“Caught Red Handed” (Eastern Chipmunk) Nikon D300, 550mm (200-400mm w/1.4x teleconverter), F/5.6, 1/125s, -1.0EV, ISO 1000, SB800 w/Gary Fong Lightsphere Cloud, -1.0EV
Whenever I make a point to photograph chipmunks, I know it is going to be an entertaining day!
This guy just couldn’t resist the bait I put out. But, before he proceeded to fill up those adorable cheeks, he decided it was best to give his new-found bounty a taste.
Gotcha! 
This was a good day of shooting! Soooo many images to wade through (and there’s no time as we are heading to see Bruce Springsteen tonight – yay!), so I thought it best to just start with the first thing I photographed early this morning.
No surprise, it’s pink!
"Happiness is...Pink!" (Annual Periwinkle, aka, Vinca) Nikon D300, 550mm (200-400mm w/1.4x teleconverter), F/11, 1/50s, -1.0EV, ISO 400
A lovely little annual that fills the flower boxes on our cedar shed. I did nothing special with the background (besides slight underexposing) because the box sits under a small window that was conveniently reflecting the dark shadows behind me. Perfect!
Brrruuuuuce!
Did you know… the black form of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is always female?? I didn’t, but it’s true! The males of the species are always yellow, but females can be either yellow, or black, or somewhere in-between. Who knew?
“Madame Butterfly” (Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Female, Black Form) Nikon D300, 70mm, F/5.6, 1/160s, ISO 400
I was very excited to see this gal flitting around the butterfly bushes. We’ve seen so few butterflies this year that when any enter the garden, it is a welcome surprise!
Of course I took alot of the usual butterfly photos, but they were just okay. Ultimately, I felt this unique rear view of her perfectly formed wings deserved the spotlight.
Enjoy!
Must just be that kind of day. Caught the last of the bee balm (still sans hummingbird) and, although I really liked the image, I was not happy with the blah green background. Soooo, a quick change to black and Voila! Now, the vibrant colors really pop!
"Court Jester" (Hot Pink Bee Balm) Nikon D300, 400mm, F/8, 1/60s, -1.0EV, ISO 640
Much better, dontcha think?
