Thank you for your recommendation. I appreciate it.

m

probably you should consider a camera like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FZ7S-Digital-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B000EBOCEU/ref=sr_1_3/104-5610110-0132710?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1174574036&sr=1-3

which is great (i have the older model) plus a macro adapter like this:

http://www.amazon.com/RAYNOX-RADCR-150-Raynox-DCR-150/dp/B0007KS7D0/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-5610110-0132710?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1174574248&sr=1-1

there are plenty of other choices.

but, it is just a suggestion

olmedo

Thank you very much for your kind comments and for the links to macro tips. I’m afraid my camera is a relatively old digital one that doesn’t take other lenses, but I’m interested in the techniques. There may be a way to use some of them even with my camera.

I’m certainly impressed by your photos on smugmug!

m

My name is Olmedo , i am a chiricano that just bump into your blog and I most confess that it is spectacular!

I am more into birds than plants but it is good to know that someone is actively researching the plants of chiriqui.

I also saw that you are having problems with macro photos and I like to suggest this relatively inexpensive technique with a panasonic FZ30 (any long zoom small sensor cam will do) and a raynox 150 to get pictures like this:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1033&message=22417203&q=macros&qf=m

Here is the way to do it:

http://bugmacros.com/equipment/

I have try it and it is really great.

I hope I have been helpful

Bye, and thanks for your work.

Olmedo Miro

I came across your blog while reading Niches one day. I admire the effort both of you – and others – are doing toward stewardship. One day I hope to get more organized in that respect. We’ve done a few very basic things so far, and, as is obvious, I’m spending most of my free time just learning the biota here. So the least I can do for now is point a reader or two in your (and Niches’) direction.

I grew up in Missouri, by the way, over in the southwest part, so your blog brings all kind of resonance to me.

I must admit I do like the nance ice cream though. Now you have gone and made me hungry too.

I agree wholeheartedly about the acquired taste, although I liked the ice cream right away.

Even though the Nance ice cream is very nummy, locals use the fruit to make chicha and pesada de nance. Chicha is a general term for a drink made from natural fruit and pesada de nance is an applesauce-pudding like dessert served with a sprinkle of local white farmers cheese on top.

I personally think the flavor of Nance is an acquired taste.