Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Moving at a Snail's Pace


Today I ventured down to our dock to get an up close and personal view of our swamp hibiscus or marsh mallows in full bloom.  They are really outdoing themselves this year.  And I also noticed that we had a few visitors on the marsh grasses...these little snails.

I have decided to name them Gary (in honor of Spongebob's pet snail), and Escar Go (it seems less morbid if I break it in to 2 names and misspell it!), who is visiting from France.




I love their bright green ribbed shells, but I didn't want to keep them in the hot sun for too long or they might become a little dry and crispy!




So after snapping a few shots with my uber cool new macro lens (a treat to myself bought with photo shoot and writing money), they were free to return to the cool shade and slightly cool waters of the creek.




I have to say that I love this new macro lens, but learning to use it has been harder than I thought.  If you move just a teeny, tiny bit, you loose your focus because the depth of field is so shallow.  I'm learning, but it's hard teaching an old dog new tricks!  But when you can get up close and personal with your subjects, it makes it all worth it!  Thanks Kate for encouraging me to buy a macro lens, now maybe I can take pictures as lovely as YOURS! :-)

And thank you for your sweet comments about my new venture into portrait photography.  After I posted yesterday I realized that I had used the low res versions of each picture, but I was just too darned lazy to replace them with the higher quality ones...so they will forever remain a little fuzzy looking on my post!

And one more thing before I go, thanks for your comments on my post about what this time of year means to you, I so enjoyed reading all of your comments!!

22 comments:

  1. Kat, these are gorgeous shots. Love the snail close ups and what cute names!

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  2. Love the photos!! Snails are really interesting creatures aren't they!! Good luck learning the new lens-I think your photos have turned out great with it!!

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  3. I feel like I'm moving at a snail's pace myself these days. I don't seem to be getting any more done than I have to.

    The photos are stunning. I usually think of snails as slimy...not stunning!

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  4. Nice results from your lens, Kat. I struggle with the macro setting on my little Canon S95. It's very touchy! It's all about practice I guess.

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  5. Oh Kat! I eat them! YUMMY! They are so beautifully captured by your lens. Now if only they would have a little garlic butter on them accompanied by a crusty morsel of bread they would be even more fascinating!
    Yvonne

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  6. Isn't it fun to play with a new toy, er, make that tool.....smiles.

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  7. We have decorative snails in our inlet but apparently they are invasive, from Japan, and Not A Good Thing - who knew? Wonderfully curvy and whorley though...

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  8. So gorgeous, my friend! You definitely have a photographer's eye.
    Brenda

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  9. mmmmmm.... ESCARGOT! This is what these pics make me think of.
    Try this Escargot with Garlic Butter and Splash of Cognac – a 10 minute dish
    at
    http://steamykitchen.com/294-escargot-with-garlic-butter-and-splash-of-cognac.html

    Nummie!

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  10. I love the up close and personal look. I know we will see more beautiful pictures from you and your lens. Debi

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  11. SHE GOT A MACRO LENS!!! Bravo to you. Fantastic shots, too. Shooting hand-held is difficult, yes. But it's so annoying to have to set up a tripod. These are great.

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  12. Yippee!!! Amacro lens will be my next purchase!!!! Love your photography! Just lovely:)

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  13. these are great
    don't you just love the macro!

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  14. Your new friends are very cute! Have fun with your new lens, I know you will!

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  15. Wow Kat, you captured some amazing macros! And congratulations on your portrait photography adventure. I'd be very nervous shooting other people as well, especially people I don't know. Your photos came out amazing! Surely your clients were very pleased with the results : )

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  16. Macro lens? Yay, Kat!! You'll have to show me what you got, 'cause I've been thinking of getting one, too. I mostly use my DSLR for macro work, so it would be cool to have a dedicated macro lens to do it with.

    Reading these comments has made me hungry! I remember years ago when Giant had trays of escargot in their freezer section. It was wonderful to pop a tray of them into the oven, make crusty toast, and have a decadent lunch. YUM!!

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  17. Your photos are always such a pleasure to look at Kat.

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  18. Too hot here in Kansas to move at anything other than a "snail's pace". Great macro shots--I'd say you are doing very well with your new lens. Have a great weekend. Mickie :)

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  19. GORGEOUS!!! I love how you even captured "Escar Go" peeking out of his shell. I've never even seen one in real life do that here. Your photos just keep getting more and more impressive. xo ~Lili

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  20. I just discovered your lovely blog and have signed up as a follower. I've just put the finished touches on my new blog ‘Coastal Style’ and have added you to my blogroll. I had a lot of fun putting it together so maybe you would like to check it out if you have a spare minute.
    http://coastal-style.blogspot.com/
    It will have lots of inspiration on beach houses, resortwear, summer food, travel and anything ‘beachy’.
    x
    Melissah

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  21. What beautiful photos, Kat! I loved seeing the beautiful detail! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your closeups!

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  22. You are SO
    having fun with
    that lens!!!
    xx Suzanne

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