Scrapyard Poppy (enlarge plse)

Last Sunday morning my Dad called me after his usual 'run-a-bout'

to neighboring Lakefield. He takes in 'Yard Sales', and whatever else

interesting that catches his eye. It is a charming little town to visit,

and quite often there are 'photo op's' along the way. He had taken a

beautiful 'Field of Poppies' Capture a few years ago, and the same

field happened to be full of Poppies in different stages of 'bloom'. I

went out and experimented with my different lenses and settings on

my camera for about an hour. It was really quite pleasant. I have

quite a few shots to go over and see where I may have done 'right'

and then 'wrong'. Unfortunately nearly every Poppy Bud had a huge

spot of 'Froghopper' Spit' or 'Spittlebug Froth'. I always called it Frog

Spit from my early years on, and then learned that it is caused by the

Spittlebug Nymph. They can turn a liquid secretion to frothy bubbles

by pumping their bodies. Once the bubbles are formed, they use

their hind legs to cover their bodies with it. It serves multi purposes:

hides them from Predators; insulates them from temperature

expremes; and also prevents them from dehydrating. Apparently the

bugs are very hard to find beneath the 'spittle'. The Nymph feeds on

the plant sap, but causes little damage. For photos, the 'spittle' is just

not all that attractive. I am still trying to decide whether to leave it in

the shot I am working on, or clone it out. (many thanks for any visits,

Gail)

Gail,

  Wonderful image with beautiful colors & processing.  Take care, Patsy

lovely colors, nice composition

Love the colors

 

A beautiful result with very nice colours, Gail!

 

Gorgeous! It has a painterly look to it...Lovely work, Gail! Warm regards.

Another great photograph.  The colors and the details are outstanding.  Brava!  Fabio

Very impressive composition Gail!

This one feels like it was sculpted out of paper mache and painted by an enthusiastic kindergartener..Really an unusual, almost abstract point of view; a flower dressed up for Mardi Gras.

Fantastic colors and treatment - I love the 3-D appearance which is rather "painterly." The detail is amazing.

My best,

michael

So glad you enjoyed this composition Michael. I love the Poppy on it's own but couldn't resist playing a bit with it. Many thanks for your enthusiusm Michael.

Sincere regards, Gail

Deserves to be seen large to fully appreciate the flaking effect of the texture ! Bill

Great effect! Nicely worked PP.

Very nice to hear from you Doug, and hear your thoughts on this image. I appreciate very much your visit and time, warmest regards, Gail

Many thanks to you Bill for your visit and to hear what you thought of this composition, best wishes that all is going well with the new addition, Gail

What a great comparison Jack. It does rather look like paper mache. Many thanks for your thoughts and visit. Sincere regards, Gail

it is so nice to hear from you! I am glad you enjoyed this composition, such lovely remarks. Many thanks for your visit Sergio!

It is so good to hear you enjoyed this composition!!! Your encouragement serves to inspire!!! many thanks!

I have no idea what kind of post processing you did on this but it's quite effective. It definitely deserves to by hung on someone's wall. Very beautiful, Gail.

Amazing painting like, Gail! vivid color contrast, crisp details & textures, artistic execution as usual!    Best regards

thank you both for your visits and encouragment, it is truly appreciated!

Such passionate colors with a painterly texture. The yellow-red combination is very striking, Rated 6.

My only small suggestion is to make the internal white border equidistant from the image edge.

 

Very good work and congrats.

Re the border Tony, I agree with what you said, but it was a Png. Overlay and that is how it was meant to be. But it truly would be much nicer the way you observed. Many thanks for your very kind critique. Always good to hear from you.

Both of you are very kind to visit and I appreciate you taking the time to comment. many thanks, Gail

Hello Patsy, many thanks for your visit and support, I appreciate your thoughts always on my compositions. Love your most recent post! Beautiful colour and detail. Warmest regards, Gail