As spring gets going full steam here in Colorado, I find myself walking through my yard on a daily basis, looking at my plants very carefully. I try to notice every new shoot, every new bud and see as blossoms open all around my landscape.

It’s the perfect opportunity to get close with my camera too. I recently got a new lens for my rather new camera. (It still feels new because I don’t find myself using as often as I used to.) Two years ago, I retired my well-loved and well-used Canon 5D MKIII, and picked up the Canon R mirrorless. I was lucky that my lenses would transfer to the new camera with the adapter ring so I didn’t need to invest in all new gear right away. But last Christmas, my husband decided that the best gift to give me (and he was right) was a new lens that works directly with the camera, no adapter needed. The 35mm fixed lens.

One of the best things about this lens (besides the creamy blur at F1.8) is that I can get VERY close to my subjects and still be able to focus.

Even though our spring has just barely gotten started, there are wonderful specimens to be found when you look carefully. Here are a few of my favorites from the neighborhood.

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What are you getting close to this spring? -Angie