This lily pad caught my eye today while trying to shoot cedar waxwings in a mulberry tree. Thought it was a little different, so voile! here it is. 5.20.11 Have a great weekend everyone.

OK, I know it's not Valentine's Day, but hey, how may cacti have you seen shaped like a heart? Can you see it? This was taken at Los Madrones Ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas. If you are interested in nature/bird photography, this is a great place to go to get some cool images. 5.17.11

This is a little "out of the box" for me, but it has this dreamy ethereal feel to it that I really like. Shot of dolphin swimming very fast and I think intentionally so I couldn't get a decent shot. These are very intelligent creatures you know. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, taken on 5.7.11 Posted 5.14.11

Quite a photogenic little fellow I would say. Very hungry too. The squirrels have just about taken over my bird feeders. Not sure what to do about it, but for now will take their photo and wait for a bird to show up. 5.13.11

Took this at Los Madrones Ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas. Have no idea what kind of bird this is. Anyone got any ideas? It was raining lightly, but this little guy had a great time taking a bath. 5.11.11 Update: Mike at LMR sent this to a friend who knows birds and he ID it as a canyon towhee.

Took this at Horseshoe Lake this morning. There were a lot of egrets out fishing, but this was the only catch I saw. Looks like a mouthful, but he got it down. Spent the weekend in Chicago, took lots of pictures, but not too many keepers. Hope a couple are good enough to post here. 5.10.11

So, this is 1 of Max's chicks. Looks kind of bossy here, but mostly noisy and hungry. Max is not sleeping too well. Everytime they start chirping loudly he has to get up and go check on them. We made a "peep hole" especially so he could see them in their box. Have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there. Thanks for your kind comments on my photos too. 5.6.11

Somebody once said "I'd rather be lucky than good," and I was lucky here. Getting tack sharpness of a bird in flight is not something I do everyday, but I think I got it here. This is 1 of my favorite shots. 5.5.11

Max is the proud father of 7 baby chicks. It is so cute to watch him. He is very protective and will not let our older lab get near them. We had to put a little hole in the box so he could "check on them" which he does frequently. Randy and I are looking forward to having eggs from steroid-free chickens in a couple months. 5.3.11

Back in the backyard. Glad the woodpeckers are still coming to the feeders. We had a rare day of sunshine today. Really enjoyed sitting outside...weather was great. Think the birds are enjoying it too!! 4.29.11

This is my first shot (and probably my last) of a scissor-tail flycatcher. I had a disappointing afternoon with no really good images taken that day, when this bird landed right in front of my car and just sat there. He let me get out of the car and take 15 or so photos. I was so excited I was literally shaking. Another gift from Ol' Pop. I'm home from Texas and should be back to my usual schedule. Looking forward to catching up with everyone's images. 4.28.11

She's got that "glow" about her. Female mallard and male were in woods sitting on next. It is amazing how she has that different look about her. I am posting early today. Getting on the road early. Going to check out the bluebonnets in Ennis, Texas and on to Austin. Tomorrow, I am spending the day at Los Madrones Ranch. I hope to have some great images to post from that visit. Have a great day. Happy Easter! 4.24.11

I was so pleased to get a new bird at my bird blind before leaving for Texas. I believe this is a brown thrasher. I have never seen one before. I have a pair of them. They are very cautious, but hungry which keeps them coming back. Hope they are still there when I get home. Happy Easter everyone. 4.23.11

This little guy was all stretched out enjoying his favorite food, peanuts. His mother and 2 siblings were stealing peanuts I had put out for the bluejays this morning. I didn't mind. They were entertaining enough. This was taken with the Canon 500 mm IS F4. I could get used to that lens fast. 4.22.11

Little Suzy. She is so precious. My son's English bulldog smelling the roses. I've been missing in action since being away from home. Had a lot to do, but will catch up on SmugMug photos tomorrow hopefully. 4.21.11

It was wet and cold this morning, and I was rewarded for freezing in the bird blind by the appearance, short as it was, of this jaybird. He (or she) zoomed in, grabbed a peanut and off he went. I managed to get off a couple shots. The coloration of these birds is so intense. It is amazing. Tomorrow, I'm off to Texas to hopefully photograph some of the flora and fauna there. 4.16.11

Carolina wrens are my favorite backyard bird. I have a pair of them. Hoping to have some little ones soon. They are so quick and move so fast it is hard for me to get a shot. I suppose I could have cropped this in a bit, but I liked it straight out of the camera. 4.14.11

My focus is a little off on this, but it was by far the best shot of the day. This egret was catching fish right and left. He didn't seem to mind people as long as there was no movement. I shot this from the car. The water looks a little over saturated, but this is SOOC...4.12.11

Spring has finally sprung. Not sure that is proper English, but anyway, we are finally seeing some blooms on trees and a few tulips here in STL. This was taken yesterday. The temperature got up to 90 degrees. Ugh, high humidity, too. Today, the high is in the 60's. That's life in the Midwest. Have a great week everyone. 4.11.11

I startled this raccoon this morning while chasing a blue heron. He took off when he saw me. This was the best shot. It's definitely not the best photo I've taken lately, but something different. Thanks for all the kind comments...4.10.11

This big boy has been waking us up early for several years now, but isn't very easy to catch with a camera. He loves suet though and today I just happened to be waiting for him when he fly in around noon. Made my day. Have a great weekend everyone. 3.8.11

This is my paraplegic titmouse. It hops around quite vigorously and must have quite a will to live because it obviously has barely escaped being eaten by a cat or whatever else eats birds in my backyard. I'm surprised that it was attacked because it is so fast. I've been watching it at the feeders all winter. Despite having no tail feathers, it seems to be flying around okay and has a healthy appetite, so let's hope it makes it. 4.7.11

Zinnia from my garden last summer. Can't wait to get planting. 4.5.11

10.10.09

Been missing in action the last couple of days. Seems like I just don't have enough time or energy to get everything done I need to. The cardinals have been quite active despite the 50-mile an hour wind we had yesterday. Damn near blew the blind away--with me in it!! Made a lot of bad photos, but thought this one had some potential. Have a great week. 3.4.11

Yes, this is obviously from my old files. Think it was taken last summer at STL Zoo. They are making major changes to walrus/sea lion pool this year so we probably won't be seeing any of these guys this summer. But, better things to come. Have a great weekend everyone. 4.1.11

I've been spending most of my spare time out in the bird blind. The addition of some green peaking through is a welcome change. I think the birds don't know I'm there, but this image tells a different story. If I could read this bird's mind, I think he is saying "I see you..." 3.31.11

Had lunch yesterday at Sakura, a local Japanese restuarant. The atmosphere was wonderful. These fans were suspended from the ceiling. They are so beautiful so I thought I would share them. Kind of spring-y, aren't they? 3.30.11

Thought for awhile spring was coming early, but we are back having cold temperatures and biting winds. However, the tulips will be springing up from the ground soon and spring will follow soon behind. Had a busy weekend and now have to rest up and get ready for the work week. Take care everyone. 3.29.11

It started snowing Saturday afternoon. By 9:00 pm we had 4-1/2 inches here. It was those big juicing flakes, so first thing Sunday morning we headed towards water. Got this shot of American coots grooming at Horseshoe Lake. You can see the snow in the foreground. By 5:00 pm Sunday it had all melted away. What a seesaw weather pattern we are having this spring. 3.28.11

Soon flowers will be blooming and bees will be humming around...for real. Have a wonderful weekend. 3.26.11

Last Friday it was over 80 degrees here and this morning we woke up to snow on the ground. It was great for bird photography, so off I went. I found this unusual-looking goose (I think) amongst a flock of geese. Anyone know what it is? Stay safe, warm and have a great weekend everyone.

Where did all that wonderful warm sunny weather go? It got me looking around for something bright and fresh and I ran across this image. I took this shot last summer in the backyard. Everything was blooming all at once. I'm ready for summer for sure...Thanks for all your kind and encouraging comments. Your photographs are an inspiration to me. 3.24.11

SBP 5.26.20

It is such a beautiful sun shiny day here I thought this shot summed it up...bright and colorful. Lotus flowers in the pond at the Jewel Box in Forrest Park, STLMO. 3.23.11

Greetings fellow smugmugers. Hope you are having beautiful spring weather like we are having here in the Midwest. I've been busy all weekend shooting, shooting, shooting, and finally have something I'm excited to post...a shot of a bald eagle cooling off. She was splashing water everywhere, ruffling her feathers out and shaking. It was incredible to watch. I guess she got overheated in the 75-degree weather and had to cool off. The highlights on her head are a little blown out and there is some blur, but I like the feeling of motion it adds to the image. Have a wonderful week ahead. 3.20.11

Happy St. Patrick's Day. 3.17.11

Another shot from my files. We spent the morning on a wild goose chase looking for a trail along the Missouri River that is supposed to be a birder's dream come true. By the time we found the trail, it was time to turn around and get to work. It was a beautiful day in March to be outside here in the Midwest. So different from the cold cutting wind we had yesterday. Resting up for St. Patrick's Day tomorrow. Have a safe and terrific day all. 3.16.11

A head shot of the male Mayan at MOBOT orchid show. The pictures really do not do justice to the elaborate headdresses. 3.15.11

Boy, was I surprised this morning when I got up and there were huge snowflakes flying around. They were the big juicy ones, too. It's March, so robins are everywhere. I followed this one around for quite awhile. Note his muddy beak. It was plucking up worms right and left. It is late afternoon now and the snow is pretty much gone, but the robin is still busy in the backyard. I've had enough of the cold damp air outside and it's Miller time... 3.14.11

This shot was taken in January '11. This heron was wading in some pretty cold water here. Makes me so glad spring is well on its way. 3.13.11

Max waiting for his master to return home. He will sit for hours with his eyes trained on the window, looking down the road waiting for Randy. He is definitely a "daddy's boy." As for me, I am just the one who feeds him, bathes him, and pays his vet bills. Ha.

It is beautiful here today. Have a great weekend!!

I have so many images from the orchid show, but a lot of them have so much going on it is difficult to tell what the subject matter is. I liked this shot because of its simplicity and clean colors. It is basically SOTC except for crop and slight curves adjustment. Wish they all were that easy...3.9.11

This is one of the Mayan people at MOBOT orchid show. Very impressive head dress. I have to say they were just as beautiful as the orchids. 3/8/11

Randy and I finally made it to Missouri Botanical Gardens orchid exhibit today. All I can say is WOW. The theme this year was Mayan. I am still processing the 500 images that I took. This is a quickie SOTC. 3.7.11

Another day off chasing birds with no luck. This is another "shoot what you can" shot. Don't know what these are, but they were all over the place. I liked the way the light hit them. Have a great week. 3/6/11

TGIF, seems like it's been a long week, but still amazed it is March already.Where does the time go? This is another click on a file and see what you get. It is sized for a 4x6 print, so quality is not so good, but it is something different and the last time I checked she had not grown wings, although at times I can see her easily with a black pointed hat flying around on a broom....

This little fellow makes me think of a shady character standing on the street corner in a bad part of town. Know what I mean?? I promise tomorrow I will come up with a daily that doesn't have wings. Going to be another nice day here. Hope your's is as well. 3.3.11

This is a black-crowned night heron. The details of the feathers on herons are just incredible. I will be posting a full body shot in my wildlife gallery later. It's late and I can't think of anything else to say about it, so goodnight. 3.1.11