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
Superior Gems
These are some of the beautiful rocks on the shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. You’ll notice the effects of sunlight through the ripples as these were photographed in about 6 inches of water.
I took a similar photo many years ago and it was always one of my favorites. I’ve wanted to get back there and get more photos so, on a recent get-a-way to the UP, we made a trip to the beach at Grand Marais, MI. 
I spent a long time trying to photograph through the water, in between the waves, to catch a calm enough moment when the waves wouldn’t obscure the beauty but the ripples would cast their magical spell over the rocks.
It was one of the most restful and enjoyable parts of our trip. We spent a good deal of time just sitting on the rocky beach, looking a rocks and enjoying the sunshine. My wife took a photo of me with her smart phone camera – catching me in action.
To really enjoy the gorgeous colors and detail of this shot, you should click on the photo. When you do, it will open up a larger version in a different 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. I think this would make an awesome and challenging puzzle; one of the purchase options you’ll find on my sales page. 
Enigma’s Eye
This was a intriguing burst of light – part of the July 4th Fireworks Display over Manistique, Michigan. Something about the color and tone of this single burst is very appealing to me. The little dots of light, like starts, add a very welcome accent to the frame.
You really should click on the photo to see the larger, more detailed version of this photo. I find it mesmerizing – but then, I’m a sucker for fireworks.
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.
Fireworks Over Manistique
The fireworks were fabulous over Manistique, Michigan as they celebrated the 4th of July weekend. (07/03/22). Manistique is a small town on the shores of Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula of the state of Michigan.
This photo was actually taken by my wife, Sara. I set the camera up and gave her the remote shutter button. She wasn’t quite sure what she was doing, since this was her first time. I think she did a great job…with the help of a great teacher.
You can get a better view with a full-screen view 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.
To Impress the Girl
For all of human history, boys have worked hard to impress the girls. This youngster is taking his impressionistic art form to new heights. Sticking the landing is taking all his powers of concentration.
I love the look on both their faces. If you look closely, you can see that both have their tongues sticking out. I enjoy the intensity on his face and the look of admiration on hers.
And now…the rest of the story. These youngsters are our grandchildren and the boy is not trying to impress the girl (his sister), he’s trying to impress his visiting grandparents. I just happened to be trying out a new camera. It takes awhile to get used to a new camera and lens. I certainly liked the early results.
You can easily view a larger version of this photo 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.
Different Perspective
If you are troubled by what you see, maybe you need to look at things from a different perspective.
This is a photo of one of our Grands taken last summer. I love this stage – when they like to have their picture taken and will even go out of their way to capture the attention of my camera.
You can view a larger version of this image by clicking 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 (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Royal Throne
This monarch butterfly took a moment to rest and feed on the flowers provided by West of the Lake Gardens in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.
These favorite photo subjects will be departing for central Mexico soon. I was able to grab a few butterfly and flower photos on a recent Saturday. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to share a few more of these in the near future.
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.
Kewaunee Sparkles
Fireworks light up the night sky over the Kewaunee, WI harbor. The Tug Ludington, a tourist attraction and permanent resident of the harbor, was a quiet observer.
One of my photographic joys is capturing fireworks. Kewaunee is a couple of miles from my home, so I try to make their annual display. I’ve photographed their fireworks from a number of locations over the years but this spot, at the edge of the harbor is one of my favorites. I love the reflection from the calm water. The tug adds a nice point of interest.
You can view a much larger and more detailed version of this image by simply clicking on the photo. When you do, the larger image will appear 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.
The Damsel Be Dazzled
The light danced on the wings of the damselfly while it rested on a leaf.
I saw a few of these damselflies flitting around an area along a trail we often hike. Every time they landed they were facing the sun. (Notice the shadow.) I spent a good deal of time snapping pictures, hoping to catch one sideways to the sun, to see more of the wing.
Well, as it turned out, the hint of sunlight on the ridges of the wings made a rather interesting view as well.
Damselflies are often mistaken for dragonflies. To help you know the difference, here’s some info I found at ReconnectWithNature.org.
Both dragonflies and damselflies are typically found near fresh water and are commonly seen during warm, sunny days. And while they share some physical characteristics, there are four ways you can differentiate between the two, according to Mother Nature Network.
EYES
Dragonflies have much larger eyes than damselflies. A dragonfly’s eyes take up most of the insect’s head, wrapping around to the sides of its head. Damselflies also have large eyes, but they are smaller than a dragonfly’s and there is always a space between their eyes.
BODIES
Damselflies are smaller than dragonflies, with bodies that typically range between 1 1/2 inches and 2 inches, while dragonfly bodies are typically longer than 2 inches, Wisconsin Public Radio reports. Dragonflies also have thicker, bulkier bodies, while damselfly bodies are thin like a twig.
WINGS
Both dragonflies and damselflies have two sets of wings, but there are some distinct differences in their wings that can help differentiate between the two. Dragonflies have two sets of similar-sized wings, but the hind wings become more broad at the base, where they attach to the body. Damselfly wings, on the other hand, are more slender and taper toward they base, where they attach to the body.
AT REST
While the wings of dragonflies and damselflies are a key distinction between the two, how they position their wings while not in flight further helps tell them apart. When not in flight, a dragonfly’s wings stick straight out, perpendicular to their body like an airplane’s wings. A damselfly’s wings fold back so they are in line with their body, giving them a more sleek, slender appearance at rest.
To get the best view and all the colorful details, click on the photo and 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.
Over Purple Clover
Even the very simple and common can be a work of beauty. While walking through the woods in NW Missouri I came upon this solitary stalk of purple clover blooming. It was early spring and about the only thing blooming in the woods.
Purple Clover is also commonly called Red Clover. According to North Carolina State Extension…
The common name for Trifolium pratense, Red Clover, can be confusing as the flowers are more a pink to pink/purplish, not a true red. It is grown as a forage crop for pasturage and hay for livestock. It is a nitrogen-fixing plant and is often grown as a cover crop to improve soil fertility. Its native habitat includes fields, pastures, meadows, waste areas, and along roadsides. It can be found in grassy locations that are not regularly mowed.
It can be easily distinguished from other varieties of clover by the large pink flower heads as well as the chevrons that appear on the leaflets.
Its flowers have a honey-like fragrance. The foliage can produce a pleasant clover-like scent. The flowering heads and foliage are both edible, both raw or cooked. Its young leaves should be harvested before the plant flowers. They can be used in salads or soups or cooked similar to spinach. The flowering heads as well as the seed pods can be dried and used as a flour substitute. The young flower are also eaten raw in salads.
It has also been widely used for athlete’s foot, constipation, ulcers, corms, and menopause. Red clover contains isoflavones. The edible flowers taste sweet or like hay but they are not easily digestible. Do not eat the flowers if pregnant or nursing.
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.
Sweet Ride
This sweetie was enjoying her backyard swing set. The wind-tossed hair makes this a captivating image for me.
I took this photo from about 70 feet away, just sitting and watching the grandchildren having fun on a sunny, breezy, early spring afternoon.
You can view a larger version of this image by clicking on the photo. When you do, the photo will be displayed 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.