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

Low Light + Moving Kayak = Noisy Image (9/29/07)

I thought it was supposed to be sunny this morning, but that apparently isn't going to be the case.  I paddled the Wapsie east of town, hoping to see something interesting - like a close view of a belted kingfisher.  The one I've been watching didn't cooperate, so I went up the river.  Other than wood ducks, blue jays, red-winged blackbirds, and Canada geese, I did see this doe.  Due to the low light levels, I was using a high ISO.  The resulting image was quite noisy, but better than nothing.

I'll Guess the Identity of This One! (9/28/07)

Early this afternoon, with virtually no wind, perfect temperatures, and nothing that absolutely had to be done, I took my pontoon boat up the Wapsie to enjoy the weather and the onset of fall colors.  As I was working the boat through a shallow area, I was quite surprised to see this hawk perched on dead logs along the river, seeming to watch what I was doing.  I'll be the first to admit that I have difficulty recognizing all of the different hawks.  My guess on this one is an immature Cooper's Hawk.  If anyone knows differently, please email a correction.  

Full September Moon (9/26/07)

Did anyone watch the beautiful moon rise this evening?  We had only a few minutes before it disappeared either partially or entirely behind clouds.  Here is a sample of what I was able to record:

How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck? (9/22/07)

The early duck season opened today, so instead of starting the day at Sweet Marsh, I paddled up the Wapsie in search of whatever I could find.  I began the day with a great blue heron:

Then I found this cooperative green heron:

And then I came across a belted kingfisher that had a fish too large to swallow:

I ended the morning with a woodchuck photo shooting session:

Trumpeter Swans in Better Light (9/21/07)

I had another opportunity to view/photograph the trumpeter swans in the borrow pit near Mason City.  This time, conditions improved enough that I was able to read the numbers on the collars.  I'll report them to the DNR officials.

No Repeat Cedar Waxwing Performance (9/20/07)

My hopes this morning were that either the cedar waxwings would still be feeding in the same tree or the sandhill cranes would be close enough for photos/observation.  Neither occurred, so I went paddling.  No special photos taken today - just coots and a great blue heron.

Went for Sandhill Cranes, Came Back with Waxwings!!! (9/19/07)

Have you ever had one of those days when you thought you had everything figured out and then you realize your entire plan is lost, only to have a much, much better end result?  That describes today.  I had every intention of paddling a bit this morning in the nice even lighting.  On my way out to Sweet Marsh, I thought I would check on a reliable sandhill crane location.  I didn't see the cranes, but I did see cedar waxwings and they were cooperative.  I shot and shot, trying a variety of exposure combinations.  Ultimately, I preferred the settings where a supplemental flash added catchlight to the eyes while also lighting the overall scene some.  Take a look at a few samples:

Oh yes, I did see the cranes just as I was finishing up with the cedar waxwings.  They were quite a distance away, but I shot anyway.  Now isn't that a good way to start a day - cedar waxwings and sandhill cranes!

A Poor Quality Photo of a Trumpeter Swan (9/18/07)

I found two trumpeter swans (collared) in a borrow pit near Mason City.  The exact location is just east of exit 186.  The picture is of very poor quality due to the distance between me and the birds, rain, wind, and low light.  

Another Great Day for Birds and I Never Left Home (9/16/07)

After seeing some of the images created of local backyard birds, I decided to dedicate time today to just shooting in my backyard.  My goal was to photograph the red-breasted nuthatches feeding at my feeders and to create different images of the ruby-throated hummingbirds.  As much as I try not to include man-made items, for these two species I was forced to include the feeders in most shots.

Red-breasted Nuthatch:

Ruby-throated Hummingbird:

Great Day for Photos - What Do You Shoot! (9/15/07)

Anyone out around sunrise this morning was blessed with a frost that hopefully reduced the numbers of mosquitoes.  If you went out with your camera, you soon realized there were many photography options - birds, muskrats, frosty macros, etc.  I had trouble deciding.  Like most other early morning outings, I began with my kayak and ended the afternoon early with a couple of sessions in my blind.

Muskrat with Lily Pad:

Marsh Wren:

Pied-bill Grebe (Winter Plumage):

Tree Swallows:

Coot (preening):

Mourning Dove:

Another Hummingbird Image (9/14/07)

I watched my backyard feeder visitors today, just in case the cold spell pushes them south.  In addition to the regular birds, I also had a red-breasted nuthatch and two or three hummingbirds.  All of the hummers have been females.

This Just In...Hummingbird Test Shots (9/10/07)

While filling my bird feeders tonight I was continually dive bombed by both mosquitoes and hummingbirds.  To combat the mosquitoes I donned my mosquito netting from my backpacking gear.  For the hummingbirds, I grabbed my camera and flash.  Although I prefer to not to include feeders in my images, I had no choice tonight.

At the feeder:

Acrobatic hummingbird:

Hanging in Flight:

Saved From the Mower (9/9/07)

While mowing the lawn today, this guy popped up in front of me before I hit him with the mower.  I "urged" him to the rocks along the water's edge to make sure he didn't hop back into my path.

One Quick Evening Shot (9/8/07)

Due to mosquitoes, I am having great difficulty spending much time outside lately.  I did take a quick drive this evening a saw that the great blue heron featured one entry below was in the same spot.  On the power line nearby was this Eastern Kingbird:

Eagle Scout Project Day at Tot's Lake (9/8/07)

Several folks assisted with an Eagle Scout Project at Tot's Lake this morning.  We installed a dock that will make canoeing and kayaking easier for beginners - especially the third graders who enjoy the area.  On the way home, during the harshest of light, I grabbed just a couple of shots from the roadway.  

Great Blue Heron in Duckweed:

Red-tailed Hawk in Tree:

Labor Day Outing (9/3/07)

Holiday morning observations included:

Soras (plenty of them concentrated in a couple of areas)

Terns of some type (appear to be juveniles)

Painted Turtle (very small)

Saturday's Birds (9/1/07)

I paddled or boated several times yesterday at two different locations.  Just like other days, I'm out looking for good photo subjects.  Perhaps the best I could do yesterday had nothing to do with water.  I photographed this red-tailed hawk (juvenile) north of Frederika.

I also captured an Eastern Phoebe and Chestnut-sided warbler.  The images aren't the best, but they were the best I could do yesterday.  

Eastern Phoebe

Chestnut-sided Warbler (first year):

I also noticed the Cedar waxwings are forming sizable groups again.  It won't be long until they strip my trees of berries.

Thanks to Ric for helping with bird identifications!