More photos

I'm getting a little obsessed with the camera. It's reached the point where I'm taking pictures every day, and uploading a dozen or so to the Flickr account (which you can access here). I purchased a 10x macro lens, very cheaply, and which I thought would be garbage (given the price), but which has ended up producing some great images, like the one above.

I'm still learning the art, so I apologize if you follow the link over to my photo page and end up disappointed. I'm planning on creating a set to showcase my favorite shots (which I will call something along the lines of "My Favorites") to highlight the photos I really like, and figure others will enjoy as well.

If you don't like my photos, and feel cheated, I'll offer you an alternative: my brother's Flickr page. Very nice stuff and an inspiration for me. Don't like that? Close your eyes and keep them shut...

Stalking the dreaded Great Spangled Fritillary of Brookfield

I've seen this guy fluttering about the yard for the past week or so but he wouldn't settle down and pose until this afternoon. In the end he stuck around for quite a while. I believe this is a Great Spangled Fritillary. I also got a few shots of some new dragonflies. If you're interested have a look at the Flickr page. The insect collection is getting a bit large (62 photos as of today). I guess for me the attraction is the fact that they are relatively simple and yet extraordinarily elegant and beautiful biological machines. I'm also fascinated by the trend they've inspired in robotics design, providing an interesting opportunity for amateur enthusiasts to experiment with artificial lifeforms.

Flickr update

I've updated my Flickr account by signing up for the subscription service, which for $24.95 a year allows unlimited uploads and higher resolutions. The immediate effect is that all of the photos I've uploaded to date are now available at my original upload resolution of 1600x1067 (previously they were only accessible at a maximum resolution of 1024x683).

It also means I have more options as far as organization is concerned (the free account only allows three sets and the "miscellaneous" set is getting pretty miscellaneous). I'm considering posting at much higher resolutions although I'm not sure this is necessary. However, I will be more likely to post stuff I might have skipped when space was limited.

Anyways, have a look if you are so inclined...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/malcolmmagnesia/

Photos!

A beautiful day today, with the weather and life in general conspiring in perfect harmony. I spent the the afternoon with my nephew, playing in my parent's backyard. The dogs got involved. Everywhere were signs of spring, plants blooming and bugs foraging.

I had taken some pictures three days ago of budding plants and trees and I went back to some of them today. Where I'd found a single dandelion I now found three. Plants that had seemingly just opened their eyes previously now appeared wide awake.

It never ceases to amaze me - the power of a good day. I've had many lately, and they seem to build upon themselves, magically reproducing more. I truly believe that outlook is fundamentally important to fully enjoy life.

I created a Flickr account today, which you can visit at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/malcolmmagnesia/

I've posted a few pictures from today and some from three days ago.