Archives
A Sample of Pop’s “Bee” Images

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

A Sample of Pop’s “People” Photo Collection

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

Bugs

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Moment of Reflection

Wasp, Yellow Jacket, Water, Reflection

These common wasps seemed to be admiring themselves in the water’s reflection.  Actually, they were getting a drink at the birdbath in our yard.

I happened to notice a few wasps at the birdbath one day and keep watching.  I found a steady stream of wasps visiting the birdbath all day long.  Shortly after, I discovered a steady stream of wasps flying up into a corner of our house. They obviously they had built a nest there.

I also found a couple of wasp nests in the ground of our yard. It must have been a good year for wasps in our area. On a good note, they were never bothersome to us; a little worrisome when one found its way into the house, but no stings. (Ironically, my wife was stung by one while hiking during our vacation in South Dakota.)

You can get a better, more detailed look at these by clicking on the photo.

All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.

Four-eyes Needs a Shave

Jumping Spider, Spider, Macro

For those who hate spiders – relax.  This is a teeny-tiny jumping spider.  I had to greatly enlarge this photo to be able to see blacks of its eyes – all four of them.  To give you an idea of how small this handsome devil is, he is posing on the top of a chain link fence post.

I just happened to spot some movement as I was watching for birds while in Missouri.  He was pretty active, scurrying each inch of the rounded fence post top.

You can get a closer look at that irresistible smile by clicking on the photo. When you do, a larger version will open in a new browser tab.

All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.

Wild Bee on Wild Bergamot

Bee, Honey Bee, Bergamot, Flower

The wild bergamot blooms seemed to be a favorite work site of the wild bees. This is another image gathered from our hike through the nature trail along Baird Creek in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

This was a difficult image to capture because the lighting was pretty dim and the bee wouldn’t hold still, but I do like the detail of the translucent wings.

You can view a larger, more detailed version of this photo by clicking on the image.  When you do, a new browser tab will open with a full-screen view.

All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.

Damsel at Rest

Damselfly, Flying Insect, Baird Creek

This damselfly took a brief break from hectic flitting to and fro to pose for a portrait.  It was not willing to stay long, so I’m happy I got a few snaps before it was on it’s way.

Damselflies are often confused with dragonflies.  The easy identifying factor is that damselflies usually fold their wings together when at rest, aligned with the line of their body.  Dragonflies usually rest with their wings spread out. This is another image from our recent hike on the Baird Creek trail system in Green Bay, WI.

You can get a better look at the lacey detail in the wings by clicking on the photo.  That will open a larger, full-screen version of this image in a new browser tab.

All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.

Web Wide World

Spider Web, Dark, Web

On a hike through the forest of Tippecanoe River State Park in Indiana, I came across this spider web suspended in mid-air; a little above head height.  The sun was lighting it up and, in very tiny lines, creating a prism effect giving it some interesting color.

I could look at this image for a long time.  I like following the lines of web like a maze, from the center outward.  You have to enlarge this image to get very far.  It was just an interesting glimpse of nature in very fortunate, natural, lighting.

To get a better view of the detail in this web and also see the chubby spider in the center, click on the image.

All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.

The Damsel Be Dazzled

Insect, Damselfly, Macro

The light danced on the wings of the damselfly while it rested on a leaf.

I saw a few of these damselflies flitting around an area along a trail we often hike.  Every time they landed they were facing the sun. (Notice the shadow.)  I spent a good deal of time snapping pictures, hoping to catch one sideways to the sun, to see more of the wing.

Well, as it turned out, the hint of sunlight on the ridges of the wings made a rather interesting view as well.

Damselflies are often mistaken for dragonflies.  To help you know the difference, here’s some info I found at ReconnectWithNature.org.

Both dragonflies and damselflies are typically found near fresh water and are commonly seen during warm, sunny days. And while they share some physical characteristics, there are four ways you can differentiate between the two, according to Mother Nature Network.

EYES

Dragonflies have much larger eyes than damselflies. A dragonfly’s eyes take up most of the insect’s head, wrapping around to the sides of its head. Damselflies also have large eyes, but they are smaller than a dragonfly’s and there is always a space between their eyes.

BODIES

Damselflies are smaller than dragonflies, with bodies that typically range between 1 1/2 inches and 2 inches, while dragonfly bodies are typically longer than 2 inches, Wisconsin Public Radio reports. Dragonflies also have thicker, bulkier bodies, while damselfly bodies are thin like a twig.

WINGS

Both dragonflies and damselflies have two sets of wings, but there are some distinct differences in their wings that can help differentiate between the two. Dragonflies have two sets of similar-sized wings, but the hind wings become more broad at the base, where they attach to the body. Damselfly wings, on the other hand, are more slender and taper toward they base, where they attach to the body.

AT REST

While the wings of dragonflies and damselflies are a key distinction between the two, how they position their wings while not in flight further helps tell them apart. When not in flight, a dragonfly’s wings stick straight out, perpendicular to their body like an airplane’s wings. A damselfly’s wings fold back so they are in line with their body, giving them a more sleek, slender appearance at rest.

To get the best view and all the colorful details, click on the photo and a full-screen version will open in a new browser tab.

All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.

Lunch Time

Dragonfly, Dragonflies, Insect, Dragon Fly, Macro
The dragonfly may seem like a dainty flying insect, but don’t let that fool you. Dragonflies are fierce predators. As you can see, this dragonfly is munching on a yellow bug he captured for lunch.

I found and photographed this dragonfly during an outing to pick blackberries in the middle of a Missouri prairie. Actually, I wasn’t picking, I was taking photos while the others picked.

I am always intrigued by the detail found in the transparent wings of dragonflies. If you want to get a better look of the detail, and of the bug being consumed, click on the photo and a larger version will open in a new browser tab.

All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.

Apis Workers’ Party

Honeybees, Bees, Hive, Macro
This group of honey bees were busy gathering the small amount of honey that remained in some old honeycomb.

This is a “composite” image. To create this image I focused my camera on an area where the bees were working and locked down the position on my tripod. Then, I snapped a number of photos when bees were in the frame. Then I combined several of the images – with bees in various positions – in Photoshop. All of the bees you see in the image were exactly where you see them…but not all at the same moment in time.

I had it in my mind to create this image since the day I snapped the photos last June. I finally got around to taking the time to combine the bunch. There were four separate shots used to make the image you see here.

This is one you should view full screen. You can see some great detail in the in the bees. To bring up a full-screen image, just click on the photo.

All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.

Beauty and a Beast


Sedum, Flowers, Pink, GrasshopperThe delicate beauty of these sedum blossoms provide a stark contrast to the uninviting demeanor of a grasshopper who found a late summer resting spot.

My photography typically focuses on the beauty of nature. I’m sure many would not find the grasshopper to be “beautiful,” but I think it is.  I find the structure and patterns in the design of this creature a work of beauty.  Again, a contrast to the “pretty” of the flowers but a very cool and interesting subject.

Grasshoppers are insects and are probably the oldest living group of chewing herbivorous. I imagine this one has found a pleasant, final resting place.

You can view a larger, more detailed version of this image by clicking on the photo.

All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.

Predator

Dandelion, Bee, Flower, Macro, Yellow, Green
This bee was persistent in his attack of this dandelion. My getting close didn’t seem to dissuade it.  As I approached, it would leave the flower, hovering a few inches above, and then settle back down for the work. That made it easy for me to get a good shot. The tiny butterflies I was trying to capture were considerably more shy. They vacated the blooms anytime I got within range.

This scene was captured on my own front lawn. I titled this one, “Predator,” because I think the bees face makes an ominous impression. I know I wouldn’t want to meet one in a dark alley.

You can view a larger, more detailed version of this photo by clicking on it.

All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.

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