My most popular original photographs to date on Flickr ;0) Nature Photography & More!

Click on the link or an image below to view my original artworks and photographs on Flickriver..... scroll down slowly and enjoy. All are titled, centered and beautifully showcased on a black background ;0)



All my images and art are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Nature Art & Photography Blog by Carolyn Hietala
Artist - Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Don't miss the THINKSMALL5 miniature art exhibition opening this week in Richmond!

For a sneak peak at some of the available works that will be for sale

at Art6 and Artspace galleries visit the link below..... ENJOY!

http://www.artspacegallery.org/ts5/index.htm

Honeybee On Wild Aster - Miniature Acrylic Painting On Silk Canvas - 3"x3" - FRAMED

This small nature art was painted by me for the upcoming ThinkSmall5 exhibition taking place here in Richmond, Virginia. The exhibit runs from November 6, through December 20, 2009.

Purchase from hundreds of works by local, national, and international artists at the 5th Biennial International Miniature Invitational, a special fundraising event for Artspace and art6 galleries.

The outside frame measurement of the above painting is 7.75 x 7.75 inches. The work is matted and protected under glass. I took the sipping insect reference image in October 2008 in my Chesterfield County yard ;0)

Artist - Carolyn Hietala

Blue Dasher Dragonfly..... a melancholy one.

Dragonflies have emotions?

Wouldn't have the faintest idea. I only know that images of them evoke varied feelings in me.

Yesterday I passed by the rain barrel and on a seed pod was a Dasher. I took off my glasses (am very very near sighted) and approached slowly until she was in focus. Let me tell you, up close and only a few inches away from her face..... it was way more exhilerating to view the creature this way than through a camera lens. Those eyes are mesmerizing! She was eating a bug, moving her little head and chomping her jaws. The sunlight was reflecting off those eyes, through them revealing their amazing beauty. It was a special memory that never went digital..... and that's ok ;0)

Blue Dasher Dragonfly - Pachydiplax longipennis

Odonata - Female

Photo taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Insect Backyard Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Northern Copperhead Snake - Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen - VENOMOUS

Serpent Bokeh!

Macro image taken in Richmond, Virginia

Chesterfield County Backyard

Poisonous Reptile Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

life has all sorts of twists and turns..... we must adapt

A native wildflower Rhexia virginica aka Handsome Harry.

This little pink wildflower knows perserverance.

Photo taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Native Backyard Flower Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Dragonfly - Pachydiplax longipennis - Odonata - Female

the sun is so bright.....

lol.....actually this Blue Dasher is using its front legs to aid in the positioning of an insect in its mouth. It is eating while resting on an iron crowbar I was using in the backyard the other day ;0)

Backyard Insect Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Photo taken in Richmond Virginia - Chesterfield County

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

I wonder if this little fellow would appreciate being on Flickr Explore ;0)

I doubt that he would even care.

He's too self-absorbed these days just

pigging out on Hickory nuts ;0)

The squirrels are going literally nuts over the Hickory Tree beside the house. Day and night I hear the nuts falling to the ground. All day long the rodents feast on them..... and they are getting quite chubby. I took this young fellow's image through the window yesterday morning.

Eastern Gray Squirrel - Sciurus carolinensis

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Wildlife Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Great Blue Skimmer Dragonfly (Libellula vibrans) On Ribbon Grass

This innocent-eyed fellow is the culprit that had chased the Blue Dasher dragonflies into the woods a few days ago. Thank goodness he has left the area..... but I do appreciate that he had allowed me to snap a few decent photographs of him before leaving. Here he is resting on the ornamental grass that grows in the rain barrel ;0)

Nature Odonata Macro Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

(click on photo for larger view)

Image taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

if I were a bug.....

.....i'd be breaking the sound barrier about now while SCREAMING!

Once again a hungry mouth prepares lift off to snatch another bug.

Hmmmm.....got mouthwash?

Blue Dasher Dragonfly

Pachydiplax longipennis - Odonata - Female

Insect Nature Macro Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Photo taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

forlorn dragon of the wood

Blue Dasher Dragonfly

(click on image to enlarge)

Pachydiplax longipennis - Odonata

Photo taken in Richmond Virginia - Chesterfield County

Nature Insect Macro Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

if you did notice me..... you would not easily forget me!

This is my world.

Chinese Praying Mantis - Female Nymph

Tenodera aridifolia sinensis

Richmond Virginia - Chesterfield County

Insect Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

time steals many things..........

memories get fuzzy

some fade forever away

and new ones keep us going

Nature Macro Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

American Hazelnut - Corylus americana Walt. - A Virginia Native Tree

Photo taken in Richmond, Virginia

Chesterfield County

Does anyone know how I might KEEP THE SQUIRRELS from eating all of the nuts this year? Last year I watched and waited for the nuts to mature only to have them completely gone in a few days. I have one large shrub that I would love to protect from their greed..... they can have the rest!!!!! ;0)

Flora Nature Backyard Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Let's Share A Blue Dasher Sundown

Blue Dasher Dragonfly

Pachydiplax longipennis - Odonata

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

As the day winds down, a dragonfly with tattered wings is found to be still hunting for insects on the Fringe Tree.

Insect Nature Artistic Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

I will capture your soul.....

.....did mine ;0)

Blue Dasher Dragonfly - Pachydiplax longipennis - Odonata

Wildlife Nature Insect Macro Photograph

by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

the sentinel

Flies beware!

Robberfly - Asilidae diptera

Hanging-Thieves

Wildlife Insect Macro Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Photo taken in Richmond, Virginia

Chesterfield County

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

WARNING! Just remember now all you berry pickers out there....... and you know who you are..... ;0)

Northern Copperhead Snake (Baby)

Luscious Sweet Blackberries

Find.....Pick.....Eat.....

.....and be sure to wear high boots

and don't pick too low to the ground.

Leave the snakes alone and they'll leave you alone!
Be safe, enjoy and please check for ticks later.....ha ;0)

Reptile Wild Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond Virginia - Chesterfield County

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

under the porch light

You never know what mischief might be

brewing out there as you sleep!

Chinese Mantis Insect Macro Photograph

by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Moth being devoured in

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

BOO!!!!!!!!!

Did I scare you? ...teeheeheeeeee!

Like my green bonnet?

Asiatic Dayflower - commelina communis
A blue native Virginia wildflower..... and a bit levity for the day ;0)

Taken in Richmond Virginia - Chesterfield County

Flower Nature Macro Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

when you first see me I am flawed, but your empathy makes me whole.....

My Beauty Brightly Shines

A part of this little dragonfly's leg is missing ;0(
Male Blue Dasher is glancing at me as it rests on a Fringe Tree branch.

Nature Odonata Insect Macro Photograph

by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

..............conducting a symphony of hope.............

Enjoy the gift of life.

Happy Bokeh Wednesday Everyone!!!!!

Swaying in the wind are Flax and another miscellaneous plant that magically appeared after I had tossed discarded bird seed into the garden ;0)

Flower Nature Macro Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

.........a gift for the pure at heart.........

Red Lily - Pure White Bokeh

This flower has been blooming for many many years and it still WOW's me. I brought it with me when I moved to the new house, along with various other precious plants.....and memories ;0)

Flora Nature Macro Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Blossom photo taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

We have so much in common..... ;0)

Least Skipper - Ancyloxpha numitor

Small Orange Butterfly

Bug Nymph - Yellow Flower

Backyard Insect Macro Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Photo taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

in reverence..........

Blue Dasher Dragonfly..........thankful ;0)

Nature Odonata Insect Macro Photograph

by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Photograph taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

inner beauty lasts a lifetime.....

.....whereas outer beauty fades.....

but then, after all,

beauty is in the eye of the beholder ;0)

Nature Floral Macro Photography by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Photograph taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

The sweetness is great, it's nice and juicy..... but add another sprinkle of bokeh please!

A gentleman with discriminating taste ;0)

Wildlife Insect Nature Photography by Carolyn Hietala

Watermelon & Fly

richmond virginia - chesterfield county

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Quick! Kiss me you fool!

.....seriously..... that's what it said as it glanced up at me, tossing its head back in reckless wild abandon..... really. I digress.

I of course couldn't anyway as I refused to stop clicking away ;0)

Doesn't it look like a little circus clown? And its little body has little bokeh!

Dragonfly Insect Macro Nature Photography

by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

.....and i share my world with you ;0)

A Sensitive Portrait - Dragonfly On Seed Pod

Insect Macro Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

extreme DOF obsession

I've been experimenting with dof using the "lean in and out" method on insects to achieve an artsy ghostly result. The subject mostly becomes the bokeh.

This dragonfly didn't seem to mind, thank goodness, but I did waste a lot of "film"..... lol. I wanted to get the tip of the leaf in focus and preserve just a touch of eye detail while keeping some defining outer lines. If you go original you will see the patterns on the eye surface and a little detail on the leaf.

Eastern Pondhawk - Erythemis simplicicollis

Nature Art Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All of my images and art are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

canon rebel xt - sigma 150 macro - selective conceptual focus

green odonata insect - backyard nature

richmond virginia - chesterfield county

Skullcap - Scutellaria species - A Native Wildflower Of Virginia

Could someone PLEASE point me in the right direction?

Thanks little flower..... much appreciated! ;0)

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Nature Wildflower Macro Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Male & Female Hercules Beetle - Native Virginians

They make very attractive garnishes..... don't you think?..... ha. After they're done eating though, the orange slices are fair game! Enjoy ;0)


On a more serious note, this image shows the size relationship between the sexes. View from above - Adult Male (left) & Female Eastern Hercules Beetle (aka Rhinoceros, Rhino, Horned, Horn, Scarab or Unicorn) - Scarabaeidae Family - Dynastes tityus - Their Wild Natural Adult Diet Is Tree Sap

I discovered invaluable information about Hercules Beetles and their care at the following website from the University of Kentucky Entomology Department:
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/insects/beetles/hercules/rearing/rearing.htm

Wildlife Insect Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala
Image taken in Richmond Virginia - Chesterfield County
All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

NOT an edible topping!!!!!

Happy 4th of July to ALL you RVA people out there!!!!

Be safe ;0)

Nature Wildlife Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Eastern Hercules Beetle taken in Richmond, Virginia.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Crave touch? Extend.

Macro Photography..... enter another world ;0)

Wildlife Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Photo taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

R & R N R E D

Snoozing Ladybird

(click on photo to enlarge)

EVERYONE deserves a little REST & RELAXATION!!!!!

Have a WONDERFUL Friday and SUPER HAPPY 4th of July

.....and don't forget..... rest and relax ;0)

HUGSOXOXOX & BE SAFE ;0)))))))))

Insect Wildlife Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Ladybug image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Message For UPS..... BEWARE OF DOG!

On Flickr Explore = July 2, 2009

The "BEWARE OF DOG" sign was intended for Halloween decoration last year but our UPS deliveryman (and FedEx delivery also) liked it so much..... well I left it up for a bit of humor ;0)

My MinPin Kysen is the shadowy one on the right that does not have his head through the rails. Directly left of him is Cairo aka Cujo and to her left is Kasha aka Wiggle Butt as her whole body wiggles when she wags her tail. Cairo and Kasha were being daycared this day. If you've ever owned a Miniature Pinscher you will know they are quite a handfull..... NEVER a dull moment! LOVE them all ;0)

I always have them on the porch while I take pictures in the yard. Good company they are ;0)

Canine Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala
This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved as are all my images.

Richmond Virginia - Chesterfield County

feeling trapped.....

This large dragonfly was discovered at

the bug zapper late one night.

I did not have the heart to just leave it there to perish so kept it in a plastic butter container until the next day. For a couple of quick photos before release, I placed it in a glass jar, hence the hazy quality and lack of detail. When released it was gone in a flash, flew high into the sky, then off to the treetops.

I feel bad about using the bug zapper as innocent insects do fall victim..... but the bloodthirsty mosquitos from the wetland keep trying to enter the house every time I let the dogs in or out. Glad I could save this one anyway. Hope it doesn't return ;0)

Odonata Backyard Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala
All of my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.
Photo take in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Hercules ADORES Banana! Closeup Image Of The Eastern Rhinoceros Beetle (Dynastes tityus)

Adult Male Eastern Hercules Beetle Eating Fruit

Scarabaeidae - Dynastes tityus

(click on picture to enlarge)

Doesn't he have a lovely hairdo? He is so adorable, very healthy and has a super interesting personality! I haven't seen any of these beetles in years so guess it was a lucky find. I'll spend some time fixing a proper home for him this week.

Instead of a mantis or spider this year, I have a Rhinoceros aka Unicorn Beetle for an insect pet. I'll be boring you with pictures as long as he enjoys living here. According to info from the net, they can live 3 months to 6 months and rarely to 1 year, depending on how old they are when you get them I suppose ;0)


Scarab Nature Bug Photograph by Carolyn Hietala
Image taken in Richmond Virginia - Chesterfield County
All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Nature Paints Bokeh!

Grasses.....

swaying and swirling in the wind like giant paint brushes.....

plein air painting as they go.....

like Vincent van Gogh!!!!!! ;0)

Flora Nature Bokeh Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

then there's hope.....

Withering Ornamental Grass & Water Droplets

(click on image to enlarge)

Grasses Backyard Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

assimilating, assimilating, assimilating.......... Please Hurry Up Scotty!!!!!

Sometimes impatience is justified ;0)

Erythemis simplicicollis - Eastern Pondhawk

Beam Me Up Scotty!!!!!

Pardon a little silly humor ;0)

Insect Dragonfly Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Blue Dasher Dragonfly - Pachydiplax longipennis

Hope this one stays in the yard for awhile

that I may get a few more pictures taken ;0)

It spends much of the day resting on the plants that grew from discarded parakeet seed I threw there. Growing in close proximity to two rain barrels, the plants are home to many odonata insect visitors that are attracted to a wetland habitat.

Odonata Insect Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved as are all my images.

a tiny universe explodes.....

Ahhhhh..... the sweet fragrance and exotic beauty of flowering Mimosa

Nature's Fireworks (click on image to enlarge)

Happy Early 4th Of July 2009 Everyone!!!!!!

Celebrate Safe ;0)

Tree Flower Macro Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Picture taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

you steal my breath.....

.....each new day gifts you a nature special moment ;0)

Green Dragonfly - Erythemis simplicicollis?

Eastern Pondhawk - Juvenile Male OR Mature Female

Dragonfly Insect Nature Macro Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

I'm so embarrassed..... my house is such a MESS!!!!!

House Wren - troglodytes aedon

American Holly Tree - cedar birdhouse

Backyard Wildlife Bird Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

I dozed off for a moment, woke up in a Monet!

Have A Happy Bokeh Wednesday!!!!!!

Female Damselfly - Fragile Forktail - Ischnura posita

Odonata Insect Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Photo taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Flowers in appreciation for all my Flickr friends..... you warm my soul!

A tiny bouquet for you, my wonderful friends..... thanks ;0)

Flower Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Dragonfly On Ornamental Grass - Richmond, Virginia

Libellula luctuosa - Widow Skimmer

Female or immature male?

(golden yellow with brown)

A backyard dragonfly that enjoyed

visiting the rain barrel grass ;0)

Odonata Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Chesterfield County

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Closeup of Damselfly Lovers..... in soft pastel colors ;0)

I paid the price of chigger bites taking these pictures of them mating..... had to get down and dirty in the grass...... oh well..... goes with the camera ;0(

(click on image to enlarge size)

Odonata Insect Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Picture taken in Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County