 2

2005-07-09T16:43:00.001-07:00

ART BANNER CANDIDATE 2
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Not great focus on the dragonfly, but this could be an art banner someday.

ART BANNER CANDIDATE 1

2005-07-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

ART BANNER CANDIDATE 1
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Not great focus on the dragonfly, but this could be an art banner someday.

PUFF DADDY

2005-07-07T17:38:00.000-07:00

PUFFY NO COMBS
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

It's only July, but already there are a few puff balls scattered around the house. This one is about as big as a pea ... but an amazing tangle of countless fibers nonetheless. FULL SIZE

BETTER RED THAN DEAD

2005-07-07T17:36:00.000-07:00

BETTER RED
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Sometimes you just need a little red on the site. This is a geranium; my one-and-only geranium is getting pretty good play on this site. I never would have imagined. But it sure is red! (This is the geranium I saved from my trunk after it was left over from the Memorial Day flower run.) FULL SIZE

HANGING AROUND

2005-07-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

HANGING AROUND
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

These guys are hanging around in my northside flower garden with about 1,000 friends. As with the last few posts, this was taken with the macro lens and all three rings. FULL SIZE

YELLOW SWIRL II

2005-07-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

YELLOW SWIRL II
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

The baby sunflower I took last evening (YELLOW SWIRL, see below) grew enough today to tip forward and dump its load of water droplets. FULL SIZE

BABY SUNFLOWER

2005-07-07T13:52:00.000-07:00

BABY SUNFLOWER
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

This baby sunflower gets a bath in the spray from the watering hose. This object is not even the size of a dime. But give it another day or two. FULL SIZE

ONE SITE, FOUR ART BANNERS (SO FAR)

2005-07-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

I get tired of the same old art banner after a few days, so I made a couple more to change out as mood dictates. See CORAL BELL, FROG, DRAGONFLY and my first one, JUMBO DROP.

NO BELL JARRING | A SHOT IN THE DARK

2005-07-06T23:18:00.000-07:00

NO BELL JARRING
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Here's a tip: If you want to get good coral bell pictures, do it at night when the wind is totally dead.

Here's another tip: If you need a flash, get the Speedlight SB-600. It is smart enough to figure out how to perfectly illuminate a tiny object only 8 inches away, right down to the almost microscopic dew drops.

Taken at 2:20 a.m. July 7, 2005. Check it out at FULL SIZE.

DROP TRAPPER

2005-07-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

DROP TRAPPER
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Webs, which are seen almost everywhere when you start looking at flowers through a macro lens, are not only good at catching critters, they are pretty good at snagging water drops, too, even ones that come shooting out of a sprinkler on a July evening.

I didn't realize it at first -- and this is one of the joys of macro photography: you don't always see what you're looking at (another tie to philosophy!) -- but I think I caught the creator of the Web; she's at 9:00, having a nice bath for herself. Then again, she may be nothing more than dinner for the absent master spinner. FULL SIZE

YELLOW SWIRL

2005-07-06T17:46:00.000-07:00

YELLOW SWIRL
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I left Otto's lovely gardens without a super-macro shot, so I just took a quick walk around the house and spotted a postage-stamp size yellow bud that was being spritzed by the hose leading to the front sprinkler.

So I shot right down her throat with three extension rings and a macro lens. It was a drastic measure, but I am glad I did it. FULL SIZE

BLOCKED

2005-07-06T17:12:00.000-07:00

BLOCKED
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Like the song says, "sometimes you gotta fight for your right to party!" Especially if a lily pad is cramping your style. FULL SIZE

TAD FROG | A SAD TAIL

2005-07-06T17:03:00.000-07:00

TAD FROG | HE GOES BOTH WAYS
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Weird shot of the day: This critter doesn't know if it's a frog or tadpole, so it sits by the pond all day, looking forlorn, trying to figure it out, hoping to fit in. Very sad.

I guess this is a vision of disorder. I believe that if you have a disorder you should try to have some fun with it! Make it work for you. Maybe I should become a frog psychologist.

HERE'S MY DATE | FRONT POND

2005-07-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

HERE'S MY DATE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

This is the frog I went back to see in an attempt to get a sharper portrait. This is better than my Sunday picture. FULL SIZE

Since he's in the front pond, with fewer trees, there's a little more sky in the picture. NEW ANGLE

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU | BACK POND

2005-07-06T16:09:00.000-07:00

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Returned to Schoepfle Garden today and shot another 260 pictures, 6 of which may be worth the site. I think this is my favorite, at this point, a back-pond frog giving me the evil eye for disturbing his nap. Click image for larger file size or CLICK HERE for full upload size.

Here is the SAME FROG different pose + flash.

FEELING BLUE

2005-07-05T22:07:00.000-07:00

FEELING BLUE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Another creature from Otto's garden of delights. The focus could be sharper, but I will put this on the site until I get a better picture. I hope to get back to Schoepfle Garden in the next couple of days.

Besides, this gives the frog something to look at.

FROGTOGRAPHY 101

2005-07-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

FROG REVISITED
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I have a date with this fellow on Thursday, Schoepfle Garden, front pond, lily pad #44 at 3 p.m. for more work on his portrait. This time I will try to get him in tack-sharp focus. FULL SIZE

ANOTHER ART BANNER

2005-07-04T23:59:00.000-07:00

ANOTHER ART BANNER
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I decided I needed an index page to all these photo sites and blogs, to help make sense of this project, which seems to be growing more with each passing day. CLICK HERE to see that page.

ROSEBUD | FROM PHOTO SITE

2005-07-04T17:52:00.000-07:00

ROSEBUD II (NOT A SLED)
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

More roses popping out. They just keep coming. I never feed them or care for them in any way, but they keep giving me pictures.

See FULL SIZE image.

GOING IN | FROM PHOTO SITE

2005-07-04T17:46:00.000-07:00

READY TO TAKE THE PLUNGE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

This little bug is about to head into the void in search of a pink rose treat.

See FULL SIZE image.

FRANKLY, SCARLET, I GIVE A DAMN!

2005-07-03T19:01:00.000-07:00

SCARLET WHAT?
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I thought this might be a scarlet tanager, but it didn't look like the picture I found on the Web. How about some help on this bird.

Anyway, this shows there are more than dragonflys, frogs and flowers at Otto's* garden of delights.

*Otto Schoepfle, the namesake and former owner of Schoepfle Gardens, was publisher of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram when I was employed there in 1984-85. I thought he was a stuffed shirt ... until I saw his gardens. My mistake. Also, in case you're confused, Schoepfle is pronounced CHEF-LEE. Or "shuffle" if you want to describe Otto's walk.

Click image for larger file or CLICK HERE to see full size.

REACHING FOR THE SKY

2005-07-03T18:06:00.000-07:00

REACHING FOR THE SKY
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

This whole flower is only about as big as a dime, so you can imagine how tiny these little guys are.

The downside of this macro photography gig? I am going to have to re-learn all the plant names that I once memorized for my local-flora course. I could have told you the Latin name for this flower at one point, now I don't even know the common name. Moron!

Click image for larger file or CLICK HERE to see full size.

THE FRONT POND

2005-07-03T17:33:00.000-07:00

THE FRONT POND
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

This is the Schoepfle Garden front pond, where I spent a lot of time crouched by the lily pads, which means I better break out the ice pack for my lower back.

There's a back pond with no lily pads but bigger fish and more dragonfly hotels.

Check out the Schoepfle Garden Web site HERE.

BLAST OFF

2005-07-03T16:55:00.002-07:00

BLAST OFF
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Here's a blue dragonfly taking off on another flight around the pond.

Click image for larger file or CLICK HERE to see full size.

FROGGIE

2005-07-03T16:55:00.001-07:00

FROGGIE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

I heard about 40 frogs but saw only one, and he was very froglike in appearance, as you can see from his portrait.

Click image for larger file or CLICK HERE to see full size.

BERRY BUD

2005-07-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

BERRY BUD
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Not sure if this is a berry or a bud, but it was on a wooden stalk with about 100 friends, shooting out of the top of a plant.

Click image for larger file or CLICK HERE to see full size.

WHAT THE HELL?

2005-07-03T16:54:00.001-07:00

WHAT THE HELL?
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Here's the weird shot of the day: Two tadpoles perched on a sunken branch like a couple of birds. You really see some weird stuff once you start paying attention.*

Click image for larger file or CLICK HERE to see full size.

*See post below; dragonfly harassed by wasp.

MR. SKIN

2005-07-03T16:54:00.000-07:00

MR. SKIN
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Here is the most emaciated dragonfly I saw all day. Too weak to fly, he was just hanging onto a leaf.*

Click image for larger file or CLICK HERE to see full size.

*Of course, I really have no idea about his weight; he might be heavy for his breed; he just looks thin.

DRAGONFLY, DAY 1

2005-07-03T16:04:00.000-07:00

DRAGONFLY, DAY 1
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

My first time ever shooting dragonflies. What a lovely way to spend a July afternoon. I went to Schoepfle Gardens then stopped at Miller's ice cream stand afterward for a foot-long hot dog and a milkshake. What a terrific afternoon!

Click image for larger file or CLICK HERE for full size.
The SCHOEPFLE GARDENS Web site

P.S. This dragonfly was being harassed by a wasp, which is why he was not paying much attention to me and stayed nice and still for a picture.

FEEDING TIME IN THE LAVENDER PATCH

2005-07-03T10:31:00.001-07:00

FEEDING TIME
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

It was feeding time at the Fobes lavender patch Thursday afternoon.

See FULL SIZE file.

MOTH OR BUTTERFLY?

2005-07-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

MOTHERFLY
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Not sure if this is a moth or a butterfly. But I know it was having a snack in the lavender patch. And that it wouldn't stay put.

FULL SIZE

CORAL BELLS UP CLOSE

2005-07-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

CORAL BELLS UP CLOSE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Got my set of AF macro extension tubes today from B & H. This photo was taken with the full set of tubes and my macro lens. I think I will keep the tubes even though they don't work as well as I would like with my telephoto. Of course, I am still experimenting. I also used my new SB-600 flash on this photo. Hard to believe it would properly illuminate an object only inches from the lens. SEE FULL UPLOAD SIZE

In case you don't know, coral bell flowers are usually about 1/4 long. Maybe less in some cases.

THE NEW CHALLENGE ...

2005-07-03T10:24:00.000-07:00

THE NEW CHALLENGE
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

... is finding composition in miniature. This was shot with the macro lens and all three extension rings.

What you see at left is a hosta bud, then the tiny leaf below, and other leaves under. The blue leaves 2 feet below went purple on the Photoshop auto-levels command, so I left them that way. FULL SIZE

GERANIUM BUD II

2005-07-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

GERANIUM BUD II
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Macro lens with two rings and flash.

CLICK HERE for the full upload size.

JUMBO DROP

2005-07-03T10:17:00.000-07:00

JUMBO DROP
Originally uploaded by jonfobes.

Rain drop in flower bud. The photo that made me realize I needed a site for macro photography.

Click image for larger file or CLICK HERE for full-size upload image, 12 inches wide at 72 dip.