Fall friends

Male Eastern Bluebird 

"Myrtle" variety Yellow Rumped Warbler

Why is it so easy to capture a Turkey Vulture soaring and so hard to capture a Bald eagle???

While enjoying a warm fall day walk, this Praying Mantis flew by me and landed nearby.  I thought it was unique how he positioned his front legs stretched out instead of the usual praying position.  I am assuming it was to fool his prey.

A Monarch enjoying nectar from the asters.

I found this Bluebird in the early morning light searching for bugs along the beach.

An Eastern Phoebe, a member of the flycatcher family of birds.

Botanical Garden Treasurers

I took these photos on my annual fall trip to the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis.  Like much of the mid and south west, it was a long, hot summer there.  Many of the plants were stressed and were not at their best.  For a different take on the flowers, I played with closeup rather than the whole flower.  Many of the flowers had damaged petals or ones that did not open to their usual splendor.  Hope you enjoy seeing the beautiful colors.

A red Dahlia with white petal tips.  These were softball sized blooms.

A huge spiked petal Dahlia that was dinner plate size.

This tropical plant was called a hanging lantern.  Very appropriate name and a lovely flower.

A Toad Lily bloom and bud.

A water Lily.

This was a newly hatched Dragonfly that I happen to find along one of the water lily ponds.

The next two photos caught me by surprise.  They are both in complete color, no photo tricks applied.  I had not expected the flower to appear in color and seem like it was in a black and white background.  Loved the effect, and it was just a product of the lighting and the dark foliage of the lilies.  Hope you enjoy.