Dragon Swallowing the Sun
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I noticed an interesting opening in a dark cloud bank as the sun was setting tonight over Holland, Michigan. I waited for the orange glow from the sun to break through and looked for an opportunity to capture an interesting image. To me the abstract shape seemed to coalesce into the form of a dragon. Or… maybe I’ve watched one too many episodes of the Game of Thrones. 
Heavenly Landscape
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I found the dark contrasting thin line of cloud gave the illusion of a horizon in the sky as I photographed the scene. The pastel orange backdrop and floating dark clouds above added to the drama of the moment. This is yet another example of a Michigan sky as the sun sets, which I always enjoy capturing and sharing.
Colorful Kestrel
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I found this American Kestrel to have vibrant coloring in its feathers as I photographed it recently at the Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland, Michigan.
Psychedelic Ship
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
This dragonfly took a trip on what looked like a “psychedelic ship”, or what some might see as a colorfully patterned water lily of some sort. Either way, the blue dragonfly seemed to be traveling first class over the dark waters of a Michigan pond as I photographed it.
Different View
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I found a different view of the same Checkerspot butterfly which I posted two days ago. I was able to move in close enough with my Canon F-2.5 Macro lens to get some nice detail of the tiny creature as it was using its proboscis to extract salts and minerals from the soil. The temperatures on that day were in the 100 degree range in Ottawa County, Michigan. (It has been pointed out to me that this is probably a Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) butterfly. Does anyone else agree? Thanks Tom)
(Please click on any of my photos to see an enlarged, more detailed version of the image)
Shady Spot
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
This spider found a colorful spot to hang around yesterday in an Ottawa County, Michigan park as it stayed in the shade under a lily. Temperatures reached 104 degrees in the area.
Bright Tulip
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
Earlier this Spring I photographed this beautiful Orange Tulip in Holland, Michigan. With the early warm Spring, they were blooming sooner than they normal. When the Annual Tulip Time Festival began in early May, most of the tulips were well past their peak.
Butterfly Milkweed
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I found some unopened buds along with flowering examples on the same butterfly milkweed plant in Muskegon County, Michigan recently. I used a Canon 50mm F-2.5 macro lens to capture the image.
Butterfly Magic
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
While photographing a grouping of Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) in Muskegon County, Michigan, a butterfly happened to land in front of me on the plant. I captured the moment it was feeding on some nectar. When the small butterfly (about 1 inch long) took off, it was gone so fast it seemed to just disappear into thin air, literally in the blink of an eye.
Bright Fungi
Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
I found this bright orange fungi along the trail from my previous post in a Muskegon County, Michigan forest a few days ago. It was easy to spot with it’s vibrant coloring growing on an old log. I used a 200mm lens for this shot.
