IUCN Conservation Status: INSUFFICIENT DATA I was startled by this large grasshopper Green-Legged Grasshopper – Behind the Photo Whenever I’m out for a hike, I try to keep my camera with me and in easy access. That is the start of the story of how I took this photo of a green-legged grasshopper. Jill and […]
Red Clover – IUCN Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN The red clover’s deep roots make them a drought tolerant wildflower This perennial wildflower is called a Red Clover (State Flower of Vermont). They are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, these flowers have been naturalized in North and South America. They can grow to 31” […]
Wildflower.org Plant Database: Black-eyed Susan The Rudbeckia hirta (commonly called Black-Eyed Susan) is Maryland’s state flower The Rudbeckia hirta (commonly called Black-Eyed Susan) is Maryland’s state flower. This flower is in the sunflower family. Native to North America, it can be found in every state except Alaska and Hawaii. There are actually a few varieties […]
IUCN Conservation Status: – LEAST CONCERN An Aphrodite fritillary butterfly feeds ons the goldenrod flower This beautiful wildflower is called a goldenrod. These are perennial flowers that are found throughout Maine. They scatter the mountainsides in the summer months. This photo was taken in Bethel, Maine (a small town of ~2500 people). DONATE These large […]
The golden sheen of its abdomen caught my attention This year I spent my birthday hiking in the woods at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is a park that we’ve visited many times on the Wild Boyz Photography site. Whether it was the photo of ice pressed against the shore in the July […]
Black rain beetles are typically found in California, Oregon, and Washington Just before the CV19 lockdown, I found myself chasing beetles around the southern Californian desert, trying to get photos. So perhaps I was a bit crazy before the lockdown. These black rain beetles are generally associated with the western part of North America (California, […]
Wild Boyz Photography is proud to have Nick Ivers join us this month as a featured photographer. Nick currently finds himself living in Austin, Texas, where he is pursuing his graduate degree at the University of Texas. His focus is on disease within bee populations. As Ben’s brother, we are really excited to have him join the fold this month as a wild boy. His passion for nature and spreading nature education is unmatched, and we hope that we can convey his enthusiasm for the natural world around us. Let’s find out more about Nick Ivers.
The Galapagos. It was the most unique habitat that I have seen to this day. I was particularly taken back by the magnificent frigate birds. They would catch the wind coming off the shore, and fly alongside the boat. They can stay off land for a year. They also steal fish from other birds.
My lifelong fascination with tiny things that made me want to take pictures of things that are smaller than I could see.
Absolutely. Macro is my favorite style of photography.
I would go to Costa Rica. I have been thinking about going there recently. Do some surfing. Explore in the jungle. I would want to see everything that I could possibly find. It would be sweet to see a tapir. I have always been fascinated by that weird animal. I would do some scuba while I was there too. I would want to be both above and below the water.
Take more pictures. You’ll get better as you do. You don’t have to know what you are doing. I am shooting with a Canon 6D right now. I like taking my photos within a meter. The closer I can get the better. Photographing bees, they are always jumping around, so you have to keep your head on a swivel and take a bunch. I probably look like a crazy person in my front yard when I’m photographing bees in the native wildflower garden there.
Right now, it’s any desert. I really have enjoyed exploring the West Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico areas over the last few years. Again, it’s an environment that I have very little experience in, so everything is new and exciting. Cactus are crazy!
Here’s the fun fact that I learned today. The baobab tree is pollinated by bats.
I’m going through them. I have been partial to Paco’s Tacos. As far as the ones that I’ve been to, that’s the winner. My favorite is actually their “Paco’s Pick”. It’s got steak and peppers and a bunch of other stuff. The steak and peppers are the important part that make it so good.
This month Wild Boyz Photography is pleased to introduce you to the photography of Ben Acker. Ben is a fellow nature fan and photographer, based in New Hampshire. He loves to travel domestically and internationally–when not quarantined. Ben shoots topside as well as underwater. I had the opportunity to sit down with Ben and ask him a few questions.
Egypt. Above and below the water it was wild. From the pyramids to the diving, the old coral reefs, the old archaeology; it’s a different world, a different time, and it took you to a different place.
Most of my photos are landscapes. I don’t spend too much time on macro.
My next big trip is back to Egypt. I’d be there now, if I wasn’t quarantined. I’m also trying to go somewhere in South America for some good red wine and steak.
I spent a month and a half there, saw north, south, east, and west. There is so much more to explore, and so much to revisit.
Get an intuitive camera. Something not expensive to learn on.
Make free training videos so I can watch them.
Ozark. I’m also watching The Curse of Oak Island, South Park, Family Guy, and Always Sunny in Philadelphia. As you can see, there has been a lot of good TV watching to appreciate while staying at home.
Monarch butterflies are known to travel thousands of miles each year! Like so many others, I have always found the monarch butterfly to be such a beautiful insect. Its lore is made all the more powerful by the amazing continental journey that the species takes each year. The eastern North American monarch population travels thousands […]
The northern pearly-eye butterfly waited for me on a rail. This northern pearly-eye butterfly was sitting on the railing of a bridge when Jill and I were on a hike at the Weldon Spring Conservation Area just north of St. Louis, Missouri. This park provides a great view of the Missouri River. We took the […]