Pops Photos
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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 ([email protected]) 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.
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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.
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. 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.
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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.
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 ([email protected]) 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.
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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.
Fallen Harvest
This is a fall photo of a different sort. The aspect of this image that appeals to me is the variety of trees represented in that log pile; all the different colors and textures with the backdrop of changing leaves.
This was taken along the road in Potawatomi State Park on the shore of Sturgeon Bay in southern Door County. It seems they had been busy cleaning up fallen trees in the surrounding woods and had stacked logs like these along the paved roadway. I’m sure they will be hauled away – maybe have already been.
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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.
The Chosen One
Some may stumble into notoriety others seem chosen. Though out of it’s element, this sunflower found growing amidst a field of oats, seems to be have been selected from above for some special honor.
This was taken a few weeks ago in the farm field behind our rural Kewaunee home. It’s not a great photo, technically speaking, due to the lack of light present when this early evening rainbow appeared. This was just a quick shot, without much thought. Given a second chance I’m sure I could have improved it. Of course, that exact moment has long past; the opportunity lost forever.
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.