Janet Brien's photos with the keyword: explore

The other day when I went up to our ridge to retake pictures, I spotted something white out of the corner of my eye. I looked over and saw what appeared to be a white cap dropped on the forest floor, but as I approached, I was delighted to see it was a white mushroom!! I moved around to the far side and was delighted to find that I would be able to take the image from below to display its frilly gills with the sun adding a perfect ethereal glow! (By the way, this mushroom's cap measures about an inch across.) (Explored on Flickr, February 8, 2011)

A few days ago, Steve and I drove out to Lost Creek Reservoir for a hike and some photography. We were there last spring and wow, what a difference! On our previous visit, this place was exploding with flowers and lush new greenery, but right now, the plantlife is only just beginning to wake up for the upcoming show. No worries for us, because when you have macro lenses, there are endless wonderful things to photograph! I remembered that one of my favorite plants grows here in a few places, the fabulous, prehistoric plant, the Horsetail (also known as snake grass or puzzlegrass). This amazing living fossil is one of the world's oldest species, dating back over 100 MILLION years!!! Isn't that INCREDIBLE?!! I have always lovd these plants because they are so unusual looking, but I have never taken a really close look at one before, nor have I seen a brand new sprout! What a cool plant!! If you would like to know more about Horsetails, Wiki has a super page here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equisetum This image was taken in February, 2012. (Explored on February 12, 2011)

[best appreciated at full size against black] Even though we have no roses blooming on this international day of romance, I did happen to go out this morning and find this lovely sight waiting for me to capture! This image was taken in February, 2012 This image was taken in February, 2012. (Explored on February 13, 2011)

[best appreciated at full size against black] In one of our meadows, near our house, there is a rocky granite valley which gets a lot of water runoff from the hill above. Springtime is magical here because it's covered with glowing green moss and other lush, water-loving plantlife, including mushrooms. There are dozens growing here and every one is like a little person with its own character. Can you imagine my elation when I found this pair standing side by side? Incredible! I hope you like this image as much as I do, it's one of my favorites! I've uploaded two other pictures today and I hope you'll visit them too! Thanks to all of you who have visited and have left comments and favorites! I try to go to all of your pages within a day or two and is a highlight for me to see your beautiful photography! :) NOTE! I have finally updated my profile and I hope you'll take a look to find out a little more about me and how important all of you are to my experience here on Flickr! www.flickr.com/people/sfhipchick/ This image was taken in February, 2012. This image was taken in February, 2012. (Explored on February 11, 2011)

[best appreciated at full size against black] We have a few types of mushrooms that I see most commonly on our property, and this is one of them. Nearly black on top, with chocolate-colored gills underneath, their caps often have jaunty up-turned edges that positively demand a photograph! :D This image was taken in February, 2012. Explored on February 14, 2012.

[best appreciated at full size against black] If I want to make sure that I find mushrooms on our property, I head down to our moss-covered granite rocks which are drenched with water flowing from the hill above. Looking carefully and watching where I put my feet, it doesn't take long before I've found one! Right now there are lots of them popping up here and there all over, so there's no end to the photo ops! However, the other day I was nose-close to the moss, peering closely to look for interesting shapes or something new. Then, out of the corner of my eye I noticed a very tiny brown spot amid a bunch of moss. To my surprise, it was a brand new mushroom, only 1/8" in diameter, and trying very hard to grow taller than the moss around it! I love this picture so much, and I hope you like this cute little guy as much as I do!! :D I've uploaded two other pictures today and I hope you'll visit them too! Thanks to all of you who have visited and have left comments and favorites! I try to go to all of your pages within a day or two and is a highlight for me to see your beautiful photography! :) NOTE! I have finally updated my profile and I hope you'll take a look to find out a little more about me and how important all of you are to my experience here on Flickr! www.flickr.com/people/sfhipchick/ This image was taken in February, 2012. Explored on February 15, 2012.

[best appreciated at full size against black] On our back deck, there's a little rose bush that loves to grow through the deck. I noticed these leaves a while ago, and thought they might make a nice picture with the right conditions. One morning, Valentine's Day to be exact, it stopped raining long enough for me to step out and take some pictures! This may not be a flower, but this leaf is as pretty as a rose, don't you think? :) I've uploaded two other pictures today and I hope you'll visit them too! Thanks to all of you who have visited and have left comments and favorites! I try to go to all of your pages within a day or two and is a highlight for me to see your beautiful photography! :) NOTE! I have finally updated my profile and I hope you'll take a look to find out a little more about me and how important all of you are to my experience here on Flickr! www.flickr.com/people/sfhipchick/ This image was taken in February, 2012