Controlled Skid
Controlled Skid Back to the races, one more time, before turning to airplanes. This guy needed just a bit more racetrack.
Song Sparrow
My walkabouts have been turning up more birds than usual. Tonight, it was the Song Sparrow. A rich, russet-and-gray bird with bold streaks down its white chest, the Song Sparrow is one of the most common sparrows in northern Illinois. Don’t let the large variety of color differences in this bird confuse you; it’s the first species to suspect, if you see a streaky sparrow in an open, shrubby, or wet area. When it perches on a low shrub, leans back, and sings a song, your day just got better. Although, it’s very common, it’s still a worthy subject particularly in nice sunset light.
Wildflowers
Wildflowers No butterflies on tonight’s walkabout; still, the sunset light hit the wildflowers just right.
Monarch Butterfly
Tonight’s walkabout uncovered a male Monarch Butterfly; perhaps the most familiar American butterfly. Its wings show the recognizable orange and black pattern with a 3-4 inch wingspan. Female monarchs have darker veins on their wings; the males have a spot in the center of each hind wing. Males are also slightly larger than female monarchs. Eastern Monarchs migrate, sometimes thousands of miles, to Mexico in late summer or autumn. Western Monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains migrate to California. To capture an image of these amazing butterflies requires an abundance of patience, a decent telephoto lens, and a bit of luck.
Screaming
Yep, he’s screaming down the back straightaway. Finally, my panning skills got a bit better.
Porsche
Porsche Back to racing again, This beautiful Porsche is owned and driven by one of the Autobahn Club members. Even at this angle, blurring the wheels while keeping everything else in focus proves to be a challenge.
Hank Conrad © 2023
