Fluttering By

Here is my flutterby shape poem, I was happy with the way it turned out.
I was lucky enough to scoop the gold trophy for this one at worth1000.com.

OMEGA

My contest pic - I was very tempted to go with another theme but decided after all to go with "Omega" as it truly was the end of a wonderful learning month for me of macro shooting. To answer the questions of the pic, no tricks, just a simple old pressed leaf on a glass table, with a light underneath on the floor and a light up on the table to the side. A big drop of glycerin and it was ready. I took dark and lighter pics as I knew I wanted the outer edge to be lighter.
Thanks everyone for the beautiful comments, I shall treasure them - you are all truly a great bunch of Worthians - I feel sort of sad it's all over.

Day 31 - A Knight

Here is my knight in shiny armour come to rescue me from this challenge, he had to stop and get his armour cleaned first.
Well, we have come to the end of the month (FINALLY) and although I've had enough it's been a real blast. Thank you to all you wonderful people who left me a comment, they kept me going when the going got a bit tough. To everyone who finished....CONGRATULATIONS!!!
To those who didn't make it, I hope you still had lots of fun...BRAVO!!!

Day 30 - Lungfish

Queensland lungfish are most strange, the only fish that have lungs. They are said to be a link to ancient animals. They can live for more than 50 years and get pretty big, up to 40 kilograms. I caught a huge old one out at a local river, it was the weirdest thing I'd ever seen (I let it go, of course, they are protected.) These critters I've been using are from a collection of Au and NZ wildlife called Yowie's put out by a chocolate company. They are inside an egg shaped choc and come in small pieces you put together. One day I'll sort them all out and sell them on e-bay and make a fortune ;-)

Day 29 - Medals

Some medals I won a few years ago at a state championships. (Pistol shooting - centre fire ladies match if you're curious.) I learnt a huge amount from pistol shooting, it involves discipline plus mental repetitions - the only way to get any good at it is to practice. Much the same as photography really, the more you shoot ;-) the more you develop and grow. A nice story goes with these medals, I went along to a workshop before the state finals were on, the coach there pulled me out of about 120 people and gave me such an encouraging pep talk. I'd happened to shoot a perfect score in almost dark conditions - it was because of that I entered and won.

Day 28 - Nestling

A sweet little nestling, waiting for it's mama or papa to come and feed it. No, it's not real, people just give me birdie stuff as they know I like anything with wings, which includes fairies and dragons :-)

Day 27 - K.C.'s Feather

This feather is from a Tawny Frogmouth Owl whom I had the privilege of raising from a tiny few days old. He fell out of his tree during a wild storm and 2 kids found him. I called him KC after their initials. As he grew, I had to teach him to hunt for his food, (mealy grubs, cockroaches - live ones, crickets, big moths and finally - live mice ) which I'd hide every dusk under leaves and some scattered dirt on the floor. He slept all day high up on a big branch in our large laundry. It was so hard not to pick him up and mother him, as he was very very cute when little. When he became old enough to fend for himself and was flying well I released him back into a suitable sheltered spot out of the city. That was one of the hardest things I've ever done!
Bonus shot of KC at about 2 months old, and yes he had the biggest bluest eyes you can possibly imagine.Answer to essjaynz - I was a native bird carer for 8-9 years, a registered ranger in Queensland's B.I.R.O (birds,injured,rescued,orphaned.)