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
Missouri
Collection In the Clearing
Hiking through the woods of northwest Missouri, I came across a clearing with a delightful arrangement of wildflowers.
When I’m photographing flowers I normally move in closer and focus on a particular bloom or two. I snapped some of those images too, of course. However, for this collection, I thought a more distant perspective was worthwhile; where you can see them in their natural state, growing wild and free among the other native grasses and plants .
You can view them in much greater detail by clicking on the photograph. When you do, a larger, full-screen version of this photo 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.
Tree Hugger
I love macro photography because it brings things that are small, and often missed, closeup and in sharp focus. It reveals the detail that we rarely have the opportunity to observe and enjoy.
This small butterfly was one of several I found mingling around the base of a tree in the woods of Missouri. It seemed like a gathering of old friends. Unfortunately, I was’t able to get a good shot of the group’s activity because, at the base of the tree, there was a good deal of tall grass that shielded my view. This momentary loner was kind enough to sit still long enough for me to snap its image. An online friend helped me identify this as a Hackberry Emperor butterfly.
By the way, the image you see here was flipped 180-degrees. When I snapped it, the butterfly was facing downward. I thought it seemed more natural and a little easier on the eyes to have it positioned upward.
There is much more detail to be seen in the larger version. To see it, simply 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.
Grass Hopper
This little rascal was very alert, keeping an eye on me while I kept my camera focused on him.
I photographed this wild bunny on a recent trip to Missouri. I was strolling around in the early morning and found out I wasn’t the only one up early. He looks steady here, but he only stood still for a moment before scurrying off to the woods.
You can view more of the detail and the twinkle in his eye by clicking on the photo. When you do, a larger version will open in a new browser tab.
Paper Kite
This beautiful, high-contrast butterfly is known by the name, Paper Kite. It’s technical name is Idea Leuconoe. The name game doesn’t stop there, either. It’s also called a Wood Nymph butterfly, Large Tree Nymph butterfly or simply, Rice Paper butterfly.
The Paper Kite has a weak, fluttery flight interspersed with gliding due to the high ratio of their wing-size to body-size. You would think, with their bright color and bold pattern, they would easily fall victim to predators, but like monarch butterflies, they are poisonous or highly unpalatable and are not often attacked.
The Paper Kite’s natural territory is Southeast Asia. Apparently, it is a common resident in butterfly greenhouses and live butterfly expositions. I found this one at the Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure in Branson, MO.
You can view a larger version of this image by simply 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.
Garden Grapes
We ought to do good to others as simply as a horse runs, or a bee makes honey, or a vine bears grapes season after season without thinking of the grapes it has borne. – Marcus Aurelius
It looks like a colorful, flavorful, abundant harvest. I photographed these ripening clusters of grapes on an September day in rural Missouri with the lingering effects of an early morning dew still clinging to the fruit.
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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.
Fiesta Butterfly
The intricacy and beauty of nature continually affirms the concept of intelligent design to me. You’ll never convince me this kind of order and detail is the result of millions of years of happenstance. This stunning example of intelligent design was found at The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure in Branson, MO. They cultivate a variety of butterfly species there.
This particular butterfly is a Leopard Lacewing (cethosia cyane); a species of heliconiine butterfly found from India to southern China, and Indochina.
You can get a better look by viewing the larger version. 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.
Asiatic Dayflower
I found this tiny, delicate Asiatic Dayflower on a woodland trail in Missouri. Though small, the bright blue color makes them easy to spot. When you do find them, take a moment to enjoy them because that particular bloom won’t be around long. The saying, “Here today, gone tomorrow,” applies to the Asiatic Dayflower. Thankfully, other’s will likely take their place throughout the summer.
According to Wikipedia….
The Asiatic Dayflower (commelina communis), is an herbaceous annual plant in the dayflower family. It gets its name because the blooms last for only one day. It is common in disturbed sites and in moist soil. The flowers emerge from summer through fall and are distinctive with two relatively large blue petals and one very reduced white petal.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of this flower 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.
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.
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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.
Orange Adorned Butterfly
This little beauty was content to pose for a photo or two. I don’t know what kind of butterfly it is. It was one of hundreds we walked among at the Butterfly Palace in Branson, MO. I was able to snap several other unique butterflies there and will share them in the days and weeks to come. Stay tuned.
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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.
Simple Pleasures
Sometimes, life’s simple pleasures are the best. There’s nothing fancy about these wildflowers; found growing along a roadside. They are simple and beautiful in their simplicity.
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