Still, they are beautiful.

Which lens is it? A prime lens by any chance?

Julia, thanks! Santa brought us a telephoto macro lens for our DSLR camera, specifically a Sigma DG 70-300 mm with a macro feature. With the rainy dark days, I haven't had enough opportunities to get out and practice with it. I've learned that I need to use the tripod to get really sharp images so it's all getting pretty heavy and serious then!

I like them too. The amazing thing about extreme close-up shots in nature is in seeing the complexity of elegance. Seeing it is one thing - being able to capture it in a photograph is quite another and you're doing that very well already.

Many years ago I was given a Rolleiflex camera system that came with a macro and a telephoto lens. The first thing I realized after the first roll of pictures was developed was that I needed a new prescription for my glasses.

ps - No, in answer to your question, I don't have German and have forgotten most of my French and Latin. I just about manage in English :-)

Finding the focus point on subjects such as these is a real challenge. I rely on luck most of the time. Let me know if you find the secret!

I like the atmosphere in your photos.. and also the green colour. In Tampere, Finland we now have only white and grey shades:)

Susan, thanks. Speaking of glasses, I've been wearing them in my middle age and find them annoying when trying to take photos. The day I was taking these ones, they kept getting fogged up with my heavy breathing while struggling to focus! Though my husband is German, I don't speak it either and have forgotten Latin and most of my French, too.

R, 'finding the focus point' is indeed the challenge! I'm surprised how very small and limited that spot can be. I'm such a non-techie that I end up spending a lot of time trying different speeds and f-stops but hopefully eventually it will become second nature just by doing it lots! Sunnier days should help too.

Leena, yes, it's very green here year-round with all our evergreens, though last year we did get a lot of snow. I love the contrast of snow and trees and miss that this time of year.