Last week I held a nature photography contest on Fine Art America. I got to see a variety of unique and inspiring nature photos from photographers around the world, and judging was a good exercise in critical analysis. There were 174 entries, so it was a challenge to narrow them down to only three. As a simple prize, the top three winners are featured here this week. ...
What’s a Weevil?
Insects and bugs are so numerous that I shouldn't be surprised to keep finding new ones without leaving the backyard. Yesterday, that new bug was a weevil. So, what's a weevil? ...
Out Came the Flies
Flies have a tendency to be annoying, so one way I've found to keep them away is by trying to photograph them. Unfortunately, not even that works all the time. Here's a look at some of the flies I've come across in the past month.VIEW
Owyhee Dam: A Brief Tour
Farming has long been a way of life for many people in eastern Oregon, and that means access to irrigation water is vital. It was for this purpose that Owyhee Dam was constructed on the Owyhee River in 1928 (completed in 1932), and it now services over 100,000 acres of farmland in the surrounding region, including part of southern Idaho. ...
Spring and Tulips
These flowers were blooming in the yard, but I had no idea what kind they were. Unsurprisingly, it didn't take long to look them up because of their distinctive coloring. VIEW
Long-Jawed Orb Weaver
The long-jawed orb weaver isn't the most colorful spider out there, but it has a unique shape and a pretty wild design on its abdomen. For as creepy as they may appear, they're essentially harmless (assuming you're not a bug).VIEW
The Snow is Leaving
These leaves were in the last of the melting snow - a reminder of how quickly seasons come and go.VIEW






