...sent back to the dice factory for warranty replacement

Smile On Saturday: "Dice in B&W" theme

HSoS

Tags:   Crystal Lake Dice in B&W Illinois OM 12-40mm f/2.8 II Smile On Saturday black and white defective dice distorted floating humor monotone square

© All Rights Reserved

The Anhinga is a water bird whose range includes much of South America, Central America and southeastern portions of of the U.S. The Anhinga name comes from the Brazilian Tupi language, and means "devil bird,” "snake bird” or “evil spirit of the woods.” The origin of the name is apparent when one sees the bird swim. Only its long neck and head appear above water, so the bird looks like a snake ready to strike.

Looking Close on Friday: "Black in Black & White" theme

HLCoF

Tags:   Anhinga Anhinga anhinga Black & White Black in Black & White Everglades National Park Florida Shark Valley Visitor Center Tamron 150-600mm beak bird black bokeh feathers monochrome nature portraits waterbirds wildlife Sunrays5+

© All Rights Reserved

These two male Baltimore Orioles had been "duking it out," so to speak, engaging in conflict that at one point had them seemingly locked together as they went spinning together to the ground. It happened so quickly that I missed getting a shot of it, unfortunately.

But I kind of liked this shot as they appeared to face off before another round. Males of this species are known to aggressively defend their territories during breeding season, so I assume that's what was going on. I'm not sure which one was the interloper.

Tags:   Baltimore Orioles Boone Creek Conservation Area Bull Valley Icterus galbula Illinois M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 + MC-20 bark birds branch square wildlife Sunrays+5

© All Rights Reserved

It's a male Eastern Forktail damselfly. This species takes its name from the tiny forked projections found on the tip of the tail of the male, though you can barely see them here. The length of the body on these insects varies from 0.8 to 1.3 inches. Damselflies, like cockroaches, are one of the oldest insect groups. During prehistoric times, they were supposedly as big as hawks.

Tags:   Bokeh Wednesday Eastern Forktail HBM HWW Ischnura verticalis Macro McHenry County OM 90mm F3.5 Macro Stickney Run Conservation Area Wing Wednesday bokeh damselfly insect leaf male square wildlife

© All Rights Reserved

When you see a flash of yellow in North America at this time of year, it may well be an American Goldfinch. During breeding season, males such as this one feature a bright yellow color that complements the black head and wings with their bold white markings.

But don’t count on the Goldfinch for help controlling insects. Interestingly, according allaboutbirds.org, these birds "are among the strictest vegetarians in the bird world, selecting an entirely vegetable diet and only inadvertently swallowing an occasional insect.”

Tags:   American Goldfinch Glacial Park Conservation Area Goldfinch Illinois M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 + MC-14 McHenry County Spinus tristis birds bokeh branches male vegetarian wildlife Sunrays+5

© All Rights Reserved