Something different today. We visited the Butterfly Pavilion yesterday with our Denver grandkids. The Pavilion houses one of the largest collections of tropical butterflies in the US, free flying in a simulated rainforest enclosure, as well as displays of tropical fish and coral, and tropical insects. They also have extensive outside gardens with water features, and a large inside play area for kids. To be honest, many of the butterflies look a bit cage-worn, and I would always prefer to see them in the wild, but it is an experience for sure. The pale red-tailed hawk was perched over the entrance. I rarely take selfies (for obvious reasons), but the girls wanted me to record the two butterflies who found my hat an interesting resting place. Sony a6700 with Sigma 16-300 Contemporary and Sony a7CR with Viltrox 14mm f/4. Program with Insect modifications and Auto on the a7CR. Processed in Photomator.

Honeybee in Russian Sage: Aurora, Colorado, July 2026 — Another shot from Jewell Wetlands. Russian Sage is, of course, a non-native plant, popular in landscaping, but it is very attractive to honeybees and other pollinators. Is this a good thing? Depends on who you ask. While the bees are busy with the Russian Sage, they might not, of course, be busy with some equally deserving native plant. The bees, on the other hand, do not seem bothered. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at about 600mm equivalent field of view crop. Program with insect modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Scarlet Gilia: Now this is RED. As red as red can be. It is known by other names including “tall Cyprus,” but the Scarlet is pretty obvious. Gilia, as it turns out, comes from the name of an Italian botanist, not, as I have always assumed, from the Gilia River basin of the southwest, even though the flower grows on the mountain slopes surrounding the basin. Its current scientific name comes from “striking looking, with flowers in bunches”. I certainly get the striking looking part. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at 109mm equivalent field of view. Aperture program with my macro modifications. Processed in Photomator. Red is a difficult color for any digital sensor to render, and I am impressed with how well the Sony did.

We went to Jewell Wetlands yesterday, early, for an adventure before it got too hot and the ozone levels got oppressive for Grandpa, who is definitely part of the venerable population. Lots to see. A bit rough-edged and dusty, but then that is the West this year. The girls were trying out their new microscope cameras. The big girl here is dealing with the after-effects of a hornet sting, and being very brave. Sony a6700 and Sigma 16-300 Contemporary doing what it does best—at a variety of focal lengths using my macro, insect, and birds and wildlife modifications, as well as auto for the little explorers. Processed in Photomator.

More of the Colorado kids. Back at the playground and playing around. Christmas mittens make actual mittens and socks. That is Mully, the Colorado Cat. Mom and dad are off on an adventure, and grandma and grandpa will make an adventure with the Colorado Kids. All things considered, we might have the easier part of the bargain. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary, focal length as needed for framing. Auto. Processed in Photomaker.

Visiting in Colorado. Took a walk to a local park. Not birds, not bugs, not wildlife (or at least not that way), and not landscape. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at various focal lengths for framing. Auto mode. (What I always use for people.) Processed in Photomator. Well, okay, maybe wildlife.

Great Egret: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, July 2026 — I never tire of watching egrets fish. This is actually a large fish for an egret to catch, by Maine standards. Egrets in Maine mainly live on tiny marsh shrimps, sand fry, and tiny crustaceans. This looks to be an actual fish. Big enough to make a lump in the egret’s throat when swallowed. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at about 700mm equivalent field of view crop. Program with flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.

American Crow: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, July 2026 — This time of year, with fresh plover and tern chicks, and tourist litter, there are always crows on the beach. This one took off in front of me and circled over me, quite low. So okay: I took its picture. Who could resist? I know, it is just a crow, but getting it in flight shows much more color—or at least shades of grey—than we are used to seeing. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at 450mm equivalent field of view (little to no crop). Program mode with flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Great Egret: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, July 2026 — Sometimes you just have one of those days in Maine when the Egrets are close and they dance for you. I do not pretend to understand why, but I am grateful! I watched as this Egret caught 3 fairly large fish within 30 minutes, so the Egret was having a good day too. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 at about 800mm equivalent field of view crop. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. -1EV for highlight control on this very white bird in full sun. Processed in Photomator.

Seaside Dragonlet (female): Kennebunk Bridle Path, Kennebunk, Maine, USA, July 2026 — Another interesting (to me) dragonfly, the little Seaside Dragonlet. This is a female. The males are all black with very faint suggestions of orange rings on the abdomen (what you might think of as the tail). It was a hot day, and the second shot shows the Dragonlet just going into obelisk mode, where the abdomen is pointed directly at the sun to minimize heat absorption. Dragonflies have no other way of regulating body temperature. The Seaside Dragonlet is, as its name suggests, one of the few dragonflies that breeds in salt or brackish water and is very common in marshes near the sea. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at about 800mm effective field of view crops. Program with insect modifications. Processed in Photomator.