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.

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43 comments:

  1. GaelynMay 23, 2010 at 12:10 AM

    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. DianeMay 23, 2010 at 1:34 AM

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

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  3. AndreaMay 23, 2010 at 3:14 AM

    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. AnonymousMay 23, 2010 at 5:46 AM

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

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  5. MarcieMay 23, 2010 at 6:38 AM

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

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  6. This Is My Blog - fishing guyMay 23, 2010 at 6:46 AM

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

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  7. blog with no nameMay 23, 2010 at 8:01 AM

    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. A human kind of humanMay 23, 2010 at 9:55 AM

    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. troutbirderMay 23, 2010 at 4:23 PM

    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. Rambling WoodsMay 23, 2010 at 4:43 PM

    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. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 23, 2010 at 11:01 PM

    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. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 23, 2010 at 11:02 PM

    Thanks Diane. I was very pleased with that shot.

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  13. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 23, 2010 at 11:02 PM

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

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  14. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 23, 2010 at 11:03 PM

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

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  15. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 23, 2010 at 11:08 PM

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

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  16. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 23, 2010 at 11:09 PM

    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. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 23, 2010 at 11:10 PM

    Thanks Mike. Good to hear from you again.

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  18. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 23, 2010 at 11:14 PM

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

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  19. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 23, 2010 at 11:15 PM

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

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  20. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 23, 2010 at 11:16 PM

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

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  21. Firefly the Travel GuyMay 24, 2010 at 12:14 AM

    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. UnknownMay 24, 2010 at 12:22 AM

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

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  23. PhilipMay 24, 2010 at 12:57 AM

    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. ZaneMay 24, 2010 at 1:34 AM

    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. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 24, 2010 at 1:57 AM

    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. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 24, 2010 at 1:58 AM

    Thanks Thomas. Wonderful to hear from you again.

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  27. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 24, 2010 at 2:00 AM

    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. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 24, 2010 at 2:10 AM

    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. MaryMay 24, 2010 at 8:27 AM

    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. AnonymousMay 24, 2010 at 10:15 AM

    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. Craver ViiMay 24, 2010 at 10:34 AM

    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. minaMay 24, 2010 at 12:06 PM

    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. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 25, 2010 at 2:24 AM

    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. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 25, 2010 at 2:26 AM

    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. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 25, 2010 at 2:28 AM

    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. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 25, 2010 at 2:30 AM

    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. UnknownMay 25, 2010 at 8:19 AM

    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. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 25, 2010 at 10:23 AM

    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. LeedraMay 25, 2010 at 3:03 PM

    The dragonfly face is unbelievable. Wonderful macro.

    Leedra’s Photos For Fun blog

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  40. SAPhotographs (Joan)May 25, 2010 at 6:54 PM

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

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  41. myonlyphotoJune 2, 2010 at 6:55 PM

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

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  42. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 2, 2010 at 11:03 PM

    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. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 27, 2010 at 11:41 PM

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

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