Saturday, March 21, 2009

Up close in the Sigapore Botanical Gardens

Hello, thanks for visiting my blog. This issue is the result of further attempts at macro photography. But this time with my own lens. My very good friend (and cousin) Ian kindly went shopping for me in Hong Kong and I now have a
AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm F2.8G IF-ED lens

This was my first trip out with the lens to the Botanical gardens last weekend. So much to learn, but that's exciting! If any experts view these photos and have advice, I'd love to hear it.

Fancy a banana before we start?

Alan
















The Plumeria, or Frangipani is one of my
favourite flowers.
















The scent is emits is gorgeous. The common
name Frangipani comes from an Italian noble
family. A 16th century marquess of the family
invented a plumeria scented perfume
















Shadows on a rock in the Evolution Garden
















The Evolution Garden has many plants I
had never seen before
















I am not a butterfly expert. If anyone can tell
me what species this one, and the one in the
two photos below is, I'd be grateful.
















I had never seen this butterfly before.

















It's very striking






















Hibiscus, another favourite of mine.
It always reminds me of my first trip to
a tropical country, which was to Fiji.






















I never realised the flower has so many uses.
It's even a delicacy in Mexico. And is used in
the Philippines to make bubble blowing liquid!


















I think probably all macro photographers take
shots of dragonflies when they start.















The reason being that they are very obliging.
They love basking in early morning sun. So
they oblige by staying still.
















Even if they fly away they often come back to
the same place after a quick stretch of their wings.


















Dragonflies have 6 legs, but they can't walk!
















Waterlily in one of the lakes of the gardens
The American Indians made waterlily pancakes!


















In Indonesia dragonflies are fried and considered
a delicacy.