POBphotocontest New Round: PATTERNS ~ created by nature

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With patterns being this week's #POBphotocontest theme,

#nature bestows upon us some of the most remarkable patterns
one can set eyes on.

This first picture is that of a Gardner snake. While I was loading a few hay bails on the wagon I disturbed this snake. At first, he startled me, but I realized that it was harmless and took a few pictures as it made its way to a new hiding place. The earth-tone colors of its patterned body start at the head and finish at its tail.

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This is a Morning Glory, one of many that we had growing up a trellis that supports the vines as they climb towards the heavens.

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This is a picture of a sunflower.
After it has died off we dry them and let the birds go at it.
Recently I purchased the Raynox Super Macro Conversion lens for our Cannon Power Shot SX530HS.
I'm still learning how to use it,
but this photo, I thought came out pretty swell.

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This Eastern tiger swallowtail, often confused with the Monarch butterfly, is a sight to behold. Getting a picture of a butterfly not fluttering around and with its wings totally spread is a rare occurrence. I just got lucky in capturing this photo.

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I guess I got lucky twice. 😁 This Pearl Crescent butterfly decided to land on our deck. I wonder what it found to be so interesting.
The patterned wings are identical.

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With Thanksgiving just around the corner,
I'm sure that this domestic turkey, the Royal Palm turkey,
will end up on the farmer's platter.
I spotted these domestic turkeys as they strolled down the middle of the country road that I was traveling on.
I had to stop.
What a beautiful bird, covered in patterned plumage of white, black, and different shades of brown.

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Another gorgeous bird, the Ring-necked pheasant is busy scouring for what has been left behind in a cornfield.
This bird is a prized game bird. Pretty soon it will have to be a lot more careful where it dines or someone will be dining on him.

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The Red-tailed hawk is a frequent visitor.
Being that it's a predatory bird, I think it drops by because of all of the birds that are always at our feeders.
It is distinguished by a hooked bill and sharp talons.

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All of the pictures in this post were taken by me and all of the subjects but two were spotted on our land. The pic of the turkey and pheasant was taken just a few miles from our home.

pobphotocontest nature patterns flowers birds snake photography
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33 comments
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Man when you look at all the flora and fauna on your land, you have to be proud stewards! Nothing like being able to appreciate some of the functional and beautiful patterns in nature to help ground us in the moment too.

Awesome stuff my man!

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Proud stewards, for sure, but more so than pride I feel a real sense of appreciation for being in the position we are in. Being fortunate enough to
have our long-term goals come to fruition in such a big way is still unbelievable.

With most of the trees barren of foliage and some freezing temps predicted for Monday and Tuesday, I would expect all of what is still sporting a variety of colors, will perish.

Awesome comment, buddy.
I hope all is well with you and the family.

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Oh yah. It is a hectic balancing act between navigating a business in a small town that is self-proclaiming a recession, and parenthood with 2 teenage girls!

Wouldn't have it any other way.

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Eish boet, these photos are so great. I started my photography career with a small used Canon Powershot SX450HS, and it was really a very good camera. So, your 530 is also very good and you have already started to master Macro lens with that lovely and intricate shot of a sunflower. Just a matter of time and practice, as then you will show us smiling little ants !LOL

!PIZZA and !LUV

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With this new macro lens they talk about aperture and shutter speed settings that are used to improve the picture and to give you different results. All along I've only used the auto setting for all of my photography. Learning how to adjust these settings and use them to enhance my pictures is something I'm excited to delve into. This will be a wonderful activity to dive into as the weather dictates indoor activities.

Maybe one day I'll be able to capture pics like yours.

Have a splendid day and give our regards to Marion.

Thanks for the Pizza and Luv, always appreciated.

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I don't know if there is a Photographic Society anywhere near you guys, or maybe you can become a member online, as they teach one all of the finer details of photography. As a member, we attended the most recent meeting (my first), as I have always skipped the meetings, but it was a real revelation, not only to see the great work of the members, but also to discuss issues with our country's top photographers.
I have not entered any of my photos, as I like to float around in the background, and I don't like to become the center of attention.

Your photos are better than mine methinks, so don't cut yourself short big guy.

Thank you and Marian also sends her regards to you guys.

Some more !PIZZA and !LUV on the way. !LOL

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Thanks for the suggestion, but there's nothing in our vicinity, we have to travel about 20 miles to even get a gallon of milk. Being in the middle of nowhere was our plan all along.

You and I are very similar in the fact that being the center of attention just isn't our way. I've got a few health issues, but one of them isn't my eyes. 😍 When I view your pictures they are outstanding while mine are good but your skills are on a whole different level.

With all of the Pizza you send my way, I've gained 10 pounds, while I'm trying to lose a few pounds.

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Wow! 20 miles and I hope that our lady doesn't make you run to the shop for some milk very often 😜
Only joking and maybe you should get yourself a cow or two? Being in the middle of nowhere sounds so great to me.

Oh yes, you are right, as I preached for many years in some churches and after the service, I would make myself scarce very quickly as the sermons wasn't about me and I seriously didn't like the people's praise.
I think at our age we all have some health issues, as our reckless youth needs to take its revenge 😉
Thank you for the complement, but I think that you know what my reply would be.

!LOL !WINEX to digest the !PIZZA faster and !LUV to Lady Robin.

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Before I ever got a cow I'd stop drinking milk. We have a lot of dairy farms in the area that are family-owned and those Folks go at it 7 days a week all year long. Traveling wouldn't permit that. One of the reasons that we don't get chickens is for the same reason. Plus Robin's cousins keeps us in eggs and even send down dozens more when the kids are visiting so that they can bring some home with them.
She's a sweetheart and being that she lives up the road a piece, Robin has someone else to talk to besides just me, thank goodness for that. It's funny how life goes, growing up, Robin and her cousin were the best of friends, and years later we live just around the corner from her.

We've got a wedding to go to and Robin has already asked me if I could be a little more social this go around. Usually, I'm like a wallflower just standing by the side observing. This will be the first wedding I've attended with my new knees. I have no excuse not to dance now and Robin has already told me to make sure I wear my dancing shoes. 😁 I guess that I'll have to shopping for a pair of new shoes.

Have a wonderful weekend.

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Nah! I was only teasing you a bit about the cow issue and you seem to have the supplies all sorted out. Yes, life works in mysterious ways and it's amazing to see that Robin's best friend now live close by. My chatter box, sorry I mean wife, also has an aunt living close by and her visits to her aunt, allows me the silence to restore my hearing and my sanity :)

Yep! In some ways we are very similar, especially in the wallflower department, but I cannot dance to save my life. A lovely girl once long ago was eying me at a party and she insisted that I must dance with her. It was one of those slow and close dance numbers and I am sure that I almost broke her foot by accidentally stepping on it. After a loud "ouch" she left me right there and hobbled away. Needless to say, I haven't tried to dance ever since. I forget, as I also had another bad dancing experience afterwards, but it is a long story.
You seem to be a fleet footed soul and I hope that you will make Robin proud with your moves, especially now that you have new knees and soon, new dancing shoes. Good luck my friend.

!PIZZA !LOLZ and !LUV

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So cool my friend, wonderful post. That snake is quite beautiful.

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Thanks Rob, you're so cool!
How do you like the pic of the sunflower taken with the macro lens, now that's very cool.

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No matter how harmless a snake looks like, I'm never gonna move close to it, lol
Snakes are scary

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Snakes also give me the willies, but since I've learned a little about them, knowing that the snakes I come across are not deadly, makes running into them not as scary.

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Sometimes, we actually need to take some quality time and appreciate the wonderful work of nature. We are blessed to be surrounded with the beauty of nature in our environment

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So very true. Many folks are so busy trying to keep their heads above water and care for their family, that appreciating the beauty that surrounds them is not even on their mind. I've always loved the great outdoors, but since I've retired, my admiration has grown tenfold.

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If I actually see such a big snake, I will be very scared because I don't know if it can ever bite a human. All these pictures Looks so beautiful and amazing.

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Snakes have never been on my list of favorite things to run into. My first reaction, always, is that of alarm.

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Beautiful photos. Love them all but the snake makes me nervous, harmless or not. It’s a phobia I’ve had all my life. At one time I couldn’t even look at a picture of a snake but I’m getting better. 😆

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I'm not as bad as you, but when it comes to snakes I'd rather not run across them, maybe over them. 😁

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Vibrant colours, life moving wherever you look in stunning display!

Tucked away in the country, life at it's best, each photo a beauty on it's own, everything working together in harmony.

!LUV
!PIZZA

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Great photos! Also...many thanks for the tip you recently sent me - sorry, I couldn't find a more direct way to send my appreciation.

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No apology is necessary. I was disappointed that I didn't see your post earlier, it was fantastic.

Have a wonderful weekend.

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