Tuliptree Blossom with Guest
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
Bugs
Suspicious Looking Character
On a platform overlooking the Missouri River at Indian Cave State Park in southeast Nebraska I spotted this strange, long-legged, fuzzy fly sitting on the weathered railing. It reacted to our presence but didn’t fly away – not at first. That gave me time to zoom in and snap a few images.
You can see a larger, more detailed version of this image by clicking on the photo. 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 (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Bee’s Got High Hopes
A vibrant, purple wildflower with delicate petals covered in small water droplets stands out against a blurred background of greenery. A tiny bee hovers, inspecting with, what I imagine, are great expectations.
This is an image I snapped in July of 2023 while hiking thought the woods of northwest Missouri.
You can get a better view of the flower and bee by clicking 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.
Amazing Technicolor Web
A detailed spider web glistens in the sunlight. The delicate strands of web, highlighted by the sun, reveal a stunningly beautiful, technicolor design.
On a recent hike through the woods at Weston State Park in northwest Missouri, I spotted this spider web, highlighted by a beam of light. To fully grasp the impact of this image, you must click on it to view the larger version on a big screen. (Or zoom in a lot.) The yellowish-green spider is
I did not adjust the color or saturation for this web. I merely reduced the highlights, pulled up the shadows and whites a bit and toned down the luminance on the green leaves.
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.
Dew Drop In
Nestled among green grass blades, creating a harmonious blend of nature and the arachnid’s craftsmanship, this spider awaits any unfortunate visitors.
This was taken on an early morning walk in the woodlands of northwest Missouri. I can’t remember if the water droplets resting on the web was from a light rain shower or heavy, morning dew. (As my title suggests, I’m leaning toward the dew.)
I did a bit of work trying to sharpen this image up, but could never reach the quality I was hoping for. It was a low light situation and an older camera that could only give me so much detail.
You can get a closer view if this image by clicking on the photo. When you do, a much larger 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 (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Tuliptree Blossom with Guest
A vibrant green tuliptree flower with a rich yellow center is in full bloom, surrounded by large, lobed leaves. Some sort of insect is nestled in the flower’s petals, possibly collecting nectar or pollen.
Also shown in this photo is one of the tuliptree’s cone-like seed clusters that sit upright on the branches. The tuliptree is one of the largest native trees in North America. It is a member of the magnolia family and has distinct tulip shaped flowers. The golden-yellow fall color of the tuliptree makes this an excellent choice for large landscapes.
I found this tuliptree in bloom while strolling the grounds at College of the Ozarks, just south of Branson, Missouri.
Getting this shot was not an easy task. The blooms are up in a tree, well above my head and reach. To get this image, I employed a monopod. I extended it the full length, set the camera’s timer and guessed at the focal distance. Then, after pressing the shutter button to activate the timer, I hoisted the camera above the bloom and waited for the “click” sound. Then I’d lower it to eye level and look at the result. It took about six or seven attempts to get the correct framing and sharpness.
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.
X-Wing Landed
A dragonfly with intricate wing patterns took a rest on the forest floor. The outstretched wings showcase the beauty and delicacy of its structure.
I was on a slow walk through northwest Missouri woods when this small dragonfly zipped by me. My eyes followed it’s movement until it landed. Then I crept slowly, taking photos as I approached and got remarkably close before it zipped away.
This was a small specimen – the body only about and inch and a half from head to tail. I was so impressed by the banding over the eyes that I included a larger crop for you to enjoy.
If you click on either photo, a larger version will open in a new browser tab. I encourage you to click on both to get closer…and even closer. Cool stuff!
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.
Moment of 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
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
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
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.