An Illusion

Regular visitors to this page know that I have an appreciation for lone trees in fields. Some folks say the trees were planted for shade, others suggest to pull stumps. I suppose for most lone trees in fields the reason for their existence is not known.

This is not a lone tree on a hill in the fencerow between two fields. It is two trees appearing as one from just a certain observation point.

Two trees or one, I like the composition.

Update Coming

A considerable number of people have asked me if I know what is (or is not) happening at Marten’s Lake of Sweet Marsh. At this time I know only what I can see as far as the renovation project goes. I hope to have information later this week and will share it here.

While looking around today I found this interesting feather positioned in the mud near what used to be underwater fish structure (a dead tree). How it has weathered our weather is a question I cannot answer.

I Did It, I Stayed Awake!!

A growing number of friends and family have learned that if I sit still, or certainly if I lay down for too long - like a few minutes - I quickly fall asleep. I have no problem dozing off, regardless of conditions.

This afternoon I went out looking for short-eared owls, hoping to maybe see one in good light. That effort involved searching in frozen marsh habitat, woody wetland vegetation, and on some grassy areas.

After one of my wandering sessions I reached an elevated knoll where I took a break to watch and wait. I was dressed in multiple layers that covered everything but my eyelids and the skin around my eyes. Soon I was lying on the ground in wait - I suppose expecting the short-eared owls to fly directly overhead.

As comfortable as I was, including being horizontal, I did not…

Looking for Eyes or a Mouth

Every few weeks or so I travel with a family member to the state to our north. Our trips are necessary and trump any wandering outside with my Nikon.

When we are on the road I have camera equipment with me to document any scenic observations or wildlife sightings. Today we had nothing to record as far as scenery was considered. All wildlife observations were at too far of a distance to make efforts worthwhile.

Since I came home with no picture to share for my “Picture a Day” project (beginning 18th year on February 1), I was left with few options other than what I could work with at home.

I gathered all of my macro equipment - extension tubes and close-up filters - so that I could photograph at very close range…

In The Old Days

Long ago, before I ever picked up a film camera, I was a fox hunter. My effective tool was a high-power rifle that would nearly instantly deliver a well-placed, hand loaded bullet, a hundred or two hundred yards out into a field.

At the time, hunting in a lethal form was my passion. I worked third shift, we were a young family, and I hunted for meat and cash (furs). Not only did fox provide me with a reason to be out and some funds, but it was fox that caused me to pick up a camera that still has not been permanently put down.

Fast forward to the more recent past when farmer friends allowed me to photograph a fox den under one of their outbuildings. I spent 3-4 hours a night, almost 5 nights a week, for nearly 9-weeks at that den. My time spent at that den watching the young grow from so little to able to begin life on their own ended my ability to hunt fox with a rifle. I saw their personalities, their attitudes, and I saw a change in my perspective…

Respectful

Fourteen hours after my work day began I am now calling it quits. As I went into my last meeting for the night, I noticed how respectfully lit the flags and memorial is for veterans in the City of Frederika. I have seen the memorial frequently, was present for the dedication, and have looked at the stones, but seeing it at night, in the winter, gave it a different look. Very nice, very solemn…

Long Distance, Thought Provoking Conversation

Tonight my uncle in North Carolina and I were having a conversation based on an article in a magazine we both read - “Wildlife in North Carolina.” This article featured the loggerhead shrike - a bird we do not have here in Northeast Iowa. As I read the article, the characteristics described of the loggerhead shrike matched almost exactly the northern shrike that is seen in our area - except our shrike is a little larger.

Both species of shrikes feed on small birds and rodents. It is not uncommon for shrikes to skewer their prey on thorns or even barbed-wire fences.

Our conversation then went to…

I Have Met My Match

After shooting more than 800,000 images I have developed some reliable photography skills. As practiced as I am, shooting short-eared owls in flight that are quite a distance away in very low light conditions has beaten me. In fact, I am not sure I even want to share any bad pictures recorded late this afternoon. But, I tried and did the best I could under the conditions. So I will share a disappointing image.

For others wanting to photograph the short-eared owls, did you notice the…

Our Snow Globe (and a surprise)!

Again this morning those of us in Northeast Iowa woke to a real-life snow globe effect due to thick frost covering everything outside. When I saw the frost I had two goals in mind - to record a scenic image or two or three of the pretty scenes and to record photos of wildlife in frosty settings. It took some effort, but I accomplished both. I will begin by sharing images of birds of prey in frost-covered environments. (Notice the frost on the feathers of the bald eagle).

Raw Materials

I am not a quitter! Featured here may be the raw materials necessary to create 36 waxworms into a meal of fresh fish. Notice that I used the word “may” to describe the possibility of converting bait into food. There are no guarantees.

An expert angler told me he uses “spikes” for bait. I considered buying spikes, but the cost was considerably higher for something that may or may not be worthwhile. And by the way, supposedly there are 36 waxworms in this container. Apparently some are microscopic in size or excellent hiders - I did not find them.

While we are discussing waxworms, I did some research on them. According to Wikipedia, waxworms may have some value much higher than bait or food for reptile pets. They also may not be capable of…

A Convocation of Eagles

For reasons unknown to me there was a convocation of bald eagles gathered not too far from the Wapsipinicon River this afternoon. I searched for a carcass or roadkill somewhere nearby, but found nothing. As long as the attraction for the eagles is safe and healthy, I don’t suppose it matters what is drawing the birds to the area.

Since this bird was posing very nicely, I photographed it.

Day’s End

Whew, meeting after meeting today and all were productive. Now that it is time to call it a night, I still needed a photo for the day. What better subject than a 98% full moon (waxing gibbous moon)! I am hoping for more time tomorrow.

There is Life

These days of clouds and more clouds - some of them leaking snowflakes - tend to wear on a person. Like most people, I do best on sunny days and we have not had enough. Drab days are far outnumbering blue sky days.

During my walk this evening, at a time when it was difficult to recognize the transition from a very cloudy day time to sunset, I came across tell-tale signs of…

Few Options

Hmmm…what is a photography enthusiast supposed to do when they leave work and light levels are only slightly brighter than when the photographer went to work? And then, a thick blanket of fog obscures all detail, unless the object in view is nearly in your face? This guy finds a lone tree in a field and shoots a picture or two.

This view is not a straight out of the camera scene. Since I was already working on the image to show the monochrome nature, I…

A Quiet Day

With today being a “holiday” to recognize New Year’s Day that fell on Sunday, my activities were minimal. Actually, I was busy in that we had an EMS call during the overnight hours that then kept me up for a few hours. This morning I set a couple of tip-ups on the river with no fish caught. And I watched for woodpeckers that are debarking a couple of trees along the river - again, like fish, I had no luck seeing them.

Since finding wildlife today at close range for photos did not happen, I instead photographed compositions I thought were interesting. One was this Virginia creeper vine hanging against a white-barked tree. The view shows texture and details of things we don’t normally pause to look at.

A second image was this…

Slowest and Slow Pace

Happy New Year to all! May 2023 be your best year ever.

My day began at a necessarily slow pace as I carefully photographed hoarfrost along the Wapsipinicon River.

A person might be tempted to think shooting frost pictures would be easy, but the truth is the process is challenging. You must move at a slow pace to preserve the frost, watch your focus (including depth of field), coordinate your background, and pay attention to your lighting. For every “keeper” image I probably deleted five to ten photos that did not work.

This afternoon was our annual New Year’s Day Paddle for 2023. We had fifty people on the water this afternoon in canoes and kayaks. Our put-in point was the Shell Rock River in Shell Rock. Paddlers had…

A Variety of Views

On this final day of 2022 I have a mix of images to share. I will begin with a sampling of hoarfrost pictures from early this morning. Shortly after Kristy and I finished our walk the wind started up, temperatures started to rise, and the hoarfrost was no more.

Later today I photographed a spunky, but ordinary…

Erosion Art

Today’s first image shared is both interesting and troubling. We are looking at wind-blown dirt on snow stopped by vegetation.

The image is interesting in that a person would be challenged to airbrush the shades of gray and black on the patterned snow. The creativity is amazing to study.

This image is troubling due to how much of our valuable topsoil blew during the recent blizzard. Field after field, ditch after ditch, there is hardly any white snow. The strong winds lifted and moved dirt virtually everywhere. Even where conservation practices are utilized, the wind was more powerful. It is disturbing to see.

On to something else…

The fish under the ice…

Not Sure Of This One

According to my research and electronics, this young bird is an immature red-shouldered hawk. I could easily be convinced the hawk is a different species, but I don’t know what it would be. For now I will go with red-shouldered hawk, but I welcome any other suggestions.

Photographed Him (or Her)! (and more interesting pictures!)

After days of looking I photographed the short-eared owl I have been searching for. Ironically, I did not find it - a friend did as he was moving his snow. He texted me a picture of an owl, not realizing he had found the owl I have been looking for after first seeing it a number of days ago when it nearly hit my windshield.

Can I be absolutely certain the owl in the picture is the same bird I watched last week? No, but this short-eared owl was found not too far (as an owl flies) from…