Kip’s Comments - November 30, 2025
Not Often Seen Scenes
Yesterday I shared my first horned lark images for the winter of 2025-2026. In the text I mentioned I would watch for Lapland longspurs and snow buntings that sometimes are found with the horned larks. Today I studied more horned larks and found Lapland longspurs in the mix. This one allowed for a couple of photos.
Lapland Longspur - Image 1046866
For those wondering - horned larks, Lapland longspurs, and snow buntings are the little brown birds (LBBs) typically seen in winter months, along gravel roads, and away from housing/structures. They tend to thrive in exposed areas that would not seem to be the most inviting during the worst of winter months.
Other not often seen scenes include patterns in ice on the river and at Sweet Marsh. Again this year on the Wapsipinicon River I found rings frozen in development. I wonder if there are springs under the ice, in the center of the rings. If there are springs, the water is bubbling up through several inches of silt and sediment.
Circles in Ice - Image 1046773
Wapsipinicon River in Winter (Frederika) - Image 1046800
At Sweet Marsh I found somewhat similar patterns in ice. These circles are not as well defined. I am not sure of the origin.
Patterns in Ice - Image 1046807
Since I won’t be shooting “tree reflections on water” images for many months, how about a “tree shadows on ice” picture.
Shadows on Ice - Image 1046787
