Quiet Company
A delicate, Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly rests on a vibrant purple aster bloom, its wings softly spread. An out of focus bee can be seen zipping by in the background above.
Look closely at the bottom of the butterfly’s hindwings; you’ll see tiny, delicate hair-like tails that give the species its name. Here’s a fun fact…the Eastern Tailed-Blue often rubs its hindwings together when perched. This movement makes the tiny tails wiggle, which is thought to trick predators like birds or spiders into attacking the “wrong end” of the butterfly, allowing it to escape with only a small piece of wing missing.
You can get a better look at those hair-like tails by clicking on the photo. That will bring up a much larger, more detailed 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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Feminine Feline Features
The lioness, Asante, lies peacefully in the shade of a lush forest setting, surrounded by greenery and dappled sunlight. No, I didn’t go on a photography safari. This beauty is reclining in the lion habitat at the Topeka Zoo.
You might imagine her distant gaze communicates both strength and serenity. More likely, disinterest, according to a news report from KNST.com: ‘”The Topeka Zoo announced in a social media post that resident lioness, Asante, is showing signs of improvement after she appeared disinterested in her food on Oct. 13. The 21-year-old lion is now eating food again and drinking water on her own. Right now we have a whole ‘carnivore buffet’ that we have been presenting to her, so she gets whatever she wants to eat,” said Topeka Animal Curator Shanna Simpson. “Her mobility looks good given her age. Our amazing relationships with our animals is extremely helpful in times like this- the trust Asante has built with her care team has allowed us to continue to monitor her closely and provide for her. She’s truly incredible to work with.”’
You can get a larger, more detailed view of Asante 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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Majestic Gaze
This majestic bird stared across the vast expanse of Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City, MO. Beyond my camera’s range, but within sight of it’s eye, were thousands of trumpeter swans at rest during their migration. A record number of eagles were present at Loess Bluffs this season to feast on the swans, ducks and geese that travel through.
I captured the good side of this eagle, it’s right side. I also captured the left side of it’s head, the bad side. Something took out it’s left eye; likely a fight with another eagle.
Nature is beautiful…and oftentimes, brutal.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of the eagle’s good side by clicking on the photo. When you do, it will open up in another browser window.
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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Fowl Weather
A large flock of snow geese soars through a clear blue sky above Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City, Missouri. The birds’ white feathers contrast sharply against the vibrant backdrop.
I took this image on a visit to the refuge. I went there hoping to photograph the record number of eagles reported there. I got some eagle photos (watch for future posts) but I think I enjoyed photographing the snow geese in flight more. The contrasting black and white against a blue sky was very appealing to my eye.
You can view a larger, full-screen image of this shot 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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Sweet Burro Babe
This sweet little burro, with its long ears and docile demeanor, was relaxing in a partially shaded part of Custer State Park in South Dakota. It’s mother and others from the clan were close by – just outside the photo’s frame.
The burros at Custer State Park are a favorite attraction. They are generally friendly and happy to be petted and fed carrots and apples by park visitors. Last summer they had a number of burro births. This is one from the 2025 crop.
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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Both Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed
On a recent trip to Branson, Missouri we spent some time at Table Rock Lake State Park. Walking the path along the lake shore, this local resident offered a friendly greeting.
You can get a larger, more detailed view of this critter 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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Fishnado
This school of fish were swimming in a mesmerizing, circular formation in a large, cylindrical tank at the Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri.
The “Fishnado” title is playing off the fish cluster’s shape and circular movement similar to a tornado. This tank was probably 20 feet tall; spanning two floors of the aquarium. There was no noticeable pause in their motion which made it a dramatic and mesmerizing sight.
The light through much of the exhibits was kept pretty low; I assume to simulate the conditions of being deep under water. It was difficult for my aging eyes and presented all kinds of challenges for the camera. If you look closely, you will notice the fish are not very sharp or detailed even though I did my best to digitally enhance this image.
You can get a better look by clicking on the image. When you do 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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Scenic View from Ha Ha Tonka
A picturesque overlook view from Ha Ha Tonka State Park, near Camdenton, Missouri captures a small sliver of the sprawling Lake of the Ozarks through lush green forests.
The state park system promotes this area as… “…a geologic wonderland featuring sinkholes, caves, a huge natural bridge, sheer bluffs and Missouri’s 12th-largest spring. The ruins of a turn-of-the-century stone castle overlook these wonders and offer impressive views of the Lake of the Ozarks and Ha Ha Tonka Spring.”
It is a cool place to visit and offers plenty of hiking trails and campsites. I’m sure this view will be even more stunning when the leaves of autumn are at their peak. (I believe we missed it by a couple of weeks.)
You can get a larger, more detailed view 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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Glory of the Snow
These delicate blue flowers are known as Glory of the Snow. (Formerly, Chionodoxa). They are a joy to find with their white and yellow centers blooming amidst early spring grasses.
This image was captured on an early spring visit to Krug Park in St. Joseph, Missouri. I went specifically looking for early spring blooms. There was little to find in the park, but these were a pleasant surprise. I don’t think I’ve photographed this kind of flower before. I thought they were wildflowers but later learned they are grown from bulbs…so, someone planted them at some point in the past.
You can get a better look with a larger 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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Japan 7 – US Army 1
Eight vintage airplanes fly in formation against a clear blue sky. White smoke trails add a dynamic element to the scene.
You’ll notice seven of the aircraft are painted with the symbols of WWII era Japanese aircraft. The last one (farthest right) shows the markings of a U.S. Army plane. Not sure why it made it into this group. This was part of a WWII warbird display at last year’s Sound of Speed airshow held at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, Missouri.
To see the markings better, you can click on the photo and a larger, more detailed version of this image 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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.