(Cross-posted from my site, where there are additional photos to see: https://andrewflenniken.com/2026/06/08/june-8th-2026-when-the-stars-align-on-a-macro-monday/)
A few shots for Macro Monday, taken a couple of weeks ago at Marymoor Park.
Gear: Nikon Z 7II, Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR Macro
#Photography #MacroPhotography #MacroMonday #Flowers #Nikon #NikonCreators
(Cross-posted from my site, where there's another photo from that day's wanderings: https://andrewflenniken.com/2026/06/05/june-5th-2026-world-environment-day/)
I shoot a lot of nature & wildlife, and always have. While I tend to generate more income from portraiture and show work, nature photography today still serves the same purpose in my life it always has: getting me outside, filling my life with beauty, and giving me peace. It's everywhere you look, even in a city.
While wandering around town recently, before meeting a friend for trivia, I passed a vacant lot between buildings. It was a riot of colorful wildflowers (including my beloved California Poppies) and tall green grass; a pocket of nature in an otherwise urban setting. Unplanned and unplanted, I'm sure, just a spot left to its own devices and what grew, grew. It initially felt somewhat sad that it was fenced off, since you couldn't get in to walk among the blooms, but upon reflection that's probably why they could grow at all. A lesson in the importance of good boundaries, maybe, and giving things the space they need to grow.
Gear: Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z 40mm f2
#Photography #Nature #UrbanNature #VacantLot #Nikon #NikonCreators
(Cross-posted from my site, where there are more photos to see: https://andrewflenniken.com/2026/06/01/june-1st-2026-eyebolt-of-the-beholder/)
Walking along the beach at sunset recently and felt a *thunk* as my toe encountered something heavy in the sand. "That didn't feel like a rock," I thought, before I even looked down. At first glance it looked like something gnarled and wooden, but the shape was... odd. Bending down to retrieve it I realized it was an old eye bolt, corroded by time, sea, and salt.
I immediately know what to do with it.
Gear: Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S
#Photography #Sunset #FineArtPhotography #Nikon #NikonCreators
(Cross-posted from my site, where there are more photos to see: https://andrewflenniken.com/2026/05/25/may-25th-2025-memorial-day/)
Today is Memorial Day in the US, the unofficial first day of summer and a day off from work for lots of folks.
I'll admit, summer is my least favorite season. I'm definitely more of an autumn guy! That said, I live somewhere I can tolerate (and even enjoy) Summer, and I'll happily get my vitamin D via the sun for a few months rather than supplementing.
Late spring and early summer also means cottonwood seeds everywhere, like little snowdrifts, and my favorite flower, the California Poppy, is popping up everywhere.
So there's lots to smile about, I think, which we all need. Now probably more than most years. What are you looking forward to, and what's bringing a smile to your face?
Gear: Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S
(Cross-posted from my site, where there are more photos to see: https://andrewflenniken.com/2026/05/21/may-21st-2026-neon-edges/)
Photography while the sun is low is frequently rewarding. I get my beloved backlit leaves, but I also often get glowing, neon edges.
These were taken on a late afternoon walk through the Bellevue Botanical Garden a couple of weeks ago. I had the macro lens on, looking mostly for "small", but just because it *can* shoot small doesn't mean that's all it can be used for. :D
Gear: Nikon Z 7II, Nikon 105mm f2.8 Macro
#Photography #BlackAndWhitePhotography #FineArtPhotography #Nikon #NikonCreators
(Cross-posted from my site, where there's a panoramic version of this photo to see: https://andrewflenniken.com/2026/05/18/may-18th-2026-helen-girdled-in-venus-belt/)
On May 18th, 1980, at 8:32 AM, Mount Saint Helens erupted. Thirty three years later, after moving to Washington State, I visited.
When I got to Washington in 2013 I made a point of getting out and exploring my new home as often as possible. Mount Saint Helens was near the top of the list of places I wanted to see, and I got down to it in my first year. After spending an enjoyable afternoon at the Cascades Volcano Observatory, reading up on the eruption, I walked a little ways down the nearby trail along Johnston Ridge. My trip was well rewarded, treated to the mountain catching the last rays of the setting sun, and a gorgeous Belt of Venus along the horizon. And thus the name of the photo, and today's post: Helen Girdled in Venus' Belt.
The panorama here was stitched from three separate photos.
Gear: Nikon D600, Nikon 24mm f1.4
#Photography #MountSaintHelens #LandscapePhotography #Nikon #NikonCreators
(Cross-posted from my site, where there are other photos to see: https://andrewflenniken.com/2026/05/14/may-14th-2026-contesting-the-pole-position/)
Stopped by Marina Beach Park in Edmonds the other day, and witnessed a couple of neighbors having a pole-ite argument.
I'd originally headed there in hopes of getting some photos of the Orcas that had been seen nearby, but by the time I arrived they'd moved on. The eagle on the post was a worthy substitute, and the other birds coming over to complain in person about his presence made for some fun photo opportunities. Given the combination of things (Bald Eagle, Puget Sound, ferry, swimmer, Olympic Mountains) it was a Very Washington day for shooting. Which was pretty great.
Gear: Nikon Z 7II, Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3
#Photography #BaldEagle #WildlifePhotography #Nikon #NikonCreators
Andrew Flenniken Photography
@Akru.fleeting
