Leave No Trace in Action In yesterday’s post I shared details about how I was caught in sudden, unexpected high-speed straight line winds while photographing American lotus blossoms at Sweet Marsh. Everything I had with me – 2 DSLR systems and an unprotected GoPro camera system – were destroyed by the marsh water as …
Mother Nature Huffed and She Puffed and My Camera Equipment Was Destroyed Early this afternoon I went out to smell and shoot pictures of American lotus blossoms in bloom at Sweet Marsh. I checked the radar and according to the display, had enough time to get out, do my thing, and paddle back before …
That Wasn’t Lightning To anyone who may have noticed bright flashes of light originating in our neighborhood (specifically our backyard), that was not lightning you were seeing. No, it was the neighborhood photographer out for an evening small-town safari in the dark of night. During the day my time was occupied with …
A Real Threat (and more) For a few minutes today I was studying, then photographing, tall bellflowers. Following are some of the pictures I shot. If you looked carefully at the pictures, like I was looking at the blossoms, you may have noticed a tiny light green spider waiting to snatch …
One Shooting Session, One Picture to Share During a very brief break today I was able to shoot a picture of a great blue heron that had just eaten something rather large. I was shooting in rain and between trees. The bird appeared to be satisfied with its meal. Great Blue Heron After …
My “Happy Place” Along the River Multiple factors along the Wapsipinicon River this year caused considerable negative impacts to our shoreline. First ice and high water moved the rock rip rap away from the shoreline and out into the river. Then repeated high water events, made worse by the wake of boats, caused considerable …
Thank You Jason for a “Stump the Chump” Session During our recent camping trip my buddy Jason challenged me to an impromptu “Stump the Chump” session based on articles in a Birds and Bloom magazine. Our discussion led to a brief conversation about dickcissels and their presence in our corner of rural Iowa. I …
A Weekend at Lake Red Rock Kristy and I, along with our family and friends, enjoyed a weekend at Lake Red Rock near Pella over the past few days. We were busy every day, which made the weekend pass by much too fast. Some of the highlights of the weekend were the many hot …
If It Looks Like Bacon, It Must Be Good While mowing the lawn I noticed how the stamens on our yellow lilies look like strips of bacon. Anything that looks like bacon must be good. In this case, the lilies are good looking. Yellow Lily Stamens that Look Like Bacon: I …
A Part of the Landscape or an Intruder When I am out looking around on or along the Wapsipinicon River, I have two options for my method of travel. I can run a boat up the river and cover a considerable distance quickly. Or, I can drop a canoe or kayak in the water …