Hover Mating

It takes patience and timing to successfully photograph a macro of a hover fly, especially while landed.  Multiply the odds to actually catch two mating.  I don't think I've shared this photo yet. I photographed this in 2010.

About 6,000 species in 200 genera have been described. Hoverflies are common throughout the world and can be found on all continents except Antarctica. Hoverflies are harmless to most other animals, despite their mimicry of stinging wasps and bees, a mimicry which serves to ward off predators.

Photo # 101016_KS10183.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

 

"Peaceful Motion"...

"Peaceful Motion"

A Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) hovers briefly as if to give a graceful gesture.

Central Arkansas, November, 2020.
Photo # K01_9233_00001bw1.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

Red-winged Flight

 "Red-winged Flight"

One look at this photograph and it's apparent that you're looking at a flock of red-winged blackbirds. It's amazing that this quantity of birds can fly without hurting each other.

Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas, 2008.
Photo # 8113_KS10200.
(c) Kelly Shipp

 "Golden Leaves"

Each leaf has it's own story. Each leaf is unique.
This photograph was taken on the forest floor, central Arkansas.
Nothing was posed in this photograph.

Photo # K01_8059_00001bws.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography

 

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Sometimes the sun and clouds can mix to become something anew.
This panorama shows the beauty at sunset over Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas.
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Photo # KSA_6827-31.<BR>
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Crescent Wings"...

The Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) butterfly has small white crescent moon on the underside of the fore wing, as seen in this photograph. Another identifier is each black-and-white banded antenna ends in an orange club or ball. Their wing span is about 1-1/4 inches.

Photo # K01_7766_00001.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

"Abandoned Dress"

 

Inside the central hall closet of an abandoned homestead hangs this dress. Notice the design of the wallpaper. My great-grandfather helped build a nearby store for the ladies that lived in this house. As typical of the early 1900's, the largest room in this house was the kitchen.

Lafayette county, southwest Arkansas.
Photo # IM3_9023a.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography