BIRDS AND A NEW TOOL IN THE BAG

December 3, 2023

I haven’t produced much with the camera lately, mostly due to a busy travel and work schedule, and this won’t change much for the next couple weeks. We had some snow on the ground this morning but it melted away quickly and made for a gray and drab rest of the day. I had in mind to do some bird photography, just shooting away from a tripod on the porch, while the birds approach our numerous bird feeders. With the lack of quality light it was the perfect time to practice with a new tool that is in my camera bag already since October. I just had no chance until today to use a new speedlight, the Westscott FJ80 II, for any wildlife photography. It has delivered good results so far for taking pictures of machinery during a trade show in October and for family photos during my recent trip to Germany.

Of course, I was excited to see what it can deliver for color enhancement of birds on a gray day like today. I tested a lot today but will talk about the technical side of this speedlight in a future blog post. More practice with the new tool is definitely required, but so far I have been impressed with the quality of light it can deliver with a diffusion dome attached.

All photos: Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S, Induro GIT 404XL tripod, Induro GHB2 gimbal head, Westscott FJ80 II speed light, Westscott Magnetic diffusion dome

MINNESOTA NORTHWOODS - #13

October 14, 2023

Common Merganser, Bear Head Lake, Minnesota

On almost every lake we paddled last month up in Minnesota we found this bird species, the Common Merganser. We see them here in eastern Iowa during winter as long there is open water on the Mississippi River, and of course during migration. Most of their breeding grounds is higher up in Canada but the lakes in northern Minnesota are called home as well.

They are pretty tolerant when approached slowly with a kayak and they let us come quite close sometimes. So it is not a ”one time opportunity”, as it probably was with the River Otters. This gave me much better time to wait for a backgrounds that was not so busy. There is a lot of fallen trees lined up along the lake shores and as natural as it is, it’s not always a flattering background. The mergansers hunt mostly for fish underwater and if they do it right in front of you, you just know, the bird has accepted your presence and they don’t feel threatened.

MINNESOTA NORTHWOODS - #10

October 8, 2023

American Red Squirrel, Bear Head Lake State Park, Minnesota

We don’t have them here in our woods, the American Red Squirrel. They feed primarily on the seeds of conifer cones and we just don’t have this food source. It is smaller than our Eastern Gray Squirrels. If you see them in or near your campsite, there is no reason to set the alarm clock if you like to get out of the tent very early in the morning. The Red Squirrel will wake you up with a loud chatter with the first day light.

During an early morning walk in Bear Head Lake State Park this little guy walked towards me on this fallen, mossy tree trunk and announced my approach with the camera vociferously. I love how its bushy tail is backlit by the light peeking through the trees.

Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S, @ 600 mm, 1/250 s, f/6.3, ISO 2000

LAST STRAGGLER?….I LET YOU KNOW!

October 7, 2023

Oh, I hope you don’t mind I interrupt my photo story about the Minnesota Northwoods for an actual story that took place at home.

We watch the appearance of birds here in the woods on the bluffs of the Little Maquoketa River in eastern Iowa since almost 19 years now and any time when we think, we have seen it all, there is another surprise. You almost can set your clock for the migration schedule of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, the tiniest bird we enjoy here. With little. exceptions they arrive here May 1st, sometimes a day or so earlier. In the fall we wave good by to them around the last day of September, never later than October 2nd. Well, we kept two hummingbird feeders hanging from the roof of our porch just for these stragglers this week. We had ”summer weather” until two days ago, with nice warm temperatures and to no surprise some migrating hummers found the feeders every day. Yesterday autumn has finally arrived, with temperatures at a high of 12 ºC (54 ºF), and I just thought, well, I guess I can take the feeders down to winter storage. Oh, I’m glad I didn’t!

Sitting on the porch after work last evening another migrating Ruby-throated Hummingbird visited briefly for a boost of its energy level. As indicated before, it’s the latest we have seen a hummingbird coming through here. I guess the feeders with sugar solution will stay over the weekend, just to be save…

Today’s photo is not from the ”last straggler” this week. It was shot mid July this year, but this male was quite a character and I thought you may enjoy my sharing of this photo with you. Hey, fall is here, who knows what comes next!

MINNESOTA NORTHWOODS - #8

October 4, 2023

North American River Otters, Bear Head Lake, Minnesota

It is not always guaranteed coming back with some decent images from every wildlife shooting adventure but it takes only one good photo to make it a successful trip. For our trip to the Northwoods of Minnesota a couple weeks ago this picture of three River Otters I value the most. Yes, there is a third otter on the log, right behind the one on the left and if you look carefully at this low resolution photo, you may see its nose peeking out from behind.

During our visit at Bear Head Lake State Park in 2019 I saw an otter near our campsite one early morning coming out of the water for a few seconds. The otter looked at me, and jumped right back into the lake. I was able to take a couple shots and of course this time I had high hopes to see another River Otter again. It’s a big lake and looking for an otter feels like searching for a needle in a haystack.

But luck was on our side again this time. On a very windy day we paddled the East Bay of Bear Head Lake since it seemed to be a little less effected by the wind. We had already watched a Great Blue Heron and a number of Common Mergansers while paddling along the shore, when suddenly two otters just appeared in front of my kayak and lifted their upper body out of the water. It looked like they were just checking us out as we paddled slowly into this part of the lake. Joan didn’t see them and I felt bad for her. We waited a few minutes, looked around, and suddenly she discovered three North American River Otters sitting on a dead log. The wind was pushing us towards them and I knew I had only a few seconds to line up the boat, lift the lens, focus, and let the camera rip out a few shots. As we drifted too close all three jumped simultaneously back into the water and were not seen again. The light was a little too harsh for my taste but at least I came back with a handful sharp photos of these interesting and beautiful animals. Moments like that are unforgettable!

Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S, @ 600 mm, 1/5000 s, f/6.3, ISO 1600, image cropped

MINNESOTA NORTHWOODS - #7

October 2, 2023

Ruffed Grouse, Bear Head Lake State Park, Minnesota

The first morning after we moved from Savanna Portage State Park to Bear Head Lake I went out early to the lake in search for a critter I have seen there before in 2019 (more about this one in a later blog post). The camp sites are nicely separated from each other by thickets consisting of spruce, pine, birch, and other trees. I heard a quiet, hen-like cluck in the bushes and decided just to wait and see what happens, Sure enough, a Ruffed Grouse came out of the thicket and balanced slowly on top of a fallen log towards me. There were about half a dozen more birds but this one posed nicely for about three minutes. Later we found out that they were hanging out in the campground most of the time. Like White-tailed Deer, they figured out that the presence of people is not really a threat to them and a campground is a place that potential predators more likely would avoid.

Since it wasn’t mating time we did not hear the rapid-fire drumming sound of a male, but watching these birds, who blend in with there plumage to their environment so well, was worth to get out of the sleeping bag early.

Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S, Induro GIT 404XL tripod, Induro GHB2 gimbal head. @ 600mm, 1/320 s, f/6.3, ISO 2500

MINNESOTA NORTHWOODS - #6

October 1, 2023

Common Loon, Eagles Nest Lake No. 3, Bear Head Lake State Park, Minnesota

It is always a thrill to hear the call of the Common Loon, mostly early in the morning, and finally watching them while paddling the lakes up in northern Minnesota. The lady at the ranger station at Savanna Portage State Park wasn’t sure if they had started migration already but we found loons on all of the bigger lakes we paddled. Common Loons spend the winter along the ocean coasts of North America.

They are such cool birds to watch and for me it’s always worth the risk taking the camera with long lens in the kayak and being rewarded with some good photography. This bird is not always shy and it may happen that they pop up right next to the boat after diving for fish.

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

MINNESOTA NORTHWOODS - #5

September 30, 2023

Beaver Pond, Savanna Portage State Park, Minnesota

During a little hike in the afternoon around this pond with the promising name ’Beaver Pond’ we discovered that it had indeed two beaver lodges. North American Beavers are mostly active at night and so I came back later in the evening with tripod and long lens.

I expected to find the pond mostly in the shade already but luckily there was a gap in the trees and the setting sun still illuminated at least part of the pond. The first image was made ten minutes before some action began and you can see that this was an ideal habitat for the largest rodent in North America.

While waiting and enjoying the warm light suddenly the first beaver just showed up in the middle of the pond, swam a few circles, and slapped its flat tail loud on the water. It was immediately aware of my presence, even if I was quite a bit away on an elevated point above the pond. He swam around and any time the sun hit its face or body I tried to make a few clicks. After the beaver figured out that I was not a threat for him it receded to the other side into the shade and between patches of water plants and started eating.

A little later I discovered a second beaver munching on plants but he light was fading rapidly as soon the sun disappeared behind the horizon.

The larger one of two beaver lodges at the pond. You can tell that this was built already some time ago and may have hosted several generations of North American Beavers. The lodge is plastered with mud and when it freezes during winter it is like concrete. A small hole for air is left on top of the lodge (source: Wikipedia)

MINNESOTA NORTHWOODS - #2

September 26, 2023

Ring-necked Ducks, Wolf Lake, Savanna Portage State Park, Minnesota

I learned right here at the Mississippi River a long time ago that good wildlife photo opportunities often come up if you are brave enough to take the camera and telephoto lens into the kayak during a paddle trip. Yes, it is always challenging holding the heavy gear by hand in a boat and not without danger, but shooting most of the time on eye level with a bird or critter is just great photography fun.

Ducks are not always cooperative and quite often take off before they are even in the range of the lens. These young Ring-necked Ducks were very much aware of us while we drifted silently towards them, but nevertheless stayed in their spot even in relatively short distance.

FALL WARBLERPALOOZA, AND MORE

September 10, 2023

Philadelphia Vireo, Mines of Spain Recreation Area, Dubuque, Iowa

I haven’t been able to get out much with the camera lately but today I made up for that. The Dubuque Audubon Society had invited its members and the public for a field trip to the Mines of Spain Recreation Area in Dubuque. The ”Fall Warblerpalooza” was led by Tony Moline, who is a very active birder with very good knowledge about our feathered friends. Hence the name of the event, we were hoping to find migrating warblers in the tree tops early in the morning. We saw a few but none came in the range for the camera. But a number of other birds made it worthwhile to get out with binoculars, tripod, and camera. It was a nice field trip and while listening to Tony and other birders I learned some new things and was able to make a few clicks as well. Here is a first set of photos, maybe I post a few more during this week.

All images: Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S, Induro GIT 404XL tripod, Induro GHB2 gimbal head

For the first time I saw two female Scarlet Tanagers during fall migration. We can watch them almost every year in early May in our front yard after their return from South America but have never see them in the fall. They had a feast on the fruits of a wild grapevine.

A Common Nighthawk is not easy to spot when they rest during the day. They are long-distance migrants and fly in large flocks to reach their wintering grounds in South America.

POOL FULL OF LIFE

August 28, 2023

Basswood Creek is a small tributary that meets the Mississippi River at Finleys Landing, a small marina and campsite not far from home here in eastern Iowa. The last few hundred yards of this creek are on the same level as the Mississippi and sometimes flooding of the big river has an impact on the water level of this little creek. The water was pretty low for most part of August and in Basswood Creek nothing but clear water came down this small side valley. It can be very muddy after a heavy rain, when the water pours down from higher elevations, with tons of runoff from the fields, but it wasn’t this time. Tadpoles and small fish used the little pools and deeper parts in the creek as a habitat.

A photo like this can be made even at the height of the day, when light is awful for any other pictures out in the Great Outdoors. It was very hot that day and just looking at the life in a creek is a welcome change. Well, our dog Cooper did not develop the same sense of visual appreciation, he just lies down in the water and calls it a day… I can’t blame him when it’s so hot as it was!

LOW WATER, STILL WILDLIFE

August 26, 2023

Greater Sandhill Cranes, Green Island Wetlands, Mississippi Valley, Iowa

I didn’t expect much today during a trip to the Green Island Wetland area down south. It was the first day with some moderate temperatures after a very hot week in many parts of the US and the world. The water in the wetlands is extremely low but to my surprise I was still able to watch some wildlife, including Sandhill Cranes, a Pileated Woodpecker, two Red-headed Woodpeckers, Trumpeter Swans, Great Blue Herons, some ducks, frogs, and a snake. From a photography point of view only two of the seventeen Sandhill Cranes feeding in the wetlands were close enough but I like to share this image with you.

NATURE CLICKS #567 - EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE

August 25, 2023

Eastern Wood-Pewee, Bankston County Park, Iowa

It is pretty quiet in the woods already. Most birds are done with their breeding activities. Even the Eastern Wood-Pewee I saw today didn’t make its distinktive sounds. I consider the wood-pewee as a ”photographer friendly” bird. They prefer to perch on bare twigs, which makes it easy to take a picture. From there the pewee darts out to catch passing insects. Sometimes they return even to the same branch.

The low sitting sun this evening was shining through the trees in the background, leaving no doubt about that this photo was made in the summer time. Bankston Park is mainly a small wooded valley here in the driftless area of eastern Iowa. It’s steep slopes are formed by the Middle Fork Little Maquoketa River, a clear stream that is popular by anglers for trout fishing. Along the small river are plenty of insects and a flycatcher, like the Eastern Wood-Pewee, has no problems to find enough food.

REAL NECTAR, MAYBE A BETTER TASTE?

August 21, 2023

As already reported I was out in the yard last weekend and tried to capture the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in flight, while they hover at a blossom or just near a hummingbird feeder. We feed a clear sugar-water solution, with the recommended mix of 1:4, and our feeders have been very popular all summer long. The metabolism of these tiny birds is just incredible and we go through quite a bit of liquid. But beside that we have lots of garden and wildflowers in our yard and their nectar has maybe even a better taste, who knows? While shooting near a feeder is more predictable, because the birds use them more often, but including a flower in the frame is more desirable for the photographer. Bee balm and the purple coneflowers have been a favorite in July and early August but they are almost all gone now. The wild growing phlox is still plentiful and has nectar as well. The hummers stick their bill deep into the blossoms in order to get the nutritious meal with their long tongue. The light was fading away already a bit at 7pm. With a hint of flash, softened with the Quickbox Micro softbox and a dome diffuser in front of the speed light, the colors of the hummingbird and the phlox blossoms had still a chance to shine.

Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S, Induro GIT 404XL tripod, Induro GHB2 gimbal head, Nikon SB 800 speed light, Impact Quikbox Micro Softbox, @ 600 mm, 1/800 s, f/8, ISO 6400,

A FEAST FOR THE GOLDFINCHES

August 19, 2023

I was out on the porch today with the camera for several hours and tried to capture hummingbirds in flight. My attention was suddenly pulled in a different direction when I saw this American Goldfinch feeding in our bed of wild flowers. The purple coneflowers have passed their prime but we let them stand a little longer because some birds, and in particular the goldfinches, like to feed on their seed heads. American Goldfinches breed later than most other birds. They wait until many plants have produced their seeds and there is food in abundance for their offspring. Unlike most other birds goldfinches are strict vegetarians and hardly ever swallow an insect.

It is a photo I wanted to make in our front yard since a long time. This time it came all together, light, gesture, color, and a smooth background.