Steven Helmer Publications

Since the birds are starting to migrate, I decided to fill all my bird feeders today (versus just a couple of them) and get them strategically placed around the yard. I had a bit of free time this afternoon, so I went outside with my camera to see if I could get some bird photos. It was a little more difficult than expected, both because they were extra active and wouldn't hold still and because the heavy cloud cover made it darker than I would have preferred. I did manage to get some though. Here is a selection: ___________________________________________________________________________ Here are some of my previous birdfeeder/yard photos: Just a Random Bird Feeder Photo Some Birdfeeder Photos Bird Feeder Photos (9/7/2026) Around the Yard

Just a reminder, if you haven't taken a moment to remember those who lost their lives, the families that were impacted and the first responders who worked tirelessly to save as many people as they could 25 years ago today, please do so. As you do, please enjoy some of the photos I took on my walk today: _________________________________________________________________________ Here are some of my previous photos: Lunchtime Walk Photos (8/14/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (8/31/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (5/20/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (5/15/2026)

My legs are a bit sore today (nothing serious, just being middle-aged) and I wasn't sure if I would get out for a walk as a result. The weather was too nice to stay inside, however, so I grabbed my camera and did just that, even powering through the whole park rather than cutting the walk short. Here are some of the photos I took: _____________________________________________________________________________ Here are some of my previous nature photos: Lunchtime Walk Photos (8/19/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (8/14/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (5/13/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (5/20/2026)

It's been a while since I've been able to get out for a walk with my camera, mostly because of the wet weather we've had. I didn't know how muddy the trails would be, but I decided to get out today and, while I didn't go as far into the park as I normally would, managed to get some photos. Here are several of them: ____________________________________________________________________________ Here are some of my previous nature photos: Lunchtime Walk Photos (8/19/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (8/14/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (8/20/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (8/24/2026)

I didn't have anything planned this Labor Day except to mow my lawn. The rain we got mid-week resulted in the grass being tall/thick enough to burn through the batteries so, while waiting for them to recharge, I wound up using my camera to get some photos of the birds visiting the bird feeder in the front yard, including a yet-to-be-identified furry bird. Here are some photos: ________________________________________________________________________ Here are some previous bird feeder photos: Just a Random Bird Feeder Photo Bird Feeder Photos 4/28/2018 and 4/29/2018 Bird Feeder Photos 11/10/2018 Bird Feeder Photo

  I walked out behind my office building to take some trash to the dumpster in between storms and there was a pair of sandhill cranes walking over by the train tracks. It's not the first time I've seen them behind the office, but it also isn't a common thing. It's been at least a couple years. I just wish it wasn't so dark out because it was very hard to get a good photo with my camera while staying far enough away to avoid scaring them.

I didn't get an opportunity to get out late last week because of a modeling-related road trip with my wife. So, even though it was a bit muggy out, I went for a walk with my camera.  It was fairly active out there today and I didn't need to rely on tracking down some dragonflies this time around. I even spotted a mystery bird (see below) that required some sleuthing from my wife to back up my first thoughts. Here are some of the photos: There are a lot of these late summer/early fall flowers out, so I figured I'd try to get some photos of them. I got one with and one without a bee. This was a pretty large moth. I spotted it from some distance away. This pelican pod wasn't the most cooperative. I had to zoom in to maximum just to get this photo and they immediately started swimming away from me despite quite a bit of distance from the shore.  This guy (or girl), in comparison, was very cooperative, giving me multiple photo opportunities so I could choose the best one. I...

I wasn't able to get out for a walk yesterday because of other things being on the calendar, so I made sure to slip out for a little while today, while the weather was decent.  I didn't see as much as I would have liked but still managed to get some photos. There are a few of them below. This green heron surprised me a bit. I didn't realize it was nearby until it popped out from the grass and landed on that branch. The turtles popped out of the water as I was approaching, taking advantage of the sun while it wasn't behind the clouds. I was kind of far away on this one, even with the zoom lens but still think it turned out OK. This must have been a popular hunting spot. This bird chased away one of its own right before I got the photo. ___________________________________________________________________________ Here are some of my previous nature photos: Lunchtime Walk Photos (8/7/2026) Lunchtime Walk Photos (6/4/2026) Morning Walk Photos (6/3/2026) Morning Walk Photos 9/...

I had hoped to get out with my camera a bit over the weekend, even if it was just in my backyard. However, I had other things to do and by the time I was done doing those, just never got around to it. I did manage to get out at lunch today though. Here are a few of the photos: I skipped the monarch butterflies and dragonflies today and instead got some photos of some other insects for a change. It was kind of difficult getting a photo of these turtles with the way the sun was reflecting off both the water and the rock, but they were patient and I ended up with this one. I walked along the outside of the park on my way back to the car and spotted the hint of yellow fluttering around. I was able to get the photo before it flew off. I didn't realize there was a small bee buzzing the flowers until I edited the photo and just took it because I liked how they were popping out of the water. _________________________________________________________________________ Here are some of my previ...