Photo Diary of a Cold December Day

From early today our outdoor conditions were cold. But, even though we had only single digit warmth, winds were minimal making time outdoors tolerable. Dressing in layers helped keep me warm even more.

Before I even left our ponderosa I photographed the tell-tale signs of an…

Cedar Tree Info

Across the Midwest we have a ready supply of trees growing with a mistaken identity. Most people know this tree as an eastern red cedar. Scientifically the tree is Juniperus virginiana - a tree species in the juniper family.

Cedar trees readily grow in ditches, fence rows, and prairies. Often their population is controlled with…

Ordinary With Meaning

Early this morning I was along the Cedar River preparing for my daily Rx of nature. Before I created an image I watched and photographed wildlife. Only Canada geese, mallards, bald eagles, and a kingfisher were nearby, with the geese in a position for an interesting photo.

Although we can see Canada geese every day, I don’t often…

Wishing You Were Here For Spring Season and Harassment

Yes, I know, winter hasn’t even hit yet and this bird will be heading south soon.. Still, when I saw this gadwall I was wishing I was seeing the first migrant of spring. The reality is I will be seeing gadwalls coming back in just a few months. As fast as time is flying by, it won’t be long now!

Shades of Gray Displays

With the first shotgun deer season of 2024 underway I opted not to wander too far in my typical areas. Instead, I concentrated my photographic efforts along the shore of a frozen river and over Sweet Marsh.

Most interesting for me were the very unusual ice patterns/formations visible only by low altitude flight. While in the air I did see trumpeter swans, one Ross’s goose, and hundreds of Canada geese.

Note: These aerial ice pattern images were not as simple as putting a drone in the air and snapping photos. The patterns were…

Not Partridges and Not a Pear Tree

While out looking for interesting birds today a series of high frequency squeaks caught my attention. Without looking around I knew I was hearing Cedar waxwings. The questions was where were they.

A quick glance up revealed a small flock of the waxwings enjoying today’s unusually warm sun. I hoped they would…

Not Wild, But Good

Today was spent at the healing spot of the north where we had one good thing happen after another.

• First, my family member had good numbers and good results.

• Second, another couple we crossed paths with a couple of times received good news,

• Third, I somehow lost…

Finally… I Got Its Picture

For several months I have seen glimpses of a Cooper’s hawk as it flew over our little ponderosa looking (I presume) for a bird at one of my feeders.

Until today I only saw a glimpse and did not get a decent look at the hawk. This morning the hawk was perched in a position to make it more visible - albeit with spindly branches in front of it - for photos. So, turn around and shoot pictures is what I did.

My observation and photography time was brief, but there were enough seconds to capture a couple of views of the stunning hawk.

Compact or Expanded - Pretty Either Way

During my travels today I passed near this red-shouldered hawk perched on a broken limb hunting a roadside ditch. The hawk allowed photos before deciding to move to a more secluded area.

For motorists driving along our wooded areas - be watching not only for deer, but also for the many birds of prey working hard to find food during the winter months. From red-shouldered hawks to…

Artistic/Abstract, Until You Look Close

Today’s photo is a seldom, if ever, seen view of tree shadows on a frozen Wapsipinicon River.

I put the drone in the air even though it was cold and windy to get some flight time. If I don’t fly (practice) regularly, then when I need to do something intentional I may struggle. Like using my regular camera, I want adjustments to be second nature - whether they are the camera operation or flight skills. When I saw the interesting long shadows during my flight I had to record them.

On a different note… This morning I photographed this turkey vulture that should have left the area weeks ago. I wonder why it is still here.

Why Their Presence Matters

Five days ago (Thanksgiving Day) I posted pictures of the first Carolina wrens I had seen since early 2021. While the little birds are not large and showy, they are a nice addition to local timbers and maybe some backyards.

An interesting fact about Carolina wrens is that…

Reflections, Thankfulness, Reality

Somehow we are at the end of the Thanksgiving weekend already. Hopefully most reading this will have enjoyed pleasant time with family and friends, a delicious meal or two, an opportunity to “recharge” before the Christmas holiday, and ample time to give thanks for our blessings. We were blessed with each and more and for that I am thankful.

However, during this holiday weekend I also experienced…

Perfect Picture or Picture Perfect Naturally

The excitement of seeing a red-shouldered hawk perched not far from the road was real. The same level of disappointment felt about the branch in front of the bird was just as real. What is a guy to do?

One option would have been to digitally remove the branch to create a perfect picture of the hawk. Or, I could do what I did and share a “real” view of the bird as it was - perched behind branches as it hunted the ditch.

Tucked into branches is how I often see red-shouldered hawks. Considering how seldom this species of hawk is seen, branches or not… I get excited and today am sharing it as I saw it.

From Christmas Tree Hunting To Dear Hunting

‘Tis the day after Thanksgiving and time for some of us to hunt our Christmas tree for the season. While hunting for a tree this very special dear and her brother appeared. Like good hunters, the dear was carried out of the trees to the joy of everyone!

Where Have You Been?

During my second walk this morning I reunited with a bird species I have not seen since early in 2021. After much too long I was fortunate to find at least two, if not more, Carolina wrens. I wonder what brought the birds back this winter.

Like all wrens, Carolina wrens seem to burn more energy than necessary as the little birds flit around almost constantly. Since they do well even under challenging conditions, their extreme activity levels…

Follow the Leader

Without a doubt, when I watch wildlife all it takes is one of a group to go into “Alert” mode and the entire group is gone. Such was the case with two gatherings of whitetails. Both appeared to be adult does with young of the year. When Momma took off, so did the youngsters.

Maybe Someday?

For as long as I can remember I have enjoyed most music. There are some genres that I will not listen to, but most styles get my ears depending on my mood.

As much as I like listening to music, I am not able to make music… at least not yet. Kristy bought me a guitar that I…

Observations From the Trees

As I wandered among trees in a timber stand this morning, doing my best to escape the cold wind, I had several observations of interest.

Very obvious were the two bird species that were feasting on red berries scattered along the edges and through the trees on the end. Most attractive of the birds were the few…

More People Than Birds

More People Than Birds

As I expected today, many more people than birds appeared for the short-eared owl show at dusk. For the first 1/2-hour or so I was the lone person waiting for the birds to begin their hunts, but soon the parking lot and roads had…

Directionally Challenged?

Oh how I wish I could explain how the bufflehead ducks in this picture were directionally challenged, but I cannot. These six ducks were headed in a southerly direction as expected. Their appearance seems a bit late, but better than never. If they keep going the ducks should stay ahead of the ice that will soon be here. (Just think, in about 4 and a half months we will see buffleheads heading north again.)