Horsemint

By Jim | Published August 1, 2016




On a recent visit to one of the nearby, natural Missouri prairies, there were a lot of Horsemint (Monarda bradburiana), also known as Wild Bergamot, blooming. Usually, hummingbird moths can be found foraging among these wildflowers, but none were observed during that outing.  I didn’t capture a lot of images of this beautiful wildflower as […]

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Standing Tall & Proud

By Jim | Published July 26, 2016




Today’s post comes from a visit to nearby Dorsett Hill Prairie, about a week ago. Tall Bellflowers (Campanula americana) are beautiful wildflowers that tend to grow at the edge of woodlands. While hiking this prairie, I found a nice stand of these wildflowers growing in the meadow near the entrance to the wooded trail. Often, […]

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Woodland Beauty

By Jim | Published July 19, 2016




First, I want to thank the many messages of encouragement and the many prayers for me and my wife during her unexpected illness and subsequent passing. Me and my family are humbled by the many cards, e-mails and messages sent via social media. They are all much appreciated! Over the last few days, arrangements for […]

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A Salute to Our National Mammal

By Jim | Published May 11, 2016




While I was on the road recently, it was announced that we now have a “National Mammal”, the American Bison. As I participate in art shows and festivals throughout the Midwest, I constantly find that the American Bison tends to be a popular choice of my show clients.  In a salute to this wonderful animal, […]

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Spiked Lobelia

By Jim | Published May 10, 2016




After a hectic trip, I’m back home now and with a long, laundry list of things to do (including hitting some of my favorite spots near my home for wildflower and wildlife photography). I had a wonderful art festival in Springfield, Missouri, and met lots of great nature lovers! Saturday was a really busy day, […]

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Fun Friday: Pollinator At Work!

By Jim | Published February 26, 2016




Today’s “Fun Friday” post features a wonderful, Green Metallic Bee that is busy pollinating one of my favorite prairie wildflowers … the Spiderwort. Using a macro lens and tripod, I was able to get quite close to this busy little guy; he was so engrossed with his job of pollinating, that he paid little attention […]

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Do the Dew

By Jim | Published February 18, 2016




When photographing on the prairies, I always arrive early. Arriving early not only gives me that great, soft light, but more often than not, I’m treated to a “dewy wonderland”! Here are a few images I’ve captured over the past few years that help making getting up so early a bit more tolerable!  :o) The […]

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Prairie Larkspur

By Jim | Published February 17, 2016




Prairie Larkspur (Delphinium carolinianum) is a prairie plant that is quite elegant and dainty in appearance: When traveling, I have typically seen this larkspur as a purplish color, but it can be found in deep blue, violet-lavendar, purple, or white. The Larkspur is a showy plant, growing erect and to 3-foot tall. They have the […]

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Horse Nettle

By Jim | Published February 16, 2016




One of Missouri’s commonest wildflowers (aka, “obnoxious weeds”) is the Horse Nettle (Solanum carolinense): Horse Nettle blooms in elongated clusters, with flowers ranging from white to purple. The 5 united petals form a 5-point star, with yellow stamens protruding. The leaves do not have bristles, but yellow prickles on the stems and midribs of the […]

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Beauty Within

By Jim | Published February 15, 2016




A couple of summers ago, I captured this interesting wildflower as it was beginning to bloom on the local, Missouri prairie: I’m not sure on the identity, but it looks like it might be a species of Helianthus, quite common in my area. When hiking the prairies, I’m always looking for something “unusual, or out […]

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