Pops Digital
Stately Stance
This sandhill crane seemed to strike a pose when I snapped this photo. It is standing at the edge of our homestead, next to a recently harvested wheat field.
We have a lot of sandhill cranes around our home this time of year. Unfortunately, they are very shy and the moment I get anywhere close to them, the take off. I happened to snap this photo by just cracking the door or my garage and poking my lens out. Even my stealthy strategy did not go unnoticed. They were alert (a pair of them) and quickly on the move. This was take some distance away using a 300mm lens…and then cropped in quite a bit to provide this view.
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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 (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Rock Dove on the Rocks
These common birds can have some uncommonly beautiful blends of blue, purple and gray hues. This is one of the residents we found at Fayette Historic State Park on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. There is a healthy colony of rock doves living among the old buildings of this once bustling iron smelting industrial community.
These birds are commonly referred to as Pigeons but their official name is Rock Doves; also known as Rock Pigeons. According to Wikipedia, “Wild rock doves are pale grey with two black bars on each wing, whereas domestic and feral pigeons vary in color and pattern. Few differences are seen between males and females. The species is generally monogamous, with two squabs (young) per brood. Both parents care for the young for a time.”
You get a better look at this dove, click on the image. When you do, a larger, more detailed version of this photo 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.
Queen of the Vines – Clematis
The Clematis may be best known for its large-flowering, purple, star-shape blossoms on twining vines. They are mainly of Chinese and Japanese origin. Clematis is a genus of about 300 species within the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. Their garden hybrids are popular among gardeners.
I spotted these on a trip to Sunrise Farm in the Brussels, Wisconsin area. They are our supplier of choice for naturally raised meat. While stopping by to pick up a few things, we saw a large stunning display of these beauties growing alongside the house.
You can see 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 (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
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.
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 (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
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.
Orange Poppy Down
One of the aspects I enjoy with photography is capturing different perspectives. This is an orange poppy that was drenched by an early morning rain. The rain pushed the bloom downward, leaving some moisture on the delicate, paper-like petals.
We have a few poppy plants in a flower bed next to our house that bloom every spring. The bloom doesn’t last nearly enough but they are quite lovely while they are showing. I’ve taken a lot of poppy picture over the years, but none quite like this. I particularly like the contrasting colors of vivid orange and green and the different perspective of this photo.
I encourage you to click on the photo to view a larger, more detailed version. It 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.
Graceful Spring Twins
I like taking walks with my camera. I was by myself, strolling along a rural backroad in central Ohio when I came upon a very small and very old cemetery. There were a lot of interesting old tombstones. I read and photographed a few. Then, off to the side of the plot, among some trees, there were these two daffodils. It was early spring and I saw not other flowers – wild or otherwise. I was very happy to find these two standing tall in the shadows.
If you are viewing this page on a large screen, you can view a more detailed 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.