This little Carolina wren and its mate decided to build a nest in a spider plant on the back porch. This looks like a piece of tape of some sort. One of them was better at collecting materials for the nest than the other. I am keeping an eye and ear out for baby wrens, but none yet. 9.7.11

Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day. It was the most beautiful day I can remember in a long time. Temperatures reached 100 degrees on Saturday and on Sunday it was only in the 80s. Today it was breezy and cool in the low 70s. Hey, what do you expect, it's the Midwest. 9.5.2011

Taken at the STL Zoo. There was an older volunteer at this exhibit who repeated the same thing to everyone who stopped to admire this wonderful creature. "Her name is Rosetta, but you can call her Rosie." So here you have it, Rosie. 9.3.11

Another day over 100 mark despite it being September 1st. It may be too hot for me outside, but the butterflies love it. The zinnias are burning up, too. Not complaining. My heart goes out to all those affected by Irene. Be strong. 9.1.11

We had a beautiful day here in STL on Monday, so we decided to go to the zoo. Despite the fantastic weather, we didn't see any crowds and so it was quite a relaxing day. This little guy is new since we were there last spring. It is a red panda, very cute animal. 8.31.11

This was taken in the backyard this afternoon. For once, I tried to upload this early today and what do you know, SmugMug was doing some maintenance and I couldn't upload. Oh well...8.25.11

An eastern kingbird. I have seen them perched on posts and fire hydrants, etc. a lot. It has some "hot spots", but I liked the bokeh in this shot so here you have it. 8.21.11

Ever wonder what was "in there?" Well, sometimes you just have to bend over, stick your head in and take a look.

Have a great day!! 8.20.11

Bored with the usual, so looking around in the archives and found this taken at STL Zoo in January 2010. In keeping with the "let's do something different" theme, I tweeked it in Topaz which I just recently began using. Voile... I was pleased with the results. Have a great weekend and thanks for your kind comments. 8.19.11

Today is the first day of school, and Adrienne was so upset because her face was broken out. I used to worry about trivial things like that too when I was her age. What she doesn't realize is that she is still beautiful even with zits. 8.17.11

It's amazing how much the animal world is like our own. I have a zinnia garden and 2 butterfly bushes in the backyard. Hummingbirds love both. I spent a couple hours in a blind just on the edge of the zinnias yesterday afternoon and discovered that this hummer has claimed my garden as his own. He sits and waits and if any other hummers dare to try trespass on his garden, zoom the fight is on. In between chasing off other hummers, he occasionally will go from flower to flower having a little sip. I am guessing he will go drink from the sugar water feeders occasionally to keep up his strength. 8/16/11

Another frustrating day birding. Had some good opportunities, but didn't have big enough lens, again...Did see a lot of hummers, mostly juveniles, so their markings were that spectacular. Thought this shot was a bit interesting.8.14.11

It wasn't easy, but I finally got the "Princess" to cooperate with a photo or 2. She's not a baby any more for sure. She'll be 13 in November and oh how I dread the teenage years. 8.12.11

I think it is time for an equipment upgrade. So many of my photos have not been in focus of late. Someone told me after 1 million images a camera is shot. Need to talk to my local camera guy. 8.11.11

This is a snowberry clear-wing moth if my research on the web is correct. I added a texture layer to this. Usually I try to sharpen and add detail to an image, but on this I actually softened it quite a bit. Hoping it is pleasing to your eye. 8.10.11

Not perfect focus on this shot, but I so love these little birds, the Carolina wrens. I did a painterly effect in PS and it works for me. 8.9.11

Summers past I have had a ton of butterflies, but not so many this year. Not sure why...maybe because I've been too busy to notice them. 8.7.11

These 2 mourning doves remind me of an old Wrigley gum commercial from what back..."double your pleasure, double your fun" or something like that. They seemed to be posing for me. Even though I was in a blind I think they were making eye contact with me. Strange...Stay cool everyone. This heat is a killer. 8.3.11

Been MIA. It just seems like there's not enough time in the day to get everything done. I did take time out yesterday to try to capture some hummingbird images. Seems they are the busiest during the heat of the day. 8.2.11

I can't believe July is almost over and this is the first butterfly shot I've taken this summer. Guess I've been a little obsessed with the bird thing. The white background is actually the garage which is, you guessed it, white. I chased this swallowtail around for quite awhile in the hot sun, but it never opened it's wings up, so this was the best I could do. 7.27.11

Another shot of this juvenile bluejay taking a quick drink, (at least I think it's a young bird). I certainly have a lot to learn about birds, so I'm just guessing here. I've spent a lot of time roasting in the blind in an effort to get some good images of this bird. A couple of times I have had 2 bluejays at the same time. One is much more jittery and quick to grab a peanut and fly off than the other which I am guessing is the younger of the two. Will try to come up with something different tomorrow. 7.25.11

I haven't been in the bird blind for several days now because it's just too darn hot, but today I saw a bluejay fly by along the creek and thought I might get lucky. So, I donned all the camo I could wear comfortably and headed out back. Was I rewarded!!! This jaybird came back 3 times within 10-15 minutes. He snatched a bite to eat each time, but hung around and seemed to be quite curious looking around and turning his head this way and that way. He hooped up on several of the perches and thus I have a couple different shots to add to my library. Thanks Pops! 7/23/11

Another shot from my flower garden. Despite the heat, the zinnias are doing well. It is keeping my busy watering the flowers in the front, then the flowers on the porch, and back and forth. Flowers in pots are requiring watering 3 times a day in this heat. That reminds me I need to turn the sprinkler on the garden. Stay cool folks. 7.21.11

Yet again another egret image. I'm super busy and this is what I shot on Monday, so don't have time to shoot anything else today. I'm learning to shoot airborne birds and it ain't easy I'm telling you. Some guys have a nack for it (the right equipment helps), but I'm not so lucky. Hope everyone is enjoying this summer weather we're having. 7.20.11

Good Monday fellow smugmugers. I got up at 5:30 this morning to get this shot. It was the first image of the day and my favorite. This is an Eastern kingbird. I have only seen it at Horseshoe Lake, although I am sure there are plenty elsewhere in these parts. I applied a texture and vignette to the final image and am quite pleased with the final result. 7.18.11

Summer is well underway, and so far my zinnias are outgrowing everything else. Still don't have any tomatoes which is really unusual for this time of year. Hopefully, the plants will continue to produce later into the Fall. Getting anxious for my first BLT of the year. 7.16.11

I'm a little late posting tonight. It's been a hectic week. Finally got a chance to photograph the latest addition to the family, Baby Hazel who is 5 days old today. She weighed 9-1/2 at birth and looks a lot like daddy (6'4") so I think she's going to be a big girl when she grows up. Sure hope she's not short like me. Have a great weekend fellow smugmuggers. 7.15.11

As you may know, it has been hot, hot, hot here in the Midwest. I've been caught up with babies being born, sick grandkids, buying a new vehicle, and just trying to stay out of the heat. Don't know where the time goes. Anyway, the dragonflies seem to love the heat, so I spent about an hour chasing them around the reservoir trying to get a decent shot. Still need to perfect my technique, but this'll do. 7.13.11 Oh, by the way, it's a girl.

Holy balls of fire Batman, it's hot outside!!! All my flowers are wilting in the heat except for my zinnias. I have watered down the flower garden twice today. I could hardly stand it the short time I was out in the sun. I feel for those guys who have to work in the sun everyday. That would be tough. But, it is July, so what do I expect.7.2.11

Some of you may remember the photo of the little titmouse that had been malled by stray cats this past winter. Well, it's all better now. I watched all spring as its tail slowly grew back and it began to use both feet without having to hop around on 1 leg. I feel pretty good about my contribution to its rehabilitation by providing a steady supply of peanuts and suet. I saw him again today around noon and snapped this picture. It is looking a little on the lean side, so I imagine I will be seeing him often for awhile. Have a great 4th everyone. 7.1.11

It was a hot one today and this blinding white duck was taking one helluva a bath. I shot about 300 frames and picked this shot because it makes me smile. The duck is really enjoying the splashing, the water, etc. and seems to be smiling with its eyes. I've seem that in kids before, but never an animal. Very refreshing on a very hot day. 6.30.11

Summertime...its all good, well most of it anyway. This was taken in Tower Grove Park in SLMO, a truly beautiful place created by Henry Shaw, another rich dude who loved nature. Actually, he founded St. Louis and was quite a philanthropist. If you come to St. Louis, you must visit its gardens and parks from that era. 6.27.11

Had company all weekend. Runny way behind. 6.26.11

I saw my first butterfly in the garden today. The coneflowers are going to town and starting to have a few blooms on the butterfly bushes, so I am hopeful things will start happening in butterfly land soon. Used a texture overlay on this image. The first day of summer here was glorious with low temps and low humidity. Thanks for all the kind comments. 6.22.11

As I was walking through the living room this evening I saw a pink glow through the window in the front door. I thought maybe it was coming from a terrific sunset. When I stepped out the door, this is what I saw. I wouldn't exactly call it a sunset, but what is it? So far today at 8:30 pm, it has stormed here 3 times and we were under a tornado warning until 9:30 pm. Sure wish some of this rain would go out West where they really need it. 6.21.11

Busy with Father's Day, but did walk through the garden late this afternoon. We have had heavy rains the past 3 nights and the lillies were pretty beaten up, some laying down on the ground. This bunch had managed to stay upright and looked pretty good. Tomorrow will be out chasing birds again. Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there. 6.19.11

I know summer has arrived when the coneflowers start to bloom. They are one of my favorites! And, with the flowers come the bugs...a marriage made in heaven,at least for a photographer. 6.16.11

I'm late posting today. Lost electricity around 11 or so and didn't come back on until 8'ish. Had all this time and felt totally lost, no computer, no TV, no lights, yada yada... Been enjoying a cool front that dropped temps to the 70s. Yay!!! 6.14.11

Nature is truly beauty in its rawest form. These bees don't seem to mind the heat...6.10.11

If your weather is anything like what we are having here in St. Louis, it's pretty hot. This image was taken in March after the last snowfall of the year. It was very cool then. Seems like we go from one extreme to the other around here...6.9.11

Was out looking for blue buntings. I have one that comes to my backyard feeder, so I know they're around. Didn't have much luck in that regard, but walked by this beautiful wheat field. 6.8.11

It's been awhile since I posted. Finally getting back in the groove. Our beloved 9-year-old lab passed away unexpectedly on the 29th. Randy still can't talk about Dutch without crying. And, this is a man who in the last 10 years I saw cry maybe once. Dutch was the best dog, even as a puppy...We saw that he was slowing down a bit, but never expected anything serious.

Saw this little blue heron fishing for his breakfast this morning. Trying to get back to normal. Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day.

The iris garden was in full bloom at Missouri Botanical Gardens this past weekend. The colors were fantastic. What a beautiful world this can be. 5.27.11 Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone!!!

Sunset over Horseshoe Lake in Granite City, Illinois Monday night, 5.23.11. It was a beautiful night. Unfortunately, all hell has broke loose since, tornadoes, thunderstorms, hail, etc. We have a lot to be thankful at my house, no major damage. Thanks to everyone for all the kind comments. You all are an inspiration to me. Stay safe. 5.26.11

I have seen so many duck mommies this spring with just 1 duckling...These are residents at Missouri Botanical Gardens. 5.24.11

I'm almost positive this is a copperhead snake which is quite venomous. They are pretty common in the Midwest. I saw 2 in a matter of minutes. They are hungry this time of year and mean, too. Good thing I was shooting with a 50-500 mm lens which allowed me the comfort of being far far away from this creature. Have a great day!!! 5.21.11