Sunday, September 23, 2012

Coriander/Cilantro and Friends




I marvel at our Creator's hand as I observe another miniature world. The intricate details of the flowers are amazing - and so are these tiny beetles (3mm, 1/8" long) which have been calling my coriander "home" for weeks.







Covered in tiny dewy droplets, shimmering in the early morning light.
















You can see why I overlooked these beetles at first, they almost look as if they are part of the flowers themselves.
I grew the coriander to use the leaves in cooking and was at first disappointed when they bolted so quickly to flower - not disappointed anymore!



Photographic Notes:
Photos #1, 2, 6 and 7 were taken using a Raynox Macro Conversion Lens with my 55-250mm kit lens.
Photos #3, 5 and 8 taken with a 50mm f/1.4 lens plus the Raynox lens. Photo #4 with 50mm lens alone.

Sharing at Macro Monday.

50 comments:

geanina said...

beautiful macros! :)
greetings....

akwamaryna said...

The intricate details of the flowers are amazing,
We are happy when we see they.
Hugs

Giga said...

Wielkie i śliczne makro. Dobry aparat widzi więcej niż oko ludzkie. Pozdrawiam.
Big and beautiful macro. Good camera sees more than the human eye. Yours.

Unknown said...

great shots, but it is annoying how quickly coriander goes to seed!

Dianne said...

The intricate design of flowers and insects is just unbelievable .... what a joy to see these delightful macro captures.

Sivinden said...

I have never seen the coriander flower - it's beautiful, and so is the beetle. Wonderful light and details!

FilipBlog said...

Very beautiful, love the brown and white bug.

Greetings,
Filip

Marty said...

gorgeous images, so soft, so full of lights ! love all

Cinzia said...

Wonderful macro!
Happy Sunday,
Cinzia

Unknown said...

Such lovely flowers! Never knew cilantro comes with such beauty :)
And I love all the shots and the shimmering effect is out of this world!!
You are truly gifted (*-*)

Lúcia said...

Cute little beetle (I'll post a shot of one this week too)!
The light on the third photo is perfect. ;-)

Fábio Martins said...

Beautiful shots on the set :)

Leeloo said...

So lovely as usual...
I love your light.
:-)

Pat said...

Oh my gosh, the beetles look like they are wearing little knitted sweaters! Fabulous photos!

Vision By MILA said...

wonderful colours, even the bugs are somwehat cute, and I hate bugs ;)

Sylvia K said...

I always love your macro shots, Karen!! These are delightful! Wonderful detail and colors and, yes, even the bugs are cute, even though I'm not a big fan!! Have a lovely week!

Unknown said...

Beautiful..beetle and all..and I have learned always look for insects before smelling the flowers..amazing how they can look just like the flower.
great photo's..enjoy your day!

Rosemary said...

I'm beginning to wonder if I'll every like a non-macro picture again, your photos are full of magic and surprise! I just love them :)

flowersandhome said...

Those beetles really just blend in with the flowers. Beautiful photos again, so very springlike. We're having a very much falllike day today. Thanks for sharing spring with us!
Bye,
Marian

Priscilla said...

Very Inspiring dear,Good Job!

If you have a minute, please check out my blog and leave a comment on my new post.
I'll appreciate it so much! Thanks!

Blow A Rainbow

XoXo

Serendipityissweet said...

Stunning images. Those droplets are amazing. Gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Amazing photos my friend. True pieces of art..

Hugs~

Carver said...

Delightful shots of the flowers and bees.

Jana said...

simply gorgeous your visiots+flowers! I also had some coriander blossoms this summer and was suprised how yummy they were as final touch in asian dishes! happy new week;

Karin M. said...

White dreaming. Fantastically beautiful photos ...
Love greetings, Karin

Seeing Each Day said...

They're words I never ever dreamt I'd write but Karen, I really REALLY like these photos with the bugs/insects. I can't believe how brilliantly you've captured something so tiny. I had the same thought when i read what you said about them appearing as part of the plant. I'm looking forward to having a bit more time to soak in your photos during the next couple of weeks. Hope your crew has a good break.

Michelle said...

Really beautiful shots!

Gail Dixon said...

It's always such a pleasure to come here and see the beauty you have captured, while also, believing as I do, that these treasures are given to us from God.

Nikki said...

My coriander goes to seed very quickly so we have to eat it when we can, but the flowers are so pretty, especially close up. Those beetles do blend in so well. Your macro work is stunning. We must have been thinking alike with our coriander posts today.

Valerie said...

Delightful images: great macro shots and very pretty flowers!

Andrea said...

Wow, i envy your lenses. I only got a 35mm f3.5. I have 42-150mm f4-5.6, they said it is not good anymore with teleconverters. I love the magnification and details on those very minute beetles. They turned out very vivid in your shots.

s.c said...

Amazing beetles I must admit. Sometimes I find that there are to many flower macro's on internet but yours are always good and with the little extra's like beetles worth looking. Forgive me when I not always comment on your flowers it are sometimes just to much.

Dave said...

Lovely macro shots Karen. Those flowers look nice, and the beetle looks particularly attractive. I don't think we have them here - Dave

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! Fabulous series of photos!

Andy said...

These are fantastic photos!

4 Lettre Words said...

Gorgeous shots...and those little beetles look like lady bugs in camo. :)

Ahayes1225 said...

Beautiful flowers, thanks for telling what kind of lens you used. I have my conversion lens on order, can't wait to get it. Thanks for visiting and the lovely comments.

- Yvonaut -
Das sind Raphael und Yvonne
said...

Beautiful pictures!
Very nice to see these small creatures!
Have a nice week
Yvonne & Raphael

xinex said...

Gorgeous flowers and your capture of the beetles are amazing. Lovely shots!...Christine

Elisabeth said...

You're an amazing photographer, Karen! You seem to capture each and every element of nature, and the beauty of them is astonishing:)xo

LindyLouMac said...

Calling by from Macro Monday this evening, once again you have shared a stunning series of photos.

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

WOW, I can see the fur on the beetle, outstanding Macro!!

*Pearls on a string** Dorthe said...

Wonderful pictures - I enjoyed them very much.
Thank you for sharrinbg!

:-) Dorthe

Unknown said...

Never imagined coriander flowers can look so ethereal. This beetle with patterned mantle is beautiful. Enjoy your posts.

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

I really like the 3rd image !

Pat said...

I didn't know cilantro had such beautiful, delicate flowers. Your photography is stunning in this series.

Angie said...

Oh my! Stunning shots! Who knew coriander was so beautiful?! Hah! Certainly not I. But Karen, you would for sure. :) Just gorgeous images captured by one amazingly talented eye!!!! YOU! :) xo

Christina said...

The tiniest flowers seem to have the most amazing detail - I just love these shots - very pretty.

Liz said...

Absolutely gorgeous shots, Karen!! I love the delicate softness of the flowers and those beetles are wonderful!

Lisa said...

Oh, these are so pretty! I love #3 & 5 the most! #3 looks so ethereal. You do such an amazing job with your macro shots. I must say I liked the close up of the bug's bottom too (#7). The perspective made me laugh. :-)

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