Sony SLT-A77V
Flattering Imitation
The harbor seemed to be trying to imitate the deep red color of the pre-sunrise clouds behind the Algoma, Wisconsin lighthouse. Algoma is located on the western shore of Lake Michigan.
I was impressed with the vivid colors in the water’s reflection. The red reminded me of blood in the water. I almost named is something like that, but thought it was too grim for such a pretty scene.
I took this photo off the south pier, lying on my stomach, trying to get the camera as close to the surface of the water as possible. At those moments, you can be sure I have a death grip on the camera. It would not be a fun day if the camera slipped out of my hands and under the water.
You can view a much larger, full-screen version of this image by clicking on the photo. This is one of those, “bigger is better, ” photos.
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Tropical Mix
One of the exotic butterflies at the Butterfly Palace in Branson, MO was kind enough to strike a pose on one of the tropical plants. I’m not sure what kind of butterfly this is other than it’s something you won’t find flying around my neighborhood.
I like a few of the elements of this image. First, I like the fact that the butterfly’s antennae are cocked to the side. Everything else about this image seems almost staged so something a little “off” adds an touch of realism. I like the detail in the leaves, highlighted by the back-lighting. I like the detail in the butterfly’s wings – even though mostly dark, you can see the subtle shading and variation in pattern. I also like the overall, pleasing blend of colors in the frame. I didn’t do anything to set these various elements up; I just shot what I found, the way I found it.
You can enjoy more of the details by viewing the larger version. Simply click 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 for digital purchase and licensing options.
Cute Backside
I found this cute, little flower facing the early morning sun and thought the light illuminating the petals created a very appealing image.
I snapped this photo at the Butterfly Palace in Branson, Missouri. Of course, I was there to photograph their butterflies but I had arrived a few minutes before they were ready for me. While waiting in the parking lot for an employee to let me in, this cutie caught my eye.
I don’t know what kind of flower this is. Silly me. I should have snapped an image of the front of the bloom so I could easily identify it.
You can view a larger, full screen 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 for digital purchase and licensing options.
Designer Dots
The seven dots adorning this large butterfly caught my eye while studying the amazing winged creatures at the Butterfly Palace in Branson, MO.
I have no idea what kind of butterfly this is. It might be easier to identify if I had a photo of the upper side of the wings. Most identification guides seem to show the butterflies with wings open.
You can view a larger, full-screen 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 for digital purchase and licensing options.
First and Last Lights
As the sun breaches the horizon, bringing its first light of morning, the Algoma, Wisconsin lighthouse is bringing its last light of the night.
I’ve not had much time lately to get a lot of photography done so I began to visit the archives to see what gold I might be able to find. This is a shot from May of 2013. I was actually thinking of making it a monochrome image, but decided I couldn’t pass up the warm tones of that background.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of this image 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 for digital purchase and licensing options.
Buckeye Beauty
This little beauty is a junonia coenia butterfly; better known a the “common buckeye.” You’ve likely seen this butterfly in your own neighborhood.
Though the majority of Buckeyes populate the southern regions of the U.S., adults from the south’s first brood migrate north in late spring and summer to temporarily colonize most of the United States and parts of southern Canada. I photographed this one on a recent trip to southern Missouri. A number of them (along with a few monarch butterflies) were feeding on a patch of asters next to a sidewalk at the resort we were staying at.
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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 for digital purchase and licensing options.
Turbulent Solitude
Lake Michigan’s waves were churning during an otherwise peaceful morning as the sun was ascending behind the Kewaunee, WI lighthouse and pier. Look closely and you can see people fishing on the pier.
I checked the date stamp on this image and it appears I took this photo on the morning of my birthday in September of 2017. It took me long enough to finally get around to processing and posting it. I may need to get more focused.
You can view more of the details in this image 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 for digital purchase and licensing options.
Feed the Flame
This distinctively marked butterfly was feeding on some tiny red flowers at the Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure in Branson, MO.
On a recent trip to Branson, Missouri I spent several hours at the Butterfly Palace getting a ton of butterfly images. I was also able to snap a few of the local, native butterflies in the wild. Stay tuned, as I intend to post a variety of butterfly photos in the coming weeks.
In my mind, this butterfly’s orange markings look like a custom painted flame design. I couldn’t identify this type of butterfly. Even a chart of butterflies on the wall at the Butterfly Palace didn’t have an example of this one, though there were a bunch of these beauties flitting around.
If you have a sharp eye, you may have noticed another butterfly in this shot, It’s the blurry orange and white spot in the upper left-hand corner.
To get a closer, more detailed look, click 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 for digital purchase and licensing options.
Aster In the Wild
Where our lawn and the adjacent farm field meet, these purple Asters are adding some nice color to the landscape.
This is a small sample of the larger wildflower clump. These yellow and purple blooms attract a steady flow of butterflies and bumble bees this time of year.
Asters fall into the Asteraceae family which encompasses around 180 species. The name Aster comes from an Ancient Greek word meaning “star”, an obvious reference to the shape of the blooms. The aster is the birth flower for September.
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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 for digital purchase and licensing options.
Transcendent Flourish
Clouds were the scene makers, along with the rising sun, behind the Kewaunee, Wisconsin lighthouse and pier. Kewaunee is located on the western shore of Lake Michigan.
This is a panoramic image, created by combining several smaller, individual shots into one large image. This makes it a huge file. It was necessary to fit all of this beautiful sky in the shot.
You can view a much larger and wider version of this image by clicking on the photo. When you do, it will open a new browser tab with full-screen version of this 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 for digital purchase and licensing options.