Well Protected

I am not sure how this saw-whet owl positioned itself on this branch, with all of the woody growth around it, but somehow it did. The little owl was so buried that I was not able to shoot a decent photo of it. These two views are the best I could do.

For the respect and safety of this wild creature, please do not ask the location of this owl.

Two Perspectives

Today’s images were created from two perspectives. Let’s begin with pictures made from the typical view - from the ground.

My first photo features a barred owl nearly hidden near the top of a white pine tree. I heard the owl calling and after I finally located its hiding spot, I quickly recognized I better shoot while I could since the owl was not likely to remain in view. Shoot I did, even with branches obscuring much of the bird. It was this type of composition or none.

A Plea From an Owl Watcher

Tis the time of year for my periodic plea….

Please, do not allow your white plastic bags to blow free across the landscape. Snowy owl watchers like me sometimes struggle to discern what we are looking at when we mistake white plastic bags for owls in fields at highway speeds, especially if the bags are cupped (like this one) and moving slightly in a breeze.

Once again I will make a suggestion that might minimize recognition errors. Maybe plastic bags should be colored a no-fade safety green. Seeing bright yellow-green bags will be no better, but at least owl-watchers won’t be distracted or fooled as easily.

Thank you!

Night Sky Activity

In an effort to record meteors from the Geminid Meteor Shower, I recorded still photos for 11-hours.

Using the still image files, I put together a time-lapse video of the many versions of night sky activity - from star movement to aircraft to possible meteors.

This still photo consists of 1, 189 photos stacked into one picture. The bright diagonal lines are star trails. The lines cutting through star…

Plenty of Room For Other Photographers

Seldom do we have as many exposed rocks below the dam at Alcock Park in Frederika as we do now. If the drought has done anything somewhat good, the low water has provided ample moving water photography opportunities in locales usually underwater.

After work today I walked down to the dam and waded out in the river to shoot moving water photos. Other than one person walking the…

40-Seconds of Self-care

For the past couple of days I, along with a small group of like-minded individuals, have been taking training to be better partners for our public safety family. Specifically, we are learning how to help emergency responders during crisis events.

This may surprise some people, but those of us in the public safety world are different. We run into hazardous situations while most people run out. We see more tragedy in a brief amount of time than “normal” people may see in a lifetime. We also tend to neglect ourselves - physically and emotionally. Physical and emotional care go hand in hand. Each affects the other, and too often neither is a priority for a responder.

One element of our training these past two days has been self-care. Yesterday we were asked what we were going to do last night for self-care. My answer - attend an important EMS meeting. Today we were asked what we planned for self-care tonight - mine was teach an emergency preparedness class. Do you see a trend? I am guilty of self-neglect again - and often.

For my self-care, time in the outdoors either hiking or paddling with a camera nearby are

Moody Rails

There is a set of railroad tracks that always cause me to pause and really look around. For reasons I do not know, this “at grade” crossing does not have cross arms. There are signs indicating railroad crossing ahead, but no arms. Complicating this vehicle/rail crossing is the fact that visibility is limited, especially when the leaves are present on vegetation. For those wondering, this is “T Ave” in Buchanan County.

These two views…

Truth in Photography

Just for kicks and giggles I thought today I would share a couple of photos that illustrate how what we see might not have been reality, or was it? This afternoon I photographed this American red squirrel staring at me from a branch somewhat in a clearing. From this vantage point the squirrel easily became the main subject of the image with minimal distractions.

Even though the image file decently shows the squirrel, the out of focus branch in the background is a distraction. With minimal editing…

While Listening to Wartburg Football…

Late this afternoon I photographed one of my favorite old barns in our “neighborhood.” The first picture was full of color and detail, but not what I wanted for a final image.

As I listened to a great Wartburg College football game I…

Night Colors Without Aurora Borealis

Even though we have no Northern Lights forecasted for tonight, there was still plenty of activity and color in the darker sky.

This image consists of 91 photo files stacked together. The circles created by star movement were beginning, but clouds moved in to obliterate the view.

Soaring with Dignity

When I saw this scene early this morning I had to photograph it. The picture to most will be insignificant. To me it vividly reminded me of a special time spent with a friend as we visited the National Mall and military memorials in Washington DC. In particular, I thought of the Air Force Memorial. No, my vision from this morning does not exactly replicate the memorial, but it did trigger clear thoughts… special memories.

Who would have imagined that

“That Is Why I Have Two Feet”

While watching a tower climber work on a tower today those of us on the ground heard a “Whew…” or something like that. When the climber was back on the ground I asked if he had slipped. He explained in a casual manner yes, his foot slipped, but that is why he has two feet!

On a serious note - I was very impressed by the proactive safety measures taken by the tower climbing team. Before donning any harnesses I watched as…

Pairing Up

Time did not allow for much shooting or even seeing today. I did spot many bald eagles together, like this pair. In another tree there must have been a dozen eagles together. Wow!

The End…

To match the dark and dreary day of this Monday I made this seasonal picture featuring the end of this milkweed. Actually, the finality happened some time ago, but the shell still remains. Soon too this will be gone, but not before I photograph it.

It Happened Again - The Making of Landscape Images (and more)

Regular readers of my thoughts may remember me saying the Good Lord always provides photography opportunities, especially on Sunday mornings. Nearly each Sunday morning I listen to our church message as I am enjoying the natural blessings around us. Sometimes I am hiking, other days I am paddling - as I was today for my December paddling trip. This morning was no different… I was listening and the photographic opportunities were provided.

When I saw fog in our area this morning, I knew exactly where I wanted to be and what I would be pointing my lenses at - an island in Brinker Lake. Under ordinary light the island has not yet generated any artistic ideas for me. During sunrise or fog - oh yes… it is a great photography subject.

This first picture is what I was able to document since there was little fog by the time we reached the lake. I would have to shoot a good base image and then “work” the image to create what I visualized in my mind.

Candied Owl Pellet Nuggets

At our house we frequently do things with a nature/outdoor theme. Today Kristy and four other women spent the day baking Christmas goodies. New for this year was an experiment called “Candied Owl Pellet Nuggets!”

These bite-sized morsels are a bit challenging to keep together while drizzling the melted candy on them. Once hardened, the glaze holds the treats together. There is a sweet flavor blending with soft and crunchy texture. Who would have expected that!

The most challenging detail of this “sure to be a new favorite” for the season is finding enough owl pellets to fill a snack bowl. I guess I know what I need to watch for from now until early next December.

More Star Trails…

During many overnight hours I recorded 599 still images that were then stacked to create this single star trail image. Much to my disappointment, I did not see any aurora borealis in the pictures, even though northern lights were predicted. Oh well, I tried!

More Learning Than I Expected

Since the winter months have far more minutes of darkness than light, I am hoping to improve my night sky photography. Tonight I am sharing my first serious effort of this winter photographing star trails. Technical details include…

Something Special or Springs?

A day or two ago I noticed what I would consider to be large circles on the ice on the Wapsipinicon River. Being the curious type, I did some research. Apparently there is a phenomenon where, under the proper conditions, ice circles can form on bodies of slow moving water. That explanation makes sense, but I do not think applies to the circles I am seeing.

Each of the ice circles I documented has at least one hole. My best guess is maybe there are numerous spring in the river and these froze as the warmer water rose from the center and spread out symmetrically. Maybe?

If someone knows, please share with me.

Feeling a Chill… Feeling Artistic

As serious ice is first formed, there is a sense of clean… of blending the last season and the new season… and a feeling of mystery. This afternoon I tried to capture that essence while standing in the Wapsipinicon River.

Following are four views I liked. Each was…