Sat/Sun Dec 16/17 2023

[Don]

Weekend.

[Dave]

Cotinis mutabilis - aka the Figeater Beetle

   

[Rich]

Dave...Wowser! Not what I want to see in my house! Awesome close up and composition.

Well, a short break from tradition. Since the "other art" category hasn't had any activity since June 4th, I thought this might be OK since it is the season. One of my watercolors. I added the lettering in Photoshop. I am not good enough to do that freehand!

[Dave]

Thanks Rich

Lovely watercolor.

Although the beetle looks menacing, it is harmless: doesn't bite or sting.

This morning's (2023-12-17) sunrise...

   

[Man From Ironbark]

Love the green beetle. Scarab family beetle species (cockchafers) are numerous. We have plenty in Australia and not all are native. Thankfully the green figeater isn't one of the imports.
Our famous Christmas beetle appears to be on the decline, due mainly to land clearing and introduced species. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-17/p.../103220502

Lovely watercolour there Rich.

Dave that's a full colour sunset.

Here's another Eucalyptus delight.

[Adamphotoman]

I did some different portratis over the years.
Scanned from a Bronica ETRSI negative.
   

[Rich]

Thanks Dave! Beautiful sunrise!

Thanks Peter! Nice colors, very delightful!

Grant, definitely different. Very cool with the octopus device. Maybe a furnace?

[Luv2shoot]

This was an interesting weekend thread started by Dave’s gorgeous macro. The teal color is awesome. Did it get picked for FLICKR?

Rich, that makes for a real nice Christmas card topper. I too use photo software to add text to my cards. It makes them look professionally done. Great water color creation, Rich.  I will share my card in anther thread.

Grant, that is a pretty wild set up for a portrait. Is there a story behind that setting? Her hands are positioned oddly and with the bracelets around each wrist, I had to look closely to make sure she was not wearing handcuffs.  I know it might be a bit of a stretch, but then you have the face peering in through the far right. Please tell us more. 

Peter, I did not know that the Eucalyptus had flowers. Besides it’s wonderful smelling leaves and powerful medicinal uses, it provides beautiful blooms.

[Dave]

Thanks MFI. Neat flower. Like Lorell, I wasn't aware that eucalyptus had blossoms.

Unique, Grant. And well exposed and taken. I'm trying to construct a story that fits the photo, working in the guy lurking in the background.

Thank you Lorell. If you're asking if I posted the insect photo on Flickr. yes I did.

[Man From Ironbark]

Hmm. Some Eucalypts have smaller or fewer blossoms but many are large and outstanding with prominent colours.
In the case of E. macrocarpa, the flowers are larger than the leaves and up to five inches across. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus_macrocarpa
In E. microcarpa, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus_microcarpa they make up for their size by being more numerous.
Though I'm not exactly sure, it seems to me for reasons sometimes known by myself, that other names were chosen for those Eucalypts with smaller flowers as there are numerous ones that could have vied for the name, microcarpa.
ie: E. populnea is thus named for its poplar like leaves but the flowers are tiny.

I haven't photographed them all but I do have a few photos of Eucalyptus flowers.

This is E. campaspe. One of my personal faves.

This is E. Priessiana. Flowers are about three inches.