Pops Digital
X-Wing Landed
A dragonfly with intricate wing patterns took a rest on the forest floor. The outstretched wings showcase the beauty and delicacy of its structure.
I was on a slow walk through northwest Missouri woods when this small dragonfly zipped by me. My eyes followed it’s movement until it landed. Then I crept slowly, taking photos as I approached and got remarkably close before it zipped away.
This was a small specimen – the body only about and inch and a half from head to tail. I was so impressed by the banding over the eyes that I included a larger crop for you to enjoy.
If you click on either photo, a larger version will open in a new browser tab. I encourage you to click on both to get closer…and even closer. Cool stuff!
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.
Tulip Time
Vibrant tulips in shades of white, yellow, red, and orange bloom during Tulip Time in Pella, IA.
This is a photo I found on my hard drive from a springtime visit to Pella a few years ago. If you like photographing flowers, Tulip Time in Pella offers a spectacular display of color and variety. This year, Tulip Time in Pella is May 2nd through the 4th.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of this photo by clicking on the image. When you do, 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.
Lake Awakening
A serene sunrise casts a warm glow over the water, with the sun hovering slightly above the horizon. The Kewaunee, WI lighthouse is silhouetted against the bright sky at the end of the long pier.
This is an image I resurrected from my archives. This scene was captured June 6, 2015. It’s the sky that makes this an appealing image for me. This was taken from the beach.
You can view 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 (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Morel Season Opener
This is the very first morel mushroom my wife found this season. If you know my wife, you know she was very excited. She loves mushroom hunting even more than she loves eating them.
This is the first. It is early in the season and so it is also very tiny. The smaller photo is the same mushroom with my wife’s finger beside it to give you a better perspective.
This was found in the woodlands of northwest Missouri. We did not pick them – or the other two of similar stature found in the same area – because, well, they were just too small to bother. But just seeing them gets our hopes up for an abundant harvest this spring. We’ll see.
You can get a better look at a larger version 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.
Springing to Life
Rising from the dead leaves remaining from autumn, we find the crocus. This is one of the very first signs of spring. I photographed these welcome beauties sprouting in northwest Missouri at the beginning of March 2024.
According to Wikipedia… “Crocuses are low growing plants, whose flower stems remain underground, that bear relatively large white, yellow, orange or purple flowers and then become dormant after flowering. Many are cultivated for their flowers, appearing in autumn, winter, or spring. The flowers close at night and in overcast weather conditions. The crocus has been known throughout recorded history, mainly as the source of saffron. Saffron is obtained from the dried stigma of Crocus sativus, an autumn-blooming species. It is valued as a spice and dyestuff, and is one of the most expensive spices in the world.”
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 (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Siberian Squill
This tiny blue flower is one of the earliest spring bloomers. This is Siberian Squill. You will find it low to the ground and you have to look quick, because they don’t bloom long. It’s one of our favorite flowers in our rural Wisconsin the flower bed.
You can get a larger, more detailed 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.
Ending On a Calm Note
This is a panoramic view of an impressive, January sunset in rural Kewaunee County, Wisconsin home. This photo was taken at the end of January in 2013.
This photo is much larger and wider than you see here. I’ve had to crop it to make it fit the format of this web page. However, if you click on the photo, you will get a view of the full image – at least as much as your screen can handle.
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.
Hiking Cathedral Spires Trail
On our recent trip to Custer State Park, in the Black Hills of South Dakota, we did a lot of hiking. This was one of the trails we enjoyed – Cathedral Spires Trail. The “needles” rock formations were fun to explore.
The Cathedral Spires Trail is located inside an area of Custer State Park known as the Needles. As you might expect, it can be found on Needles Highway. The trail is approximately 1.5 miles one way.
This photo was taken with my fisheye lens. It provides a very wide view but also gives it that curving inward look. My hiking partner and beautiful wife is pictured on the trail ahead of me.
You can get 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.
Moment of Reflection
These common wasps seemed to be admiring themselves in the water’s reflection. Actually, they were getting a drink at the birdbath in our yard.
I happened to notice a few wasps at the birdbath one day and keep watching. I found a steady stream of wasps visiting the birdbath all day long. Shortly after, I discovered a steady stream of wasps flying up into a corner of our house. They obviously they had built a nest there.
I also found a couple of wasp nests in the ground of our yard. It must have been a good year for wasps in our area. On a good note, they were never bothersome to us; a little worrisome when one found its way into the house, but no stings. (Ironically, my wife was stung by one while hiking during our vacation in South Dakota.)
You can get a better, more detailed look at these 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.
Western Salsify
While hiking though the woods in South Dakota we came upon this blooming weed. It is western salsify. It is also known as goat’s beard. It has been described as a dandelion on steroids because it looks similar to a dandelion but the plant can grow to several fee tall and the bloom can span 4-5 inches.
You can view the very cool details 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.