the birds ...a bee ...and other critters

Over the last 2 years I have taken quite a fair amount of nature photos; the subjects are mostly birds, flowers, and various woodland critters. Recently I braved 6 bumblebees to get a decent shot of at least one of them. Needless to say I didn't hang around too long, and although I didn't get any great shots of their pollen-covered legs like I initially wanted, I did get  a shot that still feels too close for comfort..

 (click on any pic to enlarge)

*normal Nikon gear, ISO 400 digital / Kodak GC400 film

Kodak CG400,  Circular Filter

Nikon D80, ISO400, A, 1/400 f/5.6
saturation adjusted FastStone

Kodak CG400, no filter, 1x2 aspect crop

Kodak CG400, 300mm, f/5.6

Nikon D80, ISO 400, M, 1/15 f/5.6
dusk -no adjustment made

Nikon D80, ISO 400, A, 1/800 f/8, 300mm
saturation adjusted GIMP

Nikon D80, ISO 400, M, 1/400 f/16
Nikkor AF 28-85mm "Macro" close-up setting

Bunny eating dandelion, Easter Eve, 2011
Nikon D80, ISO 400, S, 1/100 f/9

Grace Church, Maryland Heights, MO

One of my little pet projects is photographing churches, starting with my neighborhood.  So far I have been partially successful on the outset. One of my favorite places is Grace Church in Maryland Heights,  Missouri, which is HUGE I might add, and joyously open during days when it isn't a Services day;  coming from a small town and my personal belief that God is always open as were the churches where I grew up, a closed church drives me crazy nuts to say the least.
I am always amazed at the enormity of Grace Church, which contains not only the congregational area, but a cafeteria, bookstore, student bible study area, auditorium, gymnasium, and family services area. I have yet to actually photograph services etc, but I always make a point to photograph the Grace Cross, trying to emphasize its largeness.
 (click on any pic to enlarge)

*Nikon D80 + Nikkor AF 28-85mm, ISO 400-1000

Grace Church Cross, April 2011

Grace Church Cross, June 2011, 9pm
strong spot flood from bottom

Grace Church Fountain, under /part of Cross, June 2011
light from underneath in pool
GIMP- sepia BW, barrel distortion left on purpose (28mm)

Grace Church Main Stage, June 2011
available light ISO 1600 f/8
normally don't shoot above1000, but wanted
some DOF to try to get stand, curtain, band instruments (drumset)

"Rest In Safety" by LaMarche
Grace Church Painting Gallery based on Scripture
April 2011

Jesus Stained Glass in front steeple, 2009
Arlington United Methodist Church McKelvey Rd, 63044
Kodak GC400

St. Louis Lambert International Airport

July 4th parade photoshoot cancelled due to rain.
Instead I am posting photos of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, taken 2009 / 2010.
 (click on any pic to enlarge)
*Kodak GC400, Nikon N8008 + Nikkor AF 28-85mm

Charles Lindbergh, St. Louis Aviator

"Trojan Horse" CG-10 Glider 1941-49
Laister-Kauffmann Aircraft Corp.
Bronze and Marble

Chapel, St. Louis Lambert International Airport

"Pondering Flight" 2009 SM/FSTS
History of Flight mural