All excited about my new "softer side" gallery, I headed out on foot with my 20D early one morning, with my 100mm macro lens attached, and tripod and set out to a nearby neighborhood where public areas are landscaped with various desert plants. I saw colorful potential with the red bird of paradise that are still ferociously blooming and set up near a likely bush.

However, this was the only frame I was able to take because a breeze came up, making macro photography on plants like this too frustrating. I didn't even download it onto my computer for a couple days, thinking it was a bust. But I'm actually quite pleased with how this turned out. There's just enough sharpness on the tip of the stamen, and the colors and lighting turned out kinda cool. I really must go back on a calmer day, and play some more!