Pat's Native Wildflower Collection

[Second Hand Pat]

Besides discus and horses, well critters in general I love native plants especially wildflowers. My daughter moved out of state in February and left me the plants she could not fit in the moving truck. She left me with a pot full of these delicate little flowers are called a rain-lily. They only bloom after a couple days of rain. These guys popped up after the tropical system we had pass through the last couple of days.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2338_zps8a82bc9e.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2338_zps8a82bc9e.jpg.html)

[Second Hand Pat]

The whole front yard is rather sweet smelling.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2339_zps32697e62.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2339_zps32697e62.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2340_zps777edc77.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2340_zps777edc77.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2341_zps502a8ca8.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2341_zps502a8ca8.jpg.html)

[Second Hand Pat]

Adding a little water to the mix

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2357_zps9786227e.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2357_zps9786227e.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2356_zpseea81b3f.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2356_zpseea81b3f.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2354_zps9fc75c06.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2354_zps9fc75c06.jpg.html)

[Trier20]

Looks beautiful Pat! They look like they smell wonderful

[Second Hand Pat]

They do Brandon. I walked out this morning to go to work and they caught me totally by surprise. The flowers liberally popped up overnight.

[Discus-n00b]

Excellent pictures Pat, putting that camera to good use!

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Matt, I want a macro lens now :D

[CrazyAngels]

Pat, those pics are great, congrats on have those lilies flowering out for you, they sure a re beautiful.:D

[Trier20]

Thanks Matt, I want a macro lens now :D

Shooting macro was one of my favorites things to do when I was taking photography classes in college

[Keith Perkins]

A very nice thing to remind you of the daughter too. Thanks for the pics Pat.

[DiscusLoverJeff]

Nice looking flowers. Love the close up with the macro lens. Which one did you get?

[Disgirl]

How lovely Pat! Great pics! I grow lots of natives too. Andrea was a bad lady here yesterday. Glad she was moving fast.
Barb

[Second Hand Pat]

Pat, those pics are great, congrats on have those lilies flowering out for you, they sure a re beautiful.:D

Thank you Jorge, after they bloom out they make a huge seed pod.


Shooting macro was one of my favorites things to do when I was taking photography classes in college

I can see that Brandon :)


A very nice thing to remind you of the daughter too. Thanks for the pics Pat.

Thanks Keith, I have been sending her pictures. She is really happy they are blooming so well.


Nice looking flowers. Love the close up with the macro lens. Which one did you get?

Thanks Jeff, I have not gotten one yet. I may take the 18mm to 200mm and see what it will do. :)

[Second Hand Pat]

How lovely Pat! Great pics! I grow lots of natives too. Andrea was a bad lady here yesterday. Glad she was moving fast.
Barb

Thanks Barb, Diana said all they got was rain. Hope all is well at your place.

[SMB2]

Love the shots.

I want a macro lens now
What camera do you have?

[JERRYKEVIN]

Pat I want your fish and your flowers

[Second Hand Pat]

Love the shots.

What camera do you have?

Nikon D7000. Love this camera.

[Second Hand Pat]

Pat I want your fish and your flowers

Jerry, how about the horses :D

[Second Hand Pat]

Grabbed the other lens which allow me to zoom into the flower. Also the lilies are much pinker in the morning.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2358_zpsae8a2921.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2358_zpsae8a2921.jpg.html)

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2359_zps3eb22f6e.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2359_zps3eb22f6e.jpg.html)

[Second Hand Pat]

Note the ant

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2362_zps9e9fc68f.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2362_zps9e9fc68f.jpg.html)

and a few more

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2364_zpsed8c5327.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2364_zpsed8c5327.jpg.html)

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2371_zps320df717.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2371_zps320df717.jpg.html)

[Second Hand Pat]

My next victim...the passive flower

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2375_zps01b863a3.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2375_zps01b863a3.jpg.html)

[SMB2]

So about the macro lens.....
Several options, perhaps in order of expense.
1) You could try a set of extension tubes: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/375238-REG/Kenko_AEXTUBEDGN_Auto_Extension_Tube_Set.html
and one or two close up filters to match your existing lens: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Brand_Tiffen&ci=158&N=4077634540+4291162308

2) Nikons 60mm macro lens: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/545660-USA/Nikon_2177_AF_S_Micro_Nikkor_60mm_f_2_8G.html

3) Nikons 105mm macro lens: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/424744-GREY/Nikon_2160_105mm_f_2_8G_ED_IF_AF_S.html

There is also a newer 85mm lens. The longer the lens the greater your working distance, so if you want to shoot snakes..... The links are just examples and there are several less expensive off brand macro lenses available. To get tack sharp images a tripod is a big plus.
I love the world of macro and being in Fla you've got lots to work with!

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Stan for the ideas :D and yes, lots to work with in Fla. Appreciate it.

[CrazyAngels]

OMG! Pat, that passive flower is so unique, I had not seen that at all before. Though I lived in tropics for 8 years and have run into many different flowers, this one is a first for me.

[Second Hand Pat]

Jorge, the passion flower is a total beautiful flower and one opened today. I will upload a picture shortly.

[Second Hand Pat]

It was raining cats and dogs and real dark but decided to grab a quick pic of the one. The Passion Flower.

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2394_zpsa2378167.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2394_zpsa2378167.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2395_zps65f227c5.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2395_zps65f227c5.jpg.html)

[CrazyAngels]

Now how beautiful is that. WOW!!! I thank you for sharing it.

[SMB2]

Nice images Pat. The thing I like about macro is that you see structures in the image that you don't begin to see with the naked eye.

This is part of a project that I am doing for a group where I volunteer. It is the start of chocolate! The flower is only about 5mm so the detail only comes out with a lens or a macro shot.
(Pat the 60mm is great for your beautiful discus as well!!)

http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac196/LongLure/Zoo_zps33c41eca.jpg (http://s899.photobucket.com/user/LongLure/media/Zoo_zps33c41eca.jpg.html)

[Second Hand Pat]

Now how beautiful is that. WOW!!! I thank you for sharing it.

It is cool huh Jorge. That flower is closed this morning so more pictures may need to wait.

[Second Hand Pat]

Nice images Pat. The thing I like about macro is that you see structures in the image that you don't begin to see with the naked eye.

This is part of a project that I am doing for a group where I volunteer. It is the start of chocolate! The flower is only about 5mm so the detail only comes out with a lens or a macro shot.
(Pat the 60mm is great for your beautiful discus as well!!)

http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac196/LongLure/Zoo_zps33c41eca.jpg (http://s899.photobucket.com/user/LongLure/media/Zoo_zps33c41eca.jpg.html)

Thanks Stan, very cool. Will be looking at your links for sure. :)

[Keith Perkins]

...This is part of a project that I am doing for a group where I volunteer. It is the start of chocolate!

http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac196/LongLure/Zoo_zps33c41eca.jpg (http://s899.photobucket.com/user/LongLure/media/Zoo_zps33c41eca.jpg.html)


Okay, that's got to be my favorite flower picture...yum, chocolate.

[Second Hand Pat]

More passion flower...

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2431_zps2b99a4de.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2431_zps2b99a4de.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2429_zps9df4466a.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2429_zps9df4466a.jpg.html)
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad95/Second_Hand_Pat/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2430_zpsf0ce1406.jpg (http://s925.photobucket.com/user/Second_Hand_Pat/media/Florida%20Native%20Wild%20Flowers/DSC_2430_zpsf0ce1406.jpg.html)

[SMB2]

Now you just need a Hummingbird!

[Second Hand Pat]

Now you just need a Hummingbird!

I do...and a macro lens. I am driving this len to it max.