Pollination Plans
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I caught this insect in flight as it approached a flower before pollination began. I used my Canon 50mm F-2.5 macro lens at 1/200 of a second and F-13 at ISO 800. It was cloudy as I took the photo which gave the lighting a more diffused effect. I wanted more depth of field and sacrificed a faster shutter speed to allow more of the image to be in focus with the exception of the wings which were a blur. I found this moment of beauty while walking today in Ottawa County, Michigan near a small lake. Click on this or any of my images to see an enlarged version.
Blue Dragons
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I found these two Blue Dragonflies on the same day as the previous post. Again, I was surrounded by mosquitoes, which the dragonflies would hunt after resting on their perch. This pair was in an Allegon County, Michigan field.
Green Dragon
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I found this Green Dragonfly as it took a break from hunting mosquitoes yesterday in Allegan County, Michigan. It had picked a good spot to find them, as I was surrounded by the biting insects. Despite the annoyance, I couldn’t resist getting this photo. I used my Canon 50mm F-2.5 Macro lens and moved in close to the subject which wasn’t disturbed by me presence.
Orange Hawkweed
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I was hoping to find some colorful butterflies today, but with none to be found this Orange Hawkweed flower was a welcome sight. I found it today in Allegan County, Michigan as the sun emerged from cloudy skies. I’m sure it won’t be long before I’ll get a chance to photograph the butterflies that arrive each summer. I’ll most likely use what I did today for this flower photo, a Canon 50mm F-2.5 Macro Lens which allows closeup detailed images. (Click on any of my photos to see an enlarged version)
Fluffing Feathers Furiously
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I caught the moment this Brown-Headed Cowbird was fluffing up its feathers today in Allegan County, Michigan. It is often difficult to get close to birds for more detailed photos, but this one allowed me to move in for a tight shot. I still had to use my Canon 200mm F-2.8L with a 2x generic convertor, but was happy with the result.
Reached 6,000 Followers this Week! THANKS!
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
This week was a big milestone for my blog. I passed the 6,000 mark for registered followers! Thanks everybody! 
Let me say I really appreciate your interest and the time you take to check out my outdoor and nature photos. I also wish I had more time to respond to everyone personally, but please accept this note of thanks when you don’t hear from me at other times. The photo I’m posting now could be the same barn swallow in my previous entry, but there were so many flying at impossible speeds, turning on a dime in midair, that I lost track of the individuals. I felt very fortunate to get this one displaying its tail feathers momentarily before it flew off at high speed a second later. I shot this at 1/1300 of a second and F-9, and had to shoot at a faster ISO of 1600 under the available lighting conditions of the time. I used a 200mm F-2.8 lens. Enjoy! (Click on the image to see an enlarged version)
Liquid Flight
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I captured this moment today of a Barn Swallow as it sped over the water of a pond in Holland, Michigan. It was one of several that appeared to be hunting for insects as they zigged and zagged over the water tirelessly. (Click on the image to see an enlarged version)
Green Among the Green
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I found this Green Heron today in a West Michigan wetland area among green foliage and reeds. I’ve found this particular type of bird to be shy around people. They seem more at ease under cover and moments later this one was hidden from sight.
White Violet
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I was pleased to find this White Violet a few days ago growing in the woods at a local Ottawa County, Michigan park. I’ve read that many flowers have guide lines that draw in pollinating insects much as runway lights guide planes in for landings. The lines on this flower will make it much easier for insects to find the right spot to land
Diamonds in the Sky
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I was amazed by the sea of stars that appeared after I uploaded this image from my camera. I used a Sigma 10 mm Fisheye lens at F-2.8 ISO 800 for a 30 second exposure in Allegan County, Michigan last night. The conditions were perfect with a clear sky with no wind and no need for a jacket during the warm Spring evening. (Click on the image to see an enlarged version)
