Rural Iowa Scenes

The only common element in today’s images were all were recorded in rural Iowa. Some were a “fly-over” view, others much…

The Great Blue Heron’s Dock - I Guess We Will Move!

Today my grandson and I went bass fishing in a private pond. We were using small bluegills for bait and had caught and released several bass. As we were fishing, we had a great blue heron….

Fungal Art, Fungal Hunting, and a Question or Two

Nearly all of the time when I hunt for and photograph fungi, I end up with “specimen” type images. While that style may not be my preference, most fungi simply…

At 0626 Tomorrow Morning

At 0626 tomorrow morning it will be eight weeks ago that Mom took her last breath ending her health challenges. She is in a better place.

As much as I did not want to see her struggle, I miss her. So often there are triggers that…

Baseball Cap Fungi, Indian Pond Mascot, and Other Observations

During my exploration time this morning I did not find anything unusual or worthy of recognition on the Nightly News. I did find a fungus that, when I saw it, reminded me of a fungi…

Two Years in the Making

What began as intentions of fishing (bluegills for supper) promptly changed when lovely white blossoms accented by pink caught my eye. I pulled over, grabbed my equipment and put together gear to allow for macro photography. Then I adjusted my position to provide for a blurred, non-busy background that showcased the blossom. A press of the shutter release button later and I had my picture.

This plant requires two years to produce blossoms. Apparently this was a good year and I found many blossoms. Oh how I like this native plant!

Moving around, pollinating I suppose, near the biennial gaura were soldier beetles and hoverflies. I tried to maintain continuity in my theme of the subject and a blurred, non-distractive background. My efforts worked today.

I add an American goldfinch that was not too far away too.

When Sleep Eludes Me

For a long time, a very long time, I have had difficulty sleeping through the night. For reasons unknown to me, my body and mind are ready to tackle the day before the day even arrives. A 3:00AM wake-up is normal for me.

When today arrived in my mind I…

Relinquishing Summer Educational Opportunities

For many school-age kids the process of returning to school began today. At least for some, like one of my grandsons, the formal education routine begins bright and early tomorrow. That meant today was his last day of summer vacation and one last opportunity for summer home-schooling with gramps. Our topic of focus was angling.

After stopping to grab some nightcrawlers we were soon along a small pond surrounded by…

Another Migrant Arrived

According to Internet sources, the autumnal migration is underway. From a local “paddle on the water” perspective, I agree. Yesterday I saw the…

Time Passes Quickly

Please, say it isn’t so… our natural world is clearly communicating we are fast approaching autumn. Where does time go?

Early this morning I walked the edge of our prairie to enjoy scenes blessed with warm sunlight rising over the horizon. Then, after breakfast, I made a trip or two up and down my favorite section of the Wapsipinicon River. There I saw many cedar waxwings, green herons, my first of autumn osprey (carrying a northern pike), and cutleaf coneflowers.

Each day there are more autumn leaves floating down the river too. Time passes quickly… too quickly.

Aquatic Fragrance and So Much Gratitude

Last weekend when Kristy and I Jeep traveled with friends to the Mississippi River we noticed a large area off the main channel of the river was hosting American lotus plants. Most of the aquatic plants appeared to be in full bloom.

I have thought about those blossoms all week and this afternoon Kristy and I…

Powerful Greens

Along the Cedar River is a setting I have returned to many times. Rich green moss and shadows create a scene not witnessed everywhere. When isolated as the only view, these moss-covered trees suggest a mysterious path to a sweeping vista or some form of a lush setting.

This morning I visited this small area with my camera and tripod. I hardly…

Oh What A Day!

Lately my days have included an ample amount of excitement and today was no different. I will begin with what most might think was maybe not what they might want to do.

I was made aware of a suspected injured…

Ornery Goose/Limp Turtle

Yesterday I was notified of a Canada goose at the Duck Pond near the Waverly Utilities. The reporting party suggested the goose had a broken wing. This morning I captured the goose with the help of officers from the Waverly Police Department. As was said in the notification, the goose does appear to have a severely broken wing that does not suggest a long life for this bird. Other than the broken wing, the goose seems to have…

No Photosynthesis Happening

Although according to my database I was on the hunt a few days early, I successfully located some….

Road Tripping With Friends

A short-notice invitation for a Jeep road trip proved to be a fun Sunday. We left with a short agenda - go to Clayton for brunch, ride the ferry to Cassville, drive the Wisconsin roads to Prairie Du Chien, and head home - in our Jeeps.

To say we had a good time would be an…

Thought Provoking and a Life Fungus

When I finally got out on the water tonight my goal was not distance or birds. Instead I wanted to shoot images of water dripping off my wood canoe paddle. It took a good number of photos before I had what I wanted. This one was….

Moisture Macros and More

Before another day of rain began I spent time in my canoe photographing mostly fungi and a few wildflower species. As I was shooting pictures it dawned on me that each image was….

Not The Best For the Tree, But Made an Interesting Display

Virginia creeper is a five-leaved vine that quickly grows up trees. The plant thrives most anywhere and can be damaging to trees. I cut them when they attempt to establish on any of my trees.

Today I found a Virginia creeper climbing a tree in a wild area. Rather than look at it with frustration, I studied it as it appeared as a work of art on the trunk of the tree in the rain.

Thinking Like Ansel Adams?

During a hike this morning I noticed a composition opportunity that would require some post-shooting work to show what I imagined.

The dark and moody sky burned out when…