Favorite Photos of 2019 – Part 2

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Here is the second half of my collection of favorite images from 2019. If you missed the first half and want to see them, you can find them here. Have a safe and happy end of 2019 and beginning of 2020!

Snowstorm at the Helzer family prairie.
Blue violets (Viola sororia) – Platte River Prairies.
Helzer family prairie in May.
Ants trying to escape high water flowing across the Platte River Prairies in the spring of 2019.
A bobolink male (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) sings at the Platte River Prairies.
The Nature Conservancy’s Cherry Ranch in Nebraska’s panhandle.
Stilt bug (Berytidae) at Lincoln Creek Prairie.
Crab spider (Thomisidae) on musk thistle (Carduus nutans). Platte River Prairies.
Seven-spotted lady beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) on butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa).
Fourpoint evening primroses in Sandhills prairie at the Niobrara Valley Preserve.
Bison at sunset – the Niobrara Valley Preserve.
Dragonfly and dew on hoary vervain (Verbena stricta).
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – Helzer family prairie.
Saltmarsh caterpillar (Estigmene sp.) at the Niobrara Valley Preserve.
Prairie dock leaf (Silphium terebinthinaceum) – Faville Grove Sanctuary, Wisconsin.
Fly with ovipositor on tall thistle (Cirsium altissimum). Helzer family prairie.
Plains leopard frog (Lithobates blairi) – Helzer family prairie.
Sunrise on a hazy morning at the Niobrara Valley Preserve.
Dragonfly at sunrise – Lincoln Creek Prairie.
Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and dew drops. Lincoln Creek Prairie.
Damselfly in early morning. Lincoln Creek Prairie.
Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina). Aurora, Nebraska.
Sparring bison bulls at the Niobrara Valley Preserve.
Common milkweed seeds (Asclepias syriaca). Lincoln Creek Prairie.
Cattail (Typha sp.) seeds on the ice. Spring Basin Waterfowl Production Area.

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About Chris Helzer

Chris Helzer is the Director of Science for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska. His main role is to evaluate and capture lessons from the Conservancy’s land management and restoration work and then share those lessons with other landowners – both private and public. In addition, Chris works to raise awareness about the importance of prairies and their conservation through his writing, photography, and presentations to various groups. Chris is also the author of "The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States", published by the University of Iowa Press. He lives in Aurora, Nebraska with his wife Kim and their children.

27 thoughts on “Favorite Photos of 2019 – Part 2”

  3. Whether it’s a panoramic vista or close up of an insect your photographs are all interesting. They make me go out onto our land and look at things that I didn’t even notice before. Thanks very much for your effort.

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  9. Lovely photos, Chris. Such a joy to behold.
    B.t.w., if you care to send me a high-res. version of the ant photo, I might be able to ID them for you.

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  12. I just couldn’t not give these another look, and would note the fly on thistle is Tephritidae: Terellia occidentalis. Her larvae feed on the developing thistle seeds.

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  13. Every one of these is a gem, but I especially enjoyed seeing the bobolink. I’m not sure I’ve seen one before, even in a photo. It’s gorgeous. Best wishes for the new year; I’m looking forward to enjoying your thoughts and your images in the coming months.

    Reply ↓

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