I ran across a flock of these starlings at Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois. They were having quite a feast on these berries. 12.29.12

Happy Holidays to everyone. I have been missing in action, just too much going on right now. The cold weather has arrived and the birds are coming to the feeders quite regularly. The woodpeckers and blue jays love peanuts as do the titmouses. Hoping to see a different bird this year. 12.27.12

It's amazing how fast babies grow up. This will be Hazel's second Christmas. 12.4.12

I really need to get out of the house more. I've had my nose to the grindstone and sure could use some fresh air. Have a great weekend everyone!! 11.30.12

Canada geesenaturebirdsfall colorsbrownwaterin flight

This was taken at South Padre Island, Texas in April. The shorter days and my new job have really cut into my photography time, so I have begun going through my old photos. This new job is really kicking my butt. I don't have much energy left at the end of the day, but hopefully it'll get better. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. 11.29.12

The young birds that hatched this past spring are now fully grown with all their feathers and are so beautiful like this young blue jay. This was taken very early. It is getting cooler and the birds are coming more often to the feeders. Winter is hard on them so I try to give them seeds and suet every day. 11.19.12

This red-tailed hawk had somehow broken a wing and was sitting on the side of a busy road. I managed to talk to a volunteer at the Tree House in STLMO and someone came and rescued this beautiful creature. It was taken early this spring so hopefully it has recovered and been released back into the wild by now. Up close it was quite a large bird and surprisingly let me get pretty close. 11.15.12

Cold weather has arrived and with it has come a lot of activity at the bird feeders. I am excited to see some different birds but not looking forward to sitting in the cold for hours on end waiting. 11.13.12

This was taken last spring at my brother's place. This palomino is like a little puppy dog. So friendly. Frame treatment from OnOne.

How I miss the old days when family and friends didn't mind me photographing them. 11.9.12

I think this is a juvenile ibis. Taken in deep south Texas, Weslaco I think. I spent the whole month of April in South Texas and got some really good shots everywhere I went. 11.6.12

Taken on South Padre Island, Texas in mid April 2012. I love these birds. They always seem to be smiling. 10.23.12

Monday, 10.22.12

Looking at a butterfly from a different perspective. Looks kind of intimidating I think. Took a long walk at Silver Creek Wildlife Preserve today and only saw 2 snakes and a bunch of bugs including butterflies. The grasshoppers were very active. Lots of wind too. Fall temps are definitely falling. 10.18.12

Something about this tree I really like. I seems to have its own personality. 10.17.12

Just returned home from Jasper-Pulaski Wildlife area in Medaryville, Indiana. I finally got to see a sandhill crane in the wild for the first time. While the numbers were not impressive, watching them flying against the setting sun was a real thrill. Have a great weekend everyone!! 10.12.12

Something different, not sure why this. 10.8.12

It was a beautiful weekend in the Midwest. If you outdoors around water you probably saw duck hunters getting ready for duck season. I ran across 2 labs busy retrieving at Harry S. Truman Lake near Clinton, Missouri. They worked tirelessly and seemed to love it. It isn't work if you are having a good time doing it. 9.30.12

Another wet and gloomy day here in the Midwest, so I thought I would post something bright and colorful. This shot was taken at the orchid show at Missouri Botanical Gardens in February. 9.26.12

By the way, I am thankful for the rain after the dry summer we have had here, but the storms get a little scary especially at night.

02.08.091

A hummer on a cosmo flower that had popped up among my zinnias. 9.21.12

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Somewhere on a country road near Au Sable Forks, New York. 9.15.12

1.25.093 Butterfly House

Since the tail-end of Isaac rolled through the Midwest and dumped a lot of much needed rain, I have noticed a lot of painted lady butterflies in my zinnia garden. I caught this one grazing yesterday. The texture is from OnOne. I like the texture a lot but not sure if it is too busy for this photo or not. Opinioins anyone? 9.11.12

Of course, thinking of those today who lost loved ones in 9/11 attack.

I really need to get out of the house so I get some fresh subjects to photograph. The hummers have been so active today I couldn't resist shooting for an hour or so. 9.7.12

Thanks to all of you who have been so kind as to comment on my photos. It is much appreciated. Have a great weekend everyone.

This looks like a typical fall scene, but believe it or not, it was taken in mid June of this year. It has been a very hot and dry year. Thanks to Hurricane Isaac, we finally this week have had some rainfall. I'm sure all the birds and animals are as happy about it as we humans.

Trying to get as much practice shooting hummers as possible. The activity as slowed down quite a bit as fall approaches.

Standing guard ready to chase off any hummingbird passing by who tries to partake in the sweet gold hanging in a bottle in the front yard. 9.5.12

The hummingbird feeder has been a busy place lately. I have noticed a lot of wasps and bees stopping by for a drink lately. The afternoon I shot this it was like grand central station. 9.4.12

The Millenium Spire at Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois

Yes, I'm still in the blind photographing hummingbirds. They are quite active in and out of my backyard. Unfortunately, the resident bully is still there chasing newcomers away, but I do get a good shot occasionally. 8.23.12

We haven't had many hummers this summer until last Friday when they started coming to our feeders by the droves. Seriously, it has been amazing. I have spent a lot of time in and out of a blind photographing them. Unfortunately, a lot of their time is spent chasing each other which burns up a lot of energy, but what can I say, it's part of their DNA.8.21.12

Look real close at the center of this picture. These white pelicans appear to me to be surrounding a baby pelican. You can just barely see his little head. I took this shot in my kayak just before I went aground in some pretty thick mud. Not a pretty site. 8.20.12

Corn dogs, funnel cake, and lemonade plus this ride equals an upset stomach. 8.17.12

There is a huge water "bowl"/fountain on the campus of St. Louis University. This photo is of the reflection of a building in this huge bowl of water. It really is quite impressive and tranquil at the same time. 8.15.12

By chance I was in the backyard when this butterfly passed through. We haven't had many butterflies this year, I presume due to the heat, but I really don't know for sure. This one stayed for awhile, and I was able to get a couple good shots. Soon, the zinnias will all be gone as well as the butterflies and hummingbirds. 8.14.12

Also taken at the car show in Mascoutah, Illinois on Sunday.

This prairie dog was actually feeding the starling. When I first walked up to the exhibit, there were 2 starlings getting handouts from this most generous robust prairie doggie. As happens a lot, by the time I got setup and ready to shot, one of the starlings had split. If you look closely, you can see the starling is actually leaning up against the prairie dog with one foot propped up on him. Amazing. 8.9.12

I edited this with a Kim Klassen texture and am very pleased with the results. Thanks Kim for the freebie.

This building is in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. I'm sure it has a "name", but I have no idea what it is. I really liked the symmetry of it and then the contours on the top. And, then there is the flare effect which I like, but not everyone is a fan of it. What do you think? Please view in large size for best results. 8.3.12

I haven't posted for a few days. I am getting discouraged with my photography and feeling a little stagnated. Looking for something different, Randy and I went to the zoo yesterday. The weather was only in the upper 90's, haha. This gorilla and my work are still in the same boat, locked up with no way out. 8.2.12

I guess you don't have to be too big to be a bully. This little guy has laid claim to my zinnia garden and spends most of his time chasing off all visiting hummingbirds from the premises. I read somewhere that birds pant like a dog when they are hot, and almost all the birds have I observed in the backyard have their peaks open like this. I change the water in the bird bath twice a day to keep it fresh, and hopefully a drink of water helps cool them down. 7.26.12

The MIdwest is the dryest it has been in years. Everything is burning up. This is an example of how the drought is affecting crops this year. The field is dry as a bone. We can only pray for rain. 7.23.12

Does anyone else get this kind of reaction when you go to photograph a family member? I have almost given up photographing my grandkids and Randy. I guess this is better than the dirty look I get more often than not...7.19.12