Pops Photos
Stalwart Sentinel
A bald eagle sits majestically on a tree branch at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, near Mound City, Missouri. This regal looking bird stands out against the clear blue sky background.
I like the way the details of the bird’s feathering is enhanced by the bright sunlight. The intricate tangle of branches also provide a natural frame for the eagle.
You can get a better view of the details in 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.
Daring To Be Different
Two United States Air Force Thunderbirds F-16C Fighting Falcons jets perform a synchronized aerial maneuver against a backdrop of soft clouds. One of the fliers is upside down, showcasing the Thunderbirds precision and skill.
This image is not up to the quality standards I like to work within. The day of the airshow was mostly overcast with a bit of fog – essentially, low light conditions. Having to keep the shutter speed high (to avoid motion blur) resulted in more digital noise in the image than I would share. In removing the digital noise, it gave the image a bit of an unrealistically smooth character. Not my favorite style but I like the image enough to share. This is not an AI generated image, but I could understand how one might think it could be.
You can get a better view of the image, and the “smooth” character I mentioned, 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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
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.