I followed them a female Monarch Butterfly as she flitted from milkweed plant to milkweed plant, laying eggs on the tender leaves. She stopped several times to get some nectar for energy. Then she flew down the street to lay eggs elsewhere.
Bottlebrush Buckeye
This lovely native bush is in full bloom in early July. The blooms look like the brushes for baby bottles, hence the name. But this species is native to Illinois and its full name is Bottlebrush Buckeye. It spreads out and fills the shaded area. Some branches are low to the ground.
Bottlebrush Buckeye Full View
Bottlebrush Buckeye Full View
Bottlebrush Buckeye Edge
Bottlebrush Buckeye Close Up
Bottlebrush Buckeye Close Up
Bottlebrush Buckeye from Above
Bottlebrush Buckeye Bush View
Amaryllis 2020
A marvelous Christmas present from a friend an a lot of fun watching it grow, bud, flower and wither. This set of images follows the life of my Amaryllis in 2020.
Best of 2019
Amaryllis – the beginning
I got a gift of an Amaryllis for Christmas. I’ve been dutifully watering, turning it around and watching. The blooms are beginning to open. I got a new 35mm f1.8 lens, so I’ve been getting to know the lens and the Amaryllis at the same time. These are photos of the last two days.
Amaryllis begins to open
Amaryllis will have four blossoms
Shadows
As part of Fleeting Moments Artists, I captures a number of images of shadows. The best of these will be in an online gallery.
I chose to make all of my images black and white with a platinum gradient effect. Shadows distort, enhance or camouflage a subject. The shadows themselves form a shape that is unique. Along with the shadows, we included a “selfie” shadow of ourselves.
Morton Arboretum New Year’s Day
The sky was clear, but the temperature was cold. We decided to take several short walks in Morton Arboretum, late afternoon on New Year’s Day. As the sun lowered, the oak leaves turned gold and the colors on Lake Marmo, which was ice covered, offered reflections and colors. It was a great way to start 2020!
Starburst through winter oaks
Golden Oak Leaves
Golden Oak Leaves
Golden Oak Leaf
Clouds and blue sky reflected on Lake Marmo
Patterns of water freezing
Clouds Reflected on Ice
Sunset behind trees
Sunset Drama
Full Color of the Sunset
December Sunset
The sky was like a watercolor painting, with soft hues and colors. The clouds were sparse, but lovely. They looked a bit like popcorn in places. As the bright orange sun set, the colors and drama deepened. These were taken at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve.
Sunset Impressionism
The sunset was a pastel palette. The trees have lost their leaves and are showing their bare branches. I chose to capture with intentional camera movement, creation Sunset Impressionism.