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
Strange Fire
This is one of the most unusual fireworks effects I’ve photographed. It was an arch of white light that sparkled for several seconds and then finished with a bright flash (the orange-ish ball above it) and loud boom. Almost as impressive is the reflection that it created on the lake and the wet beach between the effect and my camera.
This is the last of the fireworks photos I’ll post from Algoma’s Shanty Days festival. You can look over all my fireworks photos from this year by selecting the “Fireworks” Category in the left margin of this site or clicking HERE. There are 11 different images in the collection.
As always, if you find an image you like on this site, please share it with others.
(If you have a large monitor, you may be able to see a larger version of this photo by clicking on it.)
Spider in the Sky
The first thing that popped into my mind when I saw this image was, “That looks like a green spider on its web!” This might be my favorite photo of Algoma’s Shanty Days fireworks show.
As long as I’m using a bit of imagination, the two white star bursts remind me of flies caught in the web.
Of course, I didn’t and couldn’t have planed it. I just accidentally captured it. Right place + fluke timing = pleasant surprise!
Well…am I right? Do you think it looks like a spider and web? Is this cool or what?
Bonus Photo: another multiple burst, Shanty Days fireworks image.
If you find these images interesting, please share this post with your friends. I’d like to increase the number of regular visitors to PopsDigital.com.
(If you have a large monitor, you may be able to see larger versions of these photos by clicking on them.)
The Big Bang
This was the “big one” at Algoma’s Shanty Days fireworks show. The massive spread of this effect took me by surprise. As you can see, it dominated the sky and pushed beyond the view of my camera. I widened my camera’s framing after this shot, but never saw another one quite this big.
If you look back through the posts of the last couple of days you can gain some idea of how much larger it was compared to the normal. As you look at the other Shanty Days fireworks photos, compare the position of the Algoma pier light (that little red dot in the lower half of the photo, near the right edge). You can see, the others don’t go beyond the pier light.
(If you have a large monitor, you may be able to see a larger version of this photo by clicking on it.)
Fireworks Over Algoma
Another view of the fireworks display to wrap up Algoma’s Shanty Days.
It was a perfect night for fireworks – pleasant temperatures, no wind and a beautiful full moon reflecting off Lake Michigan. (Unfortunately, I couldn’t get the full moon in my shots from the position I was in. My camera was pointed north and the moon was in the east.)
More fireworks images from the Shanty Days show to come. Check back soon.
(If you have a large monitor, you may be able to see a larger version of this photo by clicking on it.)
Shanty Days Fireworks
One of the charming aspects of small town life is the annual (fill-in-the-blank) festival. Every community commemorates and celebrates some aspect of its heritage or culture. In the case of Algoma, WI it’s “Shanty Days.” The finale of every Shanty Days festival is the Sunday night fireworks display.
The launch site is at the Algoma harbor. I set up my camera on the beach, near the water’s edge. Those who are familiar with Algoma’s harbor will recognize the tiny red light near the right edge of this photo as the famous pier light.
I snapped several interesting images from this show. I’ll be posting more, including one that reminds me of a green spider on its web and one of the most unusual fireworks effects I’ve seen, so check back soon.
(If you have a large monitor, click on the image may offer a larger view.)
Sunshine on a Stalk
Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do. – Helen Keller
The sunflowers are in bloom! In our area, we are blessed with several fields of sunflowers every summer – thanks to our good neighbors, the Kuehl Seed Farm.
When the field is on a main highway, it is quite common to see people pull over, jump out and snap a couple of pictures with a digital camera. And who can blame them. A field of sunflowers in full bloom is so bright and cheerful it’s natural to want to take it home with you. This field of flowers is on Highway 42, Just north of Kewaunee, WI. (While I was taking these photos at least four other cars stopped to do the same.)
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(Click either image to see a larger version.)
St. Paul’s Spire
Here’s the church, and here’s the steeple
Open the door and see all the people.
Here’s the parson going upstairs,
And here he is saying his prayers.
The tallest points in Algoma, WI are the steeples of its churches. (I suspect that would be the case in most small towns.)
This is St. Paul’s Lutheran church – the tallest structure in the downtown area.
The highest point in town would be the steeple of the Catholic church, towering above the city from its location on a hill in a more residential area, north of the downtown.
Click on the steeple image above for a larger view.
Auto Adornment
Every year Algoma hosts a car show in their downtown area. It’s a just a block away from the church – where I spend most of my Saturdays – so I made a brief visit and snapped a few photos. All the cars are cool and I think the old hood ornaments are the coolest. They don’t make them like that anymore. These images represent just a sample.
The one at the top of this post was my favorite because it appears to have two faces…maybe a human head wearing a lion-face looking helmet. (Click on the images – the one above for a larger view and the smaller one to the right for larger, even closer look.) Looking now, I wish I would have taken a side view shot.
I also thought some of the classic wheels and hub caps were unique and may post a few of those in the future.
I should have been taking notes so I could identify the cars these fancy hood adornments comes from. I would bet there are some true classic car fanatics who could tell you just by looking at these photos. If you’re one, by all means, tells us what you know in the comments.
I could be wrong, but I’m guessing this Indian head is on a Pontiac.
The nose cone on this car is the feature that stood out to me…though, I like the hood ornament, too. I also like the way a near by building’s reflection wraps around the hood. Studebaker?
I feel like I should be able to identify this by it’s V ornament. Something very familiar about it. Maybe a Buick.
Clicking on any of these images will open up a separate window with a larger view of that photo.
Messy Hands
This is an image that dates back to 2006. This photo was the initial inspiration for my experimentation and reasonable success with macro photography.
My old camera, a Kodak Easyshare DX7590, did an exceptional job with macro shots. When I saw what was possible – after taking this image – I started to major on the minors. I can spend hours crouched down by a flower bed, moving slowly, trying to be unnoticed while I position my camera as close as possible to any tiny creatures I can find. I was just a few inches from this bee when I snapped this photo.
I love seeing the normally, unseen details of God’s creation. For instance, in this image, I am fascinated by the bee’s wings, the pollen on the flower and bee’s legs, that little dongle thing protruding from the bee’s head, it’s eyes and the orange tipped spears of the cone flower.
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To see a larger version and even more detail, click 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.
Lighthouse Bling
The early morning sky and it’s reflection off the Algoma, WI harbor make this one of my favorites. The lighthouse gets a bit of bling from the sun rising directly behind it. (Technically, it’s not a lighthouse. It’s a “pier light,” but everyone refers to it as the Algoma Lighthouse.)
The close up image on the left, gives you a better view of the effect created by the star filter I used.
If you like these images, by all means, share them with your friends.
To see a larger version of either of these images, click the photos.
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.