Pops Digital
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.
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 ([email protected]) 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 ([email protected]) 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 ([email protected]) 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 ([email protected]) 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.
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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.
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 ([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.
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 ([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.
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 ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.