Nature's Delicate Edge

@Dulcie: Every year I try for something different with these colorful flowers. More than anything, it is just a confirmation that winter is behind us and warmer days are ahead. Thanks for your nice words.

@kate: Thanks Kate. Living in California, they are like old friends who come to visit every spring.

@MK: Thanks. A bit more green may have helped, but I accepted what was there as a slight break to the solid orange. For me, what I was really after, was visually relating the softness and delicacy of these beautiful petals. It was more about extremely limited depth-of-field and the depth created by the play of shadows and highlights.

@Tamara: Thanks Tamara, I had about an hour with the flowers fully opened, then a breeze began and the fun was over. I really like shooting poppies early in the day because is generally calm.

@KriKridesign: I would say a bit more on the orange side (had to check my monitor!) but I agree with you they are a welcomed arrival. Hope you have a great day.

@Judy: Thanks Judy, I hope all is well in Florida!

@KriKridesign: No worries - I was just kidding you!

@Sergei Z: Thanks Sergei. Simple is one of the nicest comments a photographer can hear!

@Ansie: Thanks for joining in Ansie!

@PD: Thanks for your insights Paul. I really liked the way the receding petals revealed the depth. Light is everything , especially when it comes to revealing texture and depth.

@Barbara: Hi Barbara, I hope you are doing well. Thanks for your comments. The spring workshop season is here, and Gary and I are both busy teaching. I hope you are finding the time to get out and shoot. I haven't had much time to visit other blogs lately.

@Sandy Weston: I really like shooting poppies backlit, as they are somewhat translucent.

@Tracy: Thanks Tracy, I see you have been busy shooting for your class. Keep working hard and good things will happen!

@DarkElf: What I really like about macro is revealing the world inside our world (if that makes any sense). There is an entire universe of picture possibilities awaiting an inquisitive photographer.

@Garfield: WOW - thanks for the praise Garfield, and thanks for joining in on my blog. The coo thing about shooting poppies is you don't have to be out of bed at 4 am. In fact, I had my breakfast, then went out to find these beauties! How often can we say that about landscape images?

@steve loos: It has been a strange spring Steve. One would think with all the rain we have had, that the blooms would be everywhere, but not the case this year. There really weren't many of these flowers around, and that is why I decided on macro. All I needed was one. I trust you are doing well. Our hills are beautiful right now.

@Vitor Martins: Thanks Vitor.

@Scott F. Schilling: I was looking at the spot you were describing to me just off the 101 freeway past Morgan Hill the other day Scott. What an awesome location (30 yards away from an 8-lane freeway)! I wonder how many people driving by really notice that scene? Then again, how could they not???

@Richard: I should really spend more time with macros also Richard. There are just a world of possibilities and absrtacts to be found.

@Self-Indulgence: Thanks Kristen.

@Florence: You always offer such high praise Florence. I'm not sure if it is warranted, but it is certainly a nice way to start my day. I hope you are doing well.

@LauraS: One of the rewards of shooting macro is discovering something different about the subject one is photographing. I enjoy just "playing" and seeing what is there, then working with it. Kind of like a child's fascination with something new.