Little Traveller - (enlarge)

During one of hottest afternoons in July, I decided to pay a quick visit

to one of my favorite Garden Centres. It seems this year the flowers

disappeared so much faster than years previous. This Garden

Centre is close to what we call in Ontario 'Cottage Country'. Many

people like to come here to buy their flowers for their summer

homes. There were not as many flowers to Photograph, but I

explored until I found a few that I liked. I usually can find all kinds of

bees here but I think I only saw one. The bee populations are

getting very scarce. While I was walking down a shadier aisle, I

spotted this little beetle on one of my favorite flowers. The sunshine

was just peeking through and highlighting this little fellow on his

journey. I did not obtain excellent detail in the beetle but I enjoyed

how the sunlight caused me to notice this little one! (thanks for any

visits and thoughts shared, Gail :)

You are quick!! I never thought of that!! He certainly seems to be 'special' when you think of how the light was only on him. Thanks for dropping by so soon. I hope you are having a good summer.

Nicely done.    AJ

Coming into the light, fantastic image, very good composition!

Regards,

Herman

Nice work Gail! The title is very fitting as he does appear to be on his way with a purpose. 

Best Regards,

Peter

Oh, wow.  You captured her on her debut.  Isn't she pretty!

--Lannie

She must be a very young Beetle, attracted to the sunspot for a quick tan ;-).  Good eye to see this... Mike

Good light and good eye to see this little guy.

this is lovely.  I like the composition and where it lands in the frame as well.  Seeing the veins in the petals, the colors captured and the light is lovely.  

Hi Gail,

  First of all thank you for your message.  This is beautiful with wonderful colors & magical lighting.  Take care, Patsy

Yes it does seem like magical lighting, but it is jus the way the sun was shining through all the other flowers around it.  I will be in touch again soon.

DONNA   -  Your description is so lovely.  I just stumbled on this shot. I was searching for bees and any flowers that still looked decent and the sun was shining of this fellow!!

BILL        -  Like I told Donna, I just was lucky finding this little guy.

MLM        - I've been assuming it is a 'fellow' - perhaps it is a 'she' and is getting ready to have a 'glow' on for the 'fellows'!!!

LANNIE    - The jury is out....you think it is a female who is 'the Belle of the Ball !!!  I really don't know how to distinguish the sexes in Beetles. That is one subject I could study a bit!!

PETER      -  Well, you are like me in thinking it is a male...he did seem to have a destination in mind.  Probably hungry....or searching for a 'mate'!!

HERMAN   -  You are in the middle - coming into the light! thanks so much for your visit!

JIM           -  Now that is an excellent analogy!!! didn't even occur to me but one of my favorites!!!

Superb, Lovely use of colour Gail, Great Shot. Rgds. Rick

Really beautiful my friend!!

My best wishes!!

Very fine work with the light, and great focus, bravo !

Beautiful composition, with great tones and light !! Congrats Gail !!

Best regards,

Theodor D.

:--->>

Una estupenda fotografía Gail, donde se enfatiza a la pequeña mariquita, el uso de l aluz me parece magnífica, la composición de lo mejor.

Saludos

I really like the lighting in this shot and the texture of the flower. Overall, gives a nice sense of how large the world is for the little bug.

RICK        -  I am happy to hear that this image was to your liking. As for the lighting, it was such a nice surprise to see the sun peeking in through the other flowers, highlighting his 'little fellow'!

ALBERTO  - Your smiling face always is seen every time I see your 'name' under one of my images.  You are a man who I believe thrives on happiness and spreading to all you come in contact with.  So glad you enjoyed this image Alberto. Wishing all the best to you and your family.

Pierre         -  Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this one.  Yes the focus was important. So often I just focus on the 'insect' but I wanted the flower to be in decent focus as well.  I always have a bit of trouble with areas that are closer to me than the rest (ie - the ends of some of the petals). I continue to attempt to take images in the same 'focal plane' but am not always successful.  I have heard that I could take several images and combine them to achieve this, but I have not tried focus stacking yet.

Theodor      -  So great to hear from you. From visiting your work I realize just how much you appreciate beauty, whether it be in the hight mountains or in an intimate image of a flower.  I appreciate so much your visits Theodor!

Drew            -  Your SMILE always says it all :)

Jorge             -  While I do not speak your language, I can identify words that represent pleasure, beauty......much appreciation for your encouraging words expressed.

Hi Bill, Your comment took me to your Portfolio and your Bio Page. I really appreciated what you shared about the 'meditative aspect' of taking images of Landscape and Wildlife and even Macro. I find it is when I am communing with Nature that I get a bit lost in thought and it is definitely an 'escape' for me. I seem to tune out everything else and immerse myself in the beauty, fragrances, colours, and varying qualities of light around me. One of the many 'Mental Health Breaks' that I think we all can benefit from. I do tend to delight in 'simple things', and yes, I talk to the flowers and insects. Or perhaps I am just talking to myself. On this particular day I was at a favorite Garden Centre looking of course for some beautiful flowers, but I had 'bees' on my mind. They are scarce this year more than ever. There was even a young man watering who decided to help in my search. The day was very sunny, hot and humid, and I only saw 'one' bee. Usually here I would find all kinds of bees. Imagine my surprise when I found this 'traveller'. I was in a shady aisle when I stumbled upon this ray of sunlight filtering through the other plants highlighting this 'traveller' on a petal. I recalled thinking he was 'modeling on a runway'. I was delighted. Anxious that I would miss the shot, I took the image as soon as possible. I usually will do a Macro of just the bug, but wanted the whole flower to be within the shot as well. It was a very important part of the 'story' for me. This one moment was the highlight of the afternoon for me. If I had just focused on the bug, I would have gotten better focus on the details of his body. But it was the whole 'scene' that was so special. It was like it was 'his moment in the sun'. I appreciate your thoughtful contribution. When I saw the image I was concerned that the tips of the petals in the foreground were not in focus. I have been trying to be more aware of being on the same focal plane when taking my images. I didn't feel I wanted to crop the tips of the petals out, so left them in. Focus Stacking may have been an option now that I think of it. The bug would not have had to be in the image in that case. However I have never tried Focus Stacking as of yet. I do think I would have had to take the image using a Tripod if I had hoped to do that?? I usually go out and just manually focus. I will enjoy going back and viewing your images. I always learn more each time I do that.

A successful image does not require stories or excuses, it can stand on its own merit.

BILLY
I was not aware that I was offering excuses - I was hoping others may offer suggestions re Focus Stacking, use of Tripod to that end, and shooting on an even Focal Plane. I am not used to these Forums. I did not realize talking about the day and reasons I enjoy shooting in Nature were not appropriate. I apologise for doing this. (an apology, not an excuse) Thank you for making me aware of this.
Kind regards, Gail

Gail, no one person speaks for these Forums. I read your post with great interest and thought it was completely appropriate. I generally take each post as that person's and only that person's opinion. And that includes my own!