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Rofl! That's too incredibly hilarious It had me giggling. Really sweet idea. This one's really lovely...I might do something similar with my piano. Am a little hesitant to join in this month - I fear I won't succeed.

More than welcome to use any of mine; http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilovetobeyoung/

God, I can't believe the month is almost over already...I was so keen to participate but have been really unwell all month. Everyone's been doing fabulously, love some of the creativity being expressed. Lynda, that last landscape is absolutely gorgeous...it's looks so tranquil.

It's mine too, I absolutely love the colour of the water in it and the eery atmosphere. Everyone is doing so awesomely, there are some seriously superb shots here.

Absolutely love this one, the clarity is superb! Here's my butcher bird...sorry it doesn't fit in with the theme -

Hey me too! I've lived here for almost 12 years and just the last 3 days have I started feeding the butcher birds. they learn quick too. I took some pics of them today, not very good though. When I lived in Mackay many years ago I had pied butcher birds, they have the most beautiful clear flute like call and are very easily tamed, more so than these southern ones. It was the thing I missed most of all when I moved back South. Oh, how strange! Ours started visiting about two weeks ago and keeps coming back for ham...he's very bold, too. It must be the time of the year for them to come out. Really look forward to seeing your photos...I'm about to edit mine

If you live in an area that has a reasonable amount of bird life, you could also try just setting up a small feeder on your balcony or wherever...we get so many king parrots, rosellas, lorikeets, cockatoos and sparrows at ours, especially in bad weather which I know a lot of us have been having lately. Have also just recently started getting a little butcher bird visitor who is adorable I took some photos of him today, will post them later on! Would love a proper ID on him aside from anything else.

Absolutely love this one, it's just superb This one's fabulous Sorry I haven't made any contributions yet - weather here has been terrible and having a few health issues. Everyone is doing so well so far

Rocco, I don't think there's such thing as a staged animal shot

Another 40D user here :p Upgraded from a 1000D in January I think. That's absolutely awesome Rocco, the clarity is amazing and the editing is really effective. Love it! Thanks Clover I was so stoked catching him coming out of the water with all the drops flying off him, hehe. I really love this last one, it has a real 'hustle and bustle' feel to it.

I knew you were going to be cruel and give this to us at some point Seriously though, I think it's going to be really fun These aren't part of the challenge but I thought I'd show them off - Frozen motion- Long exposure- I really look forward to panning, I've never done it before.

Ship him up here and I will gladly

What sort of shutter speeds are you getting?

Aww, that's a lovely story, he looks like a gorgeous boy. Love that shot of Tag.

Yeah, it's a really fabulous portrait lens - I love how versatile it is. I took my absolute favourite shot of Chelsea with it- Gorgeous shot of that pup - what is he?

Awww I'm miles away from expert Yeah, bugs don't make the best models. I've found honey to be wonderful for luring ants out, though...just a drop in a spot you know they visit and it takes about 5 minutes for hundreds to appear. Also make sure you look above and below eye level...I've often found things like butterflies and robberflies resting on leaves above my head. I think my main 'rule' in macro is to search for things that you would usually pay no attention to and to look for all the tiny detail in things...it's amazing what you can find. I got a few nice ones of some new flowers in our garden...am editing them now

Where's the smug looking nodding head emoticon. these are the smugest ones I could find. Woot!! :p You just inspired me to go out into the garden with mine I haven't taken anything in a week, I think I got a few good shots.

Woo!! That's absolutely awesome Linda, so glad to have inspired you, hehe. The grevillia and wet dandelion head shots are gorgeous. Absolutely stunning bokeh and DOF in the dandelion one. Is it the f/2.8 100mm?

Now I'm going to have to give this a go Awesome idea Rocco, did you have anymore success this weekend?

A break from the challenges, not from photography all together Anyway - thanks!

I will, though as I said above I'm still going to participate in Lea's thread when possible I don't think anyone's saying they don't appreciate her starting it, just that it's nice to have the opportunity to have a break. Not really sure where all this attitude is coming from.

Don't think your post came across that way at all, Ash. Several people, myself included, said that they lacked inspiration or enthusiasm in April and I think most of us agreed a break would help us to feel a bit refreshed and allow us to prepare for June. I'm definitely going to take the opportunity to relax a little, though I will try to participate in Lea's thread whenever possible. Also, you are most certainly not the photo nazi

Thanks Tlc! I used the f/4.0 70-200mm for these

Love it Kja, it has a really awesome atmosphere Two more from me today, this rosella spent hours at our feeder- ETA: Nicer quality on flickr- http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilovetobeyoung/

Thanks BB! Yes, pretty happy with that shot, though wish I'd framed it better. Cheers! Thanks CM! I thought it was very cute The quality of the shots is way better on Flickr, though. How bizarre, guess it must be a territorial thing.