Bob Simrak Photography
Tuesday, September 08, 2026
Monday, September 07, 2026
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) or a closely related Rudbeckia coneflower species, captured at two distinct life stages:
Foreground (Left): An unopened flower bud with soft green phyllaries (involucral bracts), developing yellow ray florets just beginning to emerge, and a tightly clustered dark central disc cone.
Background (Right): A fully opened bloom showing mature bright golden-yellow ray petals radiating around a deep brown-purple central disc cone. (Narration - Gemini AI)
Sunday, September 06, 2026
The insect is a Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), foraging on flowering stonecrop (Hylotelephium spectabile / Sedum).
Key Diagnostic Features
Abdomen Pattern: Alternating black and amber-yellow bands with fine fuzzy rings, tapering to a pointed tip characteristic of female worker honey bees.
Leg Anatomy: Hind leg displays the wide, flattened tibia adapted as a pollen basket (corbicula).
Head & Eyes: Large, dark compound eyes covered with microscopic hairs, and characteristic elbowed antennae. (Commentary Gemini AI)
Wednesday, September 02, 2026
Brigadier General Gouverneur K. Warren, chief engineer of the Union Army, rode up the undefended hill, recognized its strategic vulnerability, and urgently diverted troops to occupy the crest just minutes before Confederate forces struck. The statue is over General Warren. (Gemini AI - Narration)
Today, the National Park Service maintains tens of miles of historic fence lines to preserve the visual and tactical landscape of the 1863 battle. (Gemini AI - Narration)
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Friday, August 28, 2026
A sunflower at Temple University's Ambler Arboretum.
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Some random images from the past year. Surprising backyard rainbow B&W rendition of poster mode. Out of camera poster mode. Deterioratin...