Hanging Thief Robber Fly lurking in the zinnias.
#macrophotography #insectphotography #photography #naturephotography #insects #robberflies #diogmites

IR photo, Hetzler Cemetery, Bureau County, Illinois, July 2025
#landscapephotography #photography #cemteries #oldcemeteries #illinoisprairie #infrared #infraredphotography #naturephotography #landscape

Pugnacious Leaf Cutter Bee on Oxeye False Sunflower, Northern Illinois
#insects #macrophotography #insectphotography #bees #hymenoptera #megachile #leafcutterbee #photography #nativebees #naturephotography #pollinators

We are living in the Sharpie Epoch.

We live now in the Sharpie Epoch.

They are, and thank you.

Brown Belted Bumblebee on Oxeye False Sunflower
#macrophotography #bumblebees #hymenoptera #naturephotography #nature #photography #pollinators

love in the afternoon
Tawny Edged Skippers
Northern Illinois
#naturephotography #photography #lepidoptera #insects #insectphotography

zinnia psychedelia
#macrophotography #photography #flowers #gardening #naturephotography #psychedelic #zinnia

It's one of those "Never forget." things that most folks seem oblivious to. I was in junior high when I first read the book by John Hersey. Growing up with fallout shelters, the Cuban Missile Crisis and 'duck and cover' drills made it all the more real.
#hiroshima #thebomb #nuclearwar #worldwarII

Lets not forget "Testament" with Jane Alexander. The scene where she is silently stitching the shroud around her daughter's body. We could periodically use such reminders. Some world leaders moreso.

Cicada Killer Wasps seemed a bit more abundant at this particular location this year but somewhat smaller as well.
Dixon Waterfowl Refuge, Putnam County, Illinois.
#CicadaKiller #wasp #hymenoptera #insects #insectphotography #Nikon

a ways away
Matthiessen State Park, Illinois
#sunflowers #sunflowerfield #landscape #photography #landscapephotography #Olympus #MatthiessenStatePark

Any way we look at it I'd bet money Sydney really loves the attention.

Widow Skimmer in the garden
#dragonfly #dragonflies #insects #photography #insectphotography

Ready to rise.

It was by some odd miracle of AM radio wave transmission back around 1976 in LaSalle County IL when I was driving home very late one night my car radio picked up a signal from WHAM in Rochester NY. The music was haunting, soothing, beautiful.

Somehow I remembered the artist and title and jotted it down when I arrived home. Later on I managed to find the album in a record store (many more were around back then) and brought it home. Bellavia. Changed my listening forever.
Thank you and RIP, Chuck Mangione.
www.google.com/search?q=bel...

Since cats rely largely on their profound olfactory sense it makes me wonder just exactly this kitty is sniffing out. 🤔

Sure. Now that Master Laundress Bondi has had her opportunity to whitewash everything.

'Robo-Bunnies' Are the Newest Weapon in the Fight Against Invasive Burmese Pythons in Florida Scientists are experimenting with robotic rabbits in hopes of luring the destructive snakes out of hiding so they can be euthanized

I did not know this. Pretty cool, if it actually works.
My only question is: what exactly constitutes "humanely" when it comes to euthanizing a python?
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/r...

Native American teens kayak major US river to celebrate removal of dams and return of salmon A group of several dozen Indigenous youth from across the Klamath Basin recently emerged victorious after a month-long journey paddling the Klamath River.

Congratulations to the fine young native people who completed this celebratory journey and everything it represents.
apnews.com/article/nati...

Gee, I sure hope he doesn't end up with bone spurs in his hand from signing all those letters.

It would be good to see the word 'biosphere' being used more frequently in media as it applies to our planet. It is a concept well worth introducing in primary education as well.

Maybe I'm a bit old fashioned, but I think we need another new political party called the Control Alt Delete Party.

the "Big Beautiful Bill"... makeup, costume and styling by GOP.

Jagged Ambush Bug lurking in the Bee Balm.
#macro #macrophotography #insects #ambushbug #nature #naturephotography

So where are the humanoid officials to blow the calls?

Itsy bitsy spider climbed up the bee hotel. Checked in a bamboo room to catch an easy meal.
Bold Jumping Spider, Northern Illinois.
#macrophotography #arachnid #naturephotography #spiders

Thank goodness for Elizabeth MacDonough, Senate Parliamentarian.