I decided that this week, for the first week in the “Macro March,” I would use my macro clip to photograph all the budding bushes or trees and attempt to identify them (like a mini-science lesson for myself). It would be a nice way to document the first signs of spring (and bore you all to death with Latin names and such--really get into it— like I was a scientist or something--haha).
On my way up the hill to a bush that every bird in the planet loves (and I have no idea what it is called), I had my macro clip and kit lens ready. My back hill is quite steep, so I needed to check my footing. I looked down, and there was this little snake taking in some of the sun’s rays (blending in the hill so well that when I called others out to have a look, my family thought I was seeing things). I had to abandon the idea of using my macro clip, but as any macro enthusiast knows, some lenses will function in a macro mode (as does my 75-300) lens. I had a nice distance, and I had one lucky shot that had the eye and face in focus!
This is a Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi--learn about it here: http://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/stodek.htm). It’s rather bland, and as you can see in my other shot http://365project.org/darylo/didn-t-make-cut/2014-03-02 (notice how light changes things), it has some markings on its back. I did not harm it; my husband scooped it and put it over our fence in the back where it might enjoy a more wooded home atmosphere.
So for Macro March, I’m thinking (starting Monday) of a week of budding plants. After that, depending on weather, I’d like a week of bugs, and then a week of structural things, and then I’ll probably change it all again. My goal at the beginning of this year was to learn my lenses well, so this is a good month to use the macro-clip or get real close with the others! Here’s a link to the challenge if anyone’s up for joining in: http://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/21294/any-interest-in-a-macro-march
Oh, and Hot Dog! Whew, that was a long narrative (and confusing I'm sure)
Hot dog. Buds, bugs, and snakes out of hibernation... are you telling us spring has arrived? Good job getting the head sharp, and I like his coil around the leaf.
