Category Archives: Ashe County

Photos of the Week – Betty Rembert

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Two Katydids in One Day

Betty Rembert - Scudder's Bush Katydid Nymph

Betty Rembert – Scudder’s Bush Katydid Nymph


Betty has been active in the ACC since its beginning some four years ago but not as a photographer. A year and a half ago she could resist no longer and picked up a camera to give it a try. Rarely has a day passed since when she didn’t head out for a shoot, concentrating on landscape and local scenes. Lately she has discovered the joy of macro work and the fascinating creatures that can be found everywhere. The two images below were captured in her small garden just a few feet from home. It was a cloudy day, perfect for this type of shot, with even a very light rain falling for the first image. She believes this colorful creature to be a Scudder’s Bush Katydid in an earlier nymph stage(experts out there are free to confirm or deny this). The rain enhanced the colors to a ceramic glow and the perfectly round, reflecting water drops add a prehistoric feel. The head reminds one of a horse on a merry-go-round.
The image below is the same katydid but at a later, mature stage.
Betty Rembert - Scudder's Bush Nymph KatydidBoth images are well framed, with sharp focus where it matters. The surrounding blossoms, leaves and soft backgrounds do not detract from the main subject.
Both were captured using a tripod with a Canon 5D and a 100mm macro lens. Left click each image for a closer, more detailed look.

Photo of the Week – Christine McCarty

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Christine Says It Was HOT!

Christine McCarty - Classic Firefighter's Silhouette

Christine McCarty – Classic Firefighter’s Silhouette

What thoughts pass through your mind when you first see this image? Or perhaps there’s an emotional reaction, something visceral, before thought even registers. A tragedy? A loss of life perhaps? Where? Who? All blended with the feeling of a somewhat guilty excitement? Relief that it’s not “my” house? But what do you feel when you learn that this was a benefical fire, purposely set to clear away the structure and at the same time provide practice and training for the firemen? Be honest. Disappointment? or relief.
All such thoughts aside, the photograph does an excellent job of portraying the intensity of the fire, with enough of the remaining structure visible to to add detail and interest. The stairstepping of the men in their protective suits along with the up curve of the hose followed by the down curve of the water provides a calming artistic touch to the inferno. The framing is ideal for the scene. Good job, Christine.