Back in early July while wandering along the trail that leads to Sacajawea peak in the Coeur d’Alene Mountains near here I snapped these photos. What they have in common is that, while I always have my macro lens with me (it’s by far my favorite lens), I shot them with my Nikkor 70-300mm VR Zoom lens for whatever reason made sense to me at the time. For what they’re worth…
Montana Outdoors 
you could use a camera out of a cereal box and still take the best pictures!
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Comment by Sandy — September 7, 2010 @ 10:24 pm
Thanks for the kind comment, Sandy. The fact is though, I’m blessed with a whole world full of wonderful subjects.
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Comment by montucky — September 7, 2010 @ 11:04 pm
flies…hehehe…fascinating.
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Comment by burstmode — September 8, 2010 @ 5:47 am
What caught my attention was that its wings were spread out slightly, probably to dry. My best guess is its a Sweat bee – Sphecodes.
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Comment by montucky — September 8, 2010 @ 8:46 am
I agree with Sandy. Seriously, it doesn’t matter! Your photos are always wonderful!
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Comment by Camilla — September 8, 2010 @ 5:52 am
Thanks Camilla!
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Comment by montucky — September 8, 2010 @ 8:46 am
Wonderful shots. They have personality. Love that middle one of the fly.
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Comment by Robin — September 8, 2010 @ 9:30 am
That little critter really caught my attention. There were several around a little spring that was the only water source for miles. Plenty of insects there and the tracks of many species of wildlife. I love places like that.
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Comment by montucky — September 8, 2010 @ 8:08 pm
beautiful as always!
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Comment by silken — September 8, 2010 @ 10:07 am
Thanks Silken!
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Comment by montucky — September 8, 2010 @ 8:08 pm
Hi Montucky, Glad you had that lens. That is a very fine lens I am told! From the shots, I’ll agree!
Have a super nice day!
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — September 8, 2010 @ 11:32 am
It really is a good lens and I’m slowly learning how to use it. It is quite heavy though ( 2 lbs).
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Comment by montucky — September 8, 2010 @ 8:09 pm
Ohhh weee, preeetty!
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Comment by Tricia — September 8, 2010 @ 12:21 pm
I thought so too!
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Comment by montucky — September 8, 2010 @ 8:25 pm
The wings caught my eye, too. I would classify them as macros, for sure. Don’t you just love the details?
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Comment by sandy — September 8, 2010 @ 2:48 pm
I think that lens has a lot of capability and possibilities.
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Comment by montucky — September 8, 2010 @ 8:27 pm
Wow! These are macro as in details even though shot with a zoom lens. My goodness that must be a superb lens! You must be steady with the camera too. I love the details of the insect’s wings and the fine details of the gorgeous red flower. Beautiful shots!
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Comment by Anna — September 8, 2010 @ 6:42 pm
I was pleased with it. The shutter speed was 1/800, 300mm at a range of about 6 feet. The VR on that lens is amazing.
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Comment by montucky — September 8, 2010 @ 8:32 pm
Wow. Now I have evidences how good that lens is.
I have Nikkor 18-200mm VR zoom.
If I did not already said, great photos, Sir.
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Comment by sartenada — September 9, 2010 @ 10:36 pm
Thank you! I do like the lens even though it’s heavy, but I don’t mind carrying the extra weight.
I have not had experience with the 18-200mm lens, but I would think it would be a wonderful lens for landscapes. The Nikkor VR system is very good, isn’t it!
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Comment by montucky — September 9, 2010 @ 10:59 pm
I have an older Nikkor 70-300mm from film camera days (no VR) and find that shooting “macro” images with it requires a tripod… I don’t travel with my macro lens (too heavy) but do travel with a tripod… my more recent trips have included the 18-200mm Nikon VR zoom (LOVE it for an all purpose lens), Kenko extension tubes and my trusty 70-300mm lens.
Far as I’m concerned, your images are macro even if shot with a telephoto lens… and the Indian Paintbrush is superb… on our last trip, I saw plenty but it was less red and this is stunning!
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Comment by Victoria — September 10, 2010 @ 4:33 pm
I always take my macro lens with me as well as the 70-300mm and an 18-135mm. With the camera, that adds up to about 7 lbs. I seldom carry a tripod on my hikes. Today I traveled 12 miles in the back country and I had really more weight than I liked.
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Comment by montucky — September 10, 2010 @ 9:55 pm
A cheating macro, I call them. Still, who would know?
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Comment by Candace — September 10, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
Well, the proof is in the image I guess. Yup, who knows?
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Comment by montucky — September 10, 2010 @ 9:56 pm