Stocking Up

@Naren: Thanks.

@Zing: Thanks.

@Betsy Barron: Thanks. I could not believe how granular the pollen was. I got a shot of another one the other day on a thistle and the pollen was not granular like it was on this one. This is the kind of thing I never really noticed before I started shooting macros with a real macro lens.

I don't often use the tripod unless I am shooting studio, long exposure, or macro. Macro is really tough because even at high f#'s at macro range the focus is like .5mm to 1cm. When I shoot macro off tripod especially for things like this it is often by chance I get the shot because I do not have very steady hands and to that a breezy day and it's even tougher.

@MadScientist: Thanks. Yes I believe he was pretty happy.

@ManuelaR: Thanks.

@Tracey: Thanks. I am a sucker for black and white flower shots. If you see me post a color flower you can almost be guaranteed that I also have a black and white version of it stored in my archives.

@Ana Lúcia: Thanks.

@padriag: Thanks. It can be very frustrating because so many of the best macro opportunities do not lend themselves to using the tripod which certainly makes it a challenge. And because everything nearly always looks focused in that little LCD screen on the back of the camera sometimes you don't know if you actually got a really good in focus shot until you open it in the computer.

@Ina: Thanks.

@Alun Lambert: Thanks.

@Viewfinder: Thanks.

@rem_la: Thanks.

@Helen: Thanks.

@ankush vimawala: Thanks.

@amy: Thanks. I was just replying to others how so many macro opportunities do not lend themselves to using a tripod. I just wish I had steadier hands, but I do not unfortunately. If I did I think I would manage a lot more handheld macro successes.

I did manage a few more handheld macros on Sunday when I was walking around Palisades Park along the Hudson by the George Washington Bridge across from Manhattan. It was a very hazy day so I used the opportunity to get some macros of thistles and such. Unfortunately wild wicked weather chased me back to my car before I was ready to leave.

@Elisa: Thank you.

@GJC: Thank you very much.

@Michael: Thanks.

@Craig: Thanks.

@Cia: Thanks.

@Dan Meyers: Thanks...yes it is always a serendipitous experience.

@eddy: Thanks.

@Saeed: Thanks.

@Rabbit: Thanks so much.

@Pouhou: Thanks. The original can be seen here.

I like the color but I am drawn to the black and white. I shot this with that in mind so I exposed the shot so I would wash out the petals a bit for the conversion to black and white. The sun was pretty harsh so there was a lot of contrast between the bright colored petals and the bee. The center of the flower is quite dark anyway.

@Jen: Thanks.

Go for it! :) Macros are so much fun, sometimes frustrating but definitely fun.

@dj.tigersprout: Thanks.

I post about every 4 days, give or take.

@Andrew Gould: Thanks.

@Veronelle: Thanks.

@Anita: Thanks.

@Craig Persel: Thanks.

@Double KK Photography: Thanks.