Lens-Artists Challenge #386: What Astonishes You?
Beth (of Wandering Dawgs) sets the theme for this week’s challenge. She wrote: “What have you seen or experienced that has astonished you? The challenge is to include photos about things that astonish you and tell us why you are astonished.” Thank you, Beth, for this amazing challenge. Be sure to check out her post for inspiration.
I have been a volunteer at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Fauna Survey for a few years now. No matter how often I go there, it always astonishes me when I see the macros I capture during the survey. The macro world is phenomenal. It opens the doors to the tiny, overlooked creatures, sometimes revealing alien-like subjects, a hidden pattern, complex designs, and a beautiful miniature world. So, here are a few of the most recent macros I captured during the survey. Just to give you an idea of the diversity we find, the last four shots were all captured on the same day.
Last week, the shapes and designs you shared for Tina’s challenge were great. I hope you will join this challenge, too. Please don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts to help people find your wonderful challenge entries.
Next week, Ritva will feature a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history. If you don’t want to miss any future challenges, please consider subscribing to the team members’ websites. Here they are:
- Tina of Travels and Trifles.
- Patti of P.A. Moed.
- Ann-Christine of Leya.
- John of Journeys with Johnbo.
- Anne of Slow Shutter Speed.
- Sofia of Photographias.
- Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes.
- Ritva of Ritva Sillanmäki Photography.
- Beth of Wandering Dawgs.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Austin, Eastern Band-Winged Hover Fly, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Lens-Artists, Macros, Orange Skipperling, Pallid-Winged Grasshopper, Reakirt’s Blue, Red-Spotted Aster Mirid, Southern Spreadwing, Texas, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Lindy Le Coq
These are all beautiful examples of the often hidden joy of insects.
Egidio Leitao
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. Thanks for the comment.
PR
The smallest things in nature are as astonishing as the largest ones..isn’t it? Lovely shots!
Egidio Leitao
I agree with your statement. Thank you for the comment.
Rebecca Cuningham
Great close up of insects and flowers! Wonderful captures.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Rebecca.
klh048
Thanks for this post. I thoroughly enjoyed your astonishing macro images. I think we often miss those small but mighty moments. The creatures carry so much variety and individual purpose and make the world a place of beauty.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for these kind words, Kenneth. Those unexpected discoveries make macro photography a joy.
restlessjo
Extraordinarily fine details, Egidio xx
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Jo. xx
Leanne Cole
Beautiful Egidio, I totally agree about macro photography, it is really astonishing.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Leanne.
Paul
Outstanding macro photography. I’m in awe of your patience.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Paul, for your kind words.
Steve Schwartzman
Having Val Bugh in charge sure helps in identifying those little critters.
Egidio Leitao
She’s a walking encyclopedia.
photobyjohnbo
A beautiful gallery, Egidio! I am sure you really enjoy your visits to the wildflower center! Your photos are a testament to your skill in documenting the surveys.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, John.
Brad
What beautiful photos and finds in the gardens Egidio. The hoverfly and mirid are especially wonderful.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for your feedback, Brad. Those mirids look like fighters with their shields on.
Anita
Nature never ceases to amaze. Absolutely wonderful macro photos Egidio. Love them all, although the winged hoverfly is my favorite.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anita. I also love the hover fly. So much beauty and color packaged in a tiny insect.
margaret21
You don’t have to go on safari to be astonished, as this marvellous post confirms. So many wonders for those who look, within striding distance of home.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Margaret, for your insightful comment.
Tina Schell
Incredible post Egidio. To get these tiny creatures in such perfect focus, and to clarity of their colors is amazing. Especially love the spreadwing image (never heard of them!) but they are all simply perfect.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Tina. The spreadwing is one of the few damselflies that keeps their windows spread open when they are resting.
Anne Sandler
Oh Egidio, I love your nature images. Your macros show the beauty of insects and flowers. Their small world is certainly astonishing.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Anne. I love the surprises of photographing insects.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, thank you for these amazing macros! You must have really good eyes to discover these tiny critters. The grasshopper blends right in with its surroundings. I love them all but my favorite is the Orange Skipperling. We saw the Whooping Cranes in early March a few years ago just outside of Goose Island State Park near Rockport. I hope you will have luck seeing them and capturing them one day.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Beth. I agree that finding that grasshopper was hard. I’ve seen the cranes at Goose Island, but they were very far. Even with my long lens, it was not enough to get a good shot.