Indian Spring’s Resort a great get away for Camping and floating and just relaxing . Missouri’s floating capital .

https://indianspringsfamilyresort.com

This place is just a awesome family friendly place to go to get away and enjoy a long weekend or vacation for a week. MAKE RESERVATIONS TODAY. You won’t regret it.

It is nestled in the natural beauty of the wooded Ozark Hills – an ideal place for fun and relaxation. You’ll find a rustic motel and cabins in this historic resort. Spacious RV and tent campsites are located by the banks of the beautiful upper Meramec River. Located in Steelville, Mo. 65565

Rafting, canoeing, and kayaking are enjoyed by guests of all ages on a seven mile float that allows guests to end conveniently back at Indian Springs.  Check out this beautiful cabin called Little Wolf . So comfy and cozy . A “Natural Spring” that runs right in front of it. Oh the sounds are so relaxing .

LITTLE WOLF
https://www.facebook.com/pg/indianspringsfamilyresort/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2282046015172466&ref=page_internal

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On your float you will encounter lots of wildlife . Eagles, Herons,and may other little creatures. Put your fishing line in and capture some Bass and catfish. https://www.facebook.com/pg/indianspringsfamilyresort/photos/?tab=album&album_id=769070086470074&ref=page_internal

Ready for Trout Fishing Maramec Spring Park

Maramec Spring Park is one of the most beautiful spots to be found in Missouri, and the Park contains the fifth largest spring in the state. Maramec Spring Park is privately owned and operated by The James Foundation.
I went on a little road trip to see how amazing Maramec Springs Park which did not disappoint me. Beautiful,So much to do with the family such as camping ,fishing and walk thru the large park along the the river.
If you Like trout fishing this is your place.Trout fishing starts March 1 ,2017 . I will be there to photograph. Can Not wait..

Maramec Springs

Maramec Spring

Maramec Springs

Hummingbirds, My Love of Summer

The challenge of my summer this year was to capture as many hummingbirds as I could. Those little guys are so fast .Sometimes I would sit for a hour lying in wait. So far I have been pretty lucky and patient. Many I might be able to add more to the video soon.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most widespread hummingbird in the United States and Canada. If you live east of the Mississippi, you’ve probably seen one … or many.
Name and Nicknames
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have many dedicated fans. And so, they have many nicknames: ruby throated, ruby throats, rubythroat, ruby, rubies, hummers, hummer birds. Here’s their scientific name: Archilochus colubris.

peggy-franz.pixels.com

 

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To feed the hummingbirds I use plain sugar. I also plant many varieties of plants that they like too. They are happy here and I am glad they come each year to entertain me. It is funny I always know when they are out of food , as they come buzz me and I say “Im coming to fill it up ” 

To yield larger portions, mix at the ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. The solution will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

 

The Colors of Twilight and Sunsets at Busch Memorial Conservation Area

On Golden Pond

Reflection of my Mind

Twilight Blue

Romantic Pink

Beautiful Silhouette

Sunsets, like childhood, are viewed with wonder not just because they are BEAUTIFUL but  because they are fleeting ~
Richard Paul Evans

Area highlights

Located in St. Charles County, the 6,987-acre August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area is home to the St. Louis regional office, which includes a visitor center. With hiking trails and numerous hunting and fishing opportunities, the Busch Area is also your local connection to Missouri’s fish, forests, and wildlife.

Stop by for a fishing/hunting license, and stay to enjoy our exhibits, including a 1,300-gallon aquarium. Catch one of our free nature programs, go for a hike, enjoy a picnic, or wet a line in some of our 28 fishable lakes and ponds.

Deer Season Approaching Take a Look at My Captures

I know that it is deer season coming up as well as turkey.I just have never seen a Turkey nor a Deer together..Is that normal?
I thought I share my captures of them. I know there is many people  may  honor that season ,but I am not one of those. I also know the need to have to do it. I just thought I share a fun moment with you as well I just show off a few of my shoots!!.

 

Oh My Deer

Well, I did not go another season without capturing my most favorite wildlife creatures. The Deer. On my walks I was lucky enough to capture such beauty and grace.
I try to get through as many Missouri parks as I can. These were captured at Jefferson Barracks in South County , Mo as well as Route 66 park located in Eureka,Missouri. I so enjoy watching them.Hope you enjoy these majestic creatures.

Captured in Route 66 Park

Jefferson Barracks Park

Jefferson Barracks Park

Route 66 Park

Please check out this wonderful group who rescues our wildlife deer takes care of them then releases back to the wild!! THANK YOU! Kindred Spirits Fawn Rescue
http://www.kindredspiritsfawnrescue.org

EWWWW Creepy Spider in Web

Arboreal Orb Weavers

There are several species of Neoscona and Araneus orb weavers in Missouri, and some are quite difficult to distinguish, even by specialists. Often, one must note small details of their anatomy in order to “key them out” to determine the species.

Neoscona species have a slightly triangular-ovate abdomen with a pattern resembling an upside-down spruce tree. On each side of this midline may be black, brown and greenish-brown markings. The legs usually are gray with brown rings. The carapace may be gray with brown markings. Araneus species may be similarly marked and colored, though some are quite showy and less hairy.

Size: 

 Length: usually about 1/4 inch (not including the legs); males are smaller than females.

Habitat and conservation: 

 These rather large and often hairy spiders are common in open woods, brushy fields, in tall grassy areas, and around fenceposts and buildings. They are common on the eaves of houses and barns. They may build their webs wherever structures are present for support and where flying insects commonly pass through.

Eating a daddy long leg spider. 

Foods: 

 Flying insects such as moths and crane flies are the principal prey. Once caught in sticky strands of the web, they are bitten and trussed by the spider, which later eats them. Many orb weavers are nocturnal and have the peculiar habit of eating and rebuilding their webs each day. Webs are built at dusk and used for snaring prey during the night. At dawn, the spider reingests the strands (along with moisture that has collected on it as dew) and recycles the nutrients in making the next web.

Human connections: 

 The amazing web patterns have fascinated humans for millennia. E. B. White wrote his classic “Charlotte’s Web” about an Araneus spider. Orb weavers control populations of flying insects, many of which are pestiferous. Orb weavers don’t bite unless molested, and their bites are not dangerous, anyway.

Ecosystem connections: 

 These spiders control populations of flying insects. Although they may seem ferocious, outside their webs and hiding places these delicate creatures are quite vulnerable to predation themselves. Also, their egg sacs are relished by many species and, for example, provide winter food for many birds. For more information please check it out at http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/arboreal-orb-weavers#

My Cardinal Bird Captures

cardinal birds art

PLEASE ALWAYS REMEMBER THESE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE COPYRIGHT, Protected by United States Copyright and the Property of FranzsFeaturedFotos, Peggy Franz

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The male Northern Cardinal is perhaps responsible for getting more people to open up a field guide than any other bird. They’re a perfect combination of familiarity, conspicuousness, and style: a shade of red you can’t take your eyes off. Even the brown females sport a sharp crest and warm red accents. Cardinals dont migrate and they dont molt into a dull plumage, so theyre still breathtaking in winters snowy backyards. In summer, their sweet whistles are one of the first sounds of the morning.

True Love Cardinal Mates for Life

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Bucks and Babes Deer Captures

 White Tail   Deers Leaping

 

                                                                               

Elk in the meadow
I captured this photo of this beautiful Elk while hiking. I had to hurry up take the picture and get the heck out of the area. It is rutting season and I wanted no part of those antlers.

Taken on my hike in a park. I was being very still and quiet in between the trees. I sat there for a long while wanting to capture a tender moment. This is as close as I got to come. They looked right at me.I just love my deer.

PROTECTING OUR HEREO’S
This was captured at Jefferson Barracks Park. This little baby doe was lying on my Dad’s Grave 🙂 It made me cry, but such a great felling because my Dad Love Deer!

wildlife greeting cards

The Beauty of Butterflies

This page is dedicated to the enjoyment of butterflies, some of our world’s most beautiful creatures. The species I have photographed here are all Missouri native, with each specimen being a beautiful creature in its own unique way. Unfortunately, this kind of simple beauty that butterflies possess can often be overlooked in the busy-ness (business) of life. Thus I created a little interesting facts on different kinds. I hope you enjoy!

The Anise Butterfly
There is so many various kinds of Swallow Tails. Colors also depend on Male and female.The elegant Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon) is often mistaken for the Eastern Black Swallowtail . The caterpillars look nearly identical! The adults definitely have differences in markings, that, when compared side-by-side, are evident. Captured this is my back yard.

Butterfly In Flight In the Swallowtail  Family    Not sure Of the Name of this one.

I captured this at Shaw’s Nature Reserve in Missouri.

This is the Black Swallow Tail

The black swallowtail, also called the American swallowtail or parsnip swallowtail, is a butterfly found throughout much of North America. It is the state butterfly of Oklahoma.

This is the Eastern Blue Butterfly

Eastern tailed blue butterflies can easily go unnoticed with their small size. Sneaking up on and capturing in the cameras view finder can be challenging. This eastern tailed blue landed on white clover. .Eastern tailed blues facts: wingspan 3/4 to 1 inch; males irridescent blue above and summer females brown above; found practically anywhere except deep woods; flies low to ground and perches low; lays eggs on legumes, especially clovers, beans and tick.

This is the Paper Kite Butterflies Not from Missouri

The Paper Kite Butterfly only has two rather common colors, black and white, but is still an eye catching beauty. The way the light shines through the wings is just amazing, and if there are other colors around it looks a bit like stained glass.This was capture at the Butterfly House in St. Louis, Mo.

The Blue Clipper

The Clipper is a fast flying butterfly and has a habit of flying with its wings flapped stiffly between the horizontal position and a few degrees below the horizontal. It may glide between spurts of flapping.

The Painted Butterfly

This is one of the most common butterfly species in the world. The only places it doesn’t live are on Antarctica and some remote islands. It even migrates to Hawaii and Iceland!

The Tiger Yellow Swallow Tail Butterfly

The Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucas) is a strong flier with distinctive yellow and black striped markings on its wings and body (some females are brown or black, mimicking the poisonous pipevine swallowtail). This relatively common butterfly has a wingspan of 3.5-6.5 inches (9-16.5 cm). Southern subspecies are larger than the northern ones.
These butterflies are called swallowtails because they have long “tails” on their hindwings which look a bit like the long, pointed tails of swallows (a type of bird).

PLEASE ALWAYS REMEMBER THESE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE COPYRIGHT, Protected by United States Copyright and the Property of FranzsFeaturedFotos, Peggy Franz

For more information on butterflies
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterfly/species/Tigersw.shtml

Can I Bug You ? My Photography of Macro Dragonflies

I was visited by this funny green little guy while fishing. He came up on me just like he was asking me what ya doing.. Some interesting information.The dragonflies agile flight and its ability to move in all six directions exude a sense of power and poise – something that comes only with age and maturity. The dragonfly can move at an amazing 45 miles an hour, hover like a helicopter fly backwards like a hummingbird, fly straight up, down and on either side. What is mind blowing is the fact that it can do this while flapping its wings a mere 30 times a minute while mosquitoes and houseflies need to flap their wings 600 and 1000 times a minute respectively.I am amazed at these little insects. They are just amazing to sit and watch the behavior. 

 

As nymphs, dragonflies live in the water.
There’s a good reason why you see dragonflies and damselflies around ponds and lakes – they’re aquatic! Female dragonflies deposit their eggs on the water’s surface, or in some cases, insert them into aquatic plants or mosses. Once hatched, the nymph (or naiad, in this case) spends its time hunting other aquatic invertebrates. Larger species will even eat the occasional small fish or tadpole. After molting 9-17 times, the dragonfly will finally be ready for adulthood, and the nymph will crawl out of the water to shed its final nymphal skin.

A dragonfly nymph breathes through its anus.
A damselfly nymph breathes with gills at the end of its abdomen. The dragonfly nymph’s gills, oddly, are inside its rectum. That’s right, it breathes with its butt. The dragonfly nymph will pull water into its anus, where gas exchange occurs. When the dragonfly expels the water from its rear, it propels the nymph forward, providing the added benefit of locomoti

The male dragonfly has secondary sex organs.
In nearly all insects, the male sex organs are located at the tip of the abdomen. Not so in male dragonflies. His copulatory organ is on the underside of his abdomen, up around the second and third segments. His sperm, however, is stored in an opening of his ninth abdominal segment. Before mating, he has to fold his abdomen and transfer his sperm to his penis.

Long before the dinosaurs walked the Earth, dragonflies took to the air. If we could transport ourselves back 250 million years, we would immediately recognize the familiar site of dragonflies flying in pursuit of prey. Griffenflies, the gigantic precursors of our modern dragonflies, took flight in the Carboniferous period over 300 million years ago.

Thanks for looking and  you can catch me @ https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyByPeggyFranzFranzsfeaturedfotos?ref=hl

PLEASE ALWAYS REMEMBER THESE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE COPYRIGHT, Protected by United States Copyright and the Property of FranzsFeaturedFotos, Peggy Franz

For more interesting facts http://insects.about.com/od/dragonfliesanddamselflies/a/10-Cool-Facts-About-Dragonflies.htm

SMILING DRAGON FLY