The obvious and the subtle

[Steve Foss]

Blue flag are all right out there in front of us in northern Minnesota in June, since this wild iris needs full sun and its feet in the water. Seems like most every wet open area sports its share of pretty violet blooms.

Twinflower, on the other hand, are so short (about six inches tall), that for many their June blooms go unnoticed. Look for twinflower in the same place you find bunchberry and clintonia. The flowers, though tiny, smell nice.

On a different note, when the storms broke yesterday afternoon up here, it stayed pretty darn windy, so waiting for these blooms to steady down between wind gusts ended up taking quite awhile. But heck, kneeling with your nose to the ground for the twinflowers and standing knee deep in bog water for the iris and waiting for the proper moment as all part of the fun.

Both with the Canon 30D and Canon 100 macro

iso400, 1/500 at f14, handheld, evaluative metering -1/3 exposure compensation

iso200, 1/250 at f5, evaluative metering -1 exposure compensation, Manfrotto tripod, remote shutter release

[Swimmer]

I really like the dark bokeh on the Twin Flowers. Nice detail in the breeze too. That is one thing I am learning...especially with Kenkos on...the wind is a killer. Patience, Patience.

[Steve Foss]

Yeah, that wind is why it's especially nice to have the remote release. A person can use the camera's own timer to eliminate having your hand on the shutter at release, but no one knows when they press the sutter if the flowers will be moving or not 10 seconds later when the shutter goes.

[captshorelunch]

Photographers must make good deer hunters. They are patient. That's why don't do either one. Nonetheless, I enjoy other peoples' pics and deer kills

[The_Duckslayer]

Steve, once again you have taken some impeccable pictures! I hope that you will continue to post them and know just how much us not so talented folks appreciate the beauty of our world that you bring to the computer screen! Thanks! Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[Steve Foss]

Thanks, Jimbo. When I get all 6 Gb downloaded from today's showy ladyslipper shoot, I'll post a few of those. I reckon it'll be awhile.

[Paul]

I love my handheld switch with camera on the tripod, really helps in some of those critical close ups.