MO
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.
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.
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.
Glory of the Snow
These delicate blue flowers are known as Glory of the Snow. (Formerly, Chionodoxa). They are a joy to find with their white and yellow centers blooming amidst early spring grasses.
This image was captured on an early spring visit to Krug Park in St. Joseph, Missouri. I went specifically looking for early spring blooms. There was little to find in the park, but these were a pleasant surprise. I don’t think I’ve photographed this kind of flower before. I thought they were wildflowers but later learned they are grown from bulbs…so, someone planted them at some point in the past.
You can get a better look with a larger 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.
Gear Up
This is the “H2” variant of the Lockheed C-130H Hercules tactical airlift aircraft rising above the runway at Rosecrans Memorial Airport during the Speed of Sound Airshow in September of 2024. This is one of many aircraft of the 139th Airlift Wing (139 AW) of the Missouri Air National Guard at Rosecrans.
There is a phenomenon displayed in this image that I don’t believe I’ve photographed before. Notice the white spiral lines behind the propellers. They are tip vortices formed by the propeller. I found this description of what causes these lines on the web: “The pressure in the core of a vortex (such as that shed at the tip of an operating propeller, rotor, wing or extended flap) is reduced well below ambient pressure. The temperature is also lower than ambient because of the lowered pressure. If the temperature is lowered to the dew point, the water vapor will condense and become visible revealing the vortex core.”
I have seen the tip vortices trailing a jet’s wing tips, but I don’t recall seeing them from the propeller blade tips. I’ve learned it’s a fairly common occurrence. I didn’t notice them the day I was taking this photo, so I was surprised to see it when I viewed the photo on my computer screen.
By the way, I should have been using a slower shutter speed when capturing this image. A slower shutter speed would have given the propellers a bit of a blur, indicating movement. When the movement is frozen, as in this image, it seems odd to our brains and belies the incredible speed in which they rotate. I needed the faster shutter speed to better capture jets at this airshow, but should have had the presence of mind so reduce the shutter speed when shooting aircraft with propellers. (I guess I’ll have to keep my amateur status.)
You can get a better view of this image and the and the vortices by clicking on the photo to view a larger, more detailed 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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Behind the Bloom
This is the backside of a hibiscus bloom; with buds waiting for their turn in the foreground. This was taken in the early morning, while the dew was still lingering. This is from a hibiscus plant in the back yard of our northwest Missouri home.
I like this close-up capture because it showcases the delicate fold of the petals adorned with dewdrops. The green buds and leaves contrast beautifully with the vivid pink.
You can view a larger version of this image 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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Cleveland Flowering Pear Tree Blossoms
This is a clump of blossoms at the end of a branch of a Cleveland Flowering Pear Tree. This tree resides in our front yard and is full of springtime blossoms. The petals of white, float to the ground like snow. These trees seem abundant in our northwest Missouri neighborhood.
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.