Warrensburg Illinois Fireworks

We attended the annual 4th of July fireworks display hosted by the Warrensburg Sportsmans Club. It was a smaller event than that which is put on by the city of Decatur but still a nice show for being far less stressful due to heavy crowds and traffic. Fortunately I had two cameras for this event.













Shooting continuous with a designated camera for the purpose of time lapse animation, lens flaring was an issue with many stills so I opted to not do it. Instead, all 145 frames encompassing 37 minutes makes for an interesting image stack depicting the ENTIRE show! lol.

Fireworks with Lightning at Arthur Illinois

Saturday June 30 was the annual fireworks display at Arthur. A stalled frontal boundary draped across Central Illinois in time for the display would be a focal mechanism for showers and storms just N of the site as well as us. At a few times, the lightning discharges were uncomfortably close however, with the exception of a brief shower, the rain held off for the most part. Prior to the event, I pointed a camera back towards the NW at an area of higher frequency and was rewarded with a number of interesting stills.

Lightning with an airborne glow stick, ISO 800, F8.0, 10s (first four).


Flight path of large bird being flanked by likely smaller Red Winged Blackbird illuminated via flickering light like a strobe flash.




My friend Dan harnessing the power! (but actually just checking his phone).


Once the show began (and interestingly just like last year) the lightning rate increased as well. Below, a massive smoke ring that would otherwise be blurred appears as result of lightning freezing the scene like a single brilliant camera flash. ISO 800, F8.0, 8s (last four).


Powerful close strike and obvious blow out.


Cropped but still a keeper.


Be sure to check the time lapse video at the end!

Late June

The ongoing severe drought has pretty much decimated all flora and fauna or sent some creatures into early hibernation save for a few diehards making this a very sad year for natural photography. I have still found subjects to look at and namely for reverse ring macro experimentation.



Something I have been wanting to try is macro with aquatic insects. Using a clear DVD spindle cover to hold a few damselfly nymphs picked out of pond weed, this was not as easy as I thought it would be. Perhaps in time with the right equipment I'll try again.






On the 25th I was introduced to a fishing hole on private land that yielded a few opportunities including a distant heron as well as my first eagle from in the wild which as an added bonus was carrying a fish!






Short pass of the International Space Station


Visiting a natural area where there was little to see as everything is of course dry and lifeless, I encountered a few snapping turtles doing their best to deal with the drought by partially burying themselves into the mud. One in particular was so lethargic as it was likely conserving energy that I was able to get close.


Find the turtle


So dry...