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

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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

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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

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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

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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

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!! Celebrating With Warm Soft Pastel Love ;0)

Damselfly Lovers

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Nature Insect Mating Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Sunday Morning Sweethearts..... Ahhhhhh Wedded Bliss ;0)

I have ornamental grass growing in the rain barrel, a favorite hangout for dragonflies and damselfies alike. Even though I keep a "doughnut" in the water to prevent mosquitos from breeding there, they do visit and therefore become fair game for these lovely predators.

Mating Damselfly Odonata Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

you glanced at me..... NO I DIDN'T..... you know you did..... I ABSOLUTELY DID NOT!..... you like me don't you ;0)

A Beautiful Green Dragonfly

Erythemis simplicicollis? - Eastern Pondhawk?

A Juvenile Male OR Mature Female?

It kept turning its head to check me out as I moved about to get a good shot ;0)
Taken in Richmond Virginia - Chesterfield County

Insect Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Whew! Finally I've found Negative Space. Hmmmm. Looks like a whole lot of nothing to me.

So what's the big deal?!
Damsel Distressed And Perplexed ;0)
Have a super weekend EVERYONE!!!!!!!

Insect Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

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It was a lazy hazy morn ;0)

Rain beaten flowers droop as a groggy little bug explores

on this rather humid morning.

Insect Flora Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Richmond, Virginia - Chesterfield County

Did I ever tell you about the time I watched a vine grow?

There are so many "quiet" miracles to see ;0)

Fly Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

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Spring is on the way! The delicate nature of one.

This teeny tiny wildflower promises warmer days.

Richmond, Virginia

Wildflower Macro Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Winter Snow Pictures - March 2009 - Richmond, Virginia

Sculpt me in white!

Wren In Beech Tree

Woodland Snow Scene

American Holly Tree - Berry Chilly Bokeh

I'll do anything for the green stuff!

Winter Snow Nature Photographs by Carolyn Hietala

(all images are copyright protected with all rights reserved)

Please Hold Both Handles!

LUXOR

Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

(image is copyright protected with all rights reserved)

Come on Honey! Get all dolled up! We're going out to wine and dine at the best place in the yard tonight!

Love is in the air..... Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine Heart Images by Carolyn Hietala

(photo is copyright protected - all rights reserved)

how to predict a cat yawn.....

Important information for those who need to know!

It's all in the whisker position! The whiskers point forward just prior to the yawn..... it's a muscle thing I guess. Ha! Imagine all the trivial benefits of shooting a cat photo each day of 2009. Next I'll be dreaming (or having nightmares) of taking cat pictures. Already I digress..... lol

Cat Nature Trivia Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

It's extremely windy in my "neck of the woods" today..... Old Glory billows in the distance as Mighty Oak stands firm!

American Flag

(click on image to enlarge)

Patriotic Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

ripples of winter morning chill.....

An American Holly Tree branch is adorned with

red berries wrapped in cascading Honeysuckle Vine

topped with a little melting brrrrry snow

surrounded softly in dreamy ripples of chilly bokeh,

all caressed by the gentle touch of sunless somber light.

This image is protected under the United States and International Copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission.

Nature Winter Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond Virginia - Chesterfield County

Teary Winter Bokeh!

Winter cries delicate tears..... sometimes ;0)

canon rebel xt - sigma 150 macro "full setting" - uncropped image - melting hazy snow nature - richmond virginia - chesterfield county

Nature Snow Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

If only our lifes path could be as easily revealed..... by a simple dusting of snow.

This is a well traveled animal pathway leading into the marshy meadow part of my yard. It is used daily by deer, opossum and raccoons as their telltale tracks have shown me.

canon rebel xt - sigma 150 macro "full setting" - uncropped image - overcast daylight - richmond virginia - chesterfield county - woodland wetland nature

Nature Wildlife Habitat Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Would a bug say..... "WOW! What a beautiful view!" ?

Rhyparochromidae ? Ligyrocoris ?

Of the Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Marsh grasses with small insects feeding on their seed.

Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Richmond Virginia - Chesterfield County

This one's for all you CSI fans ;0)

The Romance of Gil Grissom & Sara Sidle lives on!

Image by Carolyn Hietala

WHAT!!!!???? Was it something I said????

One of those "I'm outta here" moments ;0)

Oh, the trials and tribulations of attracting a mate.

You think match.com might help?

Wild Asters & Pearly Crescentspot (Phyciodes tharos)

Click on image for a larger view

Nature Butterfly Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Having Monday Blues On Wednesday ;0(

Mommy spider guarding her egg sacs.

Web was found in an American Holly tree

This image has been digitally altered of course using ArcSoft PhotoStudio that came with my digital Canon Rebel XT. I used the Sigma 150 macro lens for this shot.

Arachnid Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Dreamy Whiskasssss!!!

My Charlie in available window light ;0)

This image is protected under the United States and International Copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission.

canon rebel xt - sigma 150 macro - uncropped image - richmond virginia - chesterfield county - cat whiskers feline nature

Kitty Photography by Carolyn Hietala

My Boy Charlie

Bird Watching

Charlie is a rescue kitty.

He rescues me daily with his sensitive loving nature ;0)

Richmond Virginia

All my images are protected under the United States and International Copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission.

Tabby Cat Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Busy Bokeh

Small Bee On White Wildflowers ;0)

richmond virginia - chesterfield county - backyard insect nature - wild aster - canon rebel xt - sigma 150 macro - uncropped image - autumn pollination

This image is protected under the United States and International Copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission.

Insect Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Essence Of A Cat

Greyboy exudes energy and has an exciting zest for life. He can turn even the air into a play toy. This image perfectly captures this feline's dynamic personality!

Cat Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is protected under the United States and International Copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission.

Bored? Frazzled? Need vacation? Does frolicking in the sun, experiencing new exciting smells and sights sound tempting?

Spend a day with ME!

Wild Asters & Pearly Crescentspot (Phyciodes tharos)

All my images are protected under the United States and International Copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission.

Butterfly Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

A beautiful Richmond model..... thanks for posing!

Evening Wait

In teaching myself people portraiture, I have discovered that

it is quite a bit different than photographing bugs on flowers.

Fortunately my model is very patient!

This image is protected under the United States and International Copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission.


Richmond Virginia - Chesterfield County
Human Nature Portrait by Carolyn Hietala

Succulent Display - Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

This wonderful grouping of plants was actually constructed as to cascade from the top of a wall alongside the walkway leading to the Conservatory. One day I would love to make a similar mound planting at home..... one day ;0)

Richmond Virginia Gardens Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

grassy brassy love

Sunny Lovers In Camouflage

Nature Procreation Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Ethereal Cat

Charlie is beside himself..... window gazing ;0)

Kitty Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

All my images are protected under the United States and International Copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission.

Sunlit Smile..... my first attempt at portraiture ;0)

A Lovely Richmonder

This image is protected under the United States and International Copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission.

Portrait Of A Woman by Carolyn Hietala

fresh out of kleenex

A bit of Min Pin humor ;0)

Image copyright protected. All rights reserved.

Nature Dog Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Good Old Summertime..... Come Back! Missing Rain Barrel Frog ;0)

Rain Barrel Frog - Lounging in the shade.

I don't know where this fellow is spending the Winter but I'm sure it's cold there ;0)

canon rebel xt - sigma 150 macro - uncropped image - pickerel amphibian - backyard wildlife nature - water conservation - richmond virginia - chesterfield county

Nature Summer Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Horizontal Posture

Let's turn back time with a touch of Autumn!

Fall Colors - Richmond Virginia - Chesterfield County

Small spotted yellow leaves on tiny branches resembling little baby trees..... lined up nicely on a very straight chunky limb. Whew! That's a mouthful. Or is it limbs on branches? I'll figure it out later ;0)

Nature Seasonal Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Wishing all the bees of the world a much better year in 2009! Plant and preserve our native wildflowers ;0)

Let our bees NOT disappear in a blur......

help save the bee!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!..... HAVE A SUPER 2009 ;0)

Search the net and you will find out more about the plight of bees.

Our very existance depends on them.

I especially appreciate the honeybees with their gift of honey..... don't you?

Nature Insect Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is protected under the United States and International Copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission.

My Honey is so special..... she glows!

Hug your loved ones and enjoy

an especially glorious 2009 together..... one and all! ;0)

This image is protected under the United States and International Copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission.

Nature Honeybee Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Bread Pudding..... a thoughtful gift warms the start of the New Year 2009

Yummmm..... thanks daughter!

There's nothing like comfort food for the holidays.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009..... Each And Everyone!!!!!!!!
Image and pudding by Adrienne Quesenberry

Nature Photography Blog by Carolyn Hietala

Graced by warm rays of Autumn sun, we smelled the sweetness of aster and shared a gentle breeze.

In this brief moment of peaceful serenity we were one..... then silently bid our farewells. Little bee and me.

Peace And Goodwill To All..... Happy Holidays ;0)

Nature Honeybee Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Let's play "sneak up on the rain barrel frog"

Just a game I play.....

.....trying to get super close for a decent shot..... but all the plants are a challenge. If I approach too close sometimes from the front then frog slips into the water. Oh well. I'll try again next Summer. (cute Pickerel ;0)

Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Elderberry..... a native plant of Virginia captured in magical display

Berry Bokeh On A VERY Sunny Summer Day

Once ripened these berries do not stay on display very long. The birds quickly devour them.


Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Remember..... ALWAYS exit with a BRIGHT SMILE!!!

Deck Nails In Autumn Unison.....

with Sweetgum and Oak

Happy Holidays Everyone! ;0)

Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

I made a wish..... and became BOKEH !!!!!

Be careful what you wish for ;0)
Soft Butterfly Orange & Cottony Wildflower White Bokeh

Nature Macro Image by Carolyn Hietala