you'd probably believe me if i said this was a tentacle from some deep-sea creature, but it is actually a closeup shot of a common flower stigma (the tiny little stem sticking out of the center and captures pollen from the stamen). the stigma of a red gladiolus is only 0.025 inches in diameter (thickness of 2 playing cards) and this photo captures the very tip that protrudes farthest outside the bloom. (check out our "Balanced Gems" shot to see the neighboring anther part of the same flower).

huge canopy over Japanese garden creating a perfect balance of shade and sun for comfort.

a fun place to roam around with a camera within a remote corner of the Utah wilderness

eastern Utah just after sunset

the seed cones of a Douglas Fir tree

long and soft water drops at the upper Talafofo Falls in southern Guam

Such a strong blue is a rare colour to be found in butterflies which makes the Blue Morpho an excellent find. This vibrant blue is very visible to their predators and so they rarely rest with their wings open to display these alluring colours.

i'm keeping my distance and using my longest lens as this female hunter is sizing up lunch.