A moth orchid plant photographed in natural light. Orchids are predominantly tropical plants with very intricate structures. They have symbiotic relationships with various other species, mainly insects on whom they depend for pollination, and even a type of fungi which helps them process nutrients. In this image, I have tried to capture the structure of the plant.
As the evening draws to a close, a flock of juvenile whooping cranes dance in a recently harvested corn field in Wisconsin. These magnificent birds have been raised by the Crane Foundation and radio tagged for tracking.. I was trying an abstract and liked the ghostly image which seems to convey the danger these cranes are in.
Sandhill Cranes Takeoff Abstract
A group of sandhill cranes take off past sundown to their roosting spot at the Bosque del Apache NWR. I was shooting long exposure panning shots and liked the combination of the cranes against the cornfield they were feeding on, especially in the evening light.
The center of the moth orchid flower. Orchid flowers contain both male and female parts, but depend on insects such as bees and wasps for pollination. Orchids attract these insects through a combination of shapes, fragrance and nectar. I wanted to highlight complex shapes and patterns within the bloom.
A least skipper gets ready for the evening on a milkweed plant at Milwaukee's Riverside Park. Butterflies have a symbiotic relationship with plant species - the caterpillar of each species feeds only on certain species of plants. Presence of these plants is critical to the survival of the insect species.
44th Annual Sustaining Our Culture Pow-Wow
Native American cultures have several mesmerizing forms of dances accompanied by equally captivating rhythm. I have tried to capture the movements created by the dancers in their majestic attires.
Western Spotted Orb Weaver Feeding on a Green Darner
A female western spotted orb weaver spider feeds on a green darner dragonfly caught in its web. My wife and I saw this dragonfly getting stuck in the web and the spider was on it in an instant. It moved away as I set up my camera, but came back in a few seconds once it realized I was not a threat. Spiders use different kinds of web materials for different parts of the web as well as tying up its prey as seen here.
I came across this group of avocets feeding in a Bay Area harbor late one evening. It was interesting to observe the flock feeding in a circle. One avocet would dredge the bottom bringing up invertebrates and crustaceans, and the next member would move in to feed in that spot. The steady movement of the birds and low light gave a opportunity for an abstract.
While we admire flowers for their aesthetics, their colors, shapes and aroma all have specific functions. They have evolved to be attractive to pollinators which is necessary for the plants' propagation. The iris bloom shown here is a good example. It has evolved a complex shape and color scheme which attracts insect pollinators. The entrance to the flower is separate from the exit. The pollinating insect that lands on this flower first finds stamens on which it deposits some of the pollen it has collected from previous blooms. The pollen stems on the iris are located at the exit and the insect collects them on its way out to other blooms. This sequence ensures the iris is not pollinated with its own pollen.
Bamboo trunks in a Japanese garden provide an interesting abstract. Bamboos are the fastest growing plants in the world and are found throughout South and East Asia. I took this image late one fall afternoon as the sun was setting. The soft light highlights texture of the trunks amidst the green of the trees.
Dixie National Forest Winter Abstract
Abstract of an aspen copse in the immediate aftermath of a snowstorm.