Art created by nature is the thought behind the gallery ICY ART, hosted here on my website since a few years. As every winter I try to add some pictures of ice formations that caught my attention during the cold season and triggered the desire to make a photo. Feel free to click the link right here for entering this gallery and check out the latest additions or the work from previous years: GALLERY ICY ART
NATURE CLICKS #594 - DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS
Double-crested Cormorants, Mississippi River, Lower Sabula Lake, Iowa
While shooting birds on or in the water it is always recommended to have at least one eye in the air from time to time. Overhead flying birds are often a good opportunity I don’t want to miss, even if they approach suddenly.
Double-crested Cormorants are very fast flyers and I wanted to make a picture like this one since quite some time. With my heavy Sigma 150-600 S it seemed to be always a matter of luck to get a sharp shot. Panning with that heavy lens is not always easy.
While working with the pelicans you may have seen in my last blog post, four cormorants crossed the river and flew rapidly towards me. The exposure compensation was quickly changed by one stop (-0.67 to +0.33EV) to retain some detail in the birds plumage. The Nikon Nikkor Z 600 f/6.3, even in combination with the Z TC-1.4x teleconverter, is so much easier to handle while following birds in flight. I know for sure now why this lens made it in my gear locker.
Nikon Z6II, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x. @840 mm, image slightly cropped
COLLECTIVE EFFORTS
American White Pelicans, Mississippi River, Lower Sabula Lake, Iowa
It was so nice to see some colors again after a gray and nasty cold day yesterday. It was a good Sunday for checking out spring migration of the birds along the Mississippi again.
I have never seen so many pelicans fishing together before. This squadron contained more than a hundred birds, with many more on the water around, but choices had to be made what to leave in the frame and what not. First it looked and sounded like they all were fighting for the fish but pretty soon it was clear that it was a well organized collective effort by these American White Pelicans, as you can see in the second picture. I don’t know who was in charge to give the command, but suddenly they all took off and flew across the water to a different spot and started all over hunting for fish again.
All photos: Nikon Z6II, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x. @840 mm
NATURE CLICKS #593 - YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER
Male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
I’m aware that this photo will not win me any awards, it took too many steps in post process to make it what you see here. However, it is an important picture for me because it has been two years since I saw the last sapsucker here in our woods.
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is an interesting woodpecker that we mostly have seen in April while they migrate up north to Minnesota and Canada. Beside hammering trees for insects they also create sap wells, often several in a row, to collect sap and trap insects.
There is a lack of sharpness in the original RAW file due to the fact that this was shot through the glass of the balcony door. Too make things worse I had to shoot from an angle and about five feet away from the glass because the minimum focus distance of the Nikkor Z 600/ f6.3 lens didn’t allow me to get any closer and not enough time for a lens change.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE CARDINALS
Northern Cardinal, male
With no significant success in the wetlands this evening a couple pictures from last week, when we had some fresh snow, might be a good substitute today. The Northern Cardinals often flock together during the cold season and we had about two dozen of them here during the last snowfall. It was the bird I haven’t photographed this winter until now and I was happy to see them late morning. Most days they show up before sunrise in the morning, and then again during night fall, pretty much the times without sufficient light. A slow shutter speed (1/160s) was key again to capture the snow flakes in motion and make them the story telling element in the background of the pictures. The snow? Of course, it melted away within a few hours and today I saw 22ºC (72ºF) on the thermometer. Spring is at the door step, or isn’t it?
Northern Cardinal, female
”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.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER STORIES 2025 #2 - THE ICE MAKES SOME NOISE (VIDEO)
While shooting the photos of the Trumpeter Swans I showed in my last blog post I suddenly heard a crunching noise behind me, coming from the main channel of the river. A really huge ice floe had broken loose and started moving, grinding, and crashing against the rocks at the Potosi boat landing. We had a cold snap the night before and much of the Mississippi had frozen over again.
I like the crunching noise and hit the video button on the camera to capture the powerful movement of the river. Turn your speakers on loud, click the video below, and feel free to watch the little show.
Mississippi River, Pool #11 above the lock & dam Dubuque, Iowa. Photographed from the Wisconsin side of the river
This photo was shot later a few miles further south, giving you an idea how the ice got jammed above the lock and dam in Dubuque, IA, which is located but hardly visible at the horizon line.
Photo info:
Nikon Z6II, Z 600 / f6.3
Video: Z6II, Z600 / f6.3
Nikon Z6II, Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR, @ 19mm
ENJOYING THE TRUMPETERS
Trumpeter Swans, Mississippi River, Potosi, Wisconsin
I spent quite a bit of time on both sides of the mighty Mississippi River this weekend and like to share a some photos with you in the next few days.
This morning I saw about 25 Trumpeter Swans at the end of the John Deere dyke here on the Iowa side but all too far in the distance for a picture. A different scenario this afternoon at the Potosi boat landing on the Wisconsin side of the river, where close to 100 swans had congregated. Several family groups were feeding, resting, or socializing with each other and their loud trumpeting calls, that sound like a french horn, could not be missed.
Trumpeter Swans feed mostly with their head under water. I watched them today using their webbed feet to stir up roots. An adult swan eats up to 20 pounds (~10 kg) of food per day.
THE GEESE ARE MOVING
Greater White-fronted Geese migrating north, Green Island Wetlands, Mississippi Valley, Iowa
I had the feeling the time was right and didn’t get disappointed this evening. Spring migration has started and about an hour before sunset several hundred of Greater White-fronted Geese headed north in the Mississippi Valley. I think it’s just the beginning and the next few days may open more opportunities. If weather permits I hope to go out again and see more geese heading to the arctic regions in northern Canada.
It was the first time that I tried to photograph this nature event with the Nikkor Z 600 / f6.3 lens, which I use since about six months. Today I got the final proof that buying this lens was a great decision. With about half the weight of my older Sigma 150-600 S lens it is so much easier to track birds in flight and keep a sharp focus over a long period of time while panning with the lens. To make the challenge a bit bigger the 1.4 TC was attached, extending the focal length to 840 mm. Still, no problem to keep up with the birds.
Less than an hour later I just had to turn around for this final photo of the day.
IRRESISTABLE GRAND CANYON
Palisades of the Desert, from Navajo Point, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, 2015
When you spent the whole day behind the desk and any time you look out the window the sky is gray, well, that can put you in a gloomy mood. Today was such a day and I just wanted to post a picture that includes a little bit of sun. Digging through my archive I went back to 2015 when this photo was made at sunset from Navajo Point at the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
Nikon D750, Nikkor 24-120mm / f4, @105 mm, 1/250s, f/8, ISO400
NATURE CLICKS #592 - AMERICAN TREE SPARROW
American Tree Sparrow, Little Maquoketa Valley, Iowa
I’m glad that I was able to make a number of pictures of the American Tree Sparrow last weekend right here at the house before all the snow melted away. I said it many times before that I love how the light bouncing from the snow on the ground wraps around the critters.
American Tree Sparrows have their breeding range from Alaska all across northern Canada and so we have them in Iowa only during winter. They prefer deciduous woodlands along streams and it is not very often that we see them up on the bluffs here. Although they are called tree sparrows, they actually built their nests on or near the ground.
I know winter is not over yet, but with the snow all gone for now we have to revert to other means of lighting again for our bird photography. Each of the four seasons have their highlights and challenges. During times with snow cover finding enough light is the easiest part…😉
Nikon Z6II, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z TC-1.4x, @ 840mm, 1/3200s, f/9, ISO 2000, image slightly cropped
BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER
Pair of Bald Eagles, Mississippi Valley, Green Island Wetlands, Iowa
Shortly after I started shooting pictures of this pair of Bald Eagles the female left the tree. At that time I didn’t know it was the female. She returned after three minutes The eagles greeted each other with loud vocalization and another minute later the male seemed to understand that his partner was receptive and ready for copulation. Most Bald Eagles are monogamous and mate for life and they can live up to 30 years in the wild.
The metadata of my images reveal that it all lasted for about 13 seconds. Afterwards the pair sat together in the light of the setting sun, which is generally interpreted as a sign of strong partnership and a renewal of their bond. I never witnessed this important ritual for a healthy Bald Eagle population and I felt rewarded by watching some essential biology.
All photos: Nikon Z6II, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x
…@ 840mm, f/9, ISO400, 1/1000s - 1/1250s
Although I had the teleconverter already on the lens I felt it was still a little bit too far away and I cropped the final pictures by about 18% in post process.
FUN AT #14 TODAY
American White Pelican, Mississippi River, near Le Claire, Iowa
With the temperatures becoming more moderate, just slightly below the freezing point, I thought it was a good time to go down south to lock & dam #14 near Le Claire, Iowa today. While the Mississippi River is still covered with ice for the most part up here, 90 miles further down the main channel had all open water.
While most people come here for watching Bald Eagles I was wondering what else could be found this time. Beside some other birds a large squadron of American White Pelicans owned the place and provided many photo opportunities and that’s what I like to offer today.
TRY TO OVERCOME
Soaptree Yucca in the dunes, White Sands NP, New Mexico, 2021
The conversation with a friend and also coincidentally looking at recent times into some of my books about other photographers, like Imogen Cunningham, Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, or Wynn Bullock, encouraged me to go on and pursue what I feel gives great pleasure in my photography attempts. I’m talking about looking into a world full of colors but expressing it in black & white. Quite often I see a scene and just know the photo is a good candidate to process it in monochrome. Shooting always in RAW mode leaves the door open in any direction of post processing.
I’m sorry, I feel I’m in a photography rut right now. It seems like these moments come back always during winter time… While battling a time with very few new ideas, maybe processing some images that slept on the hard drive since a while may help to get out off an artistic blockage.
During our visit to White Sands National Park in 2021 I shot a lot of pictures during two evenings we spent there. I didn’t set the camera to any monochrome mode but shot many images with this idea in mind. It amazes me how certain plants and trees are able to live in this harsh and very dry environment. These Soaptree Yuccas are a great example and their graphic appearance is just perfect for our humble tries for a photo…
Nikon D750, Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm…..@ 105mm
SUDDEN SURPRISE
Cooper’s Hawk, Mines of Spain, Dubuque, Iowa
With all the snow on the ground that finally made for a ”real” winter here in eastern Iowa any place where birds are attracted to feeders would have been a good place for some wildlife photography today. I went to the E.B. Lyons Nature Center in the Mines of Spain, where the feeders are filled regularly by Ken, a photography friend and active birder. People of all ages can watch the birds from inside the nature center or like me, just stand outside between the trees and wait what happens.
While I watched a flock of Dark-eyed Juncos and American Tree Sparrows a much larger bird came suddenly from behind, flew right by me within a 3-4 feet distance, and finally landed in a nearby tree. This one was bigger than our Sharp-shinned Hawk and its rounded tail tells me it might be a Cooper’s Hawk. They are hard to tell apart from each other and I wasn’t able to see its chest pattern. Since all the little birds were long gone, the hawk didn’t waste any time and moved on after a few seconds.
Dark-eyed Junco
It didn’t take very long and all the woodpeckers, finches, nuthatches, chickadees, and sparrows came back to the bird feeder area at the nature center. The Dark-eyed Juncos feed mostly on the ground or seek shelter in the dense branches of nearby bushes. They scratch the loose snow or leaf litter with their feet and try to find something to eat, often little pieces of seeds other birds have dropped below the feeders.
1. Nikon Z6II, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S, @ 600mm, 1/1600s, f/8, ISO 800, image cropped,
2. Nikon Z6II, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S, @ 600mm, 1/3200s, f/8, ISO 800, image slightly cropped,