2021 Photo Contest – Fauna with Flora (non-pollinator wildlife with native plants)
"Queen of Prairie and Turks Cap Lilies" by Dean Paulus
Image ID: 6282
Plant(s): Queen of Prairie & Turks cap lilies
Photo Story: Our back yard
Equipment: I-phone
Photographer: Dean Paulus
Location: 1806 Marion act our back yard
Chapter: Greater DuPage
"Red Milkweed Beetle on Common Milkweed" by Catherine Perrin
Image ID: 6285
Plant(s): Red Milkweed Beetle on Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Photo Story: While recovering from foot surgery, I was sitting next to the milkweed plants, waiting for a Monarch butterfly to come my way. Instead, I found this adorable Red Milkweed Beetle waving his antenna at me.
Equipment: Just my cell phone, a Galaxy J7 Crown android
Photographer: Catherine Perrin
Location: in my backyard in Highland, Indiana
Chapter: Gibson Woods
"Frog by the water feature" by Jane Slade
Image ID: 6296
Plant(s): Northern Leopard frog
Photo Story: This frog loves photo-ops. He sat by the water's edge as I lay on the ground getting a few shots on this beautiful day.
Equipment: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810
Photographer: Jane Slade
Location: At the water feature in my Bay-wise certified backyard
Chapter: Partner At Large
"Green Tree Frog on Joe Pye" by Ed Buchs
Image ID: 6365
Plant(s): Common Name - Joe Pye Weed. Scientific - Eutrochium purpureum
Frog is the Tree Frog -
Photo Story: While walking through my native gardens I spotted this tree frog on the Joe Pye Weed. That is when I took this picture. The Frog's stance made me think it was contemplating the beauty of the Joe Pye Weed Flowers. However, I suspect lunch was the primary motivator. A pollinating bee is also seen exiting the area though it cannot be identified. .
Equipment: Canon 80D DSL Camera - Software used was "Capture One"
Photographer: Ed Buchs
Location: Bloomfield Township - Walworth County, WI
Chapter: Kettle Moraine
"Can’t see me now." by Jack Hambene
Image ID: 6494
Plant(s): Grey Tree Frog
Photo Story: Ran across this little guy while removing invasive plants in Kennedy Forest, Forest Park.
Equipment: I phone
Photographer: Jack Hambene
Location: Forest Park
Chapter: St. Louis
"Orange Raiders" by Arlene Kjar
Image ID: 6513
Plant(s): The Large Milkweed Bug Oncopeltus fasciatus is feeding on the seeds of the Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca.
Photo Story: I liked this photo for the color of the milkweed bug is so striking against the browns or the curled leaves of the milkweed. It is interesting how they work together to feed on the seeds of the milkweed.
Equipment: Kodak EasyShare Z1015 IS
Photographer: Arlene Kjar
Location: It was taken in my flower garden.
Chapter: Northfield Prairie Partners
"Butterflies in search of Karner Blue" by Peter Valitchka
Image ID: 6520
Plant(s): USDA Fish & Wildlife led a private tour completing a Karner Blue survey. Fritillary on Bee Balm in new prairie that was an old Scotch & Red Pine plantation.
Photo Story: Karner Blue Butterfly survey; USDA Fish & Wildlife had asked us to help conduct a Karner Blue butterfly count on Monday, June 19th, 2021. We found 95 Karner Blues and was able to see several other butterflies with the Fritillary butterfly. Field was full of Bee Balm, Lupine, Black-eyed Susans, Bluestem grass, Side-oats Gramma. Great day to view a native prairie planting.
Equipment: Iphone 12.
Photographer: Peter Valitchka
Location: Near Plainfield, Wi On new prairie habitat
Chapter: Partner At Large
"Hummingbird Clearwing" by Lee Hanson
Image ID: 6521
Plant(s): Bee Baum, Hummingbird Clearwing moth
Photo Story: Out in the garden and saw this big bee, wasp, moth, butterfly? Grabbed the camera and this is what I got.
Equipment: Canon t6i w/ Sigma 18-250.
Photographer: Lee Hanson
Location: My garden in Duluth
Chapter: Arrowhead
"Female Red-winged Blackbird" by Joseph Eichers
Image ID: 6530
Plant(s): Female Red-winged Blackbird
Photo Story: Hiking at Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve
Equipment: Canon 80D Sigma 150-600mm lens
Photographer: Joseph Eichers
Location: Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve
Chapter: Partner At Large
"Yellow Warbler" by Joseph Eichers
Image ID: 6531
Plant(s): Yellow Warbler
Photo Story: Hiking at Lions Den Nature Preserve
Equipment: Canon 80D Sigma 150-600mm lens
Photographer: Joseph Eichers
Location: Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve
Chapter: Partner At Large
"Grey Tree frog on Rudbekia" by Sherri Brom
Image ID: 6657
Plant(s): Black-eyed Susan (Rudbekia fulgida) with Grey Tree Frog
Photo Story: I have a large area by the side of my house with black-Eyed Susans and Purple Coneflowers. I typically walk around my house several times a day to see what pollinators or other wildlife might be enjoying my native plants. I saw this cute frog and had to take his picture.
Equipment: Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Camera
Photographer: Sherri Brom
Location: 7410 Fairbrother Lane
Chapter: River City-Grand Rapids Area
"A Bird's Breakfast" by Thomas Torkelson
Image ID: 6658
Plant(s): Prunus virginiana/Chokecherry with a juvenile Turdus migratorius/robin eating the ripe chokecherries.
Photo Story: My wife noticed a lot of activity in the chokecherry shrub one morning, so we grabbed two chairs, a camera, a pair of binoculars and a bird identification book. We spent a very delightful hour enjoying the visitors. The most frequent was a clutch of juvenile robins, practicing their balancing skills while stretching above or below their perch to get at the berries.
Equipment: Sony RX10 Mk IV
Photographer: Thomas Torkelson
Location: In the backyard of our home in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Chapter: Prairie Edge
"The Hungry Catepillar" by Sherri Brom
Image ID: 6659
Plant(s): Common Milkweed plant (Asclepias syriaca) with a Monarch catepillar eating it's leaves.
Photo Story: We have 14 acres and tons of common milkweed. I'm always checking for catepillars and this one was busy eating so I snapped a pic
Equipment: Iphone XR camera
Photographer: Sherri Brom
Location: 7410 Fairbrother Lane
Chapter: River City-Grand Rapids Area
"About to Pupate" by Shannon Zabko
Image ID: 6684
Plant(s): Butterfly Weed (Asclepsia tuberosa)
Monarch Caterpillar
Photo Story: I planted this butterfly weed last summer and it transplanted well. I was excited to see it return in 2021 and watching for Monarch eggs. This morning we went for a walk. I was picking up a free mesh butterfly house from a generous neighbor in preparation for eggs. While coming back into our yard I spotted this guy near pupation that had hidden from me all along! Good timing. I will protect him and feed him milkweed until it’s time to fly.
Equipment: IPhone 7
Photographer: Shannon Zabko
Location: My yard
Chapter: Southeastern Pennsylvania
"Better than Wood" by Jennifer Kubicki
Image ID: 6693
Plant(s): Monarda fistulosa & Carpenter Bee
Photo Story: These bees have been regular visitors to both the back and front yards, and I'm assuming they are a Carpenter Bees. Although these plants and their visitors are very close to the house, we have been fortunate that there have been no reports of swarming or stinging by any bee pollinator, so I felt confident getting up close and personal to these photos. Wild Bergamot is a great subject to photo and is interesting out of peak flowering, sporting a geometric pattern as the petals begin to fall.
Equipment: Android - Note 9 phone camera
Photographer: Jennifer Kubicki
Location: Front Yard on Monarda Flowers
Chapter: Columbus
"Camoulflage Cap" by Jennifer Kubicki
Image ID: 6695
Plant(s): Male Goldfinch & Brown-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba)
Photo Story: I thought it was interesting the way this male goldfinch really blended in with the Rudbeckia triloba. It seems that many birds have evolved to mimic their favorite food sources.
Equipment: Cannon 7D & Tamron Telephoto Lens
Photographer: Jennifer Kubicki
Location: In the Back of my home
Chapter: Columbus
"Bumbled" by David Pilcher
Image ID: 6718
Plant(s): Bombus Pensylvanicus
Photo Story: Close enough
Equipment: iPhone
Photographer: David Pilcher
Location: Lexington back yard
Chapter: Lexington
"Lacewing fountain" by Jack Hambene
Image ID: 6731
Plant(s): Lacewing eggs on Swamp Milkweed
Photo Story: While searching for Monarch larva, I discovered these lacewing eggs
Equipment: I phone
Photographer: Jack Hambene
Location: Personal residence
Chapter: St. Louis
"I've Been Waiting for You" by Betty Struckhoff
Image ID: 6767
Plant(s): Sweet Coneflower (Rudbeckia Submentosa), Praying Mantis
Photo Story: Easy to find these guys on all kinds of natives in late summer.
Equipment: Canon Power Shot
Photographer: Betty Struckhoff
Location: Des Peres MO
Chapter: St. Louis
"Katydid a Wild Petunia" by Betty Struckhoff
Image ID: 6770
Plant(s): Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis) and Katydid nymph
Photo Story: When looking for bees to photograph for a local University study, I kept finding other life that continually amazed me. I will always stroll around and look at my flowers now.
Equipment: Canon Power Shot
Photographer: Betty Struckhoff
Location: Des Peres MO
Chapter: St. Louis
"Solomons Plume in my yard at home" by Ed Buchs
Image ID: 6781
Plant(s): Solomons Plume - Maianthemum racemosum
Penn Sedge - Carex pensylvanica
Photo Story: Seen walking through my yard in early spring.
Equipment: Canon 80d. Tamron 18-400 lens
Photographer: Ed Buchs
Location: Walworth County - Bloomfield Township
Chapter: Kettle Moraine
"Eastern Amberwing on spent bloom in native shoreline planting" by Cathy Streett
Image ID: 6782
Plant(s): Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera)
Photo Story: This park is home to a small retention pond and there are dragonflies and damselflies all summer long zipping along the shallow water and in the native plantings on the shoreline. This Eastern Amberwing was quietly hunting as they do just enough for me to get a good photo. I love watching the dragonfly action at this nearby park.
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy 5S cell phone
Photographer: Cathy Streett
Location: Birchwood Park Darien, IL
Chapter: West Cook
"Bold Jumping Spider Phidippus audax" by Cathy Streett
Image ID: 6783
Plant(s): Bold Jumping Spider Phidippus audax
Photo Story: I found this Bold Jumping Spider Phidippus audax hanging out among the cup plants and other natives in my backyard rain garden looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner. He could have his pick of insects that are abundant in my native landscape.
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy 5S cellphone
Photographer: Cathy Streett
Location: My backyard rain garden
Chapter: West Cook
"Cactus Menagerie" by Nan Pokerwinski
Image ID: 6807
Plant(s): Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia cespitosa) with assorted small insects (snout beetle, ant, unidentified beetle (possibly false Japanese beetle - Strigoderma arboricola) and something that looks like an orthopteran but might not be.
I'm submitting this in the Fauna with Flora category because I'm unsure whether any of these insects are pollinators.
Photo Story: I shot this photo in a patch of prickly pears down the road from my house. I thought I was only taking a picture of the flower, but when I downloaded the image, I found the collection of insects.
Equipment: Nikon Coolpix P610
Photographer: Nan Pokerwinski
Location: Croton, Michigan
Chapter: River City-Grand Rapids Area
"Imposter" by Nan Pokerwinski
Image ID: 6809
Plant(s): False Japanese Beetle (Strigoderma arboricola) on prickly pear cactus (Opuntia cespitosa)
Photo Story: This beetle was visiting flowers in a prickly pear patch down the road from my home. I have been unable to determine whether it is actually a pollinator, so I'm submitting this photo in the Fauna with Flora category.
Equipment: Nikon Coolpix P610
Photographer: Nan Pokerwinski
Location: Croton, Michigan
Chapter: River City-Grand Rapids Area
"Rory-Williams-Tree Frog on Prairie Dock -2021" by Rory Williams
Image ID: 6824
Plant(s): Prairie Dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum) with a tree frog (Hyla versicolor)
Photo Story: While removing invasives from the SNA this frog jumped on the prairie dock to avoid being stepped on. The frog then froze up and allowed a few quick shots
Equipment: Canon Rebel Xti, Canon Zoom Lens EF 75-300mm
Photographer: Rory Williams
Location: Oshkosh Larsen Prairie SNA
Chapter: Fox Valley Area
"Tulip Poplar Perch of the Red-shouldered Hawk" by Mollie King
Image ID: 6834
Plant(s): Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
Photo Story: The Red-shouldered Hawk depends on trees, where it not only builds its nest but also finds a high-perch from which it can hunt its prey.
Equipment: Canon Powershot SX60 HS
Photographer: Mollie King
Location: Calvert County, Maryland
Chapter: Chesapeake
"Queen butterflies on Liatris ligulistylus" by Jonathan Sakanai
Image ID: 6839
Plant(s): Queen butterflies (Danaus gilippus)
Rocky Mountain Blazing Star (Liatris ligulistylis)
In background:
Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)
Giant sacaton grass (Sporobolus wrightii)
Standing Cypress (Ipomopsis rubra)
Photo Story: I planted a number of Liatris ligulistylus plants in my garden last year hoping to attract more Monarchs. It did attract quite a few Monarchs, but it also has been great in attracting the other milkweed butterfly, Queens. This is the first year I've ever had them in my garden, and they have been hanging around every day for the past several weeks!
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy S10 phone camera
Photographer: Jonathan Sakanai
Location: In my front yard native garden in Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Chapter: Front Range
"Red-eyed vireo" by Thomas Eibergen
Image ID: 6867
Plant(s): Red-eyed vireo
Photo Story: Found a nest. Later I found a bird in the nest.
Equipment: Samsung camera phone
Photographer: Thomas Eibergen
Location: Ortonville, MI
Chapter: Not a Member
"Great-crested Flycatcher on "Pagoda Dogwood"" by Cheryl Lloyd
Image ID: 6876
Plant(s): Cornus alternifolia "Pagoda Dogwood" with Great-crested Flycatcher.
Photo Story: I observed several bird species dinning on my "Pagoda Dogwood" berries as they ripened over a 2 week period. Great-crested Flycatchers repeatedly visited, bringing along their newly fledged young to enjoy those tasty treats.
Equipment: D750 with 500mm lens.
Photographer: Cheryl Lloyd
Location: My yard.
Chapter: Habitat Gardening in Central New York
"Wasp on Rattle Snake Master" by Daniel Cruikshanks
Image ID: 6889
Plant(s): Great Black Wasp on Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium)
Photo Story: During a recent visit to the bird sanctuary, I spotted this large wasp feeding on the Rattlesnake master bloom. It was quite impressive.
Equipment: Nikon D500 with 70-300mm lens
Photographer: Daniel Cruikshanks
Location: Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
Chapter: Kalamazoo Area
"Spider Wasp on Milkweed Bloom" by Daniel Cruikshanks
Image ID: 6891
Plant(s): Butterflyweed (Asclepias) with spider wasp
Photo Story: While taking photos of butterflyweed blooms in the garden, I spotted this little spider wasp feeding on its nectar.
Equipment: Nikon D500 with Nikkor 60mm lens
Photographer: Daniel Cruikshanks
Location: Otsego, MI
Chapter: Kalamazoo Area
"Cranes visit Bonet's Garden" by Bonnie Auxier
Image ID: 6901
Plant(s): Bonnie Auxier
Sand Hill Cranes visiting my backyard perennial/wild plant garden
Photo Story: Many animals come to our bird feeders near the nature preserve in our backyard. Each year the sand hill cranes come with their baby to eat the corn and seed we put out. They just happened to visit the garden this day and I thought it was so cute. So I took a photo of them.
Equipment: Nikon Digital Camera
Photographer: Bonnie Auxier
Location: In my backyard
Chapter: Fox Valley Area
"Monarch-on-coneflower" by Karl Lauger
Image ID: 6910
Plant(s): Monarch butterfly
Purple coneflower
Photo Story: Hard to catch these guys with their wings open long enough to snap a photo, but plenty of chances this summer with the coneflowers in full bloom for almost a month.
Equipment: iPhone 7
Photographer: Karl Lauger
Location: My back yard - Oak Park, IL
Chapter: West Cook
"Basking cyclops" by Ann Petric
Image ID: 6933
Plant(s): Green darner dragonfly, Anax junius on virgin’s bower, Clematis virginiana.
Photo Story: Found totally by accident while walking thru my garden one morning. What a nice surprise!
Equipment: Iphone
Photographer: Ann Petric
Location: My yard
Chapter: West Cook
"Gary-Shackelford-Eastern-Kingbird-eating-dogwood-fruit-2021" by Gary Shackelford
Image ID: 6940
Plant(s): Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
Photo Story: Eastern Kingbird eating the fruit of a pagoda dogwood
Equipment: Nikon D850, 500mm lens
Photographer: Gary Shackelford
Location: Fair Meadows SNA, Wisconsin
Chapter: Madison
"Gary-Shackelford-hummingbird-at-swamp-milkweed-2021" by Gary Shackelford
Image ID: 6943
Plant(s): Ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubrids), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Photo Story: A juvenile male ruby-throated hummingbird is visiting a swamp milkweed. (Note: Hummingbirds are not pollinators of milkweeds, which is the reason why I am not submitting this image in the Pollinators category.)
Equipment: Nikon D500, 500mm lens
Photographer: Gary Shackelford
Location: Fair Meadows SNA, Wisconsin
Chapter: Madison
"Shades of summer" by Ken Greshowak
Image ID: 6954
Plant(s): Monarch on Green headed coneflower
Photo Story: Butterfly enjoying our flowers.
Equipment: Canon D70
Photographer: Ken Greshowak
Location: Our yard
Chapter: Arrowhead
"Mama Snapper" by Keren Pomp Fortier
Image ID: 6961
Plant(s): Common Milkweed +
Photo Story: Many turtles lay eggs in my pond-side yard. That year, Snappers scaled a stone wall to this garden.
Equipment: Iphone
Photographer: Keren Pomp Fortier
Location: Butterfly and Bee Garden
Chapter: South Shore MA
"Unexpected Jewel" by Susan Wagoner
Image ID: 6968
Plant(s): Dogbane (Apocynum species) & Dogbane Leaf Beetle (Chrysochus auratus)
Photo Story: I cannot pass a Dogbane plant without scanning it for what is, in my opinion, the most beautiful native beetle in Illinois.
Equipment: Canon EOS 7D- 100mm macro lens.
Photographer: Susan Wagoner
Location: Afton Forest Preserve
Chapter: Greater Kane County
"HIDDEN BEAUTY" by Susan Wagoner
Image ID: 6970
Plant(s): Spider- identification unknown on New England Aster leaves (Aster novae-angliae)
Photo Story: This beautiful spider was well hidden among the leaves of the New England Aster. It pays to take closer looks at "Mother Nature"
Equipment: Canon EOS 7D- 100mm macro lens
Photographer: Susan Wagoner
Location: Aurora, Illinois (my backyard)
Chapter: Greater Kane County
"Decisions Decisions" by Gina Michels
Image ID: 6981
Plant(s): Praying Mantis, Sneezeweed, Bumblebee and native fly
Photo Story: I was out in the sneezeweed focusing on taking pictures of the bumblebees with pockets full of pollen when through my lens I spied the praying mantis! I spent a lot of time with the praying mantis who gobbled up a poor bumble bee before my eyes...and continued hunting. He had so many choices and surely ended the day with a very full 'belly'!
Equipment: Canon 7D, 100 mm Macro lens
Photographer: Gina Michels
Location: In my backyard native garden
Chapter: Kalamazoo Area
"The Real Mosquito Shield" by Gina Michels
Image ID: 6983
Plant(s): Dragonfly, Ohio Spiderwort
Photo Story: This dragonfly was a very cooperative photo subject, flying away and resettling in the exact same spot on the end of an Ohio Spiderwort leaf.
Equipment: Canon 7D, 100 mm lens
Photographer: Gina Michels
Location: In my backyard native garden
Chapter: Kalamazoo Area
"Dairy Bugs" by Tawnie Perkovich
Image ID: 6996
Plant(s): Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) on common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).
Photo Story: A hike through the beautiful Bayshore Blufflands passed through a field of milkweed forming their seed pods and a great many of them were covered by every stage of the black and orange Large Milkweed Bug.
Equipment: Nikon 3400 with 70-300mm lens.
Photographer: Tawnie Perkovich
Location: Bayshore Blufflands/Door County Land Trust/Sturgeon Bay
Chapter: Door Peninsula
"Blue Bird Bliss" by Ruth Hilfiker
Image ID: 7000
Plant(s): Eastern Blue Bird on driftwood framed with Oval Sedge.
Photo Story: I planted an 18 ft x 34 ft raingarden with native plants. At the inlet to the raingarden I planted oval and fox sedges to dissipate water flow and to give shelter for the birds. A birdbath was placed on the ground in the the corner of the raingarden border and driftwood accessorized the bath. These 2-5 baby blue birds come to take a bath and preen and dry themselves on the drift wood. The blue birds are molting to get their adult feathers to migrate this September. Blue birds fly into the raingarden for insects. It is such a joy to watch.
Equipment: Iphone 7 attached to a Vortex 85 mm spotting scope.
Photographer: Ruth Hilfiker
Location: My raingarden, New Richmond, WI
Chapter: St. Croix Oak Savanna
"Invasion of the Milkweed Bugs" by Donnie Bryan
Image ID: 7019
Plant(s): Milkweed bugs on Milkweed
Photo Story: It was my first year to have Milkweed in my native gardens and I immediately researched to discover what was invading the milkweed.
Equipment: iPhone 7
Photographer: Donnie Bryan
Location: My front lawn in Nashville, TN
Chapter: Middle Tennessee
"The Story of the Blue Bird and the Bur Oak" by Ruth Hilfiker
Image ID: 7020
Plant(s): Bur oak, Quercus macrocarpa and Eastern Blue Bird Sialia sialis and Compass Plant, Silphium laciniatum
Photo Story: Two years ago, I planted this native bur oak when it was 10 years old and 10 ft tall. 25 ft from the oak I planted a raingarden with the compass plant and 50 ft away I put up a Gilwood blue bird house, and 75 ft away a bird feeder with meal worms and sunflower pieces. The blue birds rest on the tie straps and fence posts used to secure the oak and on branches of the oak; sometimes 5 blue birds at a time for a couple hours. The blue birds fly from the canopy of the oak to the feeder, swoop for insects into the eco-mow fescue lawn and raingarden, observe on from on top of the compass plant, and fly back to the oak in a dance mixed with the 10 monarchs flying around my native landscape. In the afternoons the blue birds take a bird bath in the 2 inch deep bird bath that is 75 ft from the oak. Over the past 2 years we have fledged 2-3 batches of blue birds a season in Wisconsin. They are magnificent to watch. The blue birds arrive from Southeastern states in mid-March and migrate back the end of October in Northern Wisconsin.
Equipment: iphone 7 mounted on a Vortex spotting scope 85 mm.
Photographer: Ruth Hilfiker
Location: My Organic native landscape, New Richmond, WI
Chapter: St. Croix Oak Savanna
"Passionately Sleeping" by Rita Tomassetti
Image ID: 7032
Plant(s): Eastern Carpenter bees sleeping on Passiflora Incarnata bloom.
Photo Story: I love stepping into my garden and watching the pollinators and other insects enjoy it. I was delighted to find these carpenter bees sleeping on the flower while the other foraged around them.
Equipment: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85
Photographer: Rita Tomassetti
Location: Leola, PA in my back garden
Chapter: Southeastern Pennsylvania
"Over and Under" by David Silsbee
Image ID: 7037
Plant(s): Treehopper nymphs (Publilia concava) on a Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) leaf, tended by an unidentified ant.
Photo Story: I followed the lives of these treehopper nymphs for several weeks as they matured. The ants were always there to collect their honeydew excretions and protect them from predators. I took many many photos, but getting the important parts all in focus at the same time was nearly impossible. I like this one because it is divided in half by the leaf and all three of the main subjects are fairly sharp.
Equipment: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, 100 mm Macro lens, Twin-Lite Flash
Photographer: David Silsbee
Location: Mansfield, Connecticut
Chapter: Mountain Laurel
"Wasp Mantidfly" by David Silsbee
Image ID: 7039
Plant(s): Wasp Mantidfly (Climaciella brunnea) on Hay-scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula)
Photo Story: In my many years of searching for interesting insects in my yard, I had only once seen a mantidfly. It stuck in my mind, though, because it is such a bizarre-looking creature with its mantis-like head and arms, wasp-like body, and multicolored eyes. Finally, last summer, I found several more and was able to spend quit a bit of time photographing them.
Equipment: Canon 5D Mark IV, 100 mm Macro Lens, Twin-Lite Flash
Photographer: David Silsbee
Location: Mansfield, Connecticut
Chapter: Mountain Laurel
"Green Darner Dragonfly" by Troy Waldschmidt
Image ID: 7048
Plant(s): Green Darner Dragonfly (Anax junius) resting on Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Photo Story: Walking around the backyard and spotted this female Green Darner resting on a Swamp milkweed. I was amazed on how close she allowed me to approach/
Equipment: Cannon PowerShot pocket camera
Photographer: Troy Waldschmidt
Location: Backyard Peoria Heights Illinois
Chapter: Illinois Prairie
"Grosbeak and native plants" by Leanne Phinney
Image ID: 7070
Plant(s): Female rose-breasted grosbeak amidst Spotted Joe-Pye Weed, Swamp Milkweed, Wild Cucumber Vine, Spotted Touch-me-nots, and Swamp Smartweed.
Photo Story: I spotted this rose-breasted grosbeak looking for seeds in the marsh behind our house. Due to a great deal of flooding for several of the past years, some of my native plant garden is now combined with numerous other wild marsh plants. Many bird species have been enjoying the marsh!
Equipment: Panasonic Lumix FZ300
Photographer: Leanne Phinney
Location: Marsh adjacent to my backyard in Shoreview, MN
Chapter: Big River Big Woods
"Tiger Lily's Perspective" by Pierce Brown
Image ID: 7078
Plant(s): California Tiger Lily
Photo Story: Tiger Lilies have so much beauty in their variety of color and texture. Even in their old age, their aging textures show so much vibrance. This photo intentionally puts a family of young Tiger Lilies out of focus while focusing on the detailed textures of an aging Tiger Lily. A plants death of old age has its own beauty don't you think?
Equipment: OnePlus 7 GM1915 Android Phone
Photographer: Pierce Brown
Location: Rock Creek Lake, California
Chapter: Mohawk Valley
"Ripple Effect" by Julie White
Image ID: 7092
Plant(s): Mourning Dove with Common Milkweed (asclepias syriaca)
Photo Story: Mourning dove at the birdbath in amongst my common milkweed
Equipment: Nikon D7500 f/5.3 1/250 195.00mm ISO1100
Photographer: Julie White
Location: My backyard in St Charles Illinois
Chapter: Greater Kane County