Mute Swans in Spring
My mother mentioned that she’s already tired of Winter and ready for Spring. I have to agree with her. So for any of you out there feeling the same way, I thought I would put a couple of Springtime photos up to brighten your gloomy winter day. These two Mute Swans...
Published in Northwest Quarterly Magazine
This photo along with three others was recently published in the winter issue of Northwest Quarterly Magazine as part of an article titled "Follow the Eagles in Wisconsin and Illinois". I was honored that the editors at Northwest Quarterly selected my photos. These...
Changing Seed Pods
Thornless Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) Seed Pods
Weathered Cement Pipe
I found these weathered cement pipes piled up at the Nygren Wetlands Preserve near Rockton, Illinois. The juxtaposition of these man-made pipes sitting in the middle of a wetlands preserve caught my attention, and I had to shoot them. In fact, with the exception of a...
Lone Tree at Nygren
This bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) at the Nygren Wetland Preserve against a fairly dramatic sky made for a good photo. Although it sits on somewhat dry land in the fall, during the wetter spring months, this tree sits in the middle of a very small lake. Nygren Wetland...
Prairie Milkweed
This is my favorite photo of milkweed that I took this year. I've got a number of compliments on it, so others must like it as well. The sun was backlighting the milkweed pods creating harsh shadows and obscuring the details I wanted to bring out. I used a small...
New Macro Nature Forum
Mike Moats of Tiny Landscapes started a new Macro Nature Forum today. I've been following Mike's blog and admiring his work for quite some time now. I've even had the opportunity to stop in and visit with him one day while he was at an art show near Chicago. In Mike's...
New England Asters In Bloom
These New England Asters (Aster novae-angliae) were photographed at the restored prairie at Rock Cut State Park, Loves Park, Illinois.
Sawtooth Sunflowers found in the Illinois Prairies
These Sawtooth Sunflowers (Helianthus grosseserratus) were photographed at the restored prairie at Rock Cut State Park, Loves Park, Illinois
Juvenile Boxelder Bugs
There's something about Prairie Milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii) pods that the Boxelder Bug loves. In the late summer and early fall months, I typically find each pod covered with these bugs at various stages of growth. They are slow-moving bugs and perfectly content...
Dragonflies…The Saga Continues
I really enjoy shooting dragonflies and damselflies. They are beautiful little creatures, kind of comical to watch, and they make really good photographic subjects. I find myself sitting on the little bridge over the pond for hours watching them and making images....
Discovering Damselflies
For the second weekend in a row, I was able to get out and do some dragonfly photography at Rock Cut State Park in Loves Park, Illinois. It was entirely too windy to be out shooting dragonflies. I quickly discovered that the bigger dragonflies were very busy trying to...