Tuliptree Blossom with Guest
Another Day at Work
Apis Workers' Party
Predator
Some of Your Beeswax
Sedum Bumbler
Look of Defiance
Chicory Bee
Bumbling Bees
Garden Cafe
Buzz By Here - To Infinity and Beyond
Pick Your Poison
Blind Side Attack
On a Mission
Honey Bee on Sedum
Covering the Cosmos
Center of the Cosmos
Three's a Crowd
Popular Spot
On A Pedestal
Big Harry Fireworks Display
To Impress the Girl
Different Perspective
Sweet Ride
Perfect Little Piggies B&W
Flipping the Light Fantastic
Festival of Flights
To the Crowd's Delight
Amish Go Round
Wondersome One
The Stars In Her Eyes
Tuesday's Child
Sleeper Hold
Considering the Next Move
Sugar and Spice
Front Porch Portrait
Caged Competitor
Early Adoration
Child In the Ligtht
Stroll Through the Weeds
Attention Grabbing
Eye Contact
On the Line
Eyes of Wonder
Rounding the Curve
Troubadours of Basin Spring Park
Down by the Creek
Sun Day
Catching Some Light
EAA Fireworks
Hear Me Roar
Reptile
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 (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Turtle Happy
This big fella seemed content to be lounging in a ravine, caked in mud, balanced on a log, basking in the sunshine of an early spring morning. This photo was taken in the woods of northeast Wisconsin.
As we began a hike along the Ahnapee State Trail another couple ending their hike told us to watch for a large turtle in the ditch. We walked quite a while and didn’t see anything. We thought we’d missed it or it had moved on. Well, as you can see, we eventually spotted it.
To get up-close and personal, I had to tromp through some muck. It didn’t seem to mind my presence and sat for quite a few shots. Eventually it slid off the log and moved to the shade and mud under the log.
I don’t know what kind of turtle (or tortoise) this is but I can tell you he was large and looked ancient. Judging by the slight smile on his face, I think he was happy to see me.
To see more of the detail in those mesmerizing eyes, the wrinkles and claws, click on the photo. When you do, a full-screen version 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 (pops@popsdigital.com) for digital purchase and licensing options.
On The Hunt
Keep your eyes open. It’s snake season. This is a harmless, Western Fox Snake found slithering through the woodlands of northeast Wisconsin.
We were out on a springtime, family hike in search for morel mushrooms. My wife – an avid mushroom hunter – was the first one to spot this beauty. The snake was kind enough to rest quietly while I snapped a few shots.
As I said, these snakes are harmless to humans. They prefer to dine on mice and other small rodents. These snakes can seem fairly bold and don’t mind getting close to other animals and humans if undisturbed. When confronted, they will ‘rattle’ their tail to imitate a rattlesnake and attempt to scare away a perceived threat. They will also go into the S position and rapidly lunge in your direction. These are all defensive maneuvers in an effort to scare you off so they can escape.
One of the interesting details of this image is found on the lower lip of the snake. (That is, if snakes had lips.) You have to look closely, very closely, to see an ant going along for a ride. Zoom in as far as your monitor will let you and you may be able to see it. Not sure what the ant is doing there, but I thought it was interesting.
I’ve taken photos of this breed before, in my own yard. Get a real close-up view from my image, “Forked Tongue.”
To view a larger, more detailed version of this image, 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 for digital purchase and licensing options.