seeing nature through a macro lens

Taking photos with a macro lens gives you a glimpse of the incredibly complex small organisms and the ecosystems they contain. This world that we are mostly unaware of exists at the edge, and beyond our capacity to see it and its intricate detail.

I look at this cicada shell and think about the dangers the vulnerable cicada was exposed to as it clung to the blade of grass and shed its old skin.

Seeds and seed pods are such opportunists. I imagine the sticky seed pods having a conversation that goes like this. 'It's cold today. If she comes into the garden she might wear her fluffy jumper. Let's get ready to hitch a ride.'

In spite of appearances, this isn't a cucumber. It's a Plumbago seed pod.

 Cutting Potter's hair deprived the sticky seed pods from hitching a ride, or at least made it harder for them to get a grip.

I like this photo and think it provides an interesting contrast with natural organisms. The little balls are made of polysterene and used for stuffing beanbags. Unlike natural phenomena, they are simple, symmetrical and all identical.

This shows a nut or seed pod together with the cupule to which it was attached. The cupule was part of the plant until it dried out and fell off.

This acorn cupule has a different appearance to the one above. It is relatively smooth. Some cupules contain sharp spikes to protect the seed pod from being eaten.

This cupule has lots of little tendrils that, when looked at closely, house lots of tiny insects.

This is a closeup of dried out lichen. Lichens are not plants. They don't have roots to absorb water and nutrients like plants. They produce food from sunlight, air, water and minerals in their environment. They can grow on almost any surface. These were growing on the timber of the deck.

Sometimes photos look like abstract art. I love this photo. It's a glass outdoor table, that looks pretty clean and smooth until you look at it closeup.

This is a dead Dasygnathus trituberculatus. It's a male. This beetle species is native to Australia. They often get attracted to lights. Colour varies from dark brown through black. I wonder how and why it died.

To end with, a positive, cheerful photo, of busy worms chomping away to produce mulch and compost for the garden.