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