Nature
Death Warmed Over
A turkey vulture is perched and poised, with outstretched wings, to dry in the sun after a dip in a nearby creek at Stockstill Park in Branson, Missouri.
I had just seen a dozen or so of these vultures in and around the rocky creek bed. My efforts to photograph them near the water didn’t go well due to the distance and the bright sunlight, making them seem more like dark silhouettes. And, of course, as soon as they spotted me, they flew off.
A little further on our hike I tried to approach the creek from a different direction, where the light might be better. As I made my way through the woods I came upon this and another vulture, holding their wings wide with their backs to the sun, to dry off from being in the water. If you look closely, you can see this one is still quite wet.
They held their pose and position long enough for me to get close enough to get a good shot.
You can get a better view of this big bird by clicking on the photo.
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Fall Creeping Up
Autumn leaves in shades of red, orange, and green climb a tree trunk with rough, textured bark. This seemed like a nice mix texture and autumn hues which I captured on a hike through the woodlands of Branson, Missouri.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of this photo 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.
Grasshopper for Lunch
Some kind of predator insect is preying on a small grasshopper while dangling from a green plant stem. The kind of scene nightmares are made of.
This shot was taken on a “slow walk” through the woods. I often take slow walks – where I take a just a few steps at a time and pause to look closely at what might be near that I would surely miss if I just kept walking. This unusual wrestling match is easy to see when I’ve zoomed in to it, but it was just a tiny drama that normally would be missed. I have no idea of the kind of creepy bug that is with the grasshopper in it’s clutches. It looks like some kind of alien life form to me.
You can get a larger, more detailed view of this image – if you dare – 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.
Where the Deer and the Antelope Lay
A pronghorn antelope buck was resting in a patch of prairie in South Dakota’s Custer State Park. He wasn’t alone. A hundred or so yards away his harem of does (6 or 7) were grazing in the prairie. Apparently, that’s the way it works in pronghorn culture.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of this image – where you can count the flies on the buck – 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.
Blue Skies and Towering Heights
Devil’s Tower Monument in Wyoming is an impressive, towering rock formation. It is quite majestic against a backdrop of blue sky and scattered clouds. Pine trees and rocky terrain provide a contrast to the vertical columns of this geological marvel.
On our trip to South Dakota, we slipped across the border to visit this popular attraction. The tower has a trail that encircles it and this is one of the views from that trail.
You can see more detail in the larger version. To see it, click 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.
Rascal Duo
Two very young raccoons seem to be taking break on a green lawn during a sunny afternoon.
I was able to get a good batch of photos of these little rascals when they showed up – with no mother – on the front lawn or our rural Wisconsin home. Just search for “raccoon” with the search bar in the upper left is you’d like to see more of them.
If you’d like to see a larger, more detailed version of this photo, click on it and a full-screen view will be opened 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.
Reflecting In Alabama
The tranquil Burnt Corn Creek meanders through Jennings Park in Brewton, Alabama, reflecting the surrounding greenery in the calm waters of this panoramic image.
I recently spent a weekend in Brewton Alabama. This creek runs along the border of Jennings Park – a beautiful attraction the locals can be proud of. It has paved trails, a long, raised boardwalk through a wooded area, an abundance of wild and cultivated flowers and this restful spot along the creek.
This panoramic image was produced by stitching five separate photos together to capture a wider perspective. To really enjoy the scene, I encourage you to click on the photo to view a much 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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Four-eyes Needs a Shave
For those who hate spiders – relax. This is a teeny-tiny jumping spider. I had to greatly enlarge this photo to be able to see blacks of its eyes – all four of them. To give you an idea of how small this handsome devil is, he is posing on the top of a chain link fence post.
I just happened to spot some movement as I was watching for birds while in Missouri. He was pretty active, scurrying each inch of the rounded fence post top.
You can get a closer look at that irresistible smile by clicking on the photo. When you do, a larger 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.
Slender Sunbather
While hiking a nature trail on the east end of Baird Creek in Green Bay, Wisconsin, I spotted this fellow sunning itself on the side of a small hill in the forest. The area was mostly shaded by the trees, but it found one area of sunlight. I’m not snake expert, but I believe this is a common gartersnake. It may have been two to three feet long. As I got closer with my camera, it quickly slithered away.
I know a lot of people don’t like snakes, but if you’d like to get a closer look at this harmless variety, simply click on the photo to view a more detailed, full-screen version of this 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.
Tiny Toad on the Trail
This is a tiny toad that we almost missed while hiking the forest trails of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Not only did it blend in with with its surroundings, it was only about the size of my thumb. If he hadn’t moved while we were walking by, we wouldn’t have seen him. Quite colorful and bumpy when you take a closer look.
To take a closer look, simply click on the photo. When you do, a larger version will open in another 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.