"Ladybird on Take-off"...

Known as Ladybirds in most of the world, but often 'ladybugs' in North America, entomologists in the United States widely prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles as these insects are not true bugs. The Coccinellidae are a family of small beetles and are considered useful insects, because many species feed on aphids insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields and orchards.

Their wing shells (Elytra) are often confused with being actual wings. Worldwide, there are over 5,000 known species, varying in color and spots. Spots are not always present.

Location: central Arkansas. May/2008.
Photo # _KS10095-96.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Garage-Wrecker Service"...

Imagine the stories told in this vintage Dodge as they rescued stranded motorists. This photographs speaks a lot of vintage, from the solitary weeds in the foreground, to the faded sign, and even the vintage light at the top-corner of the building.
Comments welcome.

Location: Paul Russell Garage-Wrecker Service, Morrilton, Arkansas.
Photo # IM3_8348-56bwc. October, 2014.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Champ de Porsche"...

Cloud reflections on this antique Porsche 356 hood are quite mesmerizing. If you study this photograph, you'll see German design from decades ago, but for some, if you view this from across the room, you'll see a striking resemblance to the Eiffel Tower, Paris at night. You can also see a big smiley face. Hope you enjoy. Comments welcome.

Porsche 356 hood.
Photo # KS3_4086cbw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

If you're going to make a splash, make some noise!...

This Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) shows us how to have fun. Don't hold back. Be yourself or don't be yourself. Hold back or let go. It's your choice, but when you're done, how do you want to remember it?

Location: central Arkansas. September, 2013.
Photo # KS3_2570-71c.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

Nature's Masquerade...

This particular species of female, Hover fly (Spilomyia longicornis) even has eye pigment which enhances the wasp-like appearance to mimic the yellow jacket. Hoverflies often called flower flies or syrphid flies, are true flies with only one pair of wings. As their name implies are often seen hovering near flowers. Hoverflies are common throughout the world, with over 6,000 known species, varying lengths from 5-20mm. Despite it masquerading as a wasp or bee, the hoverfly is harmless. They do not bite or sting. Hoverflies imitate so far as to even mimic the stinging action of a wasp by pushing the tip of the abdomen into your fingers if they are held.
This particular hover fly really caught my attention because of its yellow eyes - very rare in the hoverfly species I've generally photographed.

Flower: New England Aster.
Location: Conway, AR. October, 2008.
Photo # _KS10055.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

The Art of Simplicity...

Nature has many combinations of beauty, but we have to open not only our eyes but our hearts to truely appreciate what we have. Sometimes it's simply the sun breaking through a heavy fog, sometimes it's being near still water with perfect reflections, sometimes it's appreciating simple objects in nature, but what if all of this happened at once? This experience is just what you see in this photograph. You see wild reeds and their perfect reflections, along with the perfect reflection of the sun breaking through heavy fog in motion across the lake.

This is another photograph which looks different up-close versus viewing from across the room. Hope you enjoy. Comments welcome.

Location: Woolly Hollow State Park, Arkansas. February, 2012.
Photo # IMG_1517c.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

Divided...

When looking closely at this stream, beauty can be seen in the variety of waterfalls, regardless of their shape, speed, width, height, color or texture. Nature doesn't judge. Do we have more to learn from nature?

Obviously, there are more metaphors to be learned from this photograph, especially with the large rock centered, dividing the stream. I hope you enjoy. Comments welcome.

Location: Woolly Hollow State Park, Arkansas. March/2010.
Photo # _KS10094-98bws.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

Curves Ahead...

For some, curves are obstacles. For others, curves are FUN! Some want to brake in curves, while those who race know that's very dangerous. If you race, you know to accelerate in curves. When life throws you a curve, remember it's just a road. It changes. You can change with it.

Location: Perry County, Arkansas.
Photo # IM3_7977-81abwc.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

Female Flair...

The female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) rarely gets the spotlight in media. The adult male is a brilliant crimson red color, whereas the female has mostly grayish-brown tones and a slight reddish tint on the wings, the crest, and the tail feathers. Both sexes possess prominent raised crests and bright coral-colored beaks. The iris of the eye is brown.
The Northern Cardinal is the state bird of seven states, more than any other species.

Location: central Arkansas. Jan/2014.
Photo # KS4_4120c2.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.