Tag: Macro

Make Life Beautiful

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“A good life is a collection of happy moments”
-Denis Waitley“Don’t cry over the past, it’s gone. Don’t stress about the future, it hasn’t arrived.
Live in the present and make it beautiful”
– Unknown
Cee’s Photo Challenge Flower of The Day

And for those who may be curious about Fanny’s pregnancy.

Fanny is always curious about what’s in the bag when dad comes home from the store.
She is curious about everything.

She gave birth to six puppies last Sunday night.
Everyone’s fine, more to come…🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

Macro – Happiness in Empty Shells

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During my walks in Ta Qali now in September I rarely see any butterflies while the shimmering dragonflies choose to fly high above my head. So I search for other creatures in nature, some barely visible to the eye.
And I found these empty shells.When I first saw them, my camera was at home, but when I came back the next day, they were still there. Luckily, given that they could easily have been blown away by the wind. I’m happy I had the opportunity to take some photos, although I have no idea what kind of insects once pupated from these very thin small shells.

Maltese wall lizard

Ta’ Qali, Trees, A Lizard, Resin & Fanny

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Some images from yesterday’s visit to Ta Qali. Many of the trees have recently been pruned. I was fooled by the orange spot that from a distance looked like a flower and I even saw some faces. In this fenced area I’ve been walking with Fanny since she was a puppy. Among Olive trees, Mediterranean Cypress and Ancient Carob trees. When the rain comes, the grass turns green and is then covered with flowers.

Sticky resin is now visible on many of the trees.
But how’s Fanny? Now that she is close to the seventh week of her pregnancy her behavior has changed. She’s not as playful as before, a bit melancholic and the walks are getting shorter and shorter while running is out of the question. Here she seeks shade under our car while I try to ventilate away the heat and turn on air conditioning before it’s time to go back home, a ride of about 20 minutes. Home to eat and then go to sleep. I love her so much ❤ ❤

Light as a Feather

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This may not be a flower but definitely some kind of plant that over time has become fragile and elusive.Whatever it is, these are abundantly seen in nature now here in Malta.It’s not visible in my images here but these grow on large bushes where the “flower” is light as a feather. The one seen here has loosened from its plant and been stuck in a spider’s web while others fly freely in the wind.
Cee’s Photo Challenge Flower of The Day

Dragonfly part 2

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This is just another attempt to capture one of all amazing and valuable insects found in nature. Some appreciate them while others ignore or see them as a matter of course, they just exist. I myself am no exception, it was not until I started photographing that I realized the value of our nature and its inhabitants.

Flowers of The Day

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When I look at above images, I realize that they would probably fit better in a theme called “Today’s insect”.

So here I show some wildflowers that are found here in Malta, without any visible insect.Finally, Fanny, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a stunningly flourishing scenery.

Susan’s Flower on Fridays 
Cee’s Photo Challenge Flower of The Day

Dragonflies

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Often when I’m lucky enough to find a dragonfly that doesn’t fly, I have noticed that they put their wings forward towards the head, as if they were trying to protect themselves, or maybe they sleep.Regardless, it is an amazing insect that is usually seen flying by very quickly. Some are really big and shine in different shades of color. Maybe, I’ll succeed to capture at least one of them this summer. Never give up!

Hide and Seek with a Bumblebee

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    Don’t ask me why but I really love bumblebees and there are many to be found now among the flowers.

    Bumblebees are not as aggressive. Males cannot sting, and females only do so when they feel threatened.
    Bumblebees are excellent pollinators, they are in fact much more efficient pollinators than honeybees

    But they are not always so easy to capture as they usually hide half of themselves deep into a flower.Thanks for not hiding. Sometimes you’re lucky!

    Pomegranate – From Bud to Edible

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    3. Now things are starting to happen and it continues to grow.
    2. Here it has opened up a little more.
    1. The bud slowly starts to open.

    The healthy and tasty Pomegranate are not yet ripe here in Malta and, like all other fruits, it has to go through different stages before it is ready to pick and eat, as shown above. Click on an image to enlarge.In full bloom.Here the fruit is ripe and ready to harvest. But in Malta we have to wait another few months. This is an image from my archive.Ready to eat!
    Anyone who wants to eat pomegranates year-round can buy imported ones.
    Although I prefer those who grow here on the island.

    Macro Monday

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    Most of you probably recognize this little insect. Graphosoma lineatum, Strimlus in Swedish, which is part of the family stink bugs, även kallad bärfis. Thanks to Google and Wikipedia for the information.

    They are often seen in pairs, especially on this kind of plant.A pretty special plant itself of the family Umbelliferae which looks completely different when it blooms.
    Here it almost looks like it’s full of lice but I might show some flowering images in another post.

    Macro photography A Colorful Insect

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    Photographing different kinds of insects is a fun and exciting challenge. Apart from butterflies and dragonflies which are not always easy to capture I’ve realized that there are a lot more in nature to discover.

    I don’t know what kind of beetle this is, there are too many species to choose from. I had some trouble getting sharpness on its head but it shines beautifully in blue-green and has colorful covered wings.An interesting little creature on its way through life.

    The Year’s first..

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    This is the year’s first dragonfly that I managed to capture with my camera a couple of days ago.
    It sat on the stick only for a few seconds before it flew away and disappeared. Bye, bye..I also managed to photograph a few butterflies. This is quite common but rarely sits still.
    Could it be an Green-veined White butterfly? It has green eyes.This is a colorful beauty and surely it gives you a sense of joy that at least now and then succeed in capture these unique little insects that are such an important part of our nature.

    Tired of running very fast in search of rabbits in Majjstral Park.
    Always waiting for me while I shoot.

    Fanny is always my companion. She’s the best, she’s curious, awake and very funny. We have a heat wave here on the island, almost 30 degrees so now we are heading to Il-Majjistral Park where we can take a dip in the sea. Take care! ❤

    Hidden In a Shell

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    “It seems to me that the Natural World is the greatest source of Excitement; …

    …the greatest source of Natural Beauty;……the greatest source of Intellectual Interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living”
    – Sir David Attenborough –

    Me and my dog

    Published on by Anita21 Comments

    In this post I show some images from my recent walks with my dog in various Nature parks here in Malta. Thanks to Fanny, I’ve discovered amazing sceneries on this tiny island in the Mediterranean.

    The greenery, the narrow paths and the deep slopes of Victoria Lines.The barren landscape along the sea in Pembroke.The steep clay slopes in Ghajn Tuffieha.Together we have made adventurous climbs in Il-Majjistral Nature Park.

    Besides Fanny, I also photograph the variety of wild plants and insects found in our nature, more of that will come in a later post. And don’t worry, Fanny is visible also in the first image, but you have to look closely.

    Life is good…

    Published on by Anita15 Comments

    Life goes on as usual, I can still go out while my husband since three weeks now has to stay indoors. I go to the supermarket when needed and I take long walks with Fanny twice a day, otherwise I stay home as advised. I’m grateful to have my beloved dog as a companion when walking in nature.

    Now in the spring you will find different flowers everywhere and thus a variety of colors while bees are looking for nectar. This flower is as small as my thumb nail.Despite prevailing circumstances, life is good…

    Wind gusts are blowing…

    Published on by Anita22 Comments

    Wind gusts are blowing today here in Malta and the rain is pouring.
    Some stay fragile, some remain strong.The farmers are grateful as are all the inhabitants of nature. My funny Fanny ​​doesn’t want to go out and I’m happy to be alive, while life goes on…
    Take care 💗

    Understandably, the pictures above are selected from my huge archive.

    Today’s Plant

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    I have no idea what kind of plant this is. It can be quite large and it is growing wild now here in Malta.I tried to search the images through google but got some strange suggestions. I know it’s not a broccoli and for sure it’s not a kind of fowl! For me it’s not a beauty but an interesting common plant. Maybe it’s eatable.

    “Plants are like people:
    they’re all different…
    …and a little strange”
    – John Kehoe –

    Flower(s) of The Day

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    Feeling Blue.Red for Love – Red for Fire. Snow WhiteYellow Solar heat. Pink – Passion.

    Wherever life plants you…Susan’s Flowers on Fridays
    Cee’s Photo Challenge.

    Flower of The Day

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    Yesterday I saw an almond tree that was already blooming, although it was mostly buds.

    It’s a lovely flower.It feels like spring though it’s still winter here on the island.“Almond blossom, sent to teach us That the Spring days soon will reach us”
    – Edwin Arnold –

    Susan’s Flowers on Fridays
    Cee’s Photo Challenge.

    Lens-Artists Challenge – Favorite Photos of 2019

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    Artistic.
    For the last Lens-Artists Photo Challenge of 2019, we will show some of our favorite photos that we have taken during the year that are close to end.Creative.
    It’s always difficult to pick favorites but I like the way Patti divided her favorites into different categories, so I did the same, or almost the same.
    Fun.

    Here’s the proof, a smile says it all and means a lot. A smile is the shortest distance between two people.

    Artwork created by nature.
    A favorite image does not always mean that it must be perfect from a photographic point of view.
    Pictures can convey feelings, evoke memories or special moments.
    The true reality.
    This orangutan lives in Borneo’s rainforests and belongs to a species threatened with extinction.Our valuable nature.
    We must take care of our nature and its inhabitants which all have an impact on the survival of the earth.
    “Cherish the natural world because you’re part of it and depend on it”
    -David Attenborough –Lens-Artists Challenge #76 – Favorite Photos of 2019

    Flowers on Fridays

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    This time I choose to show three different types of flowers but with similar shades of color.The flower on top I believe is an anthurium, also called flamingo flower.
    The one above is a type of orchid but there are about 28,000 different species so I have no idea about its name.Plumeria flowers. Susan’s Flowers on Fridays
    Cee’s Photo Challenge.

    Flower of The Day

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    “Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better”
    – Albert Einstein     –“It you truly love nature you will find beauty everywhere”
    – Vincent Van Gogh “Time spent in nature heals your body, mind & spirit”
    – Katrina Mayer –

    Sarawak Orchid Garden, Kuching – December 2019.

    Susan’s Flowers on Fridays
    Cee’s Photo Challenge.

    Flowers on Fridays

    Published on by Anita20 Comments

    These beautiful flowers were taken when I visited Orchid Garden in Kuching, Sarawak. It’s obviously not some kind of orchid, but it is a beautiful flower that grows on large trees and has a lovely scent.If I’m not mistaken, this is Plumeria flowers which are most fragrant at night in order to lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. But I could be wrong…

    Susan’s Flowers on Fridays
    Cee’s Photo Challenge.

    Back..

    Published on by Anita21 Comments

    …back to my daily life here in Malta after a couple of weeks in Sarawak, Malaysia. Today’s images are from yesterday’s visit to Ta Qali Park. Nature has changed, in some way, it feels more subdued. It’s winter now, not so many colorful flowers, besides the yellow ones that bloom all year round. These special plants are now seen growing in abundance among the green grass in the park.
    They are small and resembles a kind of pitcher plant.I really like being in Sarawak, I wouldn’t mind living there year around. It’s a very special part of the world. But I know it doesn’t work to take my dog ​​to the other side of the earth.
    It feels good to be with Fanny again…

    Spring is in the air

    Published on by Anita41 Comments

    Yesterday we went to Ta Qali Park. Usually we never go there on the weekends when the summer is over because there are too many people and you can’t have your dog without leash. But we were all alone.I haven’t been here for a while and was really surprised. It felt like spring even though we are in November! This beauty has a very special expression, perhaps it was also surprised that it felt like spring in the air.The sky was blue, the grass was green and there were lots of small yellow flowers.
    Fanny was more than happy to run around in the greenery without a leash. At first I didn’t notice that there were two butterflies on the leaf! A spider with its catch of the day.I saw lots of different kinds of butterflies, dragonflies and other kinds of insects. But as usual, they are very active and difficult to capture with the camera. I’m glad I got this one.Ta’ Qali National Park, Malta

    Welcome November

    Published on by Anita22 Comments

    Typically November, the sky is gray, it’s thundering and it’s raining again.
    Days like these we need both color and flowers and not to forget, a happy mind. Susan’s Flowers on Fridays # 13. 
    Cee’s Photo Challenge.

    Flower of The Day

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    It continues to rain here on the island. These are still blooming on our terrace, although it’s soon November.
    Life goes on, sometimes a bit too fast. For the future, I have a wish…Cee’s Photo Challenge.

    Thistly

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    “Do not blame the thistle that you can see no beauty”
    –     Jonathan Lookwood Huie – “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better”
    – Albert Einstein –

    Susan’s Flowers on Fridays # 13. 
    Cee’s Photo Challenge.

    Pomegranates and Prickly Pears

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    We spent another Sunday among pomegranates and prickly pears in Majjistral Nature Park. This time I had brought gloves so I could pick some of the prickly fruits. They taste pretty good, not too sweet.

    The pomegranate kernels are not sweet at all but taste good mixed with yogurt and some honey.I found a small nest full of life……and a butterfly. There were plenty of them but I only managed to capture this one.Fanny was with us, as always. Here she rests after running around in the amazing surroundings of the park.And here she waits patiently between the rocks as we make our way up the last hill on the way up to the plateau where we have parked our car. The weather was fine, 25 degrees and another day of life is gone.

    20 October 2019 Il-Majjistral Nature & History Park

    Autumn Feeling

    Published on by Anita24 Comments

    Last Sunday we went to Il-Majjistral Nature Park here in Malta. We haven’t been here since last spring and it is always exciting to see how our nature changes, depending on the seasons. Now autumn is here.This is nothing to be found in the spring.

    These thistles have completely changed colors. Once purple, now turned into soft autumn colors.Our nature is absolutely amazing! This picture speaks for itself. As always, Fanny was with us. She loves to run freely in the large nature park with all steep slopes. She has seen wild rabbits here, now sniffing and looking for them. Luckily she never catches any, they are too fast.

    Sunshine’s Macro Monday.