For this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Ann-Christine invites us to have fun with close-ups.
Several years ago, I bought my first macro lens and a miniature world opened up to me. I felt like Gulliver (of Gulliver’s Travels). The tiniest object was a world unto itself. It had patterns and beauty that weren’t immediately apparent to the naked eye.
Here are some of my favorite close-ups from the past few months:
Sand Dollars
I was delighted to find these sand dollars on the beach in Savusavu, Fiji. I hadn’t seen them in many years. The petal patterns on the surface are remarkably delicate and symmetrical.

Sand Dollars in Savusavu.
A Frangipani Flower
When I took a picture of this lovely flower, we were exploring Cockatoo Island, off the coast of Sydney, which once was a penal colony and debarkation point for convicts coming into the country. It was also the location of shipbuilding during World War II. The delicate loveliness of this flower contrasted sharply with the history of the island.

Frangipani Bloom, Cockatoo Island, Sydney Australia
Bush Blooms
I discovered this lovely pink bloom, a fuchsia heath, on a walk near Balgowlah Beach in Sydney. The views of the harbor and the nature along the trail to Manly were fabulous.

About to Bloom, fuchia heath, Balgowlah Beach, Sydney
Bruny Island, Tasmania
When we were walking through the national park on Bruny Island, I spotted this tree with an intriguing pattern on its trunk. It’s a work of art, isn’t it?

Tree Bark Mosaic, Bruny Island, Tasmania.
I will never tire of the magic of shooting close-up. Although I haven’t bought a macro lens yet for my Fuji camera, it’s on my wish list. As you can see, I can get fairly close to the subject with the Fuji 17-70 mm lens, but I’d like to get even closer.
Thanks to all of you who participated in last week’s Nature Challenge. Your response was tremendous!
See you next week for Amy ‘s challenge on Saturday, March 2.
Categories: Photography
Beautiful post Patti. I love the tree bark image especially!
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Thanks, Tina! I was struck by the artistry of Mother Nature…once again!
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Beautiful images!
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Thank you so much, VJ. I hope all’s well with you!
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Lovely post, Patti – the bark is so beautiful – and who does not love the Frangipani flower? I can see in every picture from your Australia journey, that you had a wonderful trip throughout!
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Thank you so much, AC. It was magical. I had never seen the frangipani flower before. Gorgeous!
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And the scent!
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Yes!!
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Well captured close-up, Patti. It’s wonderful to photograph beautiful nature so closely during your travel.
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Yes, Amy! So true! I’m going to your site next. Once again, I’ve fallen behind!
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Great captures Patti!!!
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Thank you so much, Paulo! I love close-ups! Hope you join us this week! Ann-Christine is hosting this one.
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Is bigger actually better? The debate continues. https://photographyocd.com/2017/06/13/the-little-things/
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I finally figured out the hosts of this challenge vary. Someone might want to mention that. 😕
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Hi, Mike. Glad you joined us! The four of us (Tina, Amy, Ann-Christine, and I) take turns posting challenges. Here’s Tina’s initial post with the directions. https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2018/06/30/come-join-us-a-new-weekly-photo-challenge/
Welcome, again! I enjoyed your “close-up” post.
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So true, Mike.
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It’s true. There is a whole different world when we look at our subject closely and magnify to the nth degree. Love those sand dollars.
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Hi, Perpetua. Aren’t the sand dollars great? I remember them from when I was a child. Aren’t they magical? Thanks for stopping by!
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Really like the sand dollars, Patti!
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😎😎
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I really like those sand dollars, the lighting in that photo is really nice.
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Thank you so much! It is just beach lighting!
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wow beautiful shots. I love the Plumeria/Frangipani image so much.
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It is gorgeous, isn’t it? I had never seen it or smelled it before. Spectacular!
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Fascinating sand dollars, Patti, and I love frangipani. This blissful world of ours 🙂 🙂
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Thank you, Jo! I remember them from years ago. Glad you like them. So you don’t have them in Portugal?
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I’ve never seen any 🐚💕 xx
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Now you’ll be looking for them. 🙂
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😎😎
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You have such a great eye, Patti! I love how the macro transforms the image. It seems to be come another object entirely. The texture of the tree bark and moss make me want to reach out and touch it. 🙂
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Big smile, Jackie!! What a lovely compliment!!
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I love macros! The frangipani (aka plumeria) is one of my favorite flowers! Hope to see more of them in 2 weeks while we are in Hawaii!
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Thank you, Terri! I hope you get to see gardens full of them. What a wonderful flower. Enjoy your trip.
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love the close-ups – and the colors… so vibrant
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Thank you so much, PH. 🙂 🙂 I’ll visit your site next.
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