”THE REGULARS”

American White Pelican, Mississippi River, near lock & dam #14, Le Claire Iowa

Any time I go out shooting along the Mississippi River there are critters that we can see more often than others and it is easy to ignore them. Are the Canada Geese ugly birds just because we see so many and almost any time of the year? I don’t think so. Well, I do a fair share of documentary shots just for my own biological interest. I like to remember what was out there in previous years and get an idea how populations develop over time. But most of these pictures will never be exposed to the public. But I also believe if the light has a certain quality even the ”regulars” deserve their minute in the spotlight of our attention. Here are some examples what I mean.

This pelican was hunting for fish together with about another dozen. I underexposed by -1.66 f-stops to keep some details in its feathers, eye, and beak. Look at the ice on the bird’s chest and the feathers on the head. It really tells the story about a frigid and windy day during the recent polar vortex. It is my favorite shot from the recent visit to lock & dam #14 in Le Claire, Iowa.

Young Common Muskrat, Green Island Wetlands, Iowa

Last weekend the ice melted in the Green Island area. This young muskrat went into the water when I stopped, but after a short time accepted my presence and returned to this stick and climbed on it again. I guess sitting on. a stick wasn’t as cold as on all the ice floes around. I love how the little critter’s thick fur is presented through the light.

Canada Geese, Green Island Wetlands, Iowa

Making a photo of Canada Geese is not a difficult thing here in the Mississippi Valley. The pairs are getting ready to nest soon and if the light and colors are right, we can look for a gesture that shows their bond.

NATURE CLICKS #421 - COMMON MUSKRAT

Juvenile Common Muskrat, John Deere Marsh, Mississippi River, Iowa

Here is another image from last weekend. This was shot at the John Deere Marsh, right beside the road, and about a kilometer away from the main channel of the Mississippi River. This young muskrat had absolutely no fear and kept chewing on fresh grass tips even after I just parked my car right beside it. 200 mm focal length was enough to make this picture and I employed the Nikon Nikkor 200 f/4 on the D750. I made a slight crop in post for esthetic reasons. Too many bleak sticks after the winter distracted from the subject, this beautiful little muskrat. Their fur looks great when it is dry. I saw and heard an adult calling from down below the river bank but this little bugger gave a dam and kept chewing on the first fresh grass. Some people are put off by anything that is called a “rat”, although this rodent is not a member of the genus rattus. Muskrats are smaller than beavers and they share quite often the same habitat. Their diet is 95% plant materials.