This is a female pelecinid wasp. They look like a cross between a dragonfly and a wasp. The males are rare but apparently these females are common. Taken at Hartman Reserve Nature Center.

Close up of an echinacea flower.

A chorus frog tadpole sitting contemplatively next to water lily flower. Notice tail is still attached to frog.

A Twilight lit day lily.

Trumpet Creeper at Giant City State Park near Carbondale, Illinois. The flash is on the outside of flower backlighting the image. I think I will use this effect more often.

Heron in a lone tree in a wetland that no longer exists in Wood Dale, Illinois.