butterfly_zps8a6b8316

butterfly_zps8a6b8316

The Summer of Bug

I went bugging a lot this summer. Especially enjoyed my time at the sign out front of Peru's Centennial Park.
Of course, you can't beat the satisfaction of a good shot captured in your own back yard.

Rocking the Nikon D5100 with 55-200 f5.6 lens with the reverse ring mount macro adapter.

Jaws

 

Bugging out

Been on a bug kick lately. So I set up shop in the backyard the other day with a stool, my 55-200 and a reverse ring macro adapter and got to work.

 

 

Lot of beauty out there in the insect world, and a entire universe of happenings going on right underneath us.

Last but not least: While looking for ants, I stumbled across a raindrop laden spiderweb under the steps.Decidedly postmodern, made me think of synapses firing in the brain.

Quit bugging me

Had a Yucus family reunion of sorts at Lowell Park in Dixon today. All of my Grandma Hansen's extended family was there, including my aunts, uncles, first cousins and a few in-laws and beaus.
Took to the trails to see what I could find. It's a beautiful park, and the sun was shining down through the trees with very lovely golden hues.

I didn't find any great "sun shining on something beautiful" shots, but I did find some bugs inspecting a few wildflowers. I positioned myself as close as I could, and let them do their thing. It's safe to say I'm getting hooked on "macro" photography.



It appears what we have here is a condylostylus dining on an American Bellflower  (thanks to Matt Baker for help with IDs). As per the fly, those wings look so incredibly delicate.

Hanging around at the office. It's a bug's life.



Coming in for the landing (I love the cross-shpaed shadow of the stigma courtesy of the aforementioned golden sun).

This guy looks content, lapping up some nectar. But as always is the case in nature, he's never quite safe.... (Note the little  orange circle underneath him.)



....it turns out there's always a little trouble in paradise.

Just in case bugs aren't your thing, a solo shot of a flower for the ladies.

King Corn

Drive during summer time in the Illinois Valley and you are sure to be surrounded by corn. The ubiquitous plant is how the Midwest was won, and is only interrupted by brief patches of soybeans and a few other assorted crops in the fields that line nearly every road.

There is a new source of revenue sprouting up in northern Bureau County alongside the mile after mile of magnificent fields of maize -- windmills.
The two battle for dominance of the landscape, the corn rows stretching endlessly into the horizon, the blades of the windmills arching upward towards the heavens.





Windmill, in corn field, just off of Route 26 north of Ohio.



Of course, long rows of corn need long rows of grain bins for harvest time.

It was hot out Thursday with temps right around 100 degrees, so not a lot of multiple takes and preening on this mini-shoot on the way home from visiting the family. Mom and Jen had just returned from their trip to Uganda, so it was a very nice visit.



Coneflower power

Went to visit the family out at beautiful Sand Prairie Farms north of Ohio on Sunday. Had a great lunch from Chef Dad on the grill, then we did a little fishing at the pond.

 Matt took his RC boat out and we're pretty sure he scared all the fish away. It's a pretty neat little boat though, so not too upset.

I kept the fishing to a minimum and took a few pictures. The star of the afternoon was some Echinacea plants along the sand road to the pond.

 The wind was whipping so it was a little tough to keep them in frame at first for some macro shots of sorts.  I eventually cheated and held them still from the bottom. My photo assistant and helped a little bit as well when they saw me contorting and struggling.

Shooting close with the 35mm was the order of the day.  Thankfully, I had some beautiful models.

The wind did do a lovely job of fanning the drying petals.

Not much more to say, except to note the beautiful prairie sky.



Of Course, prairie flowers aren't the only things worth snapping at beautiful Sand Prairie Farms. Not much difference between a weed and wildflower when you get down to it after all....

That fly is tiny. Very tiny. Didn't even  notice him when I cast the picture, but he got top billing after the edits!

More weeds, more beauty.

I always love a trip out to the family farm. My dad has done a great job with conservation efforts over the years, and the farm is all organic these days. I could probably shoot nothing ever but nature out there and still have enough to keep me satisfied (who am I kidding?). 

There are plenty of projects in the works for out there. Stay tuned.