Before the Rain

During my early morning exercise time I noticed a couple of wildflowers blooming not far from our house. Seeing the flowers meant I did my route twice - the first time without…

Habitat Improvement #???

Since we moved out into the country we have been in a continuous project to improve wildlife habitat when and where practical. I would have to count how many trees we have planted, we have two plantings of pollinator habitat, and now today our ditch was seeded with native plant species.

New plantings take time to become established, so it may be a while before my second pollinator habitat planting and the ditch seeding are real vibrant. But, we have to start somewhere.

Now, let’s get some rain - not excessive, but enough to get things growing!

It Happened to My Friend - The Story of Our Weekend

Of the many people I have witnessed this happening to, the majority are in denial for as long as possible. Then, as I observed this weekend, I watch them get excited when a yellow-bellied sapsucker appeared. After sapsuckers other birds caused even more excitement. The apprehension of what was next was in the air. My buddy became a vocal birder. It happened!

Their campsite was in an area of perfect habitat - edge cover for a small wooded area with open campground nearby. The little timber held many birds that we watched and I photographed. Two of the most interesting species were the…

Color in the Trees and On the Ground

Today was a day that began with a photo shoot of a “not often photographed by me” woodpecker species. I had been watching a male indigo bunting when a yellow-bellied sapsucker flew into the same clump of trees. The sapsucker did not allow for many clear photos, so I did the best I could.

Since I mentioned a male indigo bunting… here he is.

While we are looking at birds of blue, how about a male eastern bluebird.

I shot a few wildflowers too to wrap up the morning.

Noisy Neighbors

As I was messing around at the cabin this morning my efforts were interrupted by a not-quite melodic honking coming from the water. Based only on sound I knew the source of the low audio notes. A glance toward the river confirmed our trumpeter swan pair was approaching to check what I was doing.

Of course I stopped my project to grab my camera and tripod. As the swans often do, today they…

Tree Fungus

I woke early (again) today so I got up and photographed this fungus growing in the soil feeding our hibiscus tree. I did some editing work to hide the flower pot, but the fungus was real. I suppose this qualifies as a still life and a nature photo.

Nobody Was Home Except for One

During my explorations this morning things were a bit quiet. My first stop was a fox den with no activity. I waited almost an hour while only me and a rooster pheasant were the only movement.

A Flash of Blue, A Glimpse of Movement, and a Bit More

Early this morning as I walked along the shores of the Wapsipinicon River I caught a flash of blue - actually two flashes of blue - as a male and female eastern bluebird flew past. That was all I needed to see to know how I was going to spend my next minutes. I picked a couple of spots that I adjusted as the lighting from the rising sun varied the scene. Then, when it was time, I pressed my shutter release button. Following is a sampling of images.

Two “Peents” and a Find!

As I walked along a wetland this morning, looking for wildflowers and turtles, I heard two tell-tale “peent” calls. I knew right away I was hearing a…

Lookout Leonard! (And much more!)

Seldom do I name healthy wild critters and when I do, there must be a good reason. For this bird - a Northern bobwhite quail - it deserved a name after a friend made me aware of it.

Apparently the bird has been at his home for a day or two and does not appear to be afraid of humans. Through our messaging we are concerned this bird will fall victim to predation. So, if we are going to give a warning the recipient should have a name. A couple names came to mind, but we settled on “Leonard” so it went well in “Lookout Leonard!!!” or “Leonard, be alert before you get killed!!” Hopefully Leonard will survive a while.

Really, I wonder if Leonard is a pen-raised bird that was released to maybe establish a wild population. Leonard did make for a good picture!

Interesting and Cute (Overload) - and Scenic Indecisiveness

It was time again for a family member and I to spend most of a day at the great healing spot to the north. One feature there is the Peregrine Falcon program.

Located on the roof of a building is a hack (nest) box. This year two young peregrines were hatched. Today they were named and banded.

For those wondering - both were females. Their names are “Ryia and Aria.”

Following are photos from the program/activity that was open to the public. What a great time considering where we were!

A Lucky Find But Challenging to Document

As I wandered a timber this morning looking for wildflowers a pale gray tree frog resting on a mayapple leaf caught my attention. I had to photograph the critter, but how? The leaf canopy created a mostly…

After the Rain, Before the Drizzle at Sweet Marsh

For several hours this morning I photographed birds, bugs, and waterdrop images at and near Sweet Marsh. The “photo finds” kept coming and I kept shooting until the drizzle became…

More Cooperative Neighbors

As I drove a gravel road early this afternoon I spotted a green heron in shallow water not too far from my Jeep. As often happens, as soon as I pointed a lens at it, the bird tensed up. Then, a split-second later the green heron took flight helping to create a headless heron photo.

EMS and Healthcare Friends - Do You See It Too?

This morning I was messing around with macro photography using an orchid blossom my wife nurtured to beauty. Several combinations of macro efforts were attempted - lens reversing ring, extension tubes, close-up filters, and combinations of these. Ultimately I was able to photograph down the throat of the orchid blossom.

“Down the throat” had another meaning for me. As an EMS provider we are trained…

Almost Too Fast For Us (to focus)

As Kristy and I were out traveling today we stopped by a small wetland many people drive past, but far fewer explore. Even for me it was only the third time there, but I wanted Kristy to see it.

My expectations when we got out were that we might see some wildflowers or maybe bobolinks on the prairie near the wetland. Other than golden alexanders, we saw no blooms. No bobolinks were seen either. But, we did not…

Pretty, Noisy, Unwanted, Hated

Before I share the stories behind the images, I want to state how discouraging it is to see our topsoil blowing to who knows where in these relentless strong winds. A heavy haze in the sky from our precious blowing dirt is troubling. Maybe we can get some rain to hold things in place if the wind is going to keep blowing like this.

Earlier today, before the wind picked up, I found another location for shooting star wildflowers. I thought a backlit view might…

It’s the Little Things

It’s the little things, like spending a couple of hours enjoying lunch and sharing conversation about birds and Spring with a friend facing a huge challenge.

It’s the little things, like spotting and photographing Mayapple blossoms in full view for this growing season.

It’s the little things, like finding baby golden oyster fungi on a log, with more mature fungi all around the babies.

It’s the little things, like a Walmart sack I always carry with me for those special times when…

Had My Hopes Up, Then Down

When I am fortunate to be in the proximity of a bird or wildflower I am not familiar with, I get excited that maybe I am seeing a “lifer…” - a species I have not knowingly observed before. Such was the case this morning when I spotted a yellow/green bird with a very dominant…

So Easy and I Have Proof

Early this morning we had trumpeter swan visitors on the Wapsipinicon River in front of the cabins. As I have observed in the past, these swans were really curious. I expected either or both would take flight and disappear, but neither did as I moved around for photos.

The swans made my “Picture of the Day” so easy. And if you are wondering, I have proof. My cabin neighbor…