Another Day at Work
Apis Workers' Party
Predator
Some of Your Beeswax
Sedum Bumbler
Look of Defiance
Chicory Bee
Bumbling Bees
Garden Cafe
Buzz By Here - To Infinity and Beyond
Pick Your Poison
Blind Side Attack
On a Mission
Honey Bee on Sedum
Covering the Cosmos
Center of the Cosmos
Three's a Crowd
Popular Spot
On A Pedestal
Big Harry Fireworks Display
To Impress the Girl
Different Perspective
Sweet Ride
Perfect Little Piggies B&W
Flipping the Light Fantastic
Festival of Flights
To the Crowd's Delight
Amish Go Round
Wondersome One
The Stars In Her Eyes
Tuesday's Child
Sleeper Hold
Considering the Next Move
Sugar and Spice
Front Porch Portrait
Caged Competitor
Early Adoration
Child In the Ligtht
Stroll Through the Weeds
Attention Grabbing
Eye Contact
On the Line
Eyes of Wonder
Rounding the Curve
Troubadours of Basin Spring Park
Down by the Creek
Sun Day
Catching Some Light
EAA Fireworks
Hear Me Roar
Animals
Sunbather’s Spot
There was one spot on the pond where the sun was shining through the trees…and this turtle was taking full advantage of it.
Normally, at the first sight of people, the turtles in this pond would dive into the water. This one was not leaving his cozy spot. Not until I got quite a bit closer.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of this photo by clicking on it.
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A Little Squirrelly
A tiny red squirrel enjoys a meal of seed dropped by the bird feeders above.
This was a rare sighting at our house. We don’t have squirrels around our place. Our home is surrounded by large farm fields, so any critter making it to our property had to travel quite a way with little cover – except this time of year where the crops are up. Still, when they get here, there’s no natural food source – no nut trees.
When this little guy showed up, he was the immediate center of attention. I noticed him when I looked out the window to see what the racket was all about. What I saw amazed me. This little guy was circling the trunk of a tree as quickly as his nimble legs would allow, with bluebirds in hot pursuit. The birds were relentless, dive-bombing him at every turn. Whenever he would venture out of thick brush, the birds would be on him. He eventually caught a break and was able to grab a quick meal; cleaning up under the bird feeders.
When I spotted him I, naturally, wanted to get a picture. I knew, if I went outside, he would run and hide. To get this shot, I stayed inside, opened the window, removed the screen and cautiously held my camera out the window.
This was the last time I saw him. He must have gone on to a friendlier neighborhood. I don’t blame him.
To get a better, larger view, click on the photo.
Lucky Rabbit’s Foot
A small, wild bunny took a moment for a little personal grooming. It was giving special attention to cleaning it’s back foot.
I spotted this little guy between rows in a flower garden. It let me take several shots, like it didn’t care that I was there, and then, all of the sudden, it scurried off to cover.
To view this cutie up close, click the photo and a larger version will open in a new browser tab.
Baby Steps
On its first day exploring the world above ground, this juvenile ground squirrel stands tall on its hind legs to get the best view possible.
We’ve been watching a pair of ground squirrels scurrying around our yard since last fall. I suspected they might be up to something.
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Cobblestone Cul-de-sac
This is quite a departure from the typical sunrise or flower photos I often post. It’s all about interesting color and pattern combinations. You may not like snakes, but I hope you can appreciate the beauty in the scales on this snake’s skin. It reminded me of cobblestone.
This is the curve of a Western Fox Snake that stopped by for a visit recently. To view another image of this snake, see my previous post: Forked Tongue
To view a larger, more detailed version of the image above, simply click on it.
Forked Tongue
I’m not a ophiologist, but I believe this is a Western Fox Snake – also commonly called a Pine Snake. This formidable looking serpent, measuring a bit longer than 4 feet, was spotted gliding across our lawn. My camera’s fast shutter speed stopped that quickly flicking tongue. My apologies to those who are creeped out by snakes.
Here’s a bit of info about this type of snake from a Wisconsin DNR publication…
Family: Colubridae Size: 36-56 in. Status: Common
The fox snake has many large reddish-brown, chocolate brown, or black mid-dorsal blotches along its back and other smaller blotches on its sides on a background color of yellow, tan or olive gray. The head of adults is usually a dark copper, rust or orange color. They live in a variety of open habitats including marshes, sedge meadows, prairies and old fields. Their diet consists primarily of rodents and ground-nesting birds. Young fox snakes will occasionally eat amphibians. This species is the most frequently encountered snake in people’s homes, especially if the house has an old rock foundation where the snake(s) may be hunting for food or hibernating in the basement. The fox snake is often mistaken for the venomous copperhead snake due to its head color, and subsequently is often killed. Copperheads do not live in or near Wisconsin. Fox snakes are also often mistaken for rattlesnakes, as they often ‘rattle” their tails in dry leaves, grasses or against objects when disturbed.
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Siblings
On my way to an appointment, I happened to pass by a small pond in the city. I was running a little early so I stopped for a moment to snap a few frames of the new arrivals.
It’s hard to find anything cuter than newly hatched ducklings. These are your basic, wild, mallard variety babies. They just stepped out of the water so they’re still a bit damp.
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Fish Lips
The water was so cold, his lips were turning blue. This large, ancient looking catfish is resting in his favorite underwater shelter on the bottom of a freshwater aquarium display at a large sporting goods retailer.
Shark Tank
A large shark glides overhead in a tank at the Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium located in the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
There are several aspects of this image that I like. First, the ominous feel the shark silhouette evokes. Second, I find the the blue and green colors of the water calming – conflicting with the ominous feelings. Most of all, the light, beaming through the water. Who doesn’t like sunbeams? (Of course, all of the color and light is provided by effect lighting above the tank.)
This is the second shark image I’ve posted from this shoot. View the other HERE.
To view a larger version of this photo, click on it.
Uh Oh
This is an incredibly creative African animal display found at the Cabela’s in Kansas City. Yes, I know, it lacks an element of realism, but it was way cool.
On a recent trip there, while the rest of the family shopped, I had a good time taking photos of the many wildlife and marine displays.
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