This week, Ann-Christine focuses on the theme Delicate. She writes, “Coming back from a beautiful journey – I was so inspired by Japan, that Delicate seemed a natural choice… And, now we want to know: What is delicate to you? Feel free to use it in any meaning: exquisite, fragile, subtle, elegant…etc.” You can read her entire challenge post here.
While walking through an outdoor venue in Mexico, I noticed a leaf on a countertop. Then I looked again. What appeared to be a dead leaf was a beautifully camouflaged butterfly. If the butterfly were in a tree, I’d have never seen it for what it was. That delicate wing design is but one of many species of butterfly that appear to look like dead leaves. The Internet tells me that this specimen is known as a ruddy daggerwing.
One foggy September morning, I went looking for moody images along the river and found a few subjects for macro photography. This grass captured many dew drops from the very moist atmosphere.
It’s hard to capture a dragonfly. They don’t stay still for long, and they are so swift, it’s all but impossible to capture them in flight. I considered myself lucky to capture this specimen sitting on a leaf.
The design of a hummingbird’s wings is nature’s example of a light but strong structure. The translucent nature of the wing’s design is visible because of the strong backlight from the sun. That light also shows the sheer nature of the flower. The semitransparent petal of the flower allows us to see the hummingbird’s beak inside the blossom.
At the North Carolina Aquarium, I captured an image of a seahorse in a small aquarium. It’s interesting what a person learns when a photo needs to be described. I knew that seahorses don’t gallop, but I never gave it a thought as to how they maneuver. In editing this image, I noticed the translucent appendage on the seahorse’s back. A quick Internet search told me it is a dorsal fin, the primary power for forward movement. The delicate structure moves at high speeds. Smaller fins near the head provide directionality to travel.
In Arches National Park near Moab Utah, one of the major attractions is Delicate Arch. Though it looks quite small, the arch is 52 feet (16 m) tall. It was formed over millions of years by erosion from wind, rain, and snow. The sandstone from which it is composed is relatively soft and prone to erosion, especially along the joints and fractures. Over time, these elements have carved away at the rock, leaving behind the delicate arch we see today.
To view my gallery of images in HD, I’ve posted them on my Flickr site here. Last week, Patti’s Hopeful challenge was a timely theme. The many responses to her challenge left me with feelings of hope for the future. Next week, Sofia shares her images reflecting the upcoming theme. Be sure to follow her here so you don’t miss her Saturday post. If you’d like to join in responding to the challenges, but aren’t sure how to get started, you’ll find more information here.
John Steiner
Journeys with Johnbo 
These are superb, John. The rugged butterfly looks stunning.
Thank you! I appreciate the compliment!
Love these!
Thanks, Dawn!
Very good John, love the Seahorse
And I learned something about how they get around. Winning!! Thanks, Brian!
Excellent photos Jon
hn, especially the Ruddy Daggerwing Butterfly
It took me a bit of research to find the correct name. There are way more leaf-like butterflies than I imagined.
Super shots John, especially the dragonfly and hummingbird! And that butterfly is intriguing in its similarity to a dead leaf!
It sure is fascinating how nature works to camouflage different species.
really interesting examples this week John! The “leaf” is an amazing example of nature’s ability to camouflage, and I had no idea about the seahorses having a fin! Very cool.
Thanks, Tina! I shared what I learned when writing this post. >grin<
Love your choices, John! The butterfly is amazing and of course a natural phenomenon in its own way, and you said butterflies are difficult to catch? I thought a hummingbird would be just as difficult! Great shots! My favourite is the seahorse – when I was a kid, there was a TV series called “The Little Seahorse” – it was my favourite. So, you made me smile too!
Thanks, A-C! I learned a lot writing this post. >grin<
♥ Me too.
What a wonderful gallery, John. That butterfly really does look like a leaf. Great camo!! Seahorses are interesting to me. When you really look at them, they’re so unusual and otherworldly.
The power of nature is so amazing, even in the most delicate of ways.
Agreed.
Wonderful delicate examples. I was amazed at the butterfly, looking so much like a leaf. The seahorse was another wonder. And, it’s good that the hummer was busy gathering nectar so you could photograph it. Beautiful post.
Thanks, Anne! I learned a lot by writing this post.
So did we!
Excellent post and photos, John! That butterfly would have fooled me, too. You have better luck with hummingbirds than I do. Beautiful photos!
Hummingbirds are a real challenge. I was fortunate to find this lady working hard. I probably have four or five shots of her sampling the nectar of that plant before she left.
Love that first image! It look like a leaf.
I certainly did a double-take when I saw it on the counter, Sandy.
I bet.
These are beautiful pictures, John! I especially like the dragonfly and hummingbird picture (which you captured perfectly!!). Also, I learned something new when reading about the seahorse and how they travel and the butterfly is awesome!
Thanks, Sylvia!
Wonderful examples
Thanks!
Wowww. Great great selections John
Thanks, John!
Your photos are fabulous!!
Thanks, Nora!
Beautiful shots. And like Sarah and others, I thought the butterfly was a dead leaf at first.
It fooled me at first, also, Margaret.
Fantastic post, John. I love your close ups, beautiful and delicate. Favourite has to be the hummingbird. Excellent shot!
Thanks, Sofia! I was lucky in that this was the only bird in the preserve that hung around long enough for me to photograph.
Still, quite the achievement!
Wonderful photos, John! It’s so hard to pick a favorite (not that I have to but … ). I love hummingbirds, but the dragonfly and seahorse photos took my breath away.
Thanks, Marie!
Perfect choices John
Thank you!
What a pretty little butterfly, John! I’ve never heard of that type before.
It was an amazing discovery to me, and to find out later that there are many similar species blew me away.