Reason for Concern?

I will get right to the point - as I wandered our ponderosa this afternoon enjoying our exceptionally warm February temperatures, I could not help but wonder if I need to begin…

Illusions

My passion for photography and the outdoors, along with my technical background, has been leading me down a dark hole lately. (Note - This is nothing too serious.) I tend to be a person who pushes my equipment to its limits as I try to get the most out of everything. For this discussion I am referring to image quality with minimum weight. Lately I have been researching and testing how to take advantage of the technology in my cell phone so I can leave my GoPro kit out of my camera gear backpack.

Not only will I need equal quality, I want better from the phone, if possible. Hopefully I can achieve that since the Iphone has three ranges of camera view (not counting the selfie camera). That beats the GoPro. My concern is…

The Old Adage

True, absolutely true… the old adage “A picture is worth a thousand words” was so true today.

I would guess for most viewers of this photo there simply won’t be much to be excited about. For me the thoughts just began to flow when I recorded this image. Put into words, the image has generated a book worth of memories and aspirations.

Much too long ago I hiked the many miles of isle Royale National Park. Much of my time trekking across the isolated island was alone - just me and my thoughts. In the lower, the wetter, the…

Canoeing for Trumpeter Swans

For my first paddle outing at Sweet Marsh for 2024 I was hopeful to see trumpeter swans, but there were no certainties. I paddled, I listened, I looked, and I quickly photographed a pair. Then I ...

Ice Sounds, Water Sounds

With spring weather conditions blessing us this afternoon I had to get out on the water. I could not resist the temptation to paddle on the Wapsipinicon River.

My icy voyage began at our cabin where I erroneously thought I could paddle along…

A Couple of Firsts (of the year) and Repeats

As our unseasonably mild winter continues on, some aspects of spring are well under way. Today I documented three more “First of the Year” observations.

First of the Year observation #1 was a woodchuck running across the highway. I was not able to document this with a photo.

First of the Year observation #2 was a…

Imagination, More Imagination, Reality

When we have an almost 60-degree day in February I go for a walk - albeit a short walk with our slow moving, low-ambition dog Layla. We did not find any wildlife to photograph, so I made different pictures… non-wildlife, wild thing pictures.

The first image almost appears like a painting - something that makes me think of a warm, summer day in a pleasant park inviting kids from 1 to 111 years old to play on the swinging bridge.

My second image

Seeing Something

This afternoon I spent several hours at Sweet Marsh hoping to do a better job of photographing trumpeter swans than I did the day before (no tripod for a long lens, no wind screen for external mic). My mission did not work out as anticipated. First, I saw only 4 trumpeter swans. Second, the swans and the hundred or more Canada geese were taking it easy today. They hardly made any noise as most appeared to nap the entire time I was watching and waiting.

As I waited for something to happen with the birds I noticed…

A February Surprise

During a hike around Sweet Marsh this morning I saw plenty of trumpeter swans, my “First of the Year” sandhill crane, a muskrat on ice (searching for a way to get back under the ice), and a young bald eagle that was scoping me out. Pictures from this morning follow.

Freezing Their Tail Feathers Off?

Long, long ago I learned that down was a very good insulator for clothing like winter coats and jackets. I don’t remember ever owing a down-filled jacket, so I cannot confirm the statement, but I tend to believe it.

At the risk of sounding like Cliff Clavin (from “Cheers”)…

February Paddle, Fascinating Plant, Spilled Generosity

I am happy to say that my personal goal of paddling every month of the year continues after I put a canoe on the Cedar River this morning. Weather conditions were brisk… 23-degrees and windy, but the river was open and I got the mission done. On the water the most commonly seen bird species was the bald eagle - many of them.

One of the gifts I gave Kristy for Valentine’s Day was a grafted cactus. The pink blossom is a…

Similar For a Reason

There are times in life when big decisions with life-changing consequences are made. When I face such challenges, my attention is fully committed to addressing every detail that may come to mind. Such has been the case for the past few months and especially today. As a result I have not had the time or energy needed to invest in wildlife or outdoor photography other than to photograph aspen trees from the air.

Yes, this image is similar to…

No Flowers, But Plenty of Sticks and Attention

On this Valentine’s Day I was treated to seeing a pair of adult bald eagles in their nest high in a tree. Photographing the birds and knowing it was Valentine’s Day prompted my curiosity about the pair bonds for bald eagles.

According to several sources I trust, bald eagles mate for life. Their courtship rituals include very impressive.

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At the State House

Today was a day of networking, showing support, and learning at the State House in Des Moines. A primary topic covered was the Iowa Flood Center (its purpose, its accomplishments, and funding needs). I also had an opportunity to talk to the Iowa Geological Survey team, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and fellow water quality/water quantity concerned individuals.

People may wonder exactly what I just described. We addressed…

Better Than the Alternative

A good number of days have passed since I last had a thick layer of frost to peer through on the windows of the truck. After waiting for the truck to warm up and the frost to break apart, I began to think of “…another Monday…” with a not so positive attitude. Then reality hit me - I have another Monday to work, another week to work through, and I am alive and upright to make the best of the day. Suddenly my focus on frost on the window thoughts transitioned to “isn’t the framing of the sunrise through the frost pretty?” With that I recorded a few images with one being shown here. So yes, I had another Monday. Yes, I had frosty windows to…

Mostly Smaller Sensors

A fellow EMA/photographer friend of mine (JW) shared an image yesterday that he recorded using a GoPro camera. His photo was the inspiration for a photography challenge for me today. The question was, can I produce decent images using smaller sensor cameras - in today’s case my GoPro and my drone.

To show my efforts I will begin with the GoPro photos.

The Fine Line

We have hit that time in the winter again when I really struggle when it comes to certain wildlife species photography. When saw-whet owls are in the area it usually takes a couple/few months before the masses learn of their presence. Before that, some of us go look at them every week or more and the owls go about their business.

Then the time comes when so many go out to see the birds, some very frequently, and the locations are shared. One person tells another who tells even more and before long the owls are doing their best to hunt at night and during the day are being loved - possibly to death.

I don’t know where the line is between appreciation and loving to death. My intent is to appreciate the owls - even if that means I avoid joining the masses for a relatively easy saw-whet owl sighting.

Today I went back and forth on whether to see or not to see this area’s popular saw-whet owl. Go north or go south. Either direction meant I would likely see a saw-whet owl - do I want the easier owl or the isolated owl. As challenging as it was, I opted not to bother the well-known area bird. Instead I hiked harder, found one I had not seen for more than a week, and stopped at that. I don’t plan to visit this one again for a while. Even though saw-whet owls appear docile, they need their space and they need time away from me. I will give it that.

I am in no way trying to appear condescending or “better” or anything else. My intent is only to share my thoughts on what I see happening again. Without people seeing wildlife, how can they develop an appreciation? On the other hand, how do we appreciate without “loving to death?” I do not have that answer, but I think about it often.

Based on indications in the area where I found this owl, the owl has been isolated other than for whitetail deer, cottontail rabbits, and normal winter songbirds. With luck its solitude will continue and soon it will move north again with plenty of body fat and energy. I will continue to look for more owls and hopefully minimize my impact on all saw-whet owls wintering in our area.

The Struggle Was Real, The Interruption Was Appreciated

A family member and I spent some darkness hours and most daylight hours at the healing spot to the north today. During our drive home we did what we always do - we watched for and counted our wildlife observations. During those critter censuses, I will stop for photos if it is safe and worthwhile.

We saw two eagles at close range today. Pictures shared here are of the first observation. The sound of tires on rumble strips prevented any photos of the second bird.

So what was the struggle you may wonder. Well, we stopped at the…

I Too Have Been Bitten

Try as I might, I am struggling to remember that the calendar is only showing the second week of February right now. That is even though the ice is melting, rivers are opening up, most snow is gone, and I hardly need to wear a jacket outside.

Like some of the wildlife, I too have been bitten by…

All is Quiet in T-Town

I am happy to report that all is quiet in T-town tonight.