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Last weekend, I visited our family prairie to look at grazing progress and plan out some fall invasive species work. While I was there, I stuck around for the sunset and did a little photography. Earlier in the day, I spent an hour at Lincoln Creek Prairie here in town, photographing flowers and invertebrates while the morning light was pleasant. Here is a series of highlights from those two photo jaunts. Even with the drought, there’s a lot to see in prairies this time of year!
A Chinese praying mantis looking at me. Lincoln Creek Prairie. Nikon 105mm macro lens with Raynox 250 attachment. ISO 640, f/11, 1/500 sec.A different Chinese praying mantis just hanging around. Lincoln Creek Prairie. Nikon 105mm macro lens. ISO 640, f/7, 1/2500 sec.A white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) feeding on pitcher sage (Salvia azurea). Lincoln Creek Prairie. Nikon 105mm macro lens. ISO 640, f/11, 1/640 sec.Stink bug on backlit grass blade. Lincoln Creek Prairie. Nikon 105mm macro lens. ISO 640, f/16, 1/320 sec.Two-lined planthopper (Acanalonia bivittata). Lincoln Creek Prairie. Nikon 105mm macro lens. ISO 640, f/11, 1/500 sec.Banded garden spider (Argiope trifasciata). Lincoln Creek Prairie. Nikon 105mm macro lens. ISO 640, f/11, 1/400 sec.Dead soldier beetle stuck to the calyx of a tall thistle (Cirsium altissimum). (Insects commonly suffer this fate). Lincoln Creek Prairie. Nikon 105mm macro lens. ISO 640, f/13, 1/500 sec.Soldier beetle on goldenrod. Lincoln Creek Prairie. Nikon 105mm macro lens. ISO 640, f18, 1/125 sec.False boneset (Brickellia eupatoroides) seeds at sunset. Nikon 105mm macro lens. ISO 640, f/18, 1/250 sec.False boneset (Brickellia eupatoroides) seeds at sunset. Nikon 105mm macro lens. ISO 640, f/18, 1/250 sec.Big bluestem flowers at sunset. Nikon 105mm macro lens. ISO 400, f/16, 1/80 sec.Grasshopper and sunset. Nikon 105mm macro lens. ISO 400, f/14, 1/100 sec.Wild lettuce seeds (Lactuca sp.) and post-sunset glow. Nikon 105mm macro lens. ISO 640, f/14, 1/200 sec.Big bluestem flower silhouetted against a distant storm cloud after sunset. Nikon 105mm macro lens. ISO 1000, f/18, 1/60 sec.
Thank You so much so much for your posts and the photos showing the beauty
and wonders of the Prairie. I try my best to view all of them and save some that mean a lot to me.
The good Lord has allowed me to see both coasts, Great Lakes to the gulf, forests, deserts and mountains, but I enjoy the Prairies and Sand Hills the most.
I also was able to work with Crane Meadows and Bill Whitney at Prairie Plains until a stroke at 70 years slowed me down. 85 now.
Met you at a presentation at Stuhr Museum years ago and at a tour at the prairie south of Wood River.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you again.
“Tony” Anton Curtis.
Hi Tony, it’s great to hear from you again. I remember meeting you and I really appreciate your response here. I’m also glad my posts bring you joy. That makes me really happy. Be well, and thank you.
The Prairie Ecologist 
Nice close-up of all especially the Praying Mantis.
Such a visual delight! Your artistry and knowledge of species is appreciated.
👏👏👏📷👀
Thank You so much so much for your posts and the photos showing the beauty
and wonders of the Prairie. I try my best to view all of them and save some that mean a lot to me.
The good Lord has allowed me to see both coasts, Great Lakes to the gulf, forests, deserts and mountains, but I enjoy the Prairies and Sand Hills the most.
I also was able to work with Crane Meadows and Bill Whitney at Prairie Plains until a stroke at 70 years slowed me down. 85 now.
Met you at a presentation at Stuhr Museum years ago and at a tour at the prairie south of Wood River.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you again.
“Tony” Anton Curtis.
Hi Tony, it’s great to hear from you again. I remember meeting you and I really appreciate your response here. I’m also glad my posts bring you joy. That makes me really happy. Be well, and thank you.
Just love these captures. Your intimate photography style is ideal to really dive into the world of insects. Thanks for what you do!
Lovely shots!
Really neat photos especially of the garden spider and the preying mantis. thank you!