These are some snapshots of various bugs in my yard.  

• Fly covered with pollen
• Fly on Daisy
• Long-Legged Fly
• Bee on Cone Flower
• Black Swallowtail larva
• Black Swallowtail larvae on parsley
• Eight-Spotted Forester larva   (This guy's head is at the top left.)

 

Anyone know what butterfly or moth belongs to this caterpillar?  It's on my flat leaf parsley and isn't in my books.

Unknown Caterpillar

I have a question for you all.  What techniques / tricks do you use when shooting against a very bright background?

These are snapshots from a recent visit to the Butterfly Center at Rieman Gardens, Ames IA.  These are tropical butterflies so I need help with the names.

• Butterfly 03
• Butterfly 01
• Butterfly 07
• Butterfly 08
• Looks like a B52 prototype

 Next shots of a huge moth (Atlas Moth).  Wing span of 8" to 11.5".

• Moth View 1
• Moth View 2

 

The shallow pond catches the sun's warmth which when combined with the cool morning air make for a lovely view at breakfast.

Morning Mist

Here are a few of the birds that visit my backyard.  Almost all of these photos taken in deep shade at ISO 800 which makes them a bit grainy.  Suggestion for improvement very welcome.

1. Gold Finch 1
2. Gold Finches (she always has the last word)
3. Doves
4. Mallard Ducks
5. House Wren

• I'm fascinated by the handle and colors of this planter but am not sure about the composition.  What do you think?
• Handle_01
• Handle_02
• Handle_03

• Dogwood Petal_03
• Dogwood Petal_02
• Dogwood Petal_01

Experiments with telephoto lens as close-up lens.  Not sure about the outcome.  Last two are petals floating in bowl of water.

It's smaller than a bread box ... What is it?

Give up?  ... Answer

... SAFE at 2nd!!!  Baseball Gamme (and I have trouble with spelling)

This is my first effort at a collage.  It was fun but I need some constructive criticism.  Thanks, sdgt

• Someone put out oranges for me! Orioles_09 
• Very good oranges at that!  Oriole fledgling 2 
• Beat it kid!  Orioles_03 
• This my table!  Orioles_05 
• Maybe he won't notice me...Orioles_08 
• Wrong!!! Orioles_04 
• I'm leaving!  Orioles_06 

Here's a larger view of the photo - hope it's a better size.  Crater Lake (larger version) 

I interrupted this dove trying to get its feathers in order before starting the day.
Dove

... high water at the swimming hole Rain 1 and puddles on the deck Rain 2, the lawn Rain 3, the flower bed Rain 4, and ICE! Rain 5
This was a busy day.

There are few things better than a warm kitchen smelling of fresh raisin bread with orange marmalade  ~~Bread and jam

~~Marble on white surface  Marble_01
~~Marble on CD  Marble_2