I saw these columbine just as they were starting to bloom, but it was raining and I didn't have my camera. I've been waiting for a chance to capture them before they are gone for the season. At first I thought I hadn't been successful, but I'd say this turned out OK. Randolph, New Jersey. 26 May 2012.

Where I grew up there was a lot of naturally occurring Rhododendron and mountain laurel, and I enjoy both. I've never seen anything like this color mountain laurel, though. Randolph, New Jersey. 26 May 2012.

Randolph, New Jersey. 26 May 2012.

Sometimes the interesting things in gardens aren't the flowers. This tiny (less than 1/4") spider was a  challenge to photograph, and I didn't have a lot of time. With more time I would have considered the best way to light the web. The peonies were spectacular. Randolph, New Jersey. 26 May 2012.

One last post from my friends' garden. This delicate little flower was no more than 2" tall. Randolph, New Jersey. 29 April 2012.

It's tempting to start just about every post with the words "I have no idea what this is, but isn't it cool?" I love the way the light caught the upper edges of the flower. Randolph, New Jersey. 29 April 2012.

The gorgeous clematis were just starting to bloom at the home of some friends in late April. I love being able to use a lens that can practically crawl in to the heart of the blossoms. Randolph, New Jersey. 29 April 2012.

Yikes! I meant to post these a while ago. Friends of ours have a beautiful patch of miniature iris-- delicate little versions of the real deal. What I loved about photographing these was the challenge of finding the sharp edges. Oh sure, I could have made every part of the flower be in focus, but then it would be too easy to miss some of the delicacy of them. As always, you can click on these to enlarge them. Randolph, New Jersey. 29 April 2012.

I'm not a big bearded iris fan, but sometimes the colors can be pretty amazing. Presby Iris Garden. Upper Montclair, New Jersey. 4 May 2012.

Irises are always one of my favorite subjects, so it's nice to be living near Presby Iris Garden in Upper Montclair again! Upper Montclair, New Jersey. 4 May 2012.

One last shot from MacCullough Hall Garden. Two years ago I got to enjoy three lilac seasons, first in Michigan, then, moving to Minneapolis, and finally taking a trip north to Duluth a couple of weeks after moving to Minnesota. I can't say that I've had time to enjoy this season of lilacs, so am wishing it was a little longer. Morristown, New Jersey. 4 May 2012.

One of my heroes, George Nakashima, wrote a book called The Soul of a Tree, and I think of it when I see trees with interesting bark or burls. According to the sign at the MacCullough Hall Garden, this is one of the three oldest Sassafras trees in the state of New Jersey. It may not be long for this world, but it's got plenty of soul left. Morristown, New Jersey. 4 May 2012.

One last raindrop covered wonder. MacCullough Hall Garden. Morristown, New Jersey. 4 May 2012.

More raindrop enhanced blossoms. MacCullough Hall Garden. Morristown, New Jersey. 4 May 2012.

Although the trip to MacCullough Hall Garden had been planned for several days, the weather wasn't all that great. The up side of it was the dew/rain/mist that had settled on to so many of the blossoms! Morristown, New Jersey. 4 May 2012.

I don't know the names of most of the flowers I photograph, but I would love to know what these are. There were about the size of a U.S. quarter, and the most delightful shade of pink. MacCullough Hall Garden. 4 May 2012.

I usually associate these roses with the ocean, though these are a lot deeper pink than the ones that line the driveway at my mother's house on the ocean in Maine. NacCullough Hall Garden. Morristown, New Jersey. 4 May 2012.

The most amazing blossoms are sometimes hidden in plain sight. MacCullough Hall Garden. Morristown, New Jersey. 4 May 2012.

I love the subtleties of this. MacCullough Hall Garden. 4 May 2012.

After some up-close-and-personal time with the animals of the Serengeti, it's time for something a little more local, but equally up close. Flowers are one of my favorite subjects (no, really?!) and my macro lens doesn't get enough exercise, so a trip to the garden at MacCullough Hall seemed in order. Morristown, New Jersey. 4 May 2012.

Just like the flies, birds can be free-loaders, too. I particularly like the little seeds that have sprouted on the back of this water buffalo. Western Serengeti, Tanzania. 30 May 2011.

Speaking of flies... (double click to enlarge). And yes, we were that close. Western Serengeti, Tanzania. 30 May 2011.

When we arrived at this kitty nest I had no idea what we would find, so I wasn't as ready as I'd have liked. The second I put the camera to my eye, I could tell I was way too close, but shot anyway. I love that I happened to catch the flies hovering around her head. Central Serengeti, Tanzania. 22 May 2011.

By then, they all were awake and curious about their visitors. Central Serengeti, Tanzania. 22 May 2011.

It took me a second to get my telephoto off the camera so I could actually see the bigger picture. Central Serengeti, Tanzania. 22 May 2011.