Midwest Moths, Acrylic on smooth stones, left to right:
1. Rosy Maple, 2. Harnessed Tiger, 3. Isabella Tiger
#TheStoneWytch #acrylicpainting #paintedrock #wildlifepainting #illinoiswildlife #moth #rosymaplemoth #harnessedtigermoth #isabellatigermoth

A mating pair of Ring-necked Ducks glides gracefully across a quiet pond during the twilight hour.

#bird #birds #midwest #ringneckedduck #illinoiswildlife #nextdoornature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #birdsofbluesky

A stunning male Mallard drifts effortlessly across a kaleidoscope of reflections in a hidden pond at Half Day Forest Preserve — nature’s serenity in motion.

#bird #birds #midwest #mallard #illinoiswildlife #nextdoornature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #birdsofbluesky

A Great Blue Heron roared over me like a jet airliner the other day, and I was just quick enough to capture him directly above me. I was half-expecting a sonic boom to follow!

#birds #midwest #greatblueheron #illinoiswildlife #nextdoornature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #birdsofbluesky

An Eastern Phoebe paused just long enough for me to snap a nice photo of it gazing wistfully into the distance.

#bird #birds #midwest #easternphoebe #illinoiswildlife #nextdoornature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #birdsofbluesky

I'm changing things up a little bit today with an adorable squirrel nibbling on new spring buds in the treetops. Too cute!

#squirrel #squirrels #midwest #illinoiswildlife #nextdoornature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography

Happy World Wildlife Day! Here’s a collection of native Illinois wildlife I’ve found around my home, my job, and local state parks.

#worldwildlifeday #Illinoiswildlife #reptiles #amphibians #insects #birds

This vibrant male ring-necked pheasant stands out brilliantly against the snowy Illinois landscape. Native to Asia, these pheasants were introduced to North America in the late 1800s.

#WildlifePhotography #RingNeckedPheasant #IllinoisWildlife #BirdConservation #NatureInWinter