Naturebug Photography

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Naturebug Photography Every photograph I take is an attempt to tell a story, to capture the essence of the building's past and it's present.

To give life back to the abandoned testament of our history.

South Fork Mineral Creek Falls near Silverton, Colorado A big shoutout to Lars Leber Photography and Jay Briggs for an o...
10/06/2026

South Fork Mineral Creek Falls near Silverton, Colorado

A big shoutout to Lars Leber Photography and Jay Briggs for an outstanding day of photography. What a wonderful experience with a great group. Just WOW! If you don't follow these two yet, you need to. Prepare to be in awe and completely inspired. Lars is the Colorado photographer that everyone dreams of being.

Crystal Mill - Colorado They say all the awesome places are off the main road. They aren't wrong. In fact, Colorado will...
10/05/2026

Crystal Mill - Colorado

They say all the awesome places are off the main road. They aren't wrong. In fact, Colorado will put your nerves to the test on some of the roads. I had my share of some mini heart attacks this past week.

Was it worth it? Since I made it back alive, I'd say YES!

What's your vote? WIth the sunburst or without?

Church - Northeast Kansas - Can be seen from I-70.Just returned home from a big trip to Colorado. On the way up I saw th...
10/04/2026

Church - Northeast Kansas - Can be seen from I-70.

Just returned home from a big trip to Colorado. On the way up I saw this beautiful church off I-70 in northwest Kansas. I came topped a hill at about 6am as the sun was just coming up. I took the next exit and started down gravel roads until I found it.

Here's two views taken about 20 minutes apart and from different angles. Sun coming up on one side and storm moving in on the other side.

It always amazes me how different lighting and postions can make the same scene change so much.

Which one is your favorite?

📍 Location: Cole Camp, MO✨ Preserving Missouri History Tucked away on an unassuming country road between Cole Camp and S...
09/06/2026

📍 Location: Cole Camp, MO
✨ Preserving Missouri History

Tucked away on an unassuming country road between Cole Camp and Stover, Missouri, sits a church that looks as though it was plucked straight out of the European countryside. Beside it lies a peaceful cemetery filled with exquisitely carved headstones, some dating back to the mid-1800s.

So often, abandoned churches across the rural Midwest are left to fade into history—forgotten, overgrown, with no one left to care for them.

But Bethlehem Church is different.

With its steeple soaring high into the sky, this isn't your ordinary abandoned church. It is privately owned by a family whose roots are deeply intertwined with its very beginnings. The church and cemetery grounds are meticulously cared for by the children and grandchildren of those laid to rest here. They own, farm, and live on the very land that holds this precious piece of history—the same family that once sat in these pews for Sunday services.

The respect for this historical treasure gleams in the eyes of the younger generations as they share stories of its past. Standing at the edge of their farm, Bethlehem Church almost seems to watch over the very family that saved it.

From the first day I saw this church, it has held a special place in my heart. Each time someone asks about my favorite church, my answer is always Bethlehem Church.

Last night, I headed up to shoot the Milky Way/Big Dipper, and once again, this incredible place did not disappoint. Also treated to one of the best shooting star shows I have ever seen. Including the brightest single shooting star I've ever captured (the bright one above the church in first photo) ✨🌌

Single shot photo - taken on 9-5-2026

Happy Sunday, everyone! 📸✨

08/30/2026

Route 66 Balloon Fest in Joplin MO

Great family fun at the Route 66 Balloon Festival this weekend in Joplin, MO. Grandson thought the balloons were the gre...
08/30/2026

Great family fun at the Route 66 Balloon Festival this weekend in Joplin, MO.

Grandson thought the balloons were the greatest things ever (except he wanted to ride on the "duck" balloon and wasn't giving up on that...lol).

He played in the kids area until he couldn't play anymore. THe bubble machince was a huge hit. We all had the best time and planning for next year's trip there.

Have a great Sunday, my friends!

Backyard Frog - Southwest Missouri I've been hearing this guy for several weeks, loud and clear. Found his little hiding...
08/16/2026

Backyard Frog - Southwest Missouri

I've been hearing this guy for several weeks, loud and clear. Found his little hiding hole so I braved the heat and took his picture.

He might be a prince but I wasn't going to kiss him to find out.

Asselin Covered Bridge — Walnut Shade, MO | Single Shot 🌌Life gets busy. It gets complicated and stressful, and you star...
08/15/2026

Asselin Covered Bridge — Walnut Shade, MO | Single Shot 🌌

Life gets busy. It gets complicated and stressful, and you start wondering where your place is in the world and what you've actually contributed to it. I'm not sure I have any of those answers, but I do know that all of us have to take time to breathe.

There's a song with the words, "...and cleanse my soul..." While the song has a direct message, for me, it expands even further. My thoughts, health, and spirit simply need a good cleansing every once in a while. It’s what keeps me going—hitting that restart button and making me feel whole again. I don't know if it's the same for everyone, but it plays a vital role for me.

This week, my camera took me on some much-needed night sky soul-searching. This little covered bridge is less than 30 minutes from my house, making it the perfect spot for a Friday night Milky Way adventure.

People often don't realize that it takes hours, weeks, or sometimes months to plan these shots. All the "stars" literally need to align, and your weather and planning research has to be spot on. But when it all comes together? It's completely worth it. I was a bit worried about light pollution bleeding over from Branson, MO, and while you can see a slight glow, I was still able to capture enough detail in the Milky Way core to make it work.

The sky last night was truly amazing, completely filled with stars. The Big Dipper was shining just as bright as it was during Wednesday night's shoot. I stood there and just took it all in.

Somehow, being surrounded by the galaxy we call home keeps me grounded. These are the exact same skies my parents and grandparents looked up at when they were young, and all the generations before them. Standing here, I feel connected to them all—like a warm hug from the many loved ones who came before me. These same stars have witnessed countess battles and triumphs throughout history, standing strong through it all to guide the lost and comfort the lonely.

This is my cleanse from a world that gets a little too complicated. Tonight, I head back out for another night sky adventure.

Look up when it gets dark tonight... I'll be out there doing the same. ✨📷

Camera Specs & Location:
📍 Asselin Covered Bridge | Walnut Shade, MO

📸 Single Exposure Photograph

📍 Crossing One Off the Photography Bucket List!Nathan and Olive Boone Historic Home | Ash Grove, MissouriThis site has b...
08/13/2026

📍 Crossing One Off the Photography Bucket List!
Nathan and Olive Boone Historic Home | Ash Grove, Missouri

This site has been on my photography bucket list for several years, and what better time to cross it off than during the 250th anniversary of our country? 🇺🇸

One of the earliest frontiersmen I remember learning about as a kid was Daniel Boone. I don't know many Americans who don't know of Daniel Boone and his family, but what surprises many people are their deep ties to Missouri. Both Daniel and his son Nathan built homes here.

Nathan and his wife Olive's historic homestead stands about an hour from my house. After applying for a special after-hours permit from the Missouri State Parks Department, I finally got my chance!

Nathan and Olive moved into this log home in 1837. By then, they were getting up there in age, but they remained here until their deaths in the 1850s. Both are buried right on the property.

The Journey & The Storm ⛈️
My arrival time was set for 8:00 PM, with one primary goal: Milky Way photography.

Just 40 minutes before arriving, I drove straight through a severe hail storm. Most photographers in their right mind would have turned around right then and rescheduled! But I kept driving with all the confidence in the world that those skies were going to clear... and for the most part, I was right.

A few low-hanging clouds delivered a stunning sunset—even if it only lasted about 5 minutes. As the night sky began to darken, it gave me the perfect opportunity to capture some quiet homestead photos (after bringing a little special "life" to the scene!).

Stars, Sky, & A Few Surprises ✨
By 9:42 PM, the show was about to begin!

What I hadn't fully accounted for was the harsh light pollution from the neighboring city. I had expected the location to be far enough off to the side to tone down the glow. Well... I was wrong (you might want to make a note of that, lol! 📝). I managed to capture some Milky Way shots, though they'll take a bit more work in post processing to really make the core pop.

By 10:15 PM, thin clouds rolled over the Milky Way, ending that window.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Lately, I’ve been wanting to capture a great shot of the Big Dipper and had been trying to think of the ideal location. Guess what I found sitting right over the historic home last night?

The biggest, brightest Big Dipper I’ve ever seen! 🌌

Friends, this is a SINGLE-SHOT photo! It was truly this big and this bright in the night sky. Talk about my heart beating ninety to nothing!

After waiting patiently for what felt like a billion satellites and airplanes to clear out of my frame, I finally clicked off a handful of shots. The funny thing? I think I love it even more than a Milky Way photo in the same location!

Special Thanks
A huge thank you to Holly and Rhy at the Nathan and Olive Boone State Historic Site for all their help in making this night happen. You all are simply the best!

Missouri truly has some of the finest State Parks, and I encourage all of you to get out there and enjoy them.

Till the next adventure... 📷✨

Happy Sunday!
08/02/2026

Happy Sunday!

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Branson, MO
65616

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