Artistic or Specimens?

Squinting was my word of the morning as I looked to the east during my early morning prairie walk. A bright spot in the sky warned of another warm day coming our way. During my exploring though, the temperatures were cooler and the scenery was pretty.

As I studied the wildflowers I composed images with two styles in mind. For plants I don’t often see I shot specimen type photos. More common plants were photographed in a more artistic style. And, I did not limit my efforts to…

Six Months From Now

Six months from now, when temperatures are so cold it hurts to breathe, when even with many layers of clothes on the bitter cold reaches your skin with a bite, I will be thinking back to this warm day in July.

With no wind the humidity hung heavy in the air, moved only by the…

Random Images -

Today was a day of work and appointments, so my photo-shooting time was fragmented. There is nothing that ties all of the images together other than I was on the water when the images were recorded.

Gratitude -

This morning I traveled to Rochester, Minnesota to share the news of Mom’s passing with the very folks who saved her life for the past ten years. At least every three weeks Mom and I traveled to the Mayo Clinic for evaluations and treatments. My brothers did join in when possible. Her last regiment, a successful soup mix of immunotherapy, worked for 76 or 77 doses (who is counting). But, an aging body can only continue on for so long. Nobody lasts forever and sadly we lost Mom on July 4. Mom is now healthy and whole again and enjoying the company of so many who went before her in her heavenly home. For that I find comfort.

My challenge, along with my family’s, is to give thanks to so many of you who supported us during the past years and especially the past week or so. It would be impossible for me to name all individually without missing someone. Instead, I will thank those who called, visited, texted, mailed, private messaged, or reached out in some other manner during this difficult time. While my conversations with you may have been brief and maybe even fragmented due to so many thoughts firing in my head, know that I have relieved or reread our conversations many times.

Through grief and sorrow we found out who are friends are, and there are so many of you. For that we are very thankful. Words cannot express our appreciation for each of you. Thank you… thank you so very much! Your thoughtfulness meant the world to us - more than you know.

The photo in this post came from…

Dragonfly Identification Struggle

From what I can tell, we are at the peak of dragonfly season. Area wetlands have so much dragonfly and damselfly activity going on that it is hard to concentrate on an individual dragonfly. As I watch them, my attention…

More Dragonflies With Big Lens

During a fishing outing with my grandson I paused for a few minutes to document the various dragonflies zipping around us. We had at least three species of dragonflies in close enough range for photography.

Morning Macro With The Big Lens

When I saw this morning’s nice light (early morning), I grabbed my macro equipment and wandered our pollinator habitat. In the vegetation I found a couple of insects as many biting bugs found me. The pictures were interesting, the bug bites were miserable.

A couple of hours later I parked myself near cattails and photographed dragonflies. For that session I did not use my typical macro gear. Instead I used my long lens with extension tubes. This combination allowed me to focus closer and provided pleasing bokeh in the images.

A Reminiscing Road Trip

For 25-years or so my uncle from California (Mom’s older brother) has come back for a few days that included taking Mom on a surprise road trip around the state. Since he was home for Mom’s funeral and doesn’t fly back yet, he and I reminisced on the road. This time the process was flipped - instead of my uncle knowing all details, today I had the plan, I drove, and my uncle enjoyed a good ride.

Climbing Surprise

For as long as I can remember I have seen turtles crawl up logs sticking out of rivers and ponds to sun themselves. Sometimes the turtles are a foot or two above the water.

Today I was surprised to notice a bright yellow spot three to four feet up a tree along a pond. When I paddled closer I recognized I was looking at a…

Butterflies and Blooms

The past days, even weeks, have been a blur as my mother’s health failed. She was buried today in the company of…

Gruesome Passing

As I was preparing to get out of my canoe this morning movement on the weedy water caught my attention. I watched as a dragonfly emerged from it previous life in the pond to an aggressive aerial lifestyle.

The dragonfly worked to fill its wings for a life in the wild. Back and forth the little dragonfly moved. The process resembled butterflies emerging.

Suddenly all movement stopped for the young dragonfly. I reached out to pick up the dragonfly and found it dead. Its new life lasted only minutes.

Fortunately I had recorded video of the dragonfly moving around. When I watched the video clips the cause of death became apparent. Gnats - many - had attacked the dragonfly that didn’t have a chance. Apparently gnats can kill dragonflies before dragonflies kill gnats on the fly.

Watching the process was educating and gruesome. Personally, I would prefer to have dragonflies reducing the gnat population. The gnats acted when they could and will live for another day. I watched life in the wild and learned.

Belly Tickles

East of Waverly on Highway 3, where the north ditch rises high, many compass plants are reaching for the sky. Today’s scene, with a blue sky dotted with cumulus clouds, reminded me of one of my favorite quotes by the father of conservation - Aldo Leopold.

“What a thousand acres of Silphiums looked like when they tickled the bellies of the buffalo is a…

Mom’s Efforts -

Many are aware that my mother passed away early yesterday morning. She fought a decade long battle with cancer, but ultimately died from other health issues.

During her illness she and I traveled to the Mayo Clinic at least every three weeks, sometimes more often. Thousands of miles and hundreds of hours were shared together over the years. I would not wish cancer (or other health issues) on anyone, but illnesses did foster a very close relationship for Mom and I. She was not only my mother, but became a dear friend.

Nature and the outdoor world were frequent topics of discussion for us. After seeing butterfly weed growing in a roadside ditch, we decided to try to grow the attractive plant at our homes. I had luck a couple of seasons before her. In fact, it was only this year that butterfly weed came up for her. Sadly, Mom’s health did not permit her to see her special bloom.

This morning I photographed Mom’s butterfly weed for the funeral bulletin. She would have been so happy to see this pretty plant.

I am sharing this photo of Mom’s butterfly weed. Enjoy it virtually, compliments of my Mom!

This Hand -

This hand held my little fingers when I entered the world.

This hand held my hand as I was nurtured as a toddler, exploring the big ol’ world.

This hand held my hand as I was guided around the rights and wrongs around me.

This hand held my hand (figuratively) when I grew up and thought I knew everything.

This hand held my hand when she was scared or uncertain of a medical procedure.

This hand held my hand when once dancing legs became unstable.

This hand was held by my hand this morning when an earthly life transitioned to a heavenly eternity where bodies are perfect and suffering is no more.

Our hands held each other through so many challenges.

Now this hand, my hand, is alone as I face a different life – a life without that motherly hand to hold.

For My Mom

Other than my wife, my mother is most likely to know of photography projects I might be working on. The same goes for my conservation-style efforts. Mom keeps track of what I am up to.

For several years I have attempted to get butterfly weed established….

Sadness and Cautious Relief

A family situation the past days has generated a roller-coaster of emotions - from sadness to cautious relief. Prayers have worked repeatedly and for that we are so thankful.

As regular readers know, I maintain some semblance of a healthy mental state via daily nature moments. This past week the time has been minimal, but still I managed to get out.

Following are photos from the past couple of days.

Killdeer Update

Yesterday I shared how a killdeer I have been watching tends to her eggs, regardless of the adversities coming her way. I wondered how she and her nest of eggs weathered yesterday’s heavy rain.

Very early this morning I checked on her and the nest. From what I can tell, all is…

Life Challenges

Over the past days I have spent time watching as a killdeer has been dropping eggs into her shallow depression in gravel otherwise known as a nest. This bird faces threats from vehicles, predators, and the elements - like today’s heavy rain. Still, she returns to her simple nest where she will face whatever comes her way until her eggs hatch.

We humans could stand to learn a lesson or two from this killdeer. In our family we are facing serious challenges. It would be easy to throw in the towel and give up, but why? If the Good Lord isn’t ready yet, why am I living with a “glass is half empty” mindset? Like the killdeer, I need to…

Seen Today -

For a few hours today I was blessed with time to be out on the water looking around with my camera. I explored several areas and was treated to a number of interesting compositions. Some need an explanation, others do not.

Much More Than Sport Mode

On my drone controller I have the option of “Sport” mode flight. Sport mode disables my obstacle detection and allows for faster flight, quicker turns, and much livelier (risky) travels in the sky. I do, on occasion, fly in sport mode. No matter how zippy my flight might be, I am not even close to what dragonflies and damselflies can do in the air. Today I was humbled by…