patricia emerson mitchell photography
the way I see the world
I walked with my camera today — not something I do all that frequently these days. I shot a bit, and then, having walked nearly five miles, packed up the camera and started my walk home. But then I heard this guy say, “Um. Hello? What about me?” and the sweet thing then opened its wings for me.
Show off.
I’m not a fan of wasps, and I do believe that is what this is (someone please correct me if I’m wrong!), but I love to photograph insects. Just because. I knew, too, that he was too busy with the flower to care about bugging me!
I’ve always thought that wasps were good for nothing, but I’ve now read that they DO manage to kill other bad bugs in the garden, so I guess I won’t despise them as much as I used to.
Wasp on a Succulent (I, II, III), 5.20.19
I sometimes have a stressful week when it comes to my music making. This has turned into such a week, all because of a few simple measures. (The funny thing is it could change in a blink of an eye: so much depends upon my reeds and my confidence.) Practicing is, of course a very important part of dealing with such stress. But so is doing other things, including my walking. (I like to walk 6 miles in a day whenever possible.)
So today, prior to my jumping into the studio, I took such a walk. At one point I found someone staring at me. I think he was saying, “It’s not a life and death thing. Lighten up! Take time to smell the roses.”
Or maybe he was suggesting eating the roses. You choose. 
😉
Green on Red, 10.20.16
Just because …
Ladybug in B&W, 3.5.14
As is typical after an opera run, today is “hangover day”. No, I didn’t drink too much, but I feel out of sorts, my brain feels “fuzzy” (as does my vision at the moment), and I feel as if I can’t get much done. Still, I did manage a near seven mile walk, and two loads of laundry have been done. I guess I’m managing … ever so slowly!
I believe this bee is a male carpenter bee. I will check with my niece who knows all about these things, though, to verify! And yes, this is from today’s walk. If what I read is correct, this bee doesn’t have a stinger. I can live with that.
Xylocopa varipuncta, 5.2.16
Shy Bee & Aloe, 10.1.15
Hey, even a grasshopper deserves a meal now and then, right?
And now I must go … I have a tale to attend! (Anyone get it?)
Grasshopper on the Koko Loco Rose, 9.24.15
I don’t shoot posed things for the most part. I like to head out on walks and see what I find and shoot in the natural environment. That’s not to say I don’t like what others do, though. I know some people purchase flowers from the florist and take them home so they can work with them using their perfect lighting and a background of their choice. I guess I’m just too lazy for that kind of thing! I know others who pose people or objects to get just that perfect work of art. Again, laziness on my part, I suppose.
I also don’t shoot animals unless they are alive. Until maybe now. I’m fairly sure this butterfly was either dead or dying. To be honest, I felt rather bad, and hadn’t a clue what is best to do with something like this. Was it suffering? Should I have helped it along in its death? (I don’t actually think I could have done that, though.) Ah well … not knowing what else to do, but seeing its beauty, I pulled out my camera.
I’m still not sure how I feel about what I did. I’m not even sure what I think of this shot.
Swallowtail, 7.28.15