On a cool day of late winter, a crocus shows off delicate colors and textures.  The crocus is a flower that few people take the time to appreciate.  It's fairly small, stays close to the ground, and  blooms before the warmth of summer.  This photo is for the folks who don't get down on the cold dirt to have a close look - maybe next time they should.(?)

There were two photographic techniques used in this photo.  The first was a set of extension tubes on a 50mm lens.  This combination allowed the close focusing.  The second technique was the use of an electronic flash detached from the camera.  The flash was on a long PC cord and aimed from behind the crocus to create backlighting.  This technique also showed the colored veins in the translucent petal of the far side.