Point of View Mattered

Early this morning my progress stopped when I noticed two mating moths in our grass near my truck. I grabbed my camera and macro equipment, knelt down, composed my image and pressed the shutter release button. My first image of the moths was technically acceptable, but…

Meanwhile on the Waverly Rail Trail

For the first time in ages, at my wife’s suggestion, I did my morning photo hike on the Waverly Rail Trail. My intentions when I went out were to cover some miles in search of the perfect fungi display to test some editing software. Instead I was able to witness ….

(Notice - Deep Thoughts!)

It’s the Little Things

Dang… tonight Kristy and I, along with probably a couple hundred other folks, paid our last respects to a great guy who lived a life that obviously impacted many people. Everybody seemed to have a story about him. We all know there will never be another like this fellow.

Thinking about his impact on me, I believe it was the…

Observations From A River Rat

When fish catching was not happening this morning I put my rod and reel down and picked up my camera. Outdoor photography worked much better for me as evidenced by the numerous observations I documented. Two interactions were memorable.

#1. As I was moving my canoe through backwater I heard quite a commotion from blue jays. While approaching closer I noticed not only blue jays, but also cardinals and a gray catbird - all very vocal and on alert. It took me some time to find the cause of their concern, but eventually I did. About 10-12 feet up in a tree, hidden among the many berries the birds wanted to feast on, was a long….

Morning Showers Gave Way To Outdoor Activities

After not watching the weather forecast last night before we went to bed, Kristy and I were surprised by lightning, thunder, and rain showers early this morning. I had hoped to photograph lightning, but that did not happen. Instead, I photographed rain shafts on the horizon. My first images were at ground level. When the rain missed my spot on the earth, I ….

Rural Iowa Scenes

The only common element in today’s images were all were recorded in rural Iowa. Some were a “fly-over” view, others much…

The Great Blue Heron’s Dock - I Guess We Will Move!

Today my grandson and I went bass fishing in a private pond. We were using small bluegills for bait and had caught and released several bass. As we were fishing, we had a great blue heron….

Fungal Art, Fungal Hunting, and a Question or Two

Nearly all of the time when I hunt for and photograph fungi, I end up with “specimen” type images. While that style may not be my preference, most fungi simply…

At 0626 Tomorrow Morning

At 0626 tomorrow morning it will be eight weeks ago that Mom took her last breath ending her health challenges. She is in a better place.

As much as I did not want to see her struggle, I miss her. So often there are triggers that…

Baseball Cap Fungi, Indian Pond Mascot, and Other Observations

During my exploration time this morning I did not find anything unusual or worthy of recognition on the Nightly News. I did find a fungus that, when I saw it, reminded me of a fungi…

Two Years in the Making

What began as intentions of fishing (bluegills for supper) promptly changed when lovely white blossoms accented by pink caught my eye. I pulled over, grabbed my equipment and put together gear to allow for macro photography. Then I adjusted my position to provide for a blurred, non-busy background that showcased the blossom. A press of the shutter release button later and I had my picture.

This plant requires two years to produce blossoms. Apparently this was a good year and I found many blossoms. Oh how I like this native plant!

Moving around, pollinating I suppose, near the biennial gaura were soldier beetles and hoverflies. I tried to maintain continuity in my theme of the subject and a blurred, non-distractive background. My efforts worked today.

I add an American goldfinch that was not too far away too.

When Sleep Eludes Me

For a long time, a very long time, I have had difficulty sleeping through the night. For reasons unknown to me, my body and mind are ready to tackle the day before the day even arrives. A 3:00AM wake-up is normal for me.

When today arrived in my mind I…

Relinquishing Summer Educational Opportunities

For many school-age kids the process of returning to school began today. At least for some, like one of my grandsons, the formal education routine begins bright and early tomorrow. That meant today was his last day of summer vacation and one last opportunity for summer home-schooling with gramps. Our topic of focus was angling.

After stopping to grab some nightcrawlers we were soon along a small pond surrounded by…

Another Migrant Arrived

According to Internet sources, the autumnal migration is underway. From a local “paddle on the water” perspective, I agree. Yesterday I saw the…

Time Passes Quickly

Please, say it isn’t so… our natural world is clearly communicating we are fast approaching autumn. Where does time go?

Early this morning I walked the edge of our prairie to enjoy scenes blessed with warm sunlight rising over the horizon. Then, after breakfast, I made a trip or two up and down my favorite section of the Wapsipinicon River. There I saw many cedar waxwings, green herons, my first of autumn osprey (carrying a northern pike), and cutleaf coneflowers.

Each day there are more autumn leaves floating down the river too. Time passes quickly… too quickly.

Aquatic Fragrance and So Much Gratitude

Last weekend when Kristy and I Jeep traveled with friends to the Mississippi River we noticed a large area off the main channel of the river was hosting American lotus plants. Most of the aquatic plants appeared to be in full bloom.

I have thought about those blossoms all week and this afternoon Kristy and I…

Powerful Greens

Along the Cedar River is a setting I have returned to many times. Rich green moss and shadows create a scene not witnessed everywhere. When isolated as the only view, these moss-covered trees suggest a mysterious path to a sweeping vista or some form of a lush setting.

This morning I visited this small area with my camera and tripod. I hardly…

Oh What A Day!

Lately my days have included an ample amount of excitement and today was no different. I will begin with what most might think was maybe not what they might want to do.

I was made aware of a suspected injured…

Ornery Goose/Limp Turtle

Yesterday I was notified of a Canada goose at the Duck Pond near the Waverly Utilities. The reporting party suggested the goose had a broken wing. This morning I captured the goose with the help of officers from the Waverly Police Department. As was said in the notification, the goose does appear to have a severely broken wing that does not suggest a long life for this bird. Other than the broken wing, the goose seems to have…

No Photosynthesis Happening

Although according to my database I was on the hunt a few days early, I successfully located some….