An article based on a Boundary Waters adventure and written by Kip Ladage has been published in the Summer edition of the Boundary Waters Journal.

The Wild Side ... A Collection of Im... By Kip Ladage Book Preview

My book has been published!  <---- Click here to visit my page at the Blurb Bookstore or order via my email address.      Click to order the book!

Final Walk for 2007 12/31/07

I've now completed my final walk for 2007.  Wow, did the year ever go by quickly.  My goals for 2008 include dedicating more time to outdoor shooting and exploration.  I can't complain about previous years, but with a little more discipline, I'm hoping 2008 will be exceptionally productive.

Today was another day of hoarfrost and clouds.  Very little wildlife activity was occurring, so I concentrated my lens on scenic type subjects.

A Beautiful Morning of Hoarfrost 12/30/07

As much as I prefer morning temperatures to be hovering between 60 and 65 degrees, the beauty of this morning made me really appreciate winter.  Everywhere I looked, the view was breathtaking.  I attempted to capture a few views, by my digital version simply doesn't compare with what the Good Lord blessed us with today.

I Took My Dearly Beloved to Look for Owls! - 12/29/07

My wife and I spent the afternoon taking care of a little shopping.  Since we were within a few miles of George Wyth State Park, I invited her to look for saw-whet owls with me.  We tromped through the snow, checking one tree after another.  Just after I was convinced we wouldn't be seeing any, she noticed one a bit higher than normal, directly above me, watching me wander around under the tree.  Guess who is rubbing it in that she found the owl and I didn't!

Although it was dark, dreary, and cloudy, I took a few pictures and supplemented the light with a fill flash.  I'm happy with the results.

Results of a Christmas Day Hike - 12/25/07

I tried to stay home today, but when the thermometer showed temperatures approaching 40-degrees, I had to go for a walk.  I spent most of the afternoon on the opposite side of Plum Creek, walking along with a 'possum.  While watching the 'possum, I noticed a raccoon watching me from a considerable distance away.  For those wondering, the 'possum was eating otter scat!

A Morning of Shooting Backyard Birds - 12/15/07

After observing a common redpoll at my feeder yesterday, I thought I would try to create a better image of the bird this morning.  Conditions were acceptable, but the bird never approached close enough for a workable image.  While waiting for the redpoll, I made images of a few of the common visitors to the feeders.  I didn't get all of them, but will try another day.

How Ironic - Interesting Birds and Poor Shooting, at the same time 12/14/07

As I watched my backyard bird feeders today, I was pleasantly surprised by a bird I hadn't seen before - a Common Redpoll.  I attempted a few photos through the window, but none turned out very well.  Later in the day I spent time outside to try to shoot "clear" images, but the redpoll didn't return.  I was going to post the best of the images, but just can't do it.  They don't measure up.

This afternoon I looked for saw-whet owls in a grove of pines.  No luck, no owls (of any species).  I did see a  wild turkey as I was driving home.  That too was not properly focused since I didn't have time to stop and shut off the truck.  It ended up being a grab-shot effort that didn't work.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Finally...I'm Back and Shooting Again!!! 12/13/07

If you follow these pages with any regularity, you may have noticed I haven't posted anything lately.  My excuse is that I had a very important photo shoot that involved 750-800 images that I shot, processed, and put together for a proof book.  I was one of two photographers recording my son's wedding.  For those who know me, you know  I wanted the images perfect and that meant looking at each image.  I'm done, for now anyway, with that project!

If you subscribe to the Iowa bird listserv, you may have read that there are three saw-whet owls at George Wyth State Park in Cedar Falls.  I went down there today and found all three owls.  I enjoyed a great day of shooting and like normal, the saw-whet owls were very cooperative.  And just like normal, I had one fall asleep while I was creating images.  I've posted a sampling of the images created today.  None have been cropped - you are seeing them full frame.  I did add a small amount of fill flash to take care of the shadows.

Of the images posted, I'm including some that probably won't ever see any other use.  I've done that so others might be able to learn from what I shot and adjust your compositions accordingly.

Twelve Days Later - He's Still Alive 11/24/07

This image is a close shot of the rack.  According to this photo, he is a 9-pointer.

My Batteries Died! 11/23/07

I recently learned that a brochure featuring the Wapsipinicon River as part of a water trails network will be published over the winter months.  I've been asked for GPS coordinates of the river, so I have been using the holiday weekend to paddle the river.  Today my paddling stretch was from Frederika to the Highway 93 bridge north of Tripoli.  All went well until two sets of GPS batteries died less than 3 hours into the journey.  I still had a good time, but I was very cold by the time I reached the take-out point.  Along the way I saw 4 does (one stayed bedded), 2 belted kingfishers, 1 red-headed woodpecker, 3 great blue herons, numerous ducks, and a large number of hawks.  I also found a heron rookery I had previously known about.  I fairly certain my kayak sat deeper in the water as the afternoon went on due to ice build-up.

I came across something that seems a bit mysterious... This Shrine of Mary is located along the river.  Does anyone have any information regarding this interesting observation?

Thanksgiving Day Thoughts 11/22/07

Another Thanksgiving Day is drawing to a close as I type these thoughts.  While I paddled this afternoon, many thoughts and ideas came to mind about the items for which I give thanks.  My list is brief, but encompasses many important aspects of my life.  First and foremost, I'm thankful for the life I've been blessed with - my Lord has provided me with much more than I deserve.  I'm thankful for my wife and kids.  They have been some of the most understanding people on the earth to endure the pressures of living with my over-active personality.  Thanks guys!  I'm thankful that I've grown to appreciate the simple, yet wonderful world we live in.  Sweet Marsh, the Wapsie, Bremer County, Iowa, and the USA - what more could we ask for!  I am thankful for the opportunities I've been given through my job.  Finally, I give thanks for my friends and family.  Each of you hold a unique position for me and I'll continue to strive to return to you the energies you've shared with me.  Thanks to all!

I took time for a brief paddling outing this afternoon.  It was cold and blustery with occasional flurries, but still a worthwhile effort.  I am posting an image of the construction progress on the bridge near the county line.  Along the Wapsie I saw 3 does, 1 buck, and a pileated woodpecker.

Trumpeter Swans - 11/20/07

While driving along the four lane highway west of Plainfield, I noticed a group of white birds in the small lake north of town.  A closer look, but not close enough, showed fourteen trumpeter swans - including two cygnets.

Lover Boy's Honey - 11/16/07

I did my best to capture a better image of the big buck this afternoon.  I had no luck.  But, I did see five of his does, one smaller buck, and an American Bittern.

Big Lover Boy was Spotted - 11/11/07

I'm posting a photo that is not composed well and not terribly sharp.  It was the best I could do under the circumstances.  The image is accurate enough and important enough that I want to share it.  I was paddling a secluded stretch of water today and saw a group of deer several times.  I thought I caught a glimpse of a big buck with three does, but I didn't realize how big he was until I studied the photo.  Wow...he is really huge.  What do you think?

A Couple of Interesting Weekend Photos 11/11/07

Due to another photography project, I haven't had much time to be outside shooting.  I finally got out Friday and Saturday.  The most interesting image from the weekend was this black-throated green warbler.  I found it deep in the Wapsie Island trail system on Saturday.  I'm not sure how common or uncommon it might be for Iowa.  

Another image created over the weekend was of this lame Common Grackle.  The bad news is that its left leg hangs uselessly behind the bird.  The good news is that it has one heck of a strong right leg.  The other grackles seemed to take advantage of their crippled comrade.

A Day of Shooting 10-27-07

Today was a day of shooting - first at a pheasant with a shotgun and then backyard birds with a camera.  The pheasant survived (imagine that!).  After pheasant hunting, I spent time in the backyard blind.  The visitors were house finches, goldfinches, a red-bellied woodpecker, and white and red-breasted nuthatches.

An Act of Photographic Desperation! 10-18-07

Day after day of rain...how long can it last??  After many days without a peek at the sun, I finally had to find something to shoot.  Between showers, the best I could do was this slug.  It's not much, but better than nothing.

Do They Know the Second Waterfowl Season Opens Tomorrow?       10-12-07

I won't say with 100% certainty, but it sure appeared this afternoon that the wildlife at Sweet Marsh knew hunting seasons will open again tomorrow.  Except for coots and a couple of muskrats, I saw nothing else moving around.  The weather may have contributed too...it was cloudy and almost dreary.  Although I have many coot images, I still use them for practice subjects, just for the experience.

Finally - I Found a Cooperative Grebe! 10-9-07

After years of trying to get close enough to capture a close image of a pied-billed grebe, I was finally successful today.  What's odd about my good luck was that I wasn't in a fully camouflaged kayak.  This time I was in my Lund fishing boat, out in the open!  I've posted to images - one of many close images and one of the grebe scratching itself.

No Paddling Today - Just Worked the Backyard 10-6-07

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I wasn't able to get out and do much searching for unusual species or compositions.  Instead, I sat in my backyard blind for an hour or so.  We still have plenty of red-breasted nuthatches.  The way they are packing the sunflower seeds away, I wonder if they aren't planning to spend the winter here.

More Thoughts and Images from 10-5-07

As I edited my images from yesterday, I noticed a couple of interesting photos of not so interesting subjects.  Both are poses of American Coots.  In the first image, I'll ask how many people have actually studied a coot long enough to notice coots have the blood red eye and the blood red patch above the bill?

This image shows a coot taking off.  I liked the shot, so I thought I'd share it with you.

This image is of one of many grebes still being seen at Sweet Marsh.  The grebe was swimming with a group of coots.

Information to Share: Know Your Equipment (10/5/07)

After not expecting to be able start the morning paddling, I was pleasantly surprised that things worked out.  My goal was to paddle around Segment B of Sweet Marsh in search of some rare migrant.  I wasn't able to locate anything unusual, but I as I was paddling back to my truck, I noticed this great egret standing on a floating clump of vegetation.  Thankfully I knew how to react quickly to challenging lighting situations.  With digital photography, I expose for the highlights, which meant adjusting my exposure compensation by -1.3 stops.  Since I was shooting faster (due to less light needed because of exposure comp), I then adjusted my aperture for more depth of field.  Then, since I was paddling my kayak and was being blown in the wind at the same time, I opted for manual focus.  I made all three adjustments very quickly as the wind moved me into range.  One other detail worth mentioning...I had my kayak, camera, and me fully covered in camo.  After getting home, I loaded the image in my raw viewer and made adjustments so the background was natural without losing detail in the egret.  Change any of the five details described above and the picture probably wouldn't have worked out.

I also photographed grebes and coots.  For those keeping records, I did see one lone sora.