Observations I Appreciate

While out on the Wapsipinicon River today two observations hit home - both that I appreciate.

Observation 1 ...

Getting Ready For Bed

Soon this busy chipmunk will be hunkering down for a long winter rest. Today the critter was making his bed.

Fortunately my grandson spotted the chipmunk as we were hiking. We watched and photographed as the chipmunk made trip after trip from leaves to his bed.

My Wide is Not Wide Enough!

Wow, the northern light display underway right now is so wide that my widest angle lens is not nearly wide enough to capture this beautiful display.

Like the other night...

October on the Wapsipinicon River

Today was a day for learning as I made photographs along the Wapsipinicon River. In addition to a camera in the boat (I normally use my canoe), I also had my drone tracking me.

Drones and tracking work best in very open areas. The narrow channel of the Wapsipinicon River is not ideal for testing "Active Track" on your drone, especially when you want to only look at it minimally. As a result, the drone nearly flew into overhanging branches. Thankfully the obstacle avoidance system on the drone worked and stopped it before a collision. Had there not been leaves on the spindly branches I am not sure the drone's sensors would have detected anything. Needless to say, I was very lucky today.

View the close call at this link: DJI Obstacle Avoidance Worked!!!

I also uploaded a video from the boating adventure. View that at this link: October on the Wapsipinicon River

Another video just uploaded features my canoeing on Monday on the backwaters of the Mississippi River. That video can be seen at this link: Mississippi Backwater Canoeing - New Albin

Arley Would Be Smiling (with hesitation)

After a couple of years of not being able to paddle at Marten's Lake (Segment B) at Sweet Marsh, today there was enough water to navigate the channels. Being on the water again felt like a homecoming or a reunion. Some time will pass before the new "normal" is established, but it will come.

As I approached the dock for the first time under the new conditions, I could not help but think of how Arley would be hesitantly pleased that Marten's Lake was returning, but likely disgusted any work had to be done. (I think of Arley often, especially when I am at Sweet Marsh.)

Today was a rather challenging day. Arley was on my mind as was a friend whose visitation was yesterday (passed at only 60) and then I lost an EMA family sister last night. She too was only 60. Please, we need a break!

A Preview

Today was a day of quiet exercise while being immersed in nature at one of my favorite locations on the dirtball we call Earth. A good number of images were recorded - from typical wildlife images to landscape compositions with an artistic flair. I will be sharing more when time allows me to prepare them for viewing.

For now I will go with this adult bald eagle in flight for today's "Picture of the Day."

Nothing Special on a Non-busy Day

Other than a few pictures recorded early today, I did not shoot much. After yesterday and last night, I was not too energetic today.

I photographed red berries in water, Virginia creeper leaves in autumn red, chickory, and a hoverfly on chickory. Tomorrow may be busier.

Quiet at Day's End

After a morning of shooting photos for the Pink Ribbon Run in Cedar Falls, then hours of editing the files to create a video, I did take a few minutes to watch the sunset over the Wapsipinicon River. (We are so lucky we live so close!)

Just a few minutes of quiet along the river generated ample energy to complete the Pink Ribbon project. And, the setting sun was very pretty and I was able to enjoy it!

Signs of the Times

Today's images have no direct connection pattern, other than each illustrates the season we are in. Late season, autumn, harvest... all the same time, all a similar theme.

One Theme - Before and After

Harvest is underway across the Midwest. As a result, today's theme was easy to feature.

Racing the Sun - Favorite Still Images

Yesterday I shared a video I put together from clips and still photos created Monday when I hiked to Paint Rock in the Yellow River State Forest in Allamakee County. Some of the photos included in the video became favored images for me - at least for now. I would like to share some here for you to see.

Paddling and Shooting Photos "Up North"

Please, use your imagination for today's post.

As the 2024 warm weather season is drawing to a close, the urge to paddle up north has become almost overwhelming. The temptation to head in that direction to enjoy quiet water and fall colors is strong... so strong that today I did it. I traveled up north to shoot the style of images I have been thinking about.

Now, to be clear, I did go north, but only about 2-miles. I left our farm and drove to our cabin where I selectively photographed myself in my canoe on the Wapsipinicon River dressed in early autumn colors. Before the wind kicked up I composed three variations of "up North" images.

Deciding Seasons Based on Pictures

Without saying a word, just through pictures, I am confident viewers can tell which season we are in. These three pictures make it easy to know where we are on the calendar.

A Preview From a Most Memorable Hike

On this last morning of the last day of September I enjoyed a hike that I will hopefully never forget. I raced the sun to record fog over the Mississippi River from a high vantage point. At this time I am still reviewing images and video recordings, but will share this preview image. There is more to come!

Memory Trigger Bird

This morning as I sat listening to the message at the "Church of the Open Stream" (today was really "Church of the Pond), I had my eyes watching the sky and my camera at the ready. Out of nowhere a double-crested cormorant did a low altitude flyby. Since I have many cormorant pictures, I did not record too many flight images - just enough for “bird in flight” practice. In fact, I watched the cormorant fly to the south and thought that was the end of it.

Imagine my thrill as the cormorant banked to the west and dumped air like a goose or duck. I was hoping the cormorant would land on the water, but it did more than that. The cormorant was in glide mode coming right at me as I was shooting picture after picture.

As you can see in this sequence, the double-crested cormorant...

Memories From Childhood Illness

For reasons unknown to me scenes I observed on the river early this morning reminded me of lying on the couch when I was a kid and home sick. We had an outdoor painting - a wooded stream scene - if I am remembering correctly. I studied that painting when I did not feel like watching Bob Barker on "The Price is Right."

I thought of that painting as I watched the sun climb and light the river landscape with warm colors. It seemed no matter where I looked I was seeing sunrise warmth, backlighting, or accentuated autumn colors. As a result, today's images have all been edited to fit with what I was seeing/thinking this morning as I remembered the old days.

Fungi and Fauna From the Day

Some days I see plenty of things, other days maybe not so much. Today was a "see plenty" of things day that began with spotting this whitetail doe at daybreak.

Later today I explored on the Wapsipinicon River. My first observation was a...

Picture Leftovers

The past few days have been days photographically. Many images have been made, but without any commonality among the group. Instead of not sharing them, I will put them out like we do leftovers - no rhyme or reason - just enjoy what you want.

During part of today I was feeling artsy. When I saw these...

A Few Minutes With A Praying Mantis

About this time most years I find a praying mantis. When I do, my attention becomes fixed on this most interesting creature. Until today, all other praying mantis specimens I have found have only allowed for a few pictures to be made. Today's mantis was most cooperative allowing for many photos and video clips to be recorded.

In this post I will feature some of my favorite still images of the praying mantis. I strongly encourage you to watch the video to see action, including eating a cricket and cleaning itself. All video clips were recorded at close range.

Click here to view the video:

A Few Minutes With A Praying Mantis

For Those Hesitant About Snakes

When I saw this tadpole swimming in the river today, next to leaves floating on the surface, I thought "what a great opportunity to feature river wildlife that isn't a snake." This would be for those who prefer not to see snakes, but still enjoy wildlife.

Today I show you a tadpole - first in the water, then in my hand. The little thing was photographed and released to swim and mature.

This next picture was an experiment that I need to expand on. I have a picture idea that requires this basic view, but I don't want to get wet or get my camera wet. I suppose I could use my GoPro, but the quality will not be the same. I will work on this.