Comet NEOWISE Over CJ Brown Reservoir

Comet NEOWISE can be seen this month in the northeast sky from about 3:30am until sunrise.

I planned to shoot it over CJ Brown Reservoir, hoping to catch the lake's glow and the marina lights.

We arrived about 03:40, and this shot was taken at 03:53. 

I used the Olympus EM1 Mark3 in Starry Sky mode for both shots. The first was taken using the Panasonic 8-18mm lens at F. 2.8. Exposure was 3.2 seconds at iso 2000. The wide angle allowed me to capture some of the rocky shoreline in the foreground. 

This shot was taken with the Zuiko 300mm lens at F4, and again at iso 2000 for a 3.2 second exposure. 

Turtle Dinner

Watching this Great Blue Heron at Old Reid Park wondering what he's having for lunch.

Toss it to get it in position...

It's a little Soft Shell Turtle!

See....

Down the hatch!

Taaaa-Dahhhh!

Meadowhawks

Meadowhawks and Elfin Skimmers have arrived at Cedar Bog. 

Cedar Bog

This is the Ebony Jewelwing....a species of damselfly. They hang out near streams and rivers. This one is from Cedar Bog, in Champaign County, yesterday.

They are metallic green, but can appear blue in some light. The wings of the male look all black in most light, but if you are lucky enough to see them in a shaft of sunlight you can see why they have the name "Jewelwing."

Mobbed Redtail Hawk