Tiny Surprise

It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision. - Helen Keller

(Couldn’t resist posting a “bonus” post this morning.)
I set out to take pictures of goldfinches this morning, and ended up discovering a tiny surprise in my flower garden. That’s what sometimes happens if I step away from the norm. I’d prepared my Canon 5D with a 70-200mm telephoto lens, thinking I’d sit off in the shadows a ways and catch the goldfinches breakfasting at the feeders.

When the goldfinches took off, I turned the lens to something else–flowers, which have grown in all directions, thanks to our recent hot temps. Admittedly, I didn’t expect much in the way of flower photos, since I’m so stuck on my 100mm macro lens. A telephoto isn’t my first choice for shots like that. Look what it found for me, though…a tiny mushroom tucked in the folds of a verbena. I’d have probably missed it, had I not been messing around with that lens. You never know what’ll crop up with a little experimentation. Try it for yourself!

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Cosmos in Transition

Let a joy keep you. Reach out your hands and take it when it runs by. - Carl Sandburg

I never know what I’m after in the garden until something calls to me. This Cosmos had two petals left, and I might have overlooked it years ago, but not today. I’d talked recently with my grandaughter who’s almost eight. She has been showing signs of enthusiasm for macro photography and asked how to know what to photograph. All I could tell her was to keep her eyes open and take her time. Waiting and observing usually produces something special.