COPPER
LightNews LightNews
banner
copper.gay
COPPER
@copper.gay
170 followers 740 following 120 posts
31 · he/they · #chicago

#wildlife · #graffiti · #photography

https://copper.gay
Posts Replies Media Videos
copper.gay
I continue to dig through my archive as we wait out the winter, I'm most excited for baby geese, even at their awkward teenage stages. Here's a shot from last summer.

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#birds #wildlife #chicago #photography
A digital photo of a portrait of an older teenage Canada goose, the last of their baby plumage showing through their darkening neck.
January 4, 2026 at 4:45 PM
copper.gay
Chicago graffiti, never lose hope edition. Happy holidays!

www.copper.gay/graffiti

#graffiti #chicago #photography
A digital photograph of two stickers slapped on a light pole, one on the pole itself and one on a sign. The one on the pole reads "NEVER GIVE UP HOPE NO MATTER HOW DARK THINGS SEEM" and the one on the sign reads "FUCK ICE". In the background you can see the street and the CTA going overhead.
December 25, 2025 at 3:19 PM
copper.gay
As winter begins, I'm already looking forward to spring and summer. Here's a shot from last July to remind myself that all the green will be back, that crowds of wildlife will be back.

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#wildlife #chicago #photography
A digital photograph of a butterfly feeding from a purple flower.
December 21, 2025 at 6:21 PM
copper.gay
Chicago graffiti, sleepy rat edition. I hope they get everything they dream of! (reupload after image glitched yesterday)

www.copper.gay/graffiti

#graffiti #chicago #photography
A digital photograph of a sticker slapped onto a support column in an underground CTA station. The sticker depicts a rat sleeping, hiding from the rain under an envelop. We can see the rat's dreams through little thought bubbles showing cheese, soft pillows, and warm hands.
December 19, 2025 at 4:08 PM
copper.gay
Digging through my archive over the winter, took these back in May during a day out looking for coyotes at Graceland Cemetery.

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#wildlife #chicago #photography
A digital photograph of a coyote from the neck up. The coyote is looking towards the camera with their stunning brown eyes, licking their nose. A digital photograph of a coyote trotting towards the right. The coyote is turned looking towards the camera.
December 14, 2025 at 5:48 PM
copper.gay
Chicago graffiti, grabby rat edition.

www.copper.gay/graffiti

#graffiti #chicago #photography
A digital photograph of graffiti, a drawing of a rat holding out their little arms further than possible. A digital photograph of graffiti, a drawing of a rat holding out their little arms further than possible. A digital photograph of graffiti, a drawing of a rat holding out their little arms further than possible. A digital photograph of graffiti, a drawing of a rat holding out their little arms further than possible.
December 4, 2025 at 6:56 PM
copper.gay
Digging through my archive over the winter, have a house sparrow. Look at those browns!

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#birds #wildlife #chicago #photography
A digital photograph of a house sparrow showing off the beautiful browns on their head, wings, and back.
November 30, 2025 at 6:56 PM
copper.gay
Chicago graffiti, Garfield edition.

www.copper.gay/graffiti

#graffiti #chicago #photography
A digital photograph of graffiti of the cartoon cat Garfield, his face vibrant orange painted on part of the concrete promenade by the lake in Lincoln Park. A digital photograph of graffiti of the cartoon cat Garfield, his little face drawn on an old city utility box.
November 27, 2025 at 3:21 PM
copper.gay
baby duckies... from this Summer.

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#birds #wildlife #photography
A digital photo of a family of mallards, a mother in the background, with three of her teenage chicks in the foreground. A digital photo of a baby mallard in the harbor water stretching their little wings out after very bravely jumping in.
November 23, 2025 at 3:56 PM
copper.gay
Like the city's wildlife, Chicago's graffiti catches my eye on the regular. I wanted to start sharing what I've found these last few years.

www.copper.gay/graffiti

#graffiti #chicago #photography
A digital photograph of graffiti, directly drawn on a dog park sign, depicting a strange dog like creature going "woof?" A digital photograph of graffiti, drawn on a sticker slapped on a light pole, an abstract drawing depicting a strange dog like creature. A digital photograph of graffiti, drawn on a sticker slapped on the back of a sign, a drawing depicting a rat skateboarding. A digital photograph of graffiti, drawn directly on concrete, a drawing depicting a minimalist bird, maybe a crane or a heron.
November 20, 2025 at 5:04 PM
copper.gay
Was in the middle of a run through Lincoln Park this last week, and saw a random sandhill crane hanging out with a gaggle of geese. Naturally I ran straight back home, got my camera, and ran back to get some shots.

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#birds #wildlife #photography
A digital photograph of a sandhill crane. Only the crane's head and some of their neck is visible, their bright red mask surrounding orange eyes. The bird is pecking at the ground, pulling up a worm. A digital photograph of a sandhill crane. The crane's full body is visible, showing off their vibrant red mask and the browns, grays, whites in their body feathers.
November 16, 2025 at 5:29 PM
copper.gay
More San Francisco photography, this time a Steller's jay. Such striking blues.

www.copper.gay/photography/sf

#birds #wildlife #photography
A digital photograph of a Steller's jay. The bird's body is facing a way from the camera, showing off their blues, with their head tilted over their back towards the right and camera.
October 26, 2025 at 2:50 PM
copper.gay
I visited San Francisco in August and I have to say my favorite part of the visit was the urban wildlife, especially the majestic pelican. Watching them fly in groups was hypnotizing.

copper.gay/photography/sf

#birds #wildlife #photography
A digital photograph of a pelican flying over the Pacific ocean. A digital photograph of pelicans flying in a cacophonous formation.
October 12, 2025 at 3:21 PM
copper.gay
can I come over and stare at you like this

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#birds #wildlife #photography
A digital photograph of a double-crested cormorant, with black/gray feathers, a bright orange bill, and striking blue eyes. They are facing the camera, with their body slightly turned away, wings held out wide to dry them off as the cormorant rests at the edge of harbor waters.
September 21, 2025 at 3:34 PM
copper.gay
To finish off my bug posting for the week, have a shot of a monarch butterfly from Labor Day. There were so many this summer, very grateful for that.

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#wildlife #photography
A monarch butterfly, brilliant orange wings opened up, resting on a yellow flower.
September 11, 2025 at 5:59 PM
copper.gay
One of my favorite parts of this summer were the bugs, so many bugs. It has been fun to watch crowds of grasshoppers jump around in native grasses as you walk by, like they're popping popcorn.

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#wildlife #photography
A digital photograph of a dull green grasshopper sitting on a wooden post, front of the body facing towards the right, showing off the beautiful patterns on their body, legs, and wings.
September 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
copper.gay
Was exploring Northerly Island on Labor Day and found this thread-waisted wasp dragging their latest prey across the sidewalk. What a catch!

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#wildlife #photography
A digital photograph of a thread-waisted wasp walking towards the left, dragging a caterpillar probably three times their mass along the concrete sidewalk.
September 7, 2025 at 3:22 PM
copper.gay
It is sad that summer is near its end, but from what I notice that only means more cormorants hunting and chilling in the harbors of Chicago. It's fun to watch them hunt, waiting to see if they'll bring up any catches from their dives.

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#birds #wildlife #photography
A digital photography of a double-crested cormorant on a buoy in Belmont Harbor, showing off their beautiful black back feathers as they spread their wings to dry them out in between catches. Their head is turned to their left, showing off their bright orange beak and striking watery blue eye.
August 17, 2025 at 5:31 PM
copper.gay
Have a happy turtle :)

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#wildlife #photoraphy
A digital photograph of a proud turtle sitting on their log in a pond, classic stuff.
August 4, 2025 at 6:49 PM
copper.gay
I'm glad that heron season is in full swing, watching them on their slow hunts is another reason to love the summer.

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#birds #wildlife #photography
A digital photograph of a great blue heron. The heron is facing away from the camera, spreading their wings wide on the top of a log overlooking a pond.
July 13, 2025 at 7:10 PM
copper.gay
Went to Montrose Beach hoping to catch sight of Chicago's piping plover family and I did. It was a joy to watch the little cotton balls dart along the beach.

copper.gay/wildlife

#birds #wildlife #photography
A digital photograph of a baby piping plover, their body like a dandelion with little stick legs. A digital photograph of a piping plover walking along the sand. A digital photograph of a closeup of a piping plover's head, you can see the sand on their beak from feeding.
July 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM
copper.gay
Saw a hummingbird in Lincoln Park for the first time a few weeks back. Such beautiful gold and emerald iridescence.

#wildlife #photography

www.copper.gay/wildlife
A digital photograph of a hummingbird feeding on a pink flower in a tree of flowers, their feathers gold and emerald iridescence.
June 15, 2025 at 5:44 PM
copper.gay
the colors of lincoln park: a digital photography project documenting how Lincoln Park changes over time & space

Put together in honor of Chicago's queer community.

copper.gay/photography/...

#photography
a digital photography project documenting how Lincoln Park changes over time & space
June 9, 2025 at 4:44 PM
copper.gay
And since my last post was so compressed, have a still image of the red-winged blackbird attack from yesterday at North Pond. Wear your hats folks, this heron wishes they did.

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#birds #widlife #photography
A digital photograph of a great blue heron on a log in a pond. The heron is being dive bombed by a red-winged blackbird.
June 1, 2025 at 8:42 PM
copper.gay
Don't normally use the video mode on my camera, but had to for this. A heron being harassed at North Pond by a red-winged blackbird couple. The geese started to join in on the harassment a little after this. Poor heron couldn't catch a break.

www.copper.gay/wildlife

#birds #wildlife
June 1, 2025 at 8:37 PM