Lovely, Dough! I show this one to my wife, knowing her love affair with this kind of flower..

Now she asking me about my cameras and lens "investment", as I never been able to produce this kind of shot! :D

Oh.. back to the photo; I would like it a bit sharper as I think the 50mm is a very sharp lens, and I think the background is so good!

Cheers!

Thanks Yoki. Now you have the excuse to get the new E5 - just tell your wife you need it to get these results. :-)) I agree about the 50mm lens - in this case I thought the subject was too sharp so I softened the whole photo. I think it improved the background as well. Cheers

yes, it looks like a lantern, and also a starfruit; the colors are sweet

This is beautiful. The color a delight. Is the flower as impressive as the seed pod? I'll have to look this one up.

But the thing is..; she noticed that you 'merely' using the E-510! And I already have that 50mm f/2!

Looks like I have not so bright prospect of getting the E-5.. :(

Marianne, the tree blooms in the summer with groups of small yellow flowers. Somehow those mature into the "lantern like" pods which contain 3 seeds. I wish I had one in my garden to study more closely - this one was at a public park. :-)

Love the pastel color and soft back light. Makes me want to take macro again.

I didn't even think of a starfruit until you mentioned it, but I agree. Starfruit & lanterns I guess are equally exotic names. Thanks for commenting, DV. :-)

Thanks HK. I like the 50mm lens because it does a good job with macro shots, but also works great on moderate telephoto and portraits (with some softening). Cheers

Great catch Doug, I wish they'd make a lantern like it... :D

Great details Doug. Looks likle a remarkable plant.

pleasant colors, good to the mind in those days.

Thanks Jimmy. The tree was covered with these pods - I understand they can become a pest if not well controlled. Cheers.

I appreciate the comment, Wolfgang. I also really like your photo of the Sony Center in Berlin. :-)