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
Pops Photos
Bathed in Beams
On more than one occasion, I’ve heard or read Algoma, WI has one of the most photographed lighthouses (technically a “pier light”). I always considered it more wishful thinking than fact. But if I just count the number of pictures I’ve personally snapped and posted, I might have misjudged.
This magical scene was captured early on a Sunday morning while on my way to church. (As the pastor, I get to the church hours before the service to prepare.) Since I always have my camera with me, it’s not unusual for me to stop near the harbor and step out to take a few photos of the lighthouse if I see something I like.
On this morning, when I stopped, it was starting to sprinkle and I didn’t want to expose my camera or suit to the rain. So, instead of jumping out, I jumped in…to the backseat of our minivan. I set my tripod and camera up, slid the side door open and snapped away, staying comfortable and dry. As the sun continued to rise and the clouds shifted, changing the angle of the beams, I had jump back to the drivers seat and move my van 3 times.
I posted a B&W photo from the same morning a few days ago, entitled Too Wonderful for Me.
Here’s a panoramic scene, taken just a few minutes later the same morning, when the sunbeams weren’t so intense.
Click on either image to see a larger version.
The Girl with Golden Locks
The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives. ~ Albert Einstein
This photo was mostly an accident…something I just stumbled into. Didn’t realize what I had until I was browsing through a batch of photos from the day. The sweet, little girl in the big field grabbed my attention.
I cropped the original, tweaked the contrast and exposure, enhanced the colors, added an effect to soften the foreground and background…and found an image I love.
If it appeals to you, by all means, share it with others.
Click the image to see a larger version.
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. 
Gold Rush
The brilliant, golden sunlight rushes through a narrow breach in the clouds and easily overpowers the lighthouse at Kewaunee, WI.
To see a a larger version of this image, click on it.
On the Wing
These are Sand Hill Cranes that spent the night in the farm field across the road from our home. They are a very exotic and, unfortunately, elusive bird. I’ve not been able to get close enough to capture any decent pictures.
There were at least a dozen Sand Hill Cranes sharing the field with three or four times as many Canada Geese. I tried to slowly work my way toward them, but before I could get any worthwhile photos they took off. The only saving grace is that a few happened to fly by on their way to some other secluded spot.
Sand Hill Cranes are graceful and somewhat majestic in flight, with a wingspan of six to eight feet. They are also very noisy when flying. (They can be pretty noisy on the ground, too.) Their distinctive “call of the wild” has been described as a bugling or trumpeting sound. It’s very annoying, particularly early in the morning when you’re trying to sleep in. They can be heard long before they are seen.
To see a larger view of either image, simply click on it.
Power from On High
A month ago I managed to snag a number of striking B&W images of the Algoma, WI lighthouse. I posted a few of them and moved on to other subjects. Yesterday’s interaction on this blog – comparing color and b&w images (Thank You, to all who commented) – reminded me of the bunch I had neglected. This image is from that forgotten bunch.
The powerful contrast between the upper right-hand corner and the lower left-hand corner, and the range of monochrome tones between, make this a favorite for me.
Fell free to share your own thoughts below and if you like what you see, by all means, share it with others.
To see a larger version of this image, simply click on it.
Cloudy Colored Water
On the road between Kewaunee and Algoma, you will pass through Alaska, WI. This small spot on the map has a nine-hole golf course and two small lakes – Alaska East and West.
This is an image from Alaska West. I stopped there last Saturday on my way from Kewaunee to Algoma. The clouds were somewhat expressive and I wondered if I could get a good reflection of them on the calm lake.
I posted a nearly identical black and white photo of the same scene a couple of days ago, titled Cloudy Water. My wife and I debated over which was the better image…b&w or color. I thought I’d settled on one but, as I compare them again while creating this post, I’m not so sure.
I’d be very interested to know what you think. So, take a look at both and tell me which one would get your vote. For a good view of the b&w version click on the small image to the right. It will open a new tab in your browser with the original post. Then you can easily go back and forth between the two tabs and compare.
Tell me which you like the best in the comment box below (on the color version).
To see a lager version of this image, click 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.
Too Wonderful for Me
There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I cannot resist photographing. The rise of a morning sun, the set of an evening sun, majestic sunbeams piercing the darkness and the form of a rainbow in the sky. (Pops Digital paraphrase of Proverbs 30:18.)
I captured this image of the Algoma, WI harbor, on the western shore of Lake Michigan, while on my way to prepare for a Sunday morning service at the church where I serve as pastor.
I always have an eye on the sky. As I was driving to Algoma I could see that there might be a worthwhile photo op developing. This is the scene I found when I reached the harbor – just a few blocks from the church.
The sunbeams poured through for about ten minutes. I captured several appealing images and will share more in upcoming posts. Check back often.
You can see a larger version of this image by clicking on it. And, as always, if you enjoy the images you find here, please share them and this site with others.
Early Amber Rising
A lone fisherman prepares his tackle for fishing off the end of the Kewaunee, WI pier. The rising sun, filtered through the clouds over a calm Lake Michigan, create an amber backdrop for him and the Kewaunee lighthouse.
This photo was taken from the beach using a 300mm lens. I captured several good shots on this morning and will post more in the near future.
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To see a larger version of this photo over a black background, simply click 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.
Cloudy Water
It was an overcast Saturday morning and, on my way from Kewaunee to Algoma, I stopped at one of the twin lakes of Alaska, WI. My goal was to find a picturesque scene and capture the reflection of the clouds off the calm water.
This is West Alaska Lake. I took several shots – both B&W and color. I’m not sure which I like best. (I’ll post a color version in a few days.)
Click the image to view a larger version.
Bowing at the Altar of Sweet
This pretty little gal is coming in for a little nectar refreshment. This is a female, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird.
We have half a dozen hummingbirds that hang around our home through the summer. We provide four different feeders for them. You would think that would be enough to go around, but they always seem to be sparing for position at the feeders. Each feeder has plenty of room with multiple feeding positions, but they don’t seem to be interested in sharing.
When they perch on a feeder, they can never just relax and enjoy a meal. They’re always, nervously, looking around. It’s rare for them to get more than a few moments of slurping before another one comes along to chase them away.
You feel sorry for the poor little things, but I guess that’s life in the hummingbird community.
To see a larger version of the above photo, simply click on it.