What Was That Stuff?

For a short time this morning (not long enough), water drops fell from the sky. I am hearing that dripping was called rain, but it has been so long since it rained that I have forgotten what it looked like. Yes, it rained, but not nearly enough.

After the rain I explored in front of our cabin a bit. Following are a few views of what I enjoyed. (The autumn colors are quickly disappearing, but there are still some reds, oranges, and yellows decorating the landscape.)

I Forgot About the Woodland Management Project

After much too much time has passed (measured in years), today I hiked the Wapsie Island Access along the Wapsipinicon River east of Tripoli. Somehow I completely forgot about the Woodland Management Project undertaken several years ago to improve the timber stand. The project included the removal of a sizeable swath of trees to open the area for desirable tree species. This project not only improves the timber, but also enhances wildlife habitat.

When you are hiking in old river bottom timber and suddenly (unexpectedly)…

No Need to Say It, But We Need Rain

This past week I made the disappointing decision to pull my fishing boat out of the river in front of our cabin. At best we have maybe eight inches of water… maybe. In the main channel of the Wapsie there is more water depth, but I still bumped the bottom with my lower unit every now and then last week. So, the boat came out and I miss that option for exploring already.

Conveying a Theme Without Details

The summer of 2024 has been so very interesting. For the first time since I was ten or eleven years old I have more freedom than ever before. Retiring early has been liberating beyond what I could have imagined. Yet, due to health issues, my wilderness wandering has been non-existent because of stringent…

Opposing Travels

One of my images of Comet A3 tonight included an unexpected aircraft heading in the opposite direction. Since I was shooting with a wide angle lens, the two sky travelers are small in the image, but they are both there!

Photographing What I Cannot See - Comet A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) - Step-by-Step Instructions

Again tonight I photographed Comet A3 in the western sky. To my unaided eye the comet was not visible. All indications are the comet should be visible (perhaps with assistance) for some time yet. I did eventually find and photograph what I could not see in tonight’s night sky.

Since there may be others wanting to photograph the comet, I thought I would share my process for finding and photographing it. There may be other techniques… this is what I did.

2. Determine when the comet…

A Special Place

Along the Wapsipinicon River is a very special place to me… a simple spot where I can clear my head, sort my thoughts, exercise my muscles, and leave a better person.

Often my visits to my special place include time on the river in a boat, canoe, or kayak. Other times I am happy to sit quietly along the Wapsipinicon River bank where I listen to and watch birds, fish a bit, or study the landscape through the lens of a camera.

Some may wonder what my attraction to the Wapsipinicon might be. That answer comes easy for me - the Wapsie is a river I can connect with… where I can paddle, I can fish, I can shoot photos, and I can even ice skate on in the winter.

While I “take” from the river by way of activities, today I want to give back. Through a few photos recorded early this morning - including one that I digitally painted - I hope to share with you the beauty of this special place. The autumn steam swirling from the river enhanced the autumn appearance.

I hope you too may sense some of what I enjoy about the Wapsipinicon River.

Split Seconds in Autumn Time

Following the winds of this past weekend and even some today, I hiked a couple of locations to take in the beauty that is autumn. Most trees have not hit the “brilliant” phase or their leaves were blown off recently. Still I found ample photo opportunities that showcased autumn in Iowa. I will share some here.

Traveling With Family

Memories... Our day was intended to be a memory making day and it was... oh how it was.

Our group traveled to reminisce and remember, to enjoy fall colors, to explore faith and commitment, and to strengthen our family bond. Our emotions ran the gamut from joy and laughter, appreciation, solemn reflection, fear and concern, and relief.

Memories - We made them.

Don't Follow Me

Whether I was walking, on the water, or driving today, you did not want to follow me. I stopped several times when I saw things that interested me.

Quaking Aspens in Autumn - This scene was right along a much-traveled highway with moderate traffic. The lone yellow tree in the sea of green caught my attention. Then as I studied the view, I imagined how this might be what it looks like now on some mountain range. Yes, I am using my imagination, but it works for me!

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.