"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.