Wisconsin
Father Son Brunch
This is a father and son pair of Eastern Bluebirds. The son hatched this spring. The father seems to be eyeing the son’s table manners as he downs another mealworm.
We’ve been providing a small amount of mealworms for the bluebirds every morning. Every morning, I wake up the loud singing of male bluebird.
To see a larger version of this image, click on it.
Her Best Side
This little beauty – a female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird – seemed to be posing for me. If you look closely, you can see the very tip of her tongue protruding from her beak. I think she was trying to be sassy without me noticing.
Coming In
A lone boat heads for the harbor of Algoma, Wisconsin after a morning of fishing on Lake Michigan. The combination of sun, sky, lake and boat provide plenty to keep the eye and the mind busy with this one.
If you have a large monitor, you may be able to view a larger version of this image by clicking on it.
Garden Svengali
This butterfly struck a perfect pose for this portrait shot. He was a handsome specimen. Still, I’m not sure which I find more interesting, the butterfly or the flower he is perched on.
Whiskers
This American Robin was working frantically to fill her beak with grass. I thought it made a comical site. Obviously, somewhere there was a nest to be built.
According to Wikipedia, the American Robin “…is one of the earliest bird species to lay eggs, beginning to breed shortly after returning to its summer range from its winter range. Its nest consists of long coarse grass, twigs, paper, and feathers, and is smeared with mud and often cushioned with grass or other soft materials.”
Though one of the earliset to build its nests, this robin was gathering nesting material at the end of June. Maybe it was starting its second effort of the season.
To view a larger version of this image, simply click on the photo.
Bold and Beautiful (monochrome)
Sometimes I like taking a favorite color photo and removing the color – making it monochrome – to see how the change affects the image. There are times when the B&W version is better…and times when it is not. This is a monochrome version of Bold and Beautiful. You can look and both and decide which you like better – color or B&W. I like aspects of both and would call this one a toss up.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
The Breakfast Club
During the few summer months at our rural Wisconsin home, it’s common to hear a distinctive humming sound. If you glance out the window, you’re likely to spot ruby-throated humming birds zipping back and forth, to and fro – competing for a few seconds at the best seat in the house.
I call this “The Breakfast Club” because this group – all females – were photographed around 6 am.
Click the image to view a larger version.
Bold and Beautiful
These bold, big-as-all-outdoors flowers remind me of purple cone flowers. I’m not sure they are cone flowers because the petals don’t slope downward. I’m not an expert, I just appreciate the beauty.
These beauties were photographed in the center of the circular entrance to the Kraft Building at the Green Lake Conference Center, Green Lake, Wisconsin.
To see a larger version, click on the photo.
Monarch of the Meadow
This monarch butterfly, sitting on the head of a cone flower, was stretching its wings in the early morning sun. I like the way the petals from the flower look like trailing streamers.
I was delighted to capture this image because butterflies have been a real challenge for me. Of all my attempts – chasing the fidgety creatures around with my camera – I’ve only been able to catch a couple of images I’ve been happy with. I just happened to catch this one early in the morning, not fully awake. I even had to nudge it to get it to open its wings.
To see a larger version of this image, click on the photo.
Backlit Lighthouse
This is one of my favorite photographic subjects. Well, actually four of my favorites. The rising sun, clouds, Lake Michigan and the Kewaunee, WI lighthouse. It’s nice when all four of them come together to for a memorable shoot.
Click on the image for a larger version.