"Flourish"...

This is from a collection of wildflower photographs I took in 2005.

(c) Kelly Shipp Photography
Photo # DSC_0123bwc

"Blue Cosmos"...

If you slow down, nature may just surprise you with beauty in the smallest of worlds. This small plant, mostly underwater, looks as if it were it's own underwater nebula. It appears to be surrounded by sticks, which are actually reflections of branches above the water from surrounding trees. Nature surrounds us with beauty, if we just stop and look with open eyes.
I challenge you to look at this photograph from across the room. The different perspectives are very interesting. Hope you enjoy.

Location: Bell Slough WMA, Mayflower, Arkansas. 2013.
Photo # IMG_7453a.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Tranquil Reflections"...

Tranquil is often defined as 'free from disturbance' by waves. This can also be said for the purpose of our Wildlife Management Areas. I'm so glad we have these lands protected.

Location: Bell Slough Wildlife Management Area,Mayflower, Arkansas. March, 2013.
Photo # IMG_7201-15ah1bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Winter at Lake Bailey"...

Location: Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas. February, 2013.
Photo # IMG_7026-7030abw1.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Hidden Gems"...

For those who explore, you appreciate the value of finding hidden gems off the beaten path. This is one of those. These wildflowers were blooming far off the trail. Even the insect was shy in this photograph. Hope you enjoy.

Location: Woolly Hollow State Park, Arkansas. March, 2016.
Photo # KS8_7681s.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Porsche GT3RS Sketched"...

A digital sketch from one of my photos of this awesome Porsche GT3RS. This baby's got back.

Porsche Palooza 2017.
Photo # KSA_1245bwnpw_dshk.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Porsche Contours"...

Porsche design is often underappreciated. As light changes, so does the lines and shapes that appear.

Photo # KSA_1270-4bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Music filled the Room"...

A Harrington, Upright Grand piano is about all that remains in his auditorium of the Carden Bottom school. Built in the 1930's, this school has many stories that could be told, and sung.

As I was shooting this panorama, I did hear what seemed like footsteps around me and down the hallway. I wonder if the ghosts were waiting for me to leave so they could play the piano in secret...

About the piano: The E.G. Harrington Piano Company was established in 1871 in New York City and continued to build Harrington pianos until the 1960's.

Central Arkansas. January, 2013.
Photo # IMG_6249-55hbws.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Leaf in the Rain"...

Photo # KSA_8608bws.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Essence"...

For some, the essence is the beauty that surrounds us. For others, it may be the light that shines within us. Here is to your light that shines.

Dogwood Bloom, April, 2018.
Photo # KSA_8719bwc.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Nature's Christmas Lights"...

Viewing the world at a macro level reveals miniature details that we pass by unknowingly.

Unknown small, wild reeds.
Photo # K01_1514bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Turbo Contrast"...

Porsche 996 Turbo in black-and-white.
Porsche Palooza 2017.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Winter Streams"...

Woolly Hollow State Park, Arkansas. February, 2010.
Photo # 10210_KS10291bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"The Angel of Spring"...

A female Spring Azure (Celastrina argiolus), as known as a common blue or holly blue. With a wingspan of about 1-inch, it is one of the earliest butterflies to emerge, sometimes appearing even when snow is still on the ground. There are two or more generations per year.

Photo # K01_0982bw2. June, 2018.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Suspended"...

The way the light was falling on the smaller, growing tree lends itself it appear as if it were suspended in mid-air. In nature, you can stand out from the crowd. You don't have to be the tallest, fastest, largest, richest. All you need is light and you can shine brighter than the rest.

Photo # IM5_4634-35bw. July 28, 2018.
Location: Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Quiet Moments"...

Often when we are in a special place, we feel the need to pause in silence. We may do this for reasons of respect or as if we might hear voices or sounds from the past. This was one of those moments where I paused. I was inside a relatives homestead, photographing a family room arguably preserved since the 1960's. I photographed the room as is, using the natural sunlight coming from the window. Every detail in the photograph could tell a story, down to the letters on the TV.
Comments welcome.

Location: private residence near Hope, Arkansas.
Photo # IM5_0032bw. January, 2015.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Spring Near and Far"...

The juxtaposition of the branches and moon caught my attention. I found the spring blooms of this tree jewel-like in black-and-white, as if in silver. This is one of the prints that I often struggle with sharing since it's a little off from my usual perspectives and subjects. Hope you enjoy.

Photo # IM3_6890bw. April, 2014.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Simplicity"...

Location: Lake Conway, Conway, Arkansas.
Photo # IM3_6275bws.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

Style is everything...

A blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) pauses after a bird bath, surely enjoying a temporary, new hairstyle.

Location: central Arkansas. July, 2012.
Photo # KS1_3775a.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Waiting to Attack"...

A likely immature, female yellow fly sits in waiting for movement.
Identification between the species of Yellow, Deer and Horse flies is daunting. There are many variances in size, body color, hair, wing markings, antenna length, eye separation (females have a larger space between the eyes, etc. For example, there are over 250 species of deer and horse flies.

Horse flies (Tabanus), about 1/2" to 1.25" in length, often have dark bodies and darkly colored wings. Yellow/Deer flies (Chrysops), which are often smaller, about 1/4" in length - about the size of a house fly, have transparent wings dark lines or bands.

While they are similar looking, they do have differences. Deer fly, for example, has wings that are A-shaped whereas horse flies have wings that fold straight back when at rest. Horse flies also tend to be slightly larger with bigger eyes and a slightly wider body.

The yellow fly is a fierce biter. Like mosquitoes, it is the female fly that is responsible for inflicting a bite. The males are mainly pollen and nectar feeders. Tabanids lie in wait in shady areas under bushes and trees for a host to happen by. Sight is the main host finding mechanism, but carbon dioxide and odor also play a role. Moving objects, especially if dark colored, are most prone to attack.

Deet (diethyl toluamide) and citronella are the more effective repellents.

Photo # K01_1330.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

Ivy, Study I...

Photo # KS9_0465bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Rocking the Groves"...

A male Blue Grosbeak, Passerina caerulea, in non-breeding plumage. You can find these more commonly near water, in streamside thickets and mesquite groves. He and his cinnamon-colored mate often raise two broods of nestlings in a single breeding season.

Location: central Arkansas. May, 2016.
Photo # KS8_9189c.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Cliff Falls"...

Location: Woolly Hollow State Park, Arkansas. March, 2016.
This is actually a deceivingly small waterfall compared to how it appears here. I wanted to compose this as if it were a large waterfall to us humans. If you were a small mammal, this would be a large waterfall. Everything is a matter of perspective. The size of a waterfall shouldn't necessitate how much we should appreciate its beauty.
Photo # KS8_8761bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Natives of the Meadow"...

Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) in non-breeding plumage.
Normally, I would post this in color, but after review, the absense of color adds interest and depth to the image, emphasizing the structure of lines and shapes, both in the bird and grasses. Comments welcome.

Location: Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas.
Photo # KSA_8530bw. Not cropped. April, 2018.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Stream Dance"...

Woolly Hollow State Park, Arkansas. February, 2018.
Photo # KSA_6913_23bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"I can see the forest for the leaves"...

An arrangement of oak leaves on the forest floor reveal yet another forest of trees.

Photo # IM5_4327bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Sunset in the Ouachita Mountains"...

I carefully composed the near-setting sun, Ouachita mountains, farm in the lower-right, with Pine tree details at top-right. Hope you enjoy.

This is one of many views from Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas.
Photo # KSA_6758-60bw. February, 2018.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Blackbird Dimensions"...

Layers of blackbirds fly in front of a canvas of bare trees in winter.

Location: Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas.
Photo # KSA_6549bw2. January, 2018.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Highway to Heaven"...

A cloud begins to open-up, providing an incredible, heavenly view.

Location: Conway, Arkansas.
iPhone photo. Converted to b&w in Photoshop CS5.
Photo # IMG_4431bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Reflection"...

One wonders if creatures also have moments of reflection.

White-tailed buck with velvet-covered antlers, central Arkansas, private land.
Photo # KSA_0614-15bw. August, 2017.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Nurture"...

After an April rain, large rain drops remain on blooming petals. Mother Nature nurtures us in many ways.

Photo # KSA_8618.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Peaceful Transitions"...

Waterfalls have this uncanny ability to provide a peaceful escape from a world of overbusy activity. Time stands still. You can breathe. You can begin to think clearly again. Here's to you finding your waterfall.

Cornelius Falls, located in central Arkansas, is 49 feet tall.
January, 2015.
Photo # KS6_6461-4-8hbws.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Birds of a Feather"...

These sibling, Juvenile Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) could not have posed for me any better than this. This is one of those moments that makes all the patience and respect pay off. These two siblings spent most of the day staying in the shade and sharing food.

Location: central Arkansas. September, 2013.
Photo # KS3_2493.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"1952 Grill Design"...

Rarely do we stop to appreciate the simple designs from eras gone by. Here's the impressive grill of a 1952 Ford "Big Job" F-7 truck.

Truck: 1952 Ford "Big Job" F-7.
Photo # IM3_4004bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Barn on the Hill"...

Location: central Arkansas.
Photo # IM3_3812abw. August, 2013.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Closed Door"...

A dogtrot homestead, also known as a 'breezeway', was common in the late 1800's and early 1900's. One side was generally used for dining and cooking, while the other side were bedrooms. This homestead was built in 1913. It only had one chimney in the right-front room, whereas the left-front had a stove pipe in the ceiling, likely for a stove in the center of that room. The right side has three rooms, whereas the left side had one large and one small, which suggests the left side was the cooking/dining areas.

Location: central Arkansas. August, 2013.
Photo # IM3_3474-82hdr2bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Solar Twilight"...

Photo # IM3_3557bwa. August, 2013.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"White Horse"...

Photo # IM3_3678bw. August, 2013.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Standing out from the Crowd"...

It takes courage to stand out from the crowd, especially when the consensus says to fit in. In this photograph, the oak stands naked, without leaves, yet displays beautiful light and lines among the surrounding crowds of trees. Let your light shine.

Location: Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas. February, 2018.
Photo # KSA_6738bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Explore"...

Not all classrooms have four walls. Explore.

Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas.
Photo # IM5_4467bws.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

Porsche in b&w...

Porsche 996 Turbo in a black-and-white, quiet-beast pose.
Photo # KSA_0855-63bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Returning Home"...

A Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) spouse returns home, but this time no catch-of-the-day. The spouse awaiting the return seems a bit excited - whether it's excitement that the spouse has returned or bothered that they didn't stop at the grocery store. This pair of eagles have three chicks on the nest. It may look like two in this photograph, but there are three in the nest.

Location: north-central Arkansas. I'd rather not disclose the location for the safety of the nest.
Photo # KSA_8422c. April, 2018.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"The Broom Maker"...

Thirty-five years ago, I was walking around taking photographs at the Jonquil Festival in Historic Washington State Park, Arkansas. This was one of those photographs that stuck with me over the years. The boy in the photography caught my attention , wearing overhauls and looking up to the broom maker in wonderment. The boys' hands couldn't be still from his interest and curiosity.

Historic Washington State Park, Arkansas.
1983. Original in color film.
Photo # JonquilFestival1983bw2c.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Turn and dive"...

The adult male Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) a.k.a. Marsh Hawk is often referred to as the 'grey ghost'. Adult males are grey above, nearly white below with black wingtips and black-tipped secondaries. Males are rarely seen compared to females. Females are light brown. Nothern Harriers have a flat, owl-like face and have a white rump patch that is obvious in flight. Conservation suggests that their numbers are declining in North America. Wingspan approx. 4 feet.

Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas.
Photo # KSA_7835c.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"39 Cents"...

From a time when some things were measured in cents, not dollars.

Photo # IM3_6450bws.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Cascades"...

Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas.

Photo # 200711_KS10097.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Sparrow in the Snow"...

I found the juxtaposition of the brush and twigs the appearance of trees in snow with the sparrow deciding which path to take.

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).
Photo # 1028_KS10209bw. February, 2010.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Gliding the Field"...

A Marsh Hawk (Northern Harrier) glides across a field. This particular posture in flight is rare for this raptor: flat as saucer, slicing through the air effortlessly.

Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas. January, 2013.
Photo # KS2_6447bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

"Root of Time"...

A long exposure of cascading water over an exposed root shows the strength of diversity of roots.

Woolly Hollow State Park, Arkansas. February, 2018.
Photo # KSA_6926bws1.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Patterns in Nature, Study I"...

Nature's arrangement of these oak leaves on the forest floor create an interesting array of patterns.

Photo # IM5_4260bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.