Congradulations to Frank for winning a 1st in "wildlife and nature contest" sponsored by University of Nebraska State Museum. Winning photos to be show at www.museum.unl.edu starting this Friday.

Free bag!

For those of you who didn't know, I recently acquired a new camera bag. It came with the puchase of my new 28-135mm IS lens. It is a Canon bag, and replaces the bag that I got with my camera originally.

So, I am offering up my old bag for free. I will admit it doesn't fit everything I wanted to carry, but it does work nicely, especially if you don't have a bag. And because I know that some people are just 'bag fanatics' and like to get bags for other purposes, maybe someone will find a home for it.

The pictures were taken with my phone so don't critique them please! The second one is with my camera and an 18-55mm lens for size comparison.

Free to good home!

Lightning

I took a chance on capturing the awesome lightning south of us last night.  I used the remote switch and hoped to score a lucky shot. These images are not enhanced with the exception of a minor crop and a white balance adjustment on the second one.  I am not sure if anything else would make them better/worse, etc.  Suggestions?

Display Union Pacific's vintage trains

If any of you are interested in trains, this is the time to photography some vintage Union Pacific trains. Famous No.844 diesel engine built by Union Pacific in 1944 and 19 vintage cars [believe all are passenger cars] pulled by GE No.7410 diesel-electric engine buile in 2006 but still impressive.These were brought to Omaha for display to celebrate the 2011 College World Series at the new TD Ameritrade Park. This is to show Union Pacific's ties with Omaha and the College World Series.If any of you have children, I encourage you to take them to see this exhibit. There are stairs so they can actually look into No.844 where engineer sits.Display is North and right across the street from new stadium.One photo shows workmen cleaning No.844. It makes for good photography for you fellow photographers.

Summer in the Sandhills

Here are my contributions for the summer theme. All were taken at Valentine NWR last weekend. I am going to submit one of the landscapes to the National Natural Landmarks Photo contest and would appreciate your help in making the decision for which one to submit. Please let me know which is your favorite and why. Thanks so much.

No. 1 - I caught a glimpse of this badger from my car. Shot with Pentax K5 and Pentax DA*300.

No. 2 - Evening sunlight illuminates the sandhills shortly after a sever thunderstorm. Shot with Canon 5D Mark II with Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L II.

No. 3 - the morning after the thunderstorm. Shot with Canon 5D Mark II with Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L II.

No. 4 - I went there hoping the yuccas would be in bloom. I was not disappointed. Here, once again, the horizon cleared of heavy clouds just before sunset, providing some really sweet light for a dramatic affect. Shot with Canon 5D Mark II with Canon EF 16-35 f/2.8L II.

No. 5 - Just a bit later than the previous shot - actually about 15 minutes after sunset (the sun actually dipped below the horizon just the right of this frame). The color was outstanding and changed by the minute. Shot with Canon 5D Mark II with Canon EF 24-105 f/4.0L II.

Storm Shot

I was shooting the same time Mike was, and ended up with this shot.  I'd never used this particular lens before, nor had I ever shot right before a storm when the wind was blowing and it was getting dark fast!

Art in Nature

Just wanted to share some images I took tonight. These are some quick pics of clouds over my house.

flood from Missouri

My view of summertime [I guess it is still spring for few days].

butterflies and summertime

Two butterfly images I recently captured. One is a spicebush swallowtail [black one] on milkweed and the other is northwestern fritillary [orange one] on clover.

Image Critique

The other day I mentioned in an e-mail response to Craig that more comments from members to each of our posts would make this blog even better. I understand that commenting and providing critique on other's work can be difficult and intimidating even though providing and receiving critique is one, if not the best, way to improve your photography.

Coincidentally, today I ran across a terrific article on this very topic. It discusses how to effectively provide and receive critique as well as discussing methodology. I know there is a lot of this kind of stuff around but I found this especially well written. I offer it here for your consideration.

http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/index.php/category-personal-perspective/39-personal-perspective/451-bill-chambers

Missouri River

Went to Haworth Park today to check out some of the flooding. Here are a few quick images from the sunken park.

Theme for June!

The theme for June will be (appropriately...) Summertime! Feel free to interpret this however you want. Maybe it's pictures of what you like to do in the summertime, or how you spent your vacation.  Maybe it's pictures just capturing the essence of summer relaxation, or something entirely different. Enjoy your Summer and get creative!

Polyphemus moth

Two views of polyphemus [silkworm] moth. Its about 4 inches long. I took this Memorial weekend Table Rock Lake Missouri. canon 100 macro lens.

beeles

One is the death of a bombardier beetle and the other is really weird beetle [ look at appendages on head anyone venture a guess?]

recent butterflies and monarch caterpillar

jumping spider

spiders

Here is different views of same spider[ do not know th identification - any ideas?].

Periodical Cicada or locus.Here are two images I took last weekend at Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Missouri.If you've never heard of this park, look it up. I think you will be surprised.

ornate tiger moth.all images with canon 100 macro lens