Don’t Drink the Water - A Question for Waterfowl Hunters

During my travels today I noticed 3 trumpeter swans resting on the new sewage lagoon for the City of Frederika. There is no doubt that trumpeter swans can make anything a bit prettier - even a poop pond. But seeing them on the frozen pond made me think of something I have often wondered about.

Waterfowl will land on, feed in, swim on, nest along just about any body of water - good or bad. I have often seen waterfowl - from ducks to geese to swans on sewage lagoons. Since the birds spend considerable time on these not-so-clean ponds, what does that do their meat? Do ducks that spent most of their time on a sewage lagoon before flying over a duck hunter elsewhere taste different? How does their time on less than ideal water affect them. Any wild duck eaters care to comment?

No Floral or Fungal Spring Fever That I Could Find

These spring-like conditions are so pleasant! I am ready for this type of weather (or warmer) for the next eleven months!

Since I have “Spring Fever” I wondered today if maybe wildflowers and/or fungi located in warm areas might be reacting. In other words, I was looking for an over-achieving, early growing plant or fungus.

My hike (search) was enjoyable…

Sweet Marsh Update

Conditions this afternoon were ideal for checking on the situation at Sweet Marsh near Tripoli. Once again I am happy to report that I found no dead or dying waterfowl in the area where birds have been congregating.

Let’s hope the outbreak has ended completely and will not resurface in a month or two as the spring migration is underway. Time will tell.

Photos taken using zoom and cropping.

Color on a Beautiful Day in January

Until early afternoon I thought today’s text and images would feature bald eagles feeding on dead animals in corn stubble. I will include those pictures, but the excitement for pictures changed when I found an adult bald eagle on river ice near a goldeneye duck. Wow, what a day for color!

Worthwhile Trade

On this, the warmest day of 2025 so far, I spent the afternoon inside rather than outside enjoying the conditions. The reason… this afternoon was the first of four meetings to introduce the new public safety communications system to responders across the county. This system upgrade is expensive and long overdue.

Currently our radio system has gaping holes where communications are either completely absent or inconsistent. Apply that to real-life scenarios and you can see how often our safety is in jeopardy - especially our law enforcement officers.

So, a good number of us spent the afternoon inside learning the technical aspects of our radio system. We look forward to a better and safer system in the near future. And I thank the taxpayers for supporting this investment.

My picture for the day was recorded near the end of the day, after the meeting. I am fine with that.

Various Views of Cave Ice Formations

Recently a friend shared an image taken of a beautiful ice formations. Her one picture was the trigger for me to find and photograph ice formations close to home.

These views were recorded at the entrance of a limited-access cave.

I have agreed not to disclose the location.

Sweet Marsh Update and Hawk Show

Some time has passed since I provided a Sweet Marsh Update regarding waterfowl and raptors impacted by the avian influenza outbreak. Today there was good news and not so good news. Let’s begin with the not so good news.

Only a very …

Questions From the Gas Station

Notice the price per gallon we paid today in Ankeny for Super Unleaded gasoline. The price we paid ($2.569 per gallon) is .53 per gallon less than local stations for the same grade of gasoline. Why is there such a significant price difference?

When this question has been asked in the past by others on social media, the answer has been “transport costs.” OK - let’s discuss this explanation.

According to…

“Oh Kip, It Is Too Early”

During my nearly nightly time of inability to sleep a couple of evenings ago I did some technical reading. The topic of interest was how Earth’s magnetic field had moved “Magnetic North” from a location in Canada toward Siberia and that a formal adjustment to the location was issued by scientists who monitor the continual movement. These adjustments occur about every five years.

What this movement of magnetic north means to me is the declination numbers on my topo maps used for backpacking and wilderness paddling will be incorrect. I suppose I can adjust declination correctly by adding or subtracting the change to the indication printed on the maps.

For most people, what I have explained likely does not make sense. But, what do I know…maybe there are others like me who enjoy maps and mapping. I can’t be the only one…am I?

As Kristy and I were laying in bed following my reading, not yet up for the day, my morning announcement to her were the details of the update to the “World Magnetic Model.” Her response… “Oh…

Pointing Up and Done

In one spot today I was shooting to the sky and shooting to the ice. First to record a juvenile bald eagle followed by a river otter on ice. This took little effort and was a good break from not seeing much else.

Eyes and Art

During the winter months opportunities to photograph wildlife are far fewer than during warm weather months. When wildlife is present, the species are generally common since the more unusual animals moved on long ago during the migration.

Today I was able to find and photograph a couple of wildlife species and both were ordinary. In a tree I found a cooperative red-tailed hawk and in the timber was a whitetail deer trying to be invisible.

Abundant Hoar Frost

Unbeknownst to me, Dutton’s Cave and Echo Valley State Park are both closed to vehicles during the winter. I learned that the hard way this morning. Yes, I could have hiked into the streams, but with the air temps in nearly double digits below zero, I opted not to push my luck.

Instead of going home I drove over to the…

A Brisk, But Pleasant Hike

There are some days when you wake up and you just know you need to go for a hike. Today was one of those days for me. I did let the sun…

Little Details

During the mass exodus of about half of the trumpeter swans at Sweet Marsh this afternoon I noticed little details on a few of the birds. Some of the swans were flying with their feet forward rather than tucked behind them. A couple of the birds had kinks in their necks. Neither anatomical variance seemed to be affecting the birds.

Boring, So Let’s Get Artistic

Early this morning I drilled into hard water (ice) and fished for a while, but eventually got cold and bored and headed home. While in my hut I shot a photo, but it was so similar to previous ice fishing pics that I thought I had to do something different.

Recently a friend of mine has impressed me repeatedly with her artistic images that create curiosity…

Ladage Land Claim

According to this “news” story (https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/senator-proposes-bill-to-let-iowa-buy-9-minnesota-counties-could-still-buy-gopher-gear/ar-AA1xgU8Z), an Iowa lawmaker has proposed the State of Iowa purchase nine southern counties from the State of Minnesota. Also in the article the lawmaker refers to Iowa’s budget surplus versus Minnesota’s budget deficit. I would like to weigh in on this idea.

• IF Iowa is going to buy counties from Minnesota, perhaps we should also include Cook, Lake, and St. Louis Counties in far Northern Minnesota. This part of the purchase would then include the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area (under Federal management).

Geometry… What Are These - Never to be Seen Again

During my outdoor time today I spent many minutes watching the bridge construction work in Waverly. The process of putting this bridge up fascinates me. Bridge construction is so involved with details I would not even consider.

As I observed I recorded some video and shot a few still pictures, but nothing that might interest the masses. As I was putting my gear away I noticed “things” that…

Restricted Air Space - Mixed Thoughts on a Substantial Change

From back when I was flying drones for my job to current times when I fly my personal drone for photography efforts, one flight issue to deal with has been geofencing. Geofencing is a software process that limits drone operations in areas determined to be restricted air space or “off limits” for drone use. (Think of an electronic fence/polygon surrounding specific areas.) Such locales are controlled airspace at airports (usually where air traffic control operators are working), jails/prisons, and the White House to name a few. Most locations may allow flights - with coordination - in all but the most secure locations, with justification.

From a personal level… I have wanted to fly my drone several times at George Wyth State Park located not too far from the Waterloo Airport. Depending on where in the park I have wanted to fly, I was able to secure an LAANC…

Following My Thoughts

Try as I might, I cannot sit still for long. My mind is always on the go and soon my entire being is following my thoughts.

Today I spent several hours ice fishing. Conditions in my hut were balmy - I had my jackets unzipped, gloves and cap off, and was comfortable. As I waited for fish to bite I played with my electronic gadgets that are supposed to help put fish on the ice. That didn’t happen very well, which was OK. At the same time I was thinking about my bigger passion - outdoor photography.

The drive to be out hiking and shooting was powerful and not to be ignored. Soon I had…

Not Skunked

There comes a time each winter when my “hunter/gatherer” skills are put to the test. Can I catch fish through the ice? Will I go all winter without a fish on the ice?

Well, today I proved that I…