Today Was Mostly Subdued

Except for a couple of quick views of a prothonotary warbler this morning, my pictures for the day featured subdued colored birds. In fact, some species are really challenging to make them look showy. I guess they are not and that is OK.

My highlight for the day was identifying and photographing chimney swifts. I was not able to shoot real close images of this unusual bird, but did manage some photos. For those who may be unaware, chimney swifts cannot….

Helicopter Crop Dusting - Ladage International Helispot

For several hours today the road near one of our driveways served as a reloading/refueling spot for a crop dusting helicopter.

An unexpected guest of that nature caught my attention with my camera in hand. If you are like me, you could watch this activity all day. Enjoy the video!

For my public safety friends, notice how I was able to use the word "Helispot" in a non-incident command emergency setting!

So Much To See, So Thankful To See It

This morning Kristy asked how my morning paddle went. I told her I saw so much and how I enjoy the Wapsipinicon River.

Will you please take a look? See if you thought there was much happening today.

Different Views

With each new day summer seems to be passing by - too quickly in fact. During my early morning outing my goal was to observe and photograph different views of ordinary summer subjects in…

Worth It For Me, Not Recommended For Others

During my travels tonight I spotted two Culver’s root plants in bloom. I thought maybe I had missed them for this growing season when I was caring for my mother. But no, there they were, in full bloom.

I stopped my truck, grabbed my camera, wandered down into the ditch filled with tall vegetation and water from today’s rain, blindly jumped the water, and was soon near the plant’s with the white spike blossoms.

While I took a chance in the tall brush and water for the blossoms, I wouldn’t recommend doing the same for others. Unless of course you don’t mind bug bites and itchy spots. For me it was worth it!

An Unusual View - Click to Enlarge

Kristy and I found this great blue heron nearly hidden in shallow water. We had a semi-clear view of the heron as it caught and swallowed a small minnow. Click on the image to enlarge.

We saw nice flowers and an intimidating wasp too!

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.