Flower Close-Ups

Here are some miscellaneous close-up photographs of flowers. I will update this post with new photographs as I get the opportunities to practice close-up photography of flowers. These photographs were taken with the camera and lenses listed below.

Updated: 1/23/12

Canon EOS Rebel T1i 17-55mm, 70-200mm, 180mm Macro

The inside of a tulip from the annual Tulips Festival in Skagit County, WA. 180mm Macro f/3.5 1/500 sec ISO-100

Barbados

Barbados couldn't have been the perfect vacation destination while Seattle is a chilly 40degF and rainy. It's even better when your expenses in Barbados is fully paid for. Can you imagine a 6 day business trip in Barbados, flying there directly from Seattle, and staying at the Hilton Resort?

Barbados - a former British Colony - drives on the left side of the road. It is the most easterly Caribbean Island with temperatures between the high 70s and high 80s all year round. Anyone visiting the island will immediately take note that the Bajans/Barbadians are running on island time. Order your food 30 minutes before you feel hungry.

Canon EOS Rebel T1i 17-55mm
Canon PowerShot D10 Underwater Camera

Sunset taken while snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea - beach at the hotel. Canon D10 Auto Beach

Ocean Shores, WA

Ocean Shores, WA - 134 miles and 2 hours and 40 minutes from Seattle. On September 9, 2011, Seattle reached a miraculous 82 degF. Ocean Shores was windy (3 mph) and foggy for most of the day; and the max temperature was 69 degF. The fog never left that day.

We arrived at Ocean Shores in the afternoon of Sept. 8th. The most memorable was the thick, cold, winter fog at 3pm on a summer day when Seattle was in the 80s. On the day we left, there was a sunrise and the fog had completely dissipated by the early morning. The locals said regardless of the weather forecast, it's always 10-15 degrees cooler here than inland. This is an ideal destination for storm watchers. The ocean waves were amazing even during our non-storm season stay.

We stayed at the Collins Inn & Seaside Cottages - featured on Northwest Backroads as the first 5-star lodging and dining in Ocean Shores. We stayed in the Sonora room; it was a very nicely decorated room.  Fresh homemade breakfast was provided so it had the feel of a bed and breakfast.  The restaurant served up delicious food.  They were all 4-course meals - salad, soup, entree, and dessert.  The bacon-wrapped filet mignon was fabulous. I would definitely come back - during storm season this time.

Canon EOS Rebel T1i 17-55mm & 70-200mm

Collins Inn & Seaside Cottages. f/22 1/60 sec ISO-200

Almond and Hazelnut Praline Cake

A homemade birthday cake for my husband - 2 layer almond cake with hazelnut praline buttercream frosting

Canon EOS Rebel T1i 17-55mm

A slice of cake. f/4 1/30 sec @ ISO-400

Moss

Ever seen a close up of moss? They are very hairy and jelly-like. This was one of many moss found on a tree branch at the Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle.

Canon EOS Rebel T1i 180mm Macro

F/10 @ 1/80 sec ISO 3200

Playing with Fire

Trying to capture the action of sparks and flame in lighting a match was a learning curve.  My husband, Jens, helped set up the apparatus and lit the match while I set up the camera.  For a black and white photo contest at work, Jens converted the photo to black and white.  Shockingly, it won 1st place and a $25 gift card to Red Robin.  Hooray!!  :-)  That was my first time in winning a photo contest.  I think it placed 1st because of creativity; it wasn't an ordinary landscape or portrait shot.

Manual focus was on the white tip of the match. Metering was trial and error.

Canon EOS Rebel T1i 180mm Macro

Sparks and flame the moment right before the match gets lit.  F/32 @ 1 sec ISO 800