Butterfly Gallery 4

Blog posts

The Strength to Keep Flying: Embracing What Remains

There is something almost sacred about a worn butterfly. Its wings are no longer perfect. The edges are ragged, the...

Dickcissels: Fascinating Birds of North America’s Grasslands

It's always a pleasure to study and capture a series of images of a bird in its habitat in one sitting. Yesterday morning I was able to watch these dickcissels sing, perch, forage, and play among the grasses, chicory, wildflowers, and horseweed.

3rd QTR 2026 Birds and Butterflies, Etc

These quarterly posts are primarily for recording bird activity around our home. Birds are pretty quiet in July and August,...

But then…

I wanted to share a brief testimony with you. There is no way I can share all of the details, so I'll be as brief as I can.

Prothonotary Warblers

Prothonotary warblers are one of two of my favorite bird species to photograph (not counting owls!) The reasons are varied and I'll share a few along with information about this "golden wonder" I call Proton.

Pause for beauty

Let me ask you to pause for just a minute… and consider how is it that we humans have the...

2nd QTR 2026 Bird Photos, etc

These quarterly posts are primarily for recording bird activity around our home. I have over 8,000 bird portraits of numerous...

1st QTR 2026 Bird Photos

These quarterly posts are primarily for recording bird activity around our home. I have over 8,000 bird portraits of numerous...

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.

Hal Moran – a wandering (bird) photographer