The Real Thing #2236
Blog posts
All About Hummingbirds!
Hummingbirds are perhaps my favorite bird to photograph! Why? I think for several reasons. 1 – It’s difficult! And, that...
All About Cardinals
Living in "Cardinal Nation" and having friends who are very fond of the bird, I decided to give them their own page. So, here you go, 101 cardinals throughout the seasons.
4th Qtr 2025 Backyard Birds, Etc
I have over 8,000 bird portraits of numerous species which includes; bluebird, cardinal, woodpeckers, goldfinch, hummingbird, blue jay, owl, warblers of all kind, wrens, titmouse, thrush, mockingbird, phoebe, tanager, oriole, fly catchers, birds of prey, and many others.
Hummingbird wars in the backyard!
Each year we have a resident hummer(s) that move in and take control of our flower garden and nectar feeder. And, if you've not witnessed it, hummers are very aggressive towards anything that invades its space!
My Missouri Backyard Bird “HALmanac” – 2nd Qtr 2025
From April to June, Missouri’s backyards become a seasonal theater of color, song, and movement. Spring migration peaks in May, with warblers, vireos, and flycatchers sweeping through in waves
3rd QTR 2025 Birds, Butterflies, Etc
I have over 7,000 bird portraits of 150+ species which includes; bluebird, cardinal, woodpeckers, goldfinch, hummingbird, blue jay, owl, warblers...
A Fast And Furious 3 Seconds
One in a great while the photographic elements come together unexpectedly that catch me by surprise. Yesterday while sitting out...
2nd Quarter 2025 Birds, Etc
I have over 7,000 bird portraits of 150+ species which includes; bluebird, cardinal, woodpeckers, goldfinch, hummingbird, blue jay, owl, warblers...
We pass through many doors
A few years ago I created a series titled Passages. The 24×36 inch metal print above me is my favorite...
What is it about being different?
This week I wrote a poem and attached a bird portrait to my Facebook page. (I do that a lot.)...
My Missouri Backyard Bird HALmanac, 1st QTR 2025
Click here for links to all of my bird and butterfly images. If you’d like to download any high resolution...
Happy New Year 2025
Cast like iron he fixed his gaze, Upon the future of distant days, With hope and dreams as bright as flame, A yearning heart, an untold claim.
The Eighteen Percent
18% of Americans deal with one or more disabilities. Understanding is the key to their freedom. So, I offer this...
4th Quarter 2024 Birds, Etc.
Hi, there! In the past I’ve posted thousands of bird portraits and snapshots – but not all I’ve captured. You can check them out in my 5 bird galleries on the menu and my monthly blog posts at the bottom of each page.
100 Years of Hurricane Data
After the recent devastation caused by hurricane Helene I started looking at some raw data on the NOAA website. I decided to download 100 years of data, put into a spreadsheet, then extrapolate the information. What I found was very interesting so I thought I'd share some of that data with you.
Snuffed out in the prime of life…
The tragic events of yesterday – a 14 year old boy shot and killed 4 people at his high school...
His peace finds its way to me
From time to time when the “spirit” moves I’m inclined to put pen to paper. What follows is the result...
September 2024 Birds And…
Hi, there! In the past I’ve posted thousands of bird portraits and snapshots – but not all I’ve captured. You...
Wing Us A Song…
Can I insert a little levity. I think I can use a little. How about you? Wing us a song...
On The Forgotten Art of Lament
As a Christian people we have forgotten, or never really understood, the art of lament. So here are my thoughts....
Two Lonely Monarchs
Two lonely monarchs,Each sitting on their throne,Both trying desperately,To buy up every vote. Here a promise,There a promise,Do words really...
Standing alone
Kathleen and I walk early in the morning. Since school started we've been walking past high schoolers waiting for their bus. In one of the small groups standing at a corner we noticed five girls. One standing by herself and a group of the other four.
Flawless
A favorite song of mine is Flawless by MercyMe. I'll share the lyrics below. I always enjoy seeing a newly emerged butterfly from its cocoon. In essence they are "flawless." Not a mark on them. Such was the case today as I saw this tiger swallowtail blow through our garden.
Looking Through My Window Pane
Looking through my window pane,Is it just me, or has the world gone insane,A canvas painted with hues of gray,Where...
He Bore My Pain
He bore my pain, my crimson stain,A sacrifice of love divine.Upon the cross, He felt my shame,And drank the bitter...
August 2024 Birds And…
Hi, there! In the past I’ve posted thousands of bird portraits and snapshots each month – but not all I’ve...
I Surrender
𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧,𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞,𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐮𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬,𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐭, 𝐒𝐨𝐧. 𝐍𝐨...
Buried Fossils
In between the sporadic bird activity yesterday, I was glancing down at the river rock in our hardscape and noticed a tiny fossil inside a golf ball sized rock that was split in two. I began to ponder for a moment, then came this...