Friday, April 22, 2016

Early Spring Flowers

For a number of years, I grabbed and posted photos of short-lived crocuses. They are the earliest flowers and the harbingers of spring for me. Due to weather and rabbits, I haven't done so well for the past couple of years, but I managed a few shots this time.

I don't have a macro lens, but do have a set of ring adapters to help me get closer. The result is a very tight focus with the rest of the frame becoming blurred quickly. This first photo is lightly processed: pretty close to what came out of the camera.


I upped the processing in the next two photos with various effects, including textures.



Then, I wandered across the street to the neighbour's garden. She has more crocuses with varied colours, but they were a little more spent than mine, and they were also in the unforgiving, bright sunlight, so I didn't bother. However, I did take this one of heather in bloom. We tried heather in our garden at one point, but it didn't do well for us. Looks great in hers though.


The daffodils will be next, perhaps as early as next week. We don't have many tulips, but perhaps I can piggyback on the neighbours again.

14 comments:

ADRIAN said...

These are fine you can get by without macro lenses and a reversed lens is very good.

TexWisGirl said...

my favorite is the first. just lovely.

MARY G said...

I have buds. Two croci in bloom. Love the tight focus. Do not love the light today.

Marie Smith said...

Love the photos. Great job. Have a great weekend.

Tabor said...

Spring I spend early mornings taking each new bloom. I have had no success with crocus as the moles seem to find them every year!

Ginger said...

Oh, the richness of these colors and textures! Wonderful pictures.

LauraHinNJ said...

Lucky you to have such generous neighbors!

:-)

Ginnie said...

I love those vivid colors ... definitely a "Spring event"

Kathleen's Blog said...

beautiful shots...every one.

KGMom said...

Your photos are always so breath-takingly beautiful.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

These were lovely images to welcome spring, AC. Years ago I had a dedicated macro lens for a digital SLR but now I rely only on the macro settings on my digital bridge camera, which is handy, but nowhere as good as a dedicated macro.

Jenn Jilks said...

I love it! "Weather and rabbits!'

Donna said...

Great shots and edits!!
hughugs

Kay said...

Oh my! Absolutely lovely!