Oma and the Secret Snake - Interviewing the Star

Today I had the honor of interviewing the star of the book “Oma and the Secret Snake.” We had such a good time with a short video being created as a result. Check out the video at this link:

Oma and the Secret Snake - Interviewing the Star

Hard Water Limits Social Distancing

Winter of 2025 is unlike recent winters when open water was prevalent until the end of December or early January. Our cold temperatures have quickly produced ice in most locations, including in areas of moving water. As a result, waterfowl have much less real estate to claim and are forced to gather in tight quarters.

After last year’s avian influenza outbreak I notice bird spacing and think about how quickly a virus could spread. Knowing avian influenza has been documented in the state concerns me. I wonder if it will hit locally again. If it does appear here, we have far less open water than last year and the impacts may be dramatic. Note: I am not aware of any influenza in our area at this time.

As I studied the Canada geese in close quarters I noticed two duck species were present - mallards and a lone wood duck. Of course the drake wood duck garnered most of my attention. See the pics here!

Some From Today, Some From Earlier

Since today was the first day of the first shotgun deer season, I opted to stay out of “deer likely” areas while I was exploring with my gear. Much of the time was spent doing gravel travel where ring-necked pheasants were seen most often.

Outdoor Snapshots in Winter

This morning’s brisk weather conditions and changing light created challenges for this outdoor photographer. Do I look for wildlife? Should I concentrate on…

Pictures in the Cold

Recently I shared images of a horned larks found on gravel roads. Seeing them on the road is certainly typical, but in my opinion a view of them looks better with…

How Can This Happen? (And positive stuff)

Early today I was notified of a possible swan that was down for unknown reasons. (I cannot disclose the location or further details at this time.)

My first concern was avian influenza had reared its ugly head again in our area, but no, that does not appear to be the case. After seeing a picture it appeared the swan was not afflicted with an illness, but was suffering from several injuries. Once on scene more injuries were visible but not included here. This young-of-the year swan appears to have been…

SSo Many Questions, Few Answers - Call Me, Call Someone

Late yesterday afternoon and early evening so many people attended the visitation of a friend to many. That we were all in the same place for the same reason delivered an unspoken message - we cared.

We gathered as friends and as family - all with a common bond. Each of us was there to grieve with family and friends and to say goodbye to a friend.

Questions… there are so many questions with…

Hunting With Glass

Since I was carrying my Nikon and not my Remington I hunted this rooster pheasant with glass. It is a good thing the camera could see the bird. The bright snow burned my rods and cones after a few frames were recorded.

I’ll add this not so good view of a horned lark in flight.

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.

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…

Challenging Weather Conditions Make For Easier Horned Lark Images

As has happened many times, the worse the weather conditions the more likely I will come home with horned lark images. Today followed the trend with a ready supply of horned larks to attempt to get close enough for photos. I managed a few as shown here.

The Seeker Becomes the Hunted - And Dead Swan

For another year some of our family migrated (with apparently thousands of others) to the Wapsie Pines Christmas Tree Farm in Southeast Bremer County. As we have done many times, some of the grandkids played “Hide and Seek” with Gramps.

This year was different as Gramps was able to stay out of view long enough the kids resorted to calling with their cell phone to listen for my duck call ring tone. They called using their phones as taking advantage of their resources. Gramps thinks it was cheating. For Rounds 2 and 3 Gramps was the clear winner. In fact, even though I was supposed to be the “hunted” (the hider), I turned things around and hunted them hunting me. When I showed them I was close enough to take pictures of them it spooked them. We really did have fun and came home with Christmas trees for the homes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kristy and I wish each of you a “Happy Thanksgiving” on this special day. Some days are easier than others to find something to be thankful for, but each day is worthy of gratitude - large or small.

For those wondering - temperatures did not get low enough overnight to cover larger areas with ice. Hard water is starting to form and based on the forecast, ice may be just a day or two away. For now all I could find was some ice along the edges of the river.

Not ICM, But ISM

Every now and then I dabble in "ICM” (Intentional Camera Movement). ICM involves a photographer moving the camera ever so slightly during a long exposure. Sometimes ICM works, sometimes…

Under The Right Lighting

Under the right lighting even ordinary scenes or photo subjects can look special. Such was the case this morning when I photographed geese, mallards, and a landscape scene.

Should I Be A Deckhand on the Lansing Ferry?

Yesterday Kristy and I explored along the Mississippi River again, including a trip across the river and back on the Cassville Ferry that has moved to Lansing. The trip to Wisconsin does not take long and ours was uneventful.

As I rode on the ferry I thought how interesting (and fun) it might be to work a shift or a day on the ferry. I may give the operators a call to see what might be possible. What do you think… should I?

By the way, today I photographed fog and more fog. Rather than deviate from my Lansing work, I will stick to photos from yesterday that have not yet been shared.

To view the video, click on this link:

Should I Be A Deckhand on the Lansing Ferry?

Not What I Was Expecting

Along an isolated gravel road I noticed a red-tailed hawk that I was hoping would tolerate a photo or two being made. In the background was an ideal sky - not white, not gray, not bright blue - instead that darker color that presents when the clouds and sun cannot decide what they want to do.

As I often do, I began shooting pictures from some distance away. The hawk had no plans on…

Not Following Rules

If you study photography rules or guidelines, a photographer might want to have foreground, middle ground, and background objects to show depth. Photographers also should not often put their horizon line (or in this case the river bank line) in the middle of the frame - instead moving to the upper or lower third area.

For my photo today I went contrary to the guidelines for an image that I can visualize framed and hanging on a wall in my mother’s living room. I composed with the river bank line in the center of the frame and there are no foreground or middle ground objects. Instead I am letting the trees and their reflections draw viewers into the frame.

A “Fungi” Kind of a Day

After several days of dark, dreary, and damp weather, I decided conditions were right for fungi to be found so I went looking. Not only did I find fungi, but also lichen and a few other picture compositions. I did find one…

The Mechanics of Taking Flight

As I was watching juncos at our bird feeders today I did not realize a juvenile bald eagle was watching me. Eventually I looked around and noticed the large, intimidating bird sitting on the top…

Commonalities with Dolores

One day last week a close friend of mine made me aware of a children’s book written by the daughter of my new friend (as of this morning). The story was about the excitement of capturing a large snake and…