Sign in

Firewallbill

@fadedphotos.bsky.social
353 followers 232 following 326 posts

So many careers: photography, tech, Navy. Back to photography and it all blends together.

PostsRepliesMedia
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 20h
Yummy Sunflower Seeds! While our pine trees are under-producing in the greenbelt I am supplementing the diet with sunflower seeds. One does what one can for the critters! Look closely: those teeth open a seed like an oyster! #squirrels #wildlife #nature #teeth #nature #wildlife #katytx #pentax_us
Eastern gray squirrel chiseling open a sunflower seed. He’s sitting in the crotch of an oak tree with a seed in his forepaws, opening it like popping open an oyster.
Pentax K3 III with Pentax 60-250 and Pentax 1.4x teleconverter at 340mm. ISO 1000 for 1/640 at f10. Bright early morning sun.
120
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 20h
Perfect Beauty This lovely model from the 70’s worked with me for a number of years in Arkansas. She had perfect olive-brown skin and incredible green eyes. Part was a legacy of Native American ancestry. #beautifulgirl #portrait #retrofashion #vintage #film #northlittlerock #theoldmill #pentax_us
Beautiful olive skinned girl with stunning green eyes in a 1920’s era bone white frill dress against fall colors.  Shot at the North Little Rock Old Mill in the 1970’s. The model has her hair in a vintage bun style. She has a stern expression typical of the Victorian era.  
This isn’t COSPLAY as that term didn’t even exist yet! She just wanted a portrait in that gorgeous dress.
Pentax Spotmatic F with the magical Pentax 85mm f1.8 SMC Takumar portrait lens. By any standard that was and still would be a phenomenal portrait lens.
Shot on Kodak Vericolor S film.
050
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico from the Deck Infrared IRChrome Modification to Pentax KF by Kolari The IR view of this city is fascinating. On a hazy day it opens up a view of the distance mountains from deck 11 Navigator of the Seas #puertovallartamexico #mexico #infrared #irchrome #pentax_us
This is an IR view of Puerto Vallarta with the horizon obscured somewhat by haze. IR light cuts through it. Foliage turns red.  The palm trees are bright scarlet. The city is crystal clear in the haze.

I’ve put a lot of effort into identifying which Pentax lenses do not have “hot spots” with IR and UV and which frequencies they work best with. 

The 21mm is very versatile with all IR bands.

The 35mm macro limited is excellent for 720nm, IRChrome, NDVI blue and especially UV.

Pentax KF full spectrum with Pentax DA* 21mm lens f3.2.  Kolari IRChrome lens.  ISO 200 for 1/400 at f7.1.  Hazy afternoon sun.
020
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Beautiful Damsel(fly) Hugging the vegetation in our greenbelt was this Rambur’s Forktail. The dragonflies were patrolling intensely, she was probably hiding from the predators. #rambursforktail #damselfly #dragonfly #insect #macro #greenbelt #insect #nature #katytx #pentax_us
Rambur’s Forktail dragonfly in front of a tievine flower in a greenbelt in Katy, Texas. The wings are folded as it rests. Above it out of frame are dragonflies patrolling.  Shot in the early morning hours. Pentax K3 III with Pentax 60-250 DA*.
070
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Is She? In the 70’s one of my jobs is called “street photography” today. Then I shot for the PR department at FSU. This is one of my captures outside the Student Union. Can you guess the subject? #vintage #retro #monochrome #humor #couple #love #beautifulgirl #ilfordpanf #fsu #pentax_us #film
Young couple sitting on a bench outside the Student Union at Florida State University. The girl is holding a loaf of bread with a cute ironic twist. She has a cute smile.  He’s enamored with her. Monochrome shot on Ilford Pan F from the early 70’s. Pure retro vintage fashion. Pentax Spotmatic F with SMC Takumar SMC 55mm f1.8.
070
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Lunch is Served Beautiful great egret with lunch! That may be the biggest crawfish I have seen in our Katy Texas bayous and retention ponds. Obviously Mr. Egret is proud of his catch as he shows it off. Good find! #greategret #waterfowl #crawfish #hunting #pentax_us #birdoftheday #waterfowlwednesday
White egret with crawfish in beak looking at photographer against a dark water background. This is a large retention pond in West Houston / Katy Texas area. Egrets love our waterways as they are rich in protein like small amphibians, crawfish, and insect.  
Pentax KF with Pentax 55-300 PLM at 300mm. ISO 2500 for 1/1000 at f9. Afternoon sun.
1130
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
70’s Fashion Rocked Disneyworld, early 70’s and 20 dollars got you parked, entrance, and a book of tickets to ride and have fun all day. Good times! Don’t forget your sunglasses. #retro #vintage #disneyworld #monochrome #streetphotography #beautifulgirl #portrait #ilford #hp4 #tanned
A beautiful tanned girl is sporting a playful set of sunglasses that were cartoonish and popular in the 70’s. Shot in Disneyworld. Pentax Spotmatic F, SMC Takumar 55mm f1.8.
1110
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Woodpecker in our backyard. We haven’t seen him in a while, but we hear him, or his feathered friends, around the greenbelt and neighborhood. #BirdOfTheDay #BlackAndRed #woodpecker #bird #feathers #katytx #Pentax_us
Downy woodpecker feeding on a crape Myrtle in Katy, Texas. He is heard often in our neighborhood as we have a number of dead trees due to drought and storm damage. Pentax K3 III and Pentax 60-250 at ISO 5000 for 1/1000 at f7.1. EV +0.7
1160
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
A trio of beaks, or is it quartet, or quintet? #BirdOfTheDay #BestBeaks #NewZealand
2170
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Mood…. I’ve been less active these last few weeks - lots of pain. So apologies to my fans - I know I have some really great followers! There’s nothing like a ‘doodle pup to help with pain, by the way! #easterngraysquirrel #squirrel #greenbelt #mood #rest #pain #wildlife #nature #katytx #pentax_us
Eastern gray squirrel resting on an oak tree branch on a hot humid morning. Early AM shot.  Pentax K3 III with Pentax DA* 60-250 and Pentax 1.4x teleconverter at 350mm.  ISO 8000 for 1/500 at f10. Bright backlit morning sun.
080
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Studious One of the better jobs I had in college was working with the PR department. This shot is an example of the type of work done for newsletters, magazines, publications. FSU in the early 70’s. #vintage #retro #coed #beautifulgirl #portrait #fsu #pentax_us #film #ilford #spotmaticf
Beautiful coed sitting on ledge of administration building, 1970’s Tallahassee Florida State University. Pentax Spotmatic F, Pentax 85mm SMC Takumar, Ilford film Microphen Developer
1100
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Tievine all tied up Tievine is by far the longest-lasting and most common flower in our greenbelt. It lasts from early spring on into winter. It is a member of the Morning Glory family and very hardy. It is toxic to dogs! #tievine #morninglory #wildflower #katytx #pentax_us #greenbelt #toxic #flower
A trio of purple tievine flowers growing across the grou.nd and covered with morning dew. Rich dark green leaves surround them. Tievine is  native to the Southeast US, not invasive, but many gardeners consider it a nuisance as it grows aggressively and is very difficult to remove due to its deep roots.

Pentax K3 III with Pentax 100mm macro ED AW.  ISO 2000 for 1/250 at f8. Early morning twilight.
181
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Black Beauty! It’s a book from my childhood, a movie, a futuristic sci-fi car in a TV show, a comic - and a carpenter bee? It has a deep black carapace and can also be highly destructive of homes if owners are not careful to watch for tell-tale holes. #carpenterbee #bee #katytx #pentax_us #macro
Jet black carpenter bee on a bright yellow flower. Sunlight glints off the eye.  It is sucking nectar from the plant.

Carpenter bees are pollinators and an important part of the ecosystem.  We are “blessed” with many carpenter bees in our area and they frequent the greenbelt.

Pentax K3 III with Pentax 100mm macro ED AW and Pentax 1.4x converter.  ISO 640 for 1/800 at f13.
070
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Which Side of the Fence? This beautiful lantana is an escapee from a garden somewhere. Growing wild. And it is absolutely gorgeous. It's free in the truest sense. Taken on the neighborhood greenbelt this week. #lantana #wildflower #freedom #sunrise #goldenhour #fence #pentax_us #katytx
Golden Lantana blooms seen through a wire fence frame. Morning sunlight highlights and backlights the intense yellow and red petals.  Taken with a Pentax K3 III and Pentax DA 60-250*.  ISO 640 for 1/640 at f9.
1110
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Yummmmy! Protein!!!! This young squirrel was offered sunflower seed, peanuts, and rejected it in favor of a nearby cicada. Cicadas are full of all kinds of goodness: protein, juices. Squirrels are opportunistic. #squirrel #wildlife #nature #feeding #greenbelt #katytx #pentax_us #cicada #tasty
A young female squirrel had a choice of sunflower seed, peanuts, and she rejected them in favor of a nearby cicada. She is eating the cicada with her front paws, delicately taking bites. Shot in Katy, Texas September 24 in the early morning with a Pentax K3 III and Pentax 60-250 DA* and Pentax 1.4x converter.
180
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Savoring the Moment This tiny long-legged fly is enjoying a sip of nectar from the garden. Taken on an extremely hot, humid morning. We see a lot of this fly in our garden. They seem comfortable here. A notable characteristic is the beautiful emerald green body. #longleggedfly #macro #pentax_us
Tiny long legged fly, emerald green, against a pink flower. He is sipping nectar, resting, then sipping some more. This was shot early morning, in the sun, on an extremely hot humid day in Katy, Texas.

Pentax K3 III with Pentax 100mm macro ED AW and Pentax 1.4x extender. ISO 400 for 1/800 at f8 and -0.7 ev
060
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Great egret just woke up. Can’t do a thing with his feathers. Katy, Texas early morning on the greenbelt. #BirdOfTheDay #Birdstare #GreaEgret #bird #wildlife #waterfowl #pentax_us
1130
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
“Long Cool Woman in a Black Jump Suit” In the 70’s we worked hard on a system for subtractive lighting for portraits. Under the right light it was awesome. We moved on to some fun shoots, like these. Definitely Diana Rigg vibes! #beautifulgirl #portrait #jumpsuit #retro #vintage #blonde #pentax_us
Beautiful blonde girl in a black jumpsuit and black hat in the woods. She has a slight smile. This is a retro shoot from the 70’s proofing subtractive lighting (black umbrella).  Pentax Spotmatic F with Pentax SMC Takumar 85mm f1.8. Ilford Pan F with Microphen developer.
090
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Sweet Nectar! Did you know honeybees sometimes make dedicated nectar runs? They don’t always carry pollen! This lady is hurrying back to the hive with a load of nectar. Sometimes they carry both, one or the other. #honeybees #honebee #bee #insect #macro #nectar #pollinator #katytx #Pentax_us
Eastern honeybee in flight carrying nectar to the hive. The pollen sacks are empty. She is returning home. Taken in September in our front yard, with a background of white flowers. Pentax K3 III with Pentax 100mm macro ED AW.  ISO 10,000 for 1/2000 at f9. Afternoon shade.
2130
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"I'm So Blue" This incredibly blue flower is common on our greenbelt. The blue is really this intense; I had to dial the saturation back! And, the yellow also leaps out at you. It's a tiny flower that packs a colorful punch. #whitemouthdayflower #wildflower #macro #blossoms #katytx #pentax_us
An intensely blue white mouth dayflower shot just before dawn in Katy, Texas. The flower is close to the deeply shaded ground cover.  Taken with Pentax K3 III and Pentax 100mm macro ED AW. ISO 3200 for 1/250 at f9.
170
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
House of the Dragonfly The Eastern pondhawk male is an incredibly rich blue while the female, featured yesterday, is all green. They eat the State Bird of Texas: the mosquito. They are also cannibals. They guard their territory viciously. #easternpondhawk #dragonfly #insect #macro #katytx #pentax_us
Vivid blue eastern pondhawk dragonfly perched on a twig. Taken in morning sunlight. Pentax K3 III with Pentax DA* 60-250 at 250mm. ISO 640 for 1/320 at f8.
060
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Dragons on the Greenbelt! Right now, dragonflies are plentiful on our greenbelt. There is a lot of water, insects are plentiful and the dragonflies are feasting. This beautiful Eastern pond hawk is resting on a branch between catches. #easternpondhawk #dragonfly #insect #macro #pentax_us #katytx
Eastern pondhawk dragonfly resting on a twig between catches.
We did a little dance - he would not let me get closer than 5-6 feet before launching, I would back off, he would land and rest again.
I understand these are territorial dragonflies and will frequent a specific spot.
Pentax K3 III with Pentax 60-250 DA* at 250mm. ISO 400 for 1/320 at f9. Backlit by morning sun.
150
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Beautiful great egret in Katy, Texas, coming in for a landing. A truly majestic bird. Bird of the day vibes. #birdoftheday #elegance #greategret #egret #waterfowl #wildlife #katytx #pentax_us
2142
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Mellow Yellow! Beautiful Model + (Kodak Ektachrome Infrared and Wratten 87C filter) = Mellow Yellow Portrait! This gorgeous model is in a red dress…. Turned yellow…. And those eyes are all hers. That film was legendary for good reason. #beautifulgirl #blueeyes #infrared #vintage #retro #ektachrome
Beautiful model in a dress turned yellow by infrared. Dorothy Hamil haircut from the 70’s.  Shot with Pentax Spotmatic F and Pentax 55mm SMC Takumar in the 70’s using Kodak Ektachrome IR film and Wratten 87C filter with Novatron flash. She has an engaging smile and intense blue eyes.
030
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Pecan Stump Sprouts a Tail! Is it a question mark? A bashful squirrel? A tree stump growing a tail? No, it's Guinevere checking to see if any seeds are hiding in the hollow. No seed escapes a hungry squirrel! #squirrelhumor #squirrels #bushytail #wildlife #nature #backyardfeeder #katytx #pentax_us
Bushy tailed squirrel rooting around for seed in a hollow in a tree stump. Her tail is curved in a cute question mark as she is halfway down the hole.  The tree stump is the leftover from trimming a broken pecan tree trunk. Taken this week with a Pentax K3 III and Pentax 60-250 DA* lens and Pentax 1.4x converter on a cloudy morning.
090
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Blooming Through the Rust Captured on our greenbelt, tievine is very common in our area. Captured this morning in the predawn light. #pavementplants #bloomscrolling #morethanweeds #concretebotany #tievine #katytx #pentax_us #wildflower #greenbelt
A tievine bloom winds its way up through the chain link fence around the greenbelt. A rusty support pipe runs across the picture.  Captured in pre dawn light in Katy, Texas with Pentax K3 III and Pentax 60-250 DA*.  ISO 3200 for 1/500 at f8.
190
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Fast & Furious in Ultraviolet This honeybee is inbound to a sunflower near our area in June. This is one of my luckiest shots, it’s a 300mm telephoto that happened to catch a tiny bee inbound. UV makes it difficult to focus and see. #ultraviolet #sunflower #honeybee #pentax_us #pollinator #katytx
A bright sunflower attracts a honeybee  in bright daylight on a hot June day. Shot in ultraviolet. At the 3 o’clock position there are florets that shine indicating fresh nectar.  This is incredible good luck. With the UV filter in place it is difficult to see details. Everything fell into place nicely!
Pentax KF with Pentax 55-300 PLM at 300mm. ISO 100 for 1/500 at f6.3, wide open. Noon sun. Kolari UV Bandpass. Katy, Texas.
070
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
“She’s Got The Look” Celebrity Squirrel posing in a natural frame on our greenbelt. She’s so modest she almost didn’t ask for peanuts. Peanuts are obtained, never fear. #easterngraysquirrel #squirrel #celebrity #portrait #humor #wildlife #nature #pose #pentax_us #pentax_da60250 #katytexas #katytx
Early morning sot on this hot, humid Friday in Katy.  Walking the greenbelt the squirrels were a. Shy and b. Hungry.  While acorns are a-plenty, they love peanuts!  After a few minutes they came out. This little lady posed for me in a nice natural frame. So considerate! So modest! 
Pentax k3 III with Pentax 60-250 DA* at 250mm and Pentax 1.4x teleconverter for 350mm. The extra length made a nice bokeh.  ISO 5000 for 1/500 at f7.1.
1292
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Happy #flyday ! Beauty in the smallest most mundane critters.
091
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Downy woodpecker on the greenbelt. These incredible birds peck at 30 times per second up to 1500 g’s of impact! They create homes for burrowing animals and clean trees. Their pecking sound also attracts mates. #downywoodpecker #birdoftheday #woodpecker #bird #wildlife #pentax_us #katytexas
A downy woodpecker rests on a crepe Myrtle between strikes. Shot in Katy, Texas with Pentax K3 III. Pentax 60-250, morning light.
0253
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
International Traveler This fly, common, is an uncommon traveler! Native to North America it is own found on every continent but Antarctica. Macro work is uniquely rewarding: the beauty of such commonly disdained creature is undeniable. #fly #insect #beautifuleyes #macro #garden #pentax_us
A common fly perches on a leaf. The eyes glisten, the wings shimmer. There is beauty in the common and purpose in the despised sometimes.more and more I use a teleconverter for macro to provide subject distance.
0173
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Our Pittsburgh model just before sunset. Park trail with steps. Such a beautiful, wistful expression in her sheer nightgown. Working with her was a joy! Vintage ‘90’s shoot. #beutifulgirl #portrait #nightgown #boudoir #woodland #portrait #redhead #greeneyes #retro #vintage #pentax_us #park
Beautiful redhead on a park trail with wooden steps. She is holding onto a rail looking over her shoulder with a deep retrospective thought.
Pentax Spotmatic F with Pentax SMC Takumar 55mm f1.8. Sunset, low light, Kodak Royal 200.
092
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Wistful Girl Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania mountain park. A very hot day in the park. Sun setting. Gorgeous light. Our model is cooling off the natural way. #beautifulgiirl #portrait #topless #artfulnude #breasts #redhead #greeneyes #nightgown #artnude #pentax_us #moody
Beautiful redhead topless at the foot of a row of wooden stairs. Arms posed to catch her on the rickety steps, white nightgown off her shoulders at her waist.

Towards the end of a long day of shooting we tried moving deeper into the park.  The humidity and heat was overwhelming and removing a few layers wasn’t enough. Going down to this cute nightgown was perfect for the mood and the shot. Extremely low light for a ASA 200 film! Kodak Royal 200, Pentax 55mm SMC Takumar.
183
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Great egret near Katy, Texas. Monochrome shot just for the fun. The brilliant white plumage is always a challenge. Pentax K3 III monochrome. #birdoftheday #greategret #egret #waterfowl #bird #pentax_us #monochrome
Brilliantly white great egret in a field by a bayou in Katy, Texas. Shot with the Pentax K3 III monochrome. Full sunlight.
1141
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Curious mute swan, Danube river. Scoping out our river boat. The swans followed us for days as we traversed the river. #muteswan #swan #birdoftheday
2171
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The Adventure of the White-striped Longtail Butterfly The tail descends below the white flowers, it’s there! Our front yard gets the occasional adventurous butterfly and bee. Why?The greenbelt full of flowers is close by! #pentax_us #whitestripedlongtailbutterfly #butterfly #macro #garden #insect
White-striped long tailed butterfly on a flower, proboscis extended sipping nectar. the butterflies are rare in our garden.  I think it’s because our greenbelt is so close and so rich in flowers they just don’t feel the need to stop by!  When bees and butterflies do visit, it’s as if they are shocked. They spend an hour or more going blossom to blossom as all are unharvested. It’s an abundance for those adventurous ones.

Pentax K3 III with Pentax 55-300 PLM at 300mm.  ISO 800 for 1/1000 at f10, noon sun and blistering Houston heat and humidity.
0130
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Waterlilies When the sun hits just right, you can feel the mystique. Waterlilies are an ancient genus of plants found natively around the world. This pond was in full bloom in Brisbane at the Botanical Gardens in April. #pentax_us #waterlily #garden #BrisbaneBotanicalGardens #Australia #flowers
A pair of waterlily blooms at the Brisbane Botanical Gardens in Australia.
Pentax K3 III with Pentax 55-300 PLM at 175mm. ISO 2000 for 1/1000 at f8.  Mid-morning sun.
1183
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Butterfly Effect! Will the presence of a thirsty butterfly trigger a sprinkler? Only time will tell. This common crow butterfly, native to Australia, appears thirsty, proboscis out for a sip. Brisbane Botanical Gardens. #commoncrow #butterfly #brisbanebotanicalgardens #insect #thirsty #pentax_us
A common crow butterfly perched on a sprinkler head in the Brisbane Botanical Gardens. He appears to be trying to extract water, or nectar from the sprinkler head. Taken with Pentax K3 III, Pentax 55-300 PLM at 300mm. ISO 2500 for 1/800 at f6.3.
1111
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Gannet from New Zealand #birdoftheday #birdsupclose #newzealand #gannet #capekidnappers #pentax_us
0181
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Psychedelic Brisbane A gorgeous Ti Plant (Palm Lilly) in the Brisbane Botanical Gardens. Going to Australia? Sydney and Brisbane both have must-see botanical gardens. This is close to natural colors. #pentax_us #tiplant #palmlilly #macro #bloom #flowers #brisbanebotanicalgardens #australia #brisbane
Shot at noon, full sun, the Ti plant is intensely rich in color. The background colors are from neighboring flowers. This was in April, and that’s fall “down there”. We are definitely going back in the spring! The gardens in Brisbane and Sydney alone are worth the trip, much less the rich downtown life. You go, Australia.
Pentax K3 III with Pentax 100mm macro ED AW.
082
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Wistful Red-Head Our beautiful Pittsburgh red-head green eyes basking in late afternoon sun on the farm. Gorgeous! Temperatures were near 100 most of the day. She was perfect. #redhead #greeneys #portrait #nude #fullnude #artnude #breasts #bush #farm #vintage #retro #film #pentax_us #moody #heat
One of a series of “down on the farm” outside Pittsburgh in scorching summer heat form early ‘90’s. Kodak Royal 200, Pentax Spotmatic F. Incredibly robust model!
091
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Sunburst! While it's hot out remember that there are insects working hard to make sure that we have plenty of nice flowers, juicy watermelon, and oranges to enjoy. Some are sweat bees, bumblebees, even wasps, hornets, and other insects. This sweat bee is enjoying an Indian blanket on a hot June day.
This is a hard working sweat bee. On this hot summer day in Houston he's got a full pollen load on that leg. Pentax K3 III with Pentax 100mm macro ED AW. ISO 400 for 1/1000 at f7.1. Noon sun.
2190
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Love Is In the Air While Houston contends with a love bug season come early I offer these amorous house flies from Puerto Vallarta. Taken on a day hotter and more humid than Houston. And that takes a lot of heat! #housefly #romance #love #humor #insect #lovebug #pentax_us #macro
Pentax KF full spectrum KF with Pentax 100mm macro and Kolari HOT filter for visible light. ISO 3200, 1/500 at f9. How hot and humid? Two hours for the camera to warm up to defog the lens!
150
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Home Repairs Sometimes a shoot is just for fun. We used an old house to get some shots, and it turns out home improvements can be just what you need to get that “look”. A toolbelt, a ladder, and some magic. #portrait #beautifulgirl #tools #nude #fullnude #adult #humor #oldhouse #breasts #pentax_us
It was blazing hot the entire time we were working around Pittsburgh. These vintage shots were inspired by a stop by a house a friend was renovating.  We ended up spending a day at the house after buying some tools, tool belt, ladder, etc. He got the tools - we got the shots. I think we came out ahead!
181
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Ready, set, go! Mr. Squirrel is poised to take off after some peanuts. This is the bravest squirrel from the greenbelt who leads the scurry when it comes to getting the peanuts. He sees me and he's ready to grab and go. One brave squirrel! #squirrel #wildlife #nature #peanuts #greenbelt #pentax_us
Pentax K1 II with Pentax 60-250 DA* at 250mm with Pentax 1.4x extender for 350mm. ISO 1250 for 1/250 at f6.3. He was so fast I didn't have time to reset the camera!
041
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Vulnerable Our beautiful model - not modeling. She was sitting on the bed, getting dressed, and *exhausted*. Long, hot day - and she was a champion model all day. I love the candid expression. She was special. #portrait #beautifulgirl #coed #mood #vulnerable #redhair #greeneyes #candid #pentax_us
Shot with Pentax Spotmatic F and Kodak Royal 200.  Totally hand held super long shutter speed. Pentax SMC Takumar 55mm f1.8 wide open. One of my favorite all-time shots. A model not modeling, just her natural mood.
151
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
The best day of the year is all about the Bestest Friends Furever Day! Happy International Dog Day! #nationaldogday #internationaldogday #goldendoodle (Cupcake says take your friend for a walk, it’s the way to celebrate).
040
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Blue eyes, red dress, What? Our Little Rock model is back for a vintage 70’s Kodak Ektachrome IR shot. The only color not shifted is (thankfully) those gorgeous blue eyes. With IR film every shoot was full of Easter Eggs like that ‘little red dress’. #beautifulgirl #portrait #infrared #pentax_us
Taken with a Pentax Spotmatic F, Pentax DMC Takumar 55 f1.8, Novatron flash, Wratten 87C filters.
And patience, fingers crossed, and good luck!
031
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The Perfect Peanut - And I’m BOOKING! Ms. Squirrel is so happy with her peanut. Am I anthropomorphizing? I think not. I think wildlife can feel joy, too. She’s taking it home to share. #easterngraysquirrel #squirrel #humor #greenbelt #nature #wildlfie #peanut #katytexas #pentax #happiness
Both images shot within seconds of each other on our greenbelt.
This little girl is a young member of a “scurry” of squirrels on our greenbelt. They often get peanuts from the neighborhood walkers on the trail.  I tend to bring a variety of food - one day sunflower seed and bird seed, another peanuts.  I tend to see the same customers. This super-hot summer has meant they show up earlier to avoid the heat. I don’t blame them!
Pentax K1 II, Pentax 60-250 DA*, ISO 2500 for 1/250 at f8. Early morning sun.
170
Firewallbill @fadedphotos.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Blanketed with Flowers Wildflowers from June. We had a spectacular early summer in Katy. Lots of rain led to a great wildflower season. This is from our backyard. For years I have tried to get some wildflowers growing on our back fence line. Finally!nSuccess! #indianblanket #wildflower #pentax_us
113611