Pardon the Repetition

Many times this winter I have shared images of trumpeter swans. Hopefully most viewers appreciate the beauty of these magnificent birds, even if I frequently include swan images in my daily posts. Pardon the repetition.

February is Done!

My personality is such that when I decide on something, I will get it completed or I will nearly die trying. One self-commitment made decades ago was to go paddling every month of the year. For many years I have completed that goal and 2026 will not be different. Today I took care of paddling in February when I took my canoe out on the Shell Rock River for a brief outing.

Winter Waterfall Images (and more)

Before the sun was up this morning I was on my way to the closest waterfall to our home - the waterfall on a trout stream. Remembering my last visit, I packed chest waders today so I would be able to approach closer to the falls for more intimate images.

Even though I was wearing neoprene waders, the fact that the air temperature was 8-degrees and the water was whatever temperature trout streams are, meant my feet got cold… very cold. Even with my “Grandpa Socks” my toes did not stay warm as I walked in snow and cold water to the falls. Still, I continued on and was able to record images I won’t be able to record any other time of year.

Mid-20’s Felt Like Spring Time!

What a wonderful difference warmer temperatures made in the outdoor world today. Critters of all sorts were out in the open feeding and moving around. It was as if springtime had arrived and the natural world came alive after months of winter slumber. Of course I know the pleasures of today are temporary and we are almost certainly going to have cold, wind, and snow. Still, it was nice today.

In my travels I saw another merlin (a special find), trumpeter swans, and bald eagles, along with a ‘possum out wandering in corn stubble.

25-years and Flight Patterns and Wing Colorations

Today is a special day. On this day I am beginning my 25th year of posting “A Picture A Day” without missing a single day. Sometimes I had to wait until I had Internet connectivity or time, but I have photographed and shared an image from each day, now beginning my 25th year.

Late this afternoon I checked out an area for possible short-eared owls. While I did not see any short-eared owls, there were other birds of prey active in the sky. I was able to quickly recognize two species by their flight patterns and confirmed my thoughts by wing…

Fresh Roadkill For a Family Reunion

Along Highway 63 I found a fresh road killed whitetail deer that most of a bald eagle family tree had already found. Young birds, adult birds… there were bald eagles all around. Some stood out in corn stubble not far from the dead animal while others moved to a tree where they appeared to discuss the situation.

Rough-legged Hawk - Dark Morph

The search was on for wildlife (probably a bird species) as we drove north. Almost 200-miles later and where did we find something worthy of photography? Just three miles from our home.

This bird was a dark-morph rough-legged hawk. At least one other rough-legged hawk was in the air nearby. Both were hunting over a grassland area.

“Gray Ghost” Bird

During my activities today I was fortunate to see a number of wildlife species. Although none were unusual, each was worth watching and enjoying.

As I wondered what my image for today might be, I was blessed to have three male northern harriers hard at work not far from where I was parked and watching. I am thankful at least a couple/few of the images were worth sharing with others.

FYI - Some birders refer to the male northern harrier (featured here) as the “Gray Ghost.”

Ice Shard and Birds

As I waited this morning for time to tick away for an appointment, I drove down by the Cedar River to do a wildlife census. Canada geese were all that I saw from a distance away. What did catch my eye was this backlit shard of ice popped out of the river, with another streak of sunlight on the ice behind it. Soon the sun rose high enough that this scene was gone, maybe forever.

As for wildlife … At another location on the Cedar River I checked on the swans gathered around the open water. There were plenty with some Canada geese mixed in.

Of special interest were two common mergansers. The birds were across the river, so detail is limited, but it is easy to recognize they are common mergansers. I wish they were here to tell us spring is coming soon. But, I would guess they have been here all winter and I just saw them today.

Artsy With Hesitation of Sharing, Then Wild Things

Before I even went outside this morning I attempted to photograph frost on a window. I am not thrilled with either image. As much as I tried, I was not able to focus closer - even with a closeup filter and three extension tubes. So, this is what I got and I share with you as I learn and figure something out to do better next time. I did use editing software to add color or framing.

Desperation?

Wild animals do wild animal things and I have to remember that.

After watching what appeared to be a young raccoon doing its best to find something to eat in a small area of open water, it was a challenge to not inject human emotion into…

Will He and His Pals Stick Around

Now that this lone drake wood duck, along with a dozen or more mallards, have toughed out this winter so far - including the coldest weather for a long time, the question to ask is will they stick around? I am guessing if the flowing water continues to maintain a…

Day Two of the Cold, Plenty of Hawks

This cold spell has appears to have made for some hungry hawks. I saw many - mostly red-tailed, but a couple of rough-legged hawks too. None of the photo-ops were remarkable, but I gave them a good try.

Your Eyes are Not Foggy

This morning’s cold temperatures were so cold that heavy river steam was making sharply focused images of swans on the river impossible. None of my river steam images appear sharp due to the steam, but I had focused the camera. (By the way, I waited until it warmed to -14F before going outside.)

The swans that I found were concentrated in a stretch of river with open water. Several of the birds on the water were bathing and aligning feathers. As I watched them I thought how nice a down/feather suit would be when temperatures are this cold - especially if the swans were thoroughly enjoying themselves splashing around.

Getting Air

During my observations today I photographed three wildlife species that “get air.” Two of the three are birds, so the claim is assumed. The other, a whitetail buck, made getting air look easy.

I spotted this guy with a doe in a grassy area not far from a timber. When I stopped to watch,,,

Uncharted Territory

It is not often, as in almost never, that I find a little traveled route to explore within minutes of our home. Such was the case today as I moved around the area checking out the landscape.

After taking this picture I did drive down the road. As the sign suggests, maintenance has been minimal. Still, I found the area interesting enough that I will go back when weather conditions are better.

Eyes on the Ice

A nature watching friend of me reached out today about this lone trumpeter swan sitting on the ice on the Cedar River in Waverly. That the bird is alone and on the ice may or may not mean anything. Swans are unpredictable that way. Yes, often they are in their family units or more, but maybe this bird is a loner.

As I watched it the swan lifted its head to look around and then went back to a resting posture. Only time will tell if the bird is healthy.

For the record, if the bird is in trouble, help may not be available. The area where it is located was open water last week. A bigger challenge would be if the swan is ill. With avian influenza in the Midwest, suspect birds are not captured and taken to rehabbers to prevent killing all birds at the facility.

Let’s hope this was just a lazy day for this solo bird and tomorrow it will be gone.

So True

I shot one photo today and this is it - a graphic on glass at a hospital. When I read it I wanted to laugh out loud since I so believe it. My visit to the ED was due to an injury and not life-threatening, but certainly because of what I was doing.

We can apply the saying in a positive way too. How about we all try to make a difference, in a good way.

Provided For Again

During my outdoor photography presentation at Camp EWALU last week I was asked what my “Picture of the Day” was going to be. My reply was that I hadn’t taken a picture yet, but knew that the Good Lord would provide before the end of the day. After all, I am almost into my 25th year of a “Picture a Day” and have not…

Introducing “America”

This morning I received a message about a downed bald eagle and wondering if there was anything that might be done for the bird. Based on the description provided, the assumption was the eagle was injured and not a victim of avian influenza. I quickly made contact with a wildlife rehabber, organized capture equipment, and traveled to the location of the downed bird.