"The American West"
For scale, you can see a person near center of the photograph, facing left with her arms open.
This is named John Ford's Point from the famous film director John Ford, with his western cinematography and panoramic views. This is a dramatic, panoramic view across Monument Valley’s open plain and sandstone silhouettes where you can absorb the valley’s scale and composition.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona.
Photo # K04_4025-26nsbws.
"In Sheep's Clothing"
I couldn't resist capturing this humorous, almost innocent pose by this Praying Mantis.
Central Arkansas, 2014.
Photo # KS6_3371a.
(c) Kelly Shipp
What I enjoy most about this photograph is the wispy veil of clouds that sweep diagonally across this scene. Most of you may recognize this tree, as it is the winning photograph of the Ron Howard film. I'm glad I have many photographs of this tree as lightning struck this several years ago.
Bigelow, Arkansas. Infrared photograph.
Photo # IM3_8028-30abw.
(c) Kelly Shipp
Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas.
Photo # IM5_2853abw.
(c) Kelly Shipp
Normally, we think of blue jays as vibrant and loud with bold personalities. What I like about this photograph, is the blue jay is pausing for a quiet moment, as if reflecting.
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), central Arkansas.
Photo # KS1_3446a.
(c) Kelly Shipp
Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas.
Photo # IM5_4560-63bwa.
(c) Kelly Shipp
The peace of viewing and hearing a forest of trees.
Lake Catherine State Park, Arkansas.
Photo # F2509726-35bw2
Hey, these tracks weren't here when I came through the first time...
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) in the snow, 2021. Central Arkansas.
Photo # K02_3932-3acbw.
(c) Kelly Shipp
The Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is often known as the most ecologically essential natural forest regenerator. It has a white underside as compared to the brownish-orange underside of the fox squirrel. This particular photo captures it eating a fresh twig from a red-tipped holly tree.
What I like particularly about this photograph is the detail in the underside of the front foot. You can see the pads which allow for it to have a tremendous grip as it traverses the trees.
Near Conway, Arkansas.
Photo # K09_5449c.
(c) Kelly Shipp
An adult Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii) pauses on a tree branch while hunting birds. This bird is often referred to as a "medium-sized hawk", but in my opinion, it's a small hawk, especially relative to the general raptor species. This hawk is about 16" long with a wingspan of about 30" (varies by gender). It was commonly known to be placed in the genus Accipiter, which are generally your woodland hawks who mostly hunt on the wing.
Interesting fact: Dashing through vegetation to catch birds is a dangerous lifestyle. In a study of more than 300 Cooper’s Hawk skeletons, 23 percent showed old, healed-over fractures in the chest bones, especially the wishbone.
This is likely an adult female.
Near Conway, Arkansas.
Photo # K09_5403c.
(c) Kelly Shipp
While the sunlight leaks through the canopy and highlights the leaves, the reflections in the water compete with the rocks appearing under the water. The result is quite a storm of reflections, while the large rock near center provides stability.
Lake Catherine State Park, Arkansas.
Photo # F2509677bw2.
(c) Kelly Shipp
Morning fog and sunlight, February, 2026.
Central Arkansas.
Photo # P1050609bw.
(c) Kelly Shipp
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