Sunday, May 23, 2010

Pilansberg - Wild flowers - Part 6

This one is very pretty when in full bloom as the centre unfolds as the orange flower opens.


I could not resist taking pictures of this lovely dragonfly as it posed for me.
What a face!!
I have never seen a spider like this with each half of him a different color. He was tiny about the size of the head of a cigarette.

43 comments:

  1. The dragonfly face looks clownish.

    I'm so excited for you about the bug guide coming up. You must have been really working hard on this. Yippee!

    Glad you liked my moths. Nice of Mike to leave the light on for them, and the spider. ;-)

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  2. Wonderful pictures as always. Love the dragon fly face. Diane

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  3. I like very much these kind of series:they give the idea of an environment through small details.
    (The dragonfly is stunning!)

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  4. You had a day of beautiful light. Excellent shots of the dragon munchin' on a luncheon.

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  5. So much beautiful detail! I'm so glad I came by. I love dragonflies and your photos are stunning!

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  6. Joan: What a neat look at the cool spider and dragonfly. Love that last shot, so simple and delicate.

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  7. Great shot of the dragonfly Joan!
    It looks like it's wearing a mask...
    The wild flowers are beautiful!
    Excellent work as usual! :)

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  8. That photo of the dragonfly's face is incredible. Before I read what it was, I was wondering if it is some kind of pland bud beginning to open (lol).

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  9. Interesting. I was out birding last week and saw the most stunning blue dragonfly ever. I think you bugs are starting to effect me Joan, as I never realy noticed them before. :)

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  10. What a face indeed...These macros .. amazing... My bathroom spider hung around on the counter so I got a really good look...I should get my camera out..

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  11. I have been working my butt off Gaelyn but it has been worth it to get it as far as it is now.

    I am sure the spider does appreciate it and is getting fatter by the day.

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  12. Thanks Diane. I was very pleased with that shot.

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  13. Thanks Andrea. More ideas for you of places to go when you visit here.

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  14. Thanks Steve. Yes, for a change even I was satisfied with the way the pics came out.

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  15. Thanks Aisling. I am pleased you found someting of interest on my pages.

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  16. Thanks Tom. It was a good morning shooting considering I actually went there to find bugs and came back with more flowers. :)

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  17. Thanks Mike. Good to hear from you again.

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  18. Their faces up close are kind of ugly for such a beautiful insect isn't it Anne?

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  19. LOL!! A bad influence am I TB? Good!! :)

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  20. Thanks Michelle. Would love to see this spider if you can get a shot of it.

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  21. I'm very excited that the bug site will be up and running soon. As for these pics, stunningly awesome. The closeup of the dragonfly is a super shot.

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  22. Simply stunning details in these macro shots. Beautiful...Thomas

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  23. Hmm !! Joan you just cant help yourself can you BUG LADY ?? I really like the first photo very pretty :) oh yes alright so is the Dragonfly NICE!

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  24. Beautiful dragongfly photo - I am envious - all I seem to see are the red dragonflies. Another way is for me to cover myself with a large mosquito net and lie next to a large pool of stagnant water and wait for dragonflies. What / where is the best place to find dragonflies - near water?

    I am doubly envious of the spider - with the two colour tones - green abdomen. Great photographs Joan

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  25. I am excited about the site too Jonker and I hope it is going to help many people. I am just waiting for someone to put names to some for me.

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  26. Thanks Thomas. Wonderful to hear from you again.

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  27. LOL!! My love affair with bugs will never end Philip and I have so much happening in connection with them but it is too soon to share all my information right now. The website is just the start. :)

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  28. There is a secret to getting shots of dragonflies Zane but I will share it with you ...... go to where there is a dam, river or some kind of water. Stand a way off and see on which blades of grass, branches etc they mostly land on as you will find they use the same spots over and over again. Then go and sit near there, be very still and keep the camera focused on that point and sure enough they will soon land there again so all you need to do is press the shutter. I find it best to sit with my knees up and have the camera resting on them. Hope this helps. :)

    I think if you spend enough time at water points, you will soon find just how many different ones there are.

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  29. Look forward to seeing the bug site you are doing. These are great. I hope you show that orange flower when it is open. I can't believe how detailed your dragonfly eye shot is! Wow! Amazing macro as usual.

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  30. Great shots, Joan! And the "BUG GUIDE" Gaelyn is talking about - please tell more!
    (Ek sal graag dit wil aanskaf. Jy is so-o-o talentvol!)

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  31. I got a good laugh out of this one because you called that spider "tiny." That is relative, I suppose. A spider that is only the size of the cherry on a smoke is still capable of causing blood-curdling screams in my house. Larger spiders are just unfathomable.

    Fantastic pics Joan! That opening flower is a beautiful piece of art.

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  32. that dragonfly picture is amazing! we just returned from a 5 day safari in kruger and i had the best time of my life. someone commented in my blog that i should be reading yours because you could help us identify some animals/birds that we're confused about.

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  33. Thanks Mary. I am excited about getting it finished and up too. It has been lots of hard work to get it up to this point but worthwhile.

    These pics were taken quite a long time ago but I will see if that one is blooming the next time I go there.

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  34. Thanks Ida. I struggled so much trying to identify the insects when I first started and so I am hoping the website will help other people.

    Baie dankie. Ek sal vir almal laat weet as die heltemal klaar is. Groete.

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  35. LOL!! Yes, I guess you are right Craver. You always remind me of my son when you say things like that as to him one the size of a pin head was HUGE!! :)

    Thanks. There are so many wild flowers which are stunning.

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  36. Thanks Mina. I hope you enjoyed your trip to Kruger and even though those elephants were a bit scary.

    Any time you ant me to help you with identification, you are quite welcome to contact me on

    wubadmin at tiscali dot co dot za

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  37. Some really great macros here, Joan! I LOVE the dragon fly... and that spider is super cute!!! The last shot is really beautiful and simple. All in all a gorgeous collection!

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  38. Thanks Krista. It turned out to be such a lovely day. I had gone to take pics of bugs but there was not much doing so this was the alternative and I was very pleased with all the pictures.

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  39. The dragonfly face is unbelievable. Wonderful macro.

    Leedra’s Photos For Fun blog

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  40. Thanks Leedra. I ws pleased with how those pictures came out.

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  41. Joan your bug head shots, close ups are amazing. Excellent job. Anna :)

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  42. Thanks Anna. That macro lens which I sometimes use comes up with amazing shots like this. I am glad I went to the expense of buying it.

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  43. Thanks for visiting and commenting Beth. I try to put something on of interest to most people.

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