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It's a new era as we try to stay safe from rogue viruses. I combine my social distancing with getting some fresh air. I photographed this local barn and the Milky Way at 4:30 AM this morning (with no people around). There was a lot of haze on the horizon and as always in North Iowa farm lights and nearby towns lit up the haze with the long exposure for the stars. There are very few places in North Iowa to find dark skies. The barn was lit by the headlights of a single passing car. Note the three bright stars on either side of the old windmill tower. The bright one to the right is Jupiter and the two between the barn and the tower are Saturn and Mars. The barn isn't really leaning. It is a bit distorted due to the wide angle lens. (This was a single exposure with processing in Lightroom.)
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Sandhill Cranes at Sweet Marsh, Bremer County, IA. I'm missing out on a trip to central Nebraska this year, so I won't get to see the huge crane migration, But it is nice to see Sandhill Cranes in Iowa. We saw and heard several pairs while paddling the marsh last week. (This photo is heavily cropped - they were way out over the marsh when I took this photo) A few of the paddlers on our Sweet Marsh float organized by Crawdaddy Outdoors. The first of several Tuesday evening floats this year.
A Northern Saw-whet Owl at the Lime Creek Conservation Area in North Iowa. I really enjoy photographing owls (as you may have noticed). These little guys are pretty hard to find. Only about 8" tall and they sit very still most of the day, only hunting at night. (Click images to see larger)
The Lime Creek Nature Center held a 'Spring Break at Lime Creek' program yesterday presented by Linette from S.O.A.R. (Saving Our Avian Resources). It was a chance to see some raptors up close and to learn more about the birds. (Click images below to see larger)
While out in the Sioux City area this weekend I took a few hours to visit the Snyder Bend Wildlife Management area south of Sioux City, IA, a horseshoe bend part of the Missouri River. There were lots of birds moving around. Several Bald Eagles, Wood Ducks zooming around like fighter jets, many other ducks and plenty of Canada Geese. It was a nice day for a walk with the camera to snap a few photos.
(Click images to see larger) I was out for a drive this evening and stopped to enjoy a wonderful sunset from a rural North Iowa road.
(Click images to see larger) Northern Saw-whet Owl, Ida Grove, IA. On my way home from NW Missouri a couple of weeks ago I drove through Ida Grove and called my friend Don P. who is an owl whisperer (my description). He has a knack for finding Saw-whet Owls. But to be fair he works very hard at it, out every morning in Moorehead Pioneer Park and surrounding areas peeking in every likely tree to see where one may have roosted today. Sometimes it takes hours to find one, and sometimes he doesn't. It is great that he is willing to share his expertise and passion to help others get a glimpse of one of these cute little 8" tall owls. They are migratory and usually are only found in Iowa in the Winter. Soon they will be heading north to their nesting areas in southern Canada and the northern and western United States. [Click image to see larger] More Saw-whet Owls Even more Saw-Whet Owls And a local Saw-whet Owl |
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July 2024
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