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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · 11d

One of my greatest joys in photography is sharing the spark of seeing the world through a lens. A great photo is born in the decisive moment when light, subject, action, and emotion align. This prairie-chicken dance at dawn shows how patience and presence create powerful images.

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · 15d

Always looking for fresh ways to see familiar things. Found this delicate Nodding Ladies’-tresses orchid on a glade hike. Shot it two ways—macro for details, wide-angle for its world. Two lenses, two stories. #macro #wildflower #naturephotography

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Sep 17

I love the expression of this young raccoon, caught by surprise while foraging for acorns in a bur oak tree. Raccoons are clever and adaptable, using their nimble hands to open jars and latches. Their dark “mask” helps reduce glare and sharpen night vision as they prepare for winter.

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Sep 13

This monarch caterpillar on milkweed is one step closer to becoming the butterfly we all love. Milkweed is vital, feeding caterpillars and pollinators alike. I love using a wide-angle lens to show not just the subject, but the habitat it depends on. #MonarchButterfly #NativePlants #PollinatorPower

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Aug 31

Yesterday evening in a neighborhood park, I observed a pair of mating monarch butterflies. After briefly landing on a flower, they flew to a sycamore tree, where I captured several images. Native plants not only enhance landscapes but also provide critical habitat for pollinators.

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Aug 27

Yesterday, while walking in my garden, I came across a pair of monarchs mating. With their numbers so low this year, it was a hopeful sight. I’m wishing this female will soon lay eggs and give the next generation a boost toward recovery.

Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Aug 1

Check out the August Missouri Conservationist featuring one of my favorite images—an Eastern Hellbender. Missouri is home to two rare species, both of which are declining due to habitat loss. Learn more about this remarkable amphibian: mdc.mo.gov/%E2%80%A6/wr...

Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Jul 31

A delicate moment in motion, this Snowberry Clearwing moth hovers to sip nectar from a blooming Skullcap (Scutellaria species). Nature’s smallest wonders are often the most mesmerizing.

Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Jul 4

Happy Fourth of July!
I captured this magical firefly moment a few years ago—featured in my Missouri Conservationist article, “Twinkling of a Summer Night.” Light pollution & lawn chemicals threaten fireflies. Plant natives & mow less: tinyurl.com/firefly-mdc

Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Jun 19

Last night, my neighbor texted that a hawk was eating something big. I went to check and saw it guarding a dead hawk—the same one I had photographed earlier. Turns out, its sibling from the nest above had killed it. So much for a peaceful reunion… Nature can be brutal.

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Jun 6

Just posted a short video from my January Thailand workshop—what an unforgettable trip! From Sarus Cranes to elephants, every day was incredible. I’m heading back in January 2026, and spots are filling fast! Watch here: youtu.be/frTgSrrp3zw
Message me with questions!

2025 Thailand Nature Photography Workshop

YouTube video by nopnature

youtu.be

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Jun 4

I love capturing birds in action, not just perched poses. In spring, males sing to attract mates and defend their territory. All of these images were taken without call-back recordings, which I avoid to prevent unnecessary stress on the birds. Just patience, a long lens, and quiet observation.

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · May 23

Male Dickcissels fill the prairie with song each summer, defending territory and seeking a mate. Though they resemble sparrows, they’re more closely related to cardinals. Each fall, they migrate thousands of miles to the South America.

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · May 20

I’ve photographed this bird many times, yet I never tire of it. Its rich indigo plumage and calm nature make it a perfect subject. The shimmering feathers aren’t truly blue—they appear so due to light scattering off microscopic structures, a process called structural coloration.

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · May 14

Our lunatic dog bravely defends the park from a deadly mushroom… growing on a tree. No threat too small, no fungus too suspicious. 🤣

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · May 12

A Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) pauses to preen along a wetland edge. With nearly 360° vision, it stays alert even during quiet moments. #shorebirds #naturephotography #birdsphotography

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · May 9

The Turkey Vulture may not win “prettiest bird,” but it plays a key role in nature. As a scavenger, it cleans up carrion, preventing disease spread. I’m especially drawn to the subtle beauty in its feathers, with fine details that are often overlooked.

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · May 2

The indigo bunting lights up Missouri’s summer fields with its dazzling blue plumage and bright, joyful song. Amazingly, these tiny songbirds navigate thousands of miles during migration using the stars! Perched atop stems or treetops, they sing as if purely for joy. #MissouriBirds

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · May 2

In Missouri’s spring woods, mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) spreads a lush green canopy, hiding delicate white flowers. Its name comes from the small, apple-like yellow fruit that appears after May blooms — an iconic part of Missouri’s native wildflower landscape!

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Apr 21

Each spring, prairie chickens gather to boom, dance, and compete for hens. Only the dominant male earns the prize. After 20 years of watching, I’ve learned: the best dancer has stamina, a deeper call—and bows gently before mating. A wild, ancient ritual—timeless and fragile.

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Apr 17

Even after coming home from several long weeks of photography workshops, I can still hear the echoes of prairie chickens booming in my head. Their calls stay with me—ancient, haunting, and unforgettable.

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Apr 15

Listen to the deep, echoing boom of prairie-chickens at dawn as males gather to dance and display on the open prairie—a timeless ritual of the grasslands. #prairielife #greaterprairiechicken

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Reposted by Noppadol Paothong

John Dengler @denglerimages.com · Apr 12

Good points are made in this article. "A popular saying tells us that a photo is worth a thousand words. But what’s the value of those words if they’re meaningless?"

The Next Photography Revolution Isn’t More. It’s Meaning. - Thoughts of a Bohemian

blog.melchersystem.com

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Apr 12

Beneath the glow of a full moon, a Greater Prairie-Chicken performs its age-old dance—a silhouette of resilience and rhythm against the quiet prairie night. #prairiechicken #prairielife #noppadolpaothong #prairiegrousephotographyworkshop

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Noppadol Paothong @npaothongphoto.bsky.social · Apr 10

In the golden light of dawn, a male Greater Prairie-Chicken bursts into motion—running forward in short, deliberate spurts, stomping his feet in a rapid rhythm. With neck feathers raised and tail fanned, he inflates vibrant orange air sacs and releases a haunting boom that rolls across the prairie.

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