MISSISSIPPI RIVER STORIES 2023 #6 - IN THE BACKWATERS

Green Heron, Mississippi River, Mud Lake, Iowa

I made another trip with the kayak yesterday evening down at the Mississippi River. Sometimes the best things happen right after the start. This Green Heron was on the hunt next to one of the big beaver lodges. We both were a little surprised but after a couple seconds the heron turned towards the shore and flew into a tree and out of sight. This was the only shot I was able to make.

American Bullfrog, Mississippi River, Mud Lake, Iowa

It seemed the number of bullfrogs had doubled over night. The loud sound the males make during the breeding season could be heard everywhere along the shore. The light was again perfect and I was able to get really close to some of the big fellows.

Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S,

NATURE CLICKS #564 - AMERICAN BULLFROG

American Bullfrog, Mississippi River, Mud Lake, Iowa

It was a gorgeous summer day, not too hot and not too humid, and we decided to paddle our kayaks this evening for a couple hours at Mud Lake. This part of the Mississippi River backwaters is separated by a dike structure from the main channel of the river and the current in there is very slow. The best part is that you almost never come back without any wildlife sightings. Today we had a number of different birds but none was close enough for a decent photo. We also watched muskrats, beavers, and turtles. But the best posing in the light of the setting sun came from some of American Bullfrogs. I have never seen so many of these big frogs at Mud Lake. They are a great subject to practice handholding the long lens in a kayak. The bullfrogs were pretty patient and let us paddle up really close to them, even below the minimum focal distance of about 102” (2.6m), before they dived down and moved away.

Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S,