Sweet Water Trail - A Hike in Fog

Early this morning, when the fog was so thick you could cut it and visibility was muted, I went for an enjoyable hike on the Sweet Water Trail.

Beginning in Tripoli, the two-mile long (or so) Sweet Water trail follows a wooded/prairie path east of town to the Wapsipinicon River, the Wapsie Access, and Sweet Marsh.

This hike was different in that I did not carry my longest lens or a tripod. Instead, I went light to enjoy the scenery, shoot video clips, and record an assortment of still images.

I am going to share a sampling of photos below. To view the video with more images click on this link:

Sweet Water Trail - An Introduction

Each of the following pictures was recorded from the trail. Some may have been edited for an artistic effect.

Eagle Flyover

While hiking at Sweet Marsh to check out the renovations at Sweet Marsh, this juvenile bald eagle flew over.

Test Picture and Video

Due to the gray sky day we had today, I invested time testing quality on a couple of different ideas. I won’t bore you with the details, but will share a photo from the test and this video.

Decomposition Paused

Safe or maybe not, I ventured onto the frozen Wapsipinicon River in front of our cabin this afternoon. Before I go any further, allow me to explain that if I would have broken through the ice, I likely would have only experienced wet feet and maybe moisture up to the calves of my legs. The effects of the drought are very apparent, resulting in minimal risk where I was at.

Once on the ice…

What Is This?

My work schedule today did not allow time to go out to shoot photos. Instead I created a mystery still-life of sorts. Do you recognize what this is? Scroll down for the answer.

Ice Art

Today this work of art is growing. If the weather folks are correct, this natural project may disappear by Christmas. Isn’t what nature produces interesting!

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.