Monarch Butterfly. No scope needed.
J G Ward

Swans on the distant shore, photo taken through the spotting scope.
J G Ward

Big Fish. Swimming in the shallow waters that were flooded during our only rain this season. It was huge, several feet long. The back is sticking out of the water; it is that shallow. He ate on the bottom close by the shore until he spotted me. He then turned abruptly and swam away. (Scary lady with camera strikes again!)
J G Ward

Swans, far across the water at Banner Marsh. The mother's beak is bright orange. The cignet's beak is beginning to turn orange.
J G Ward

Osprey at Banner Marsh. We thought it was a bald eagle until I got out the scope. The eye patches and dark tuft on top clearly identify it as an osprey. To be here at the end of July, it must be nesting here, not just migrating through the region. According to Sibley, juveniles should be fledging in July. This is my first "digiscoped" photograph, taken by hand-holding the camera (Nikon CP995) up to the eyepiece of the scope.
J G Ward

Osprey at Banner Marsh.
J G Ward

Lily seed pods. Mary took this photo. She was fascinated with the way the blossoms twisted into a corkscrew shape before dropping off the pod.
J G Ward

Wild Cherries.
J G Ward

Prairie Remnant, Comlara Park, McLean County, Illinois.
J G Ward

Purple Prairie Flower.
J G Ward

Black-eyed Susan.
J G Ward

Blackberry Lily.
J G Ward

Queen Anne's Lace (with a twisted lily blossom).
J G Ward

Blackberry Lilies.
J G Ward

The last May Apple. Comlara Park, McLean County, Illinois.
J G Ward