David Zosel's Nature Photography

Trip to Georgia

2012-01-29T18:10:00.000-08:00

The start of a beautiful day on Tybee Island.

Alligator resting in sun at Savannah NWR

Snowy egret hunting a shallow pond.

An American coot working the shallow water at Savannah NWR.

A great egret kissing his reflection on Tybee Island.

A willet tippy-towing through the Atlantic surf on Tybee Island.

A purple sandpiper napping in the sun on a Tybee beach.

A black skimmer in flight over Tybee Island.

We spent a few days visiting Beth and Anthony in Georgia. We were fortunate to spend some time down on the coast near Savannah. I was able to do some photography on Tybee Island, at Fort Pulaski, ( where the supposedly invincible fort fell to the Union army using the first rifled cannons in the civil war,) in the Savannah historical district, and at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina. We had beautiful weather and it was fun to feel the sun’s warmth again. There were some winter migrants in the area; some shore birds, wading birds, waterfowl, skimmers and gulls, along with beautiful sunrises. Most of my shooting was done with a Sigma 50-500 OS lens. It was the first opportunity I had to test the lens. My initial feeling is that it will be a fun lens to shoot in the spring when the migratory birds come through. I was especially excited photographing my first Alligator in the wild. He was sunning himself along the edge of a roadside pond. I would have missed him but my sharp-eyed wife alerted me, “There’s an alligator!” I quickly pulled over, jumped out of the car and started shooting.

Swans back at Swan Park

2012-01-04T19:24:00.000-08:00

A Coopers hawk posed on a neighboring brushpile.

Jim Lawrence testing the location of feeders for swans is

greeted by mallards.

Mallards flocked in when corn was offered.

Trumpeter swan coming in for a landing.

The histogram is well balanced to pick up good detail

in the white in bright sun.

Swans

Our New Years Day snow paved the way for the first Swan feeding of the year on the weekend. About 600 swans showed up with 2000 more in the area. Jim Lawrence was test feeding – the swans weren’t eating but the mallards were definitely prime.

We were there in the morning with the bright sun forcing shadows over the birds that were flying into the north wind. Shooting was tough but we finally settled on 1/1600 of a second shutter speed at f 7.1 with 2/3 minus compensation. An added bonus was a Cooper’s Hawk chasing sparrows in a brush pile in Jim’s backyard. She posed for several photographers before taking her prey and departing the scene.

No Snow- No Swans

2011-12-21T14:15:00.000-08:00

A strange colored mallard showed up at the Monticello park today.

Trumpeters are passing by but not being fed until the fields are snow covered.

There have been many disappointed observers and photographers at the Monticello Swans Park this winter. I was over there today and only saw a few swans flying over. There were a number of Canada Geese and lots of mallards. I did see a good number of swans in fields on my drive over to Monticello. Therein lies the problem.

Without snow this winter, the swans are finding all the food the need in local fields.

Until snow cover arrives the swans will be content to feed and rest in the fields. The “Swan Lady”, Sheila Lawrence passed away and her husband has agreed to continue the feeding program. The hopper is full and standing by for the first arrival of the swans which will follow the first good snowfall. The good part is that they are saving about $200 of corn each day with the delay.

The Magnificent Monarch

2011-12-18T18:37:00.000-08:00

An early summer Monarch feeding on Butterfly weed

a close relative of common milkweed.

A September Monarch loading up on Aster nectar to fuel the

journey ahead.

Monarch caterpillar feeding on a milkweed leaf.

Monarch caterpillar climbing a grassy stem.

A tiger striped monarch caterpillar cemented to the underside

of a milkweed leaf.

This the set up I use to take macro shots of butterflies and caterpillars.

One of the fascinating organisms I like to photograph with the macro lens is the common Monarch Butterfly. You will quickly find there is nothing common about the Monarch. Beginning life as a minute egg pasted on the underside of a milkweed leaf, shortly, a tiny caterpillar, less than a sixteenth of an inch long makes his way out of the egg. After wiggling a short time on the undersurface of the leaf it immediately turns and zeros in on its own shell to make its first meal from the nutritious eggshell.

The caterpillar is designed to eat and grow. After the second molt, the familiar tiger stripes begin to show. Growth is rapid as one instar follows another. When the caterpillar has reached somewhat over two inches long, it has the urge to stop eating and begins wandering to find the perfect pupa station. Upon settling on the underside of a leaf or branch, it secretes a sticky, silky substance from its mouth and applies it to its perch. Now by carefully maneuvering, it slowly ends up with its rear claspers secured in the silk. By gradually letting go with its feet, it dangles head down from the surface.

Gradually it works the skin up until a beautiful chrysalis appears from the inside of its body. The chrysalis is lime green with gold flecks. Now the caterpillar must dissolve into a soup-like substance with only a few surviving cells. These cells then initiate the complete building of the butterfly including brain, eyes, antennae, heart, legs and wings. The butterfly that will emerge the next morning will have no resemblance to the caterpillar from which it formed. This is just one of the amazing processes that God has ordained in his marvelous creation. Throughout the summer the monarch generations live between 2 and 4 weeks. However the final generation, emerging in late August, will migrate to the mountains of central Mexico and live more than 9 months, before laying eggs on the return trip, after which they will die.

Macro Photography

2011-08-24T18:28:00.000-07:00

Arigope spider with wasp victim. Note zigzag in web and downward facing position, always the stance of the Arigope.

Grasshopper on hoary vervain.

Ichneumon Wasp depositing egg

Gray Tree Frog on Black-eyed Susan flower

White-faced meadowhawk on hoary vervain.

Japanese beetle on a milk weed leaf

Tiger swallowtail on hoary vervain.

Arigope spider with wasp victim. Note zigzag in web and downward facing position, always the stance of the Arigope.

August is the perfect time to do a little Macro photography. Butterflies, dragonflies, tree frogs, spiders and an amazing variety of insects are at peak populations right now. I love to shoot my 180mm macro lens which gives me a good distance from the subject so that I can shoot in heavy cover and not have to worry about disturbing the subject. I also shoot in manual mode and use flash to light the subject so that I can get added depth of field. I will show you the setup I use on a future post. Here are some examples.

Workshop for Teachers

2011-07-21T19:07:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, August 3 · 9:00am - 12:00pm

Location	Maplewood Nature Center 2659 7th Street East Maplewood Nature Center

Created By	Maplewood Nature Center

More Info	The workshop will include a digital cameras tutorial, basic photo tips, a hands-on photo activity, a review and discussion of the photos taken, downloading and editing techniques and student project ideas. We’ll show how to enhance your curriculum, not add to it! Co-hosted by Maplewood Nature Center & the MN DNR . This FREE event for teachers of all subjects and grades 3-9. This is a four-hour standards-based workshop held at the Maplewood Nature Center. Location: Maplewood Nature Center, 2659 7th Street East, Maplewood MN 55119, 651-249-2170. After the workshop teachers will: * Have FREE access to digital cameras and field guides for your students. * Have new ways to tie digital photography experiences to state education standards. * Know how to use student digital photos with WEB 2.0 applications.* Earn 4.0 Continuing Ed Units. For Teachers Only. Please pre- register: call Beth Girard @ 612-616-8431 or e-mail beth_girard@msn.com by July 27.

Wall

Maplewood Nature Center
This is a wonderful free teacher workshop, please pass along to any teachers you may know.

Flight photography

2011-07-10T18:29:00.000-07:00

Great Blue Heron preparing for take-off.

Off the water ....

Into the air ...

One of the best ways to photograph birds in flight is to catch them just after take-off. Set your lens on a wide-open aperture. This will insure the fastest possible shutter speed. If you can locate a perch that birds are in the habit of using it will make things easier for you as you can choose the best time of day and the best position to get a pure background. Water and tall trees always make a good background. The Sky can be good or it can spoil the picture. Blue sky with clouds can work well, while a gray cloudy sky might not cut it. If you have Canon camera you will want it set on Alfocus. You can leave the camera set on automatic focus, but move your exposure to manual with a reading off the background where you plan to snap your shot. If it is blue sky, take a reading and open up one stop. If it is a gray sky, open up 1 ½ stops. IF you already have the lens wide-open, you can reduce the shutter speed the same number of stops. Now for the secret to being ready at the instant of take-off. Watch the bird carefully and if it is a raptor, a large water bird, and in most instances, any bird, it will defecate just prior to flight. When you see that string of white-wash, usually within seconds the bird will take to the air. Give it a try and good luck.

Bird Photography

2011-06-24T19:15:00.000-07:00

Male Yellow Warbler singing on territory

Wren adding nesting material to a tree hollow

Tom Turkey displaying for a hen

Sandhill crane feeding in a field

Male Cardinal on a large rock

Eastern Kingbird perched on Mullein stem

Pair of copulating killdeers

Horned lark

Male yellowthroat singing territorial song

Pair of young goslings feeding in grassy area

Spring Bird Photography

Spring is the time for bird photography. Opportunities abound. Birds are active, with courtship, nesting and feeding the young. Watch a nesting area and you’ll find that each time the parent birds approach the nesting area they will have a favorite perch before landing on the nest. Get into position and focus on the perch. If your patient and can remain quiet and motionless, it won’t be long before you’ll have your shot. If you avoid quick movements the sound of the camera will not bother the birds. Open the aperture to 5.6 so you can get a fast shutter speed. Brace the camera well or use a tripod. If you can get an automobile into a good position, it makes a great photo blind and you can shoot using a bean bag or blubb as a rest.

The Odd-ball Herons

2011-04-27T18:27:00.000-07:00

The green heron will sit motionless near the water for hours waiting

for prey.

The "little blue" can be a silent and sneaky hunter.

The "little blue" herding minnows in the shallows.

The tri-colored heron is solitary and secretive.

The tri colored heron is also known as the "Louisiana Heron".

An immature yellow-crowned night heron.

The yellow-crowned night heron hunts in low light or at night.

The odd-ball herons are the more solitary of the wading birds. They are great hunters that wait in patient stillness and then strike with awesome swiftness.Sometimes the little blue will spread its wings and dance through the water, stirring the bottom while herding minnows. To photograph these birds it will take patience and a low approach. Eye level photos always hold more appeal. Set the camera to “Al focus” or “Al servo” in aperture priority. A wide open aperture will give you the fast shutter speed you’ll need for action shots. Focus on the eye and compose the image so that your subject is moving, or looking into the scene. Nothing spoils a shot as fast as a subject bumping into the edge of the frame.

Shorebirds

2011-03-23T19:44:00.000-07:00

Willet working the surf for invertebrates.

Willet regurgitating a sand and shell pellet.

Sanderlings work quickly and take a fast autofocus and fast shutter speed.

Ruddy Turnstones carefully inspect under shells and pebbles.

Killdeer feigning a broken wing to lure me away from the nest.

Killdeer probing in the sand for worms and small invertebrates.

Shorebirds

Shorebirds are a diverse group of energy packed birds that spend hours each day pecking and prodding beach, mud and sand areas for seeds, worms, insects and other invertebrates. Their animated movements make them a great subject for patient nature photographers.

Sanderlings are the little tikes, darting back and forth dodging the incoming waves. Their migration takes them to the tundra for breeding where the chicks become independent 17 days after hatching.

Ruddy turnstones are commonly seen working over a section of coastal beach, carefully turning over small shells and pebbles searching for food. They are conspicuous by their bright orange legs. Spring takes them to their breeding grounds in Alaska where the young are independent in 21 days.

Willets are serious surf-birds. Probing the wet sand behind breaking waves. In doing so they take in a portion of indigestible materials. Periodically the Willet must take a break from its activity to regurgitate an acorn-sized pellet of sand and shells.

Most common to Minnesota bird watchers is the Killdeer. Killdeers are famous for the broken wing trick when Mom leads predators and people away from the nest. These spring migrants can be heard on warm spring days with their kill-dee,kill-dee, kill-dee song.

Photographing shorebirds take a fast shutter speed and rapid autofocus. The DSLR camera should be set to Alfocus so that momentary pauses in activity as well as rapid movements can be captured. The best perspective is often captured from the prone position. Prepare to get wet when photographing shorebirds.

Brown Pelicans

2011-03-05T19:25:00.000-08:00

A pair of pelicans preening on a perch.

This pelican has just captured a fish in shallow water.

This pelican is filtering organisms from the water.

This pelican is in the process of swallowing a large catch.

The pelican proves God's wonderful creativity

One of the great photo opportunities on the gulf coast is the brown pelican. Ogden Nash described them best in his poem “The Pelican”:

“A wonderful bird the pelican,

Its bill can hold more than its belican”.

Pelicans are numerous and can be photographed in flight, on the water, or while perched near the water. The pelicans have learned to work the docks and boats for an easy meal. Their mid-tone color is accurately handled by an in-camera exposure meter with a +1 compensation for water and +2 for sky.

The Long-legged Wading Birds

2011-02-20T19:46:00.000-08:00

A snowy egret catching a small fish.

The snowy egret has black legs and yellow feet.

The larger Great Egret has black legs with black feet.

The largest of the wading birds and most common in Minnesota

is the Great Blue Heron.

Great blue herons can stand motionless for long periods of time while hunting.

Great blue herons, and egrets are common long-legged wading birds on the gulf coast. The great blue is commonly seen in Minnesota waters during the summer. It nests in colonies in tall hardwood trees. The great blue flies solo with its neck curled which differs from cranes that fly with necks extended and usually in flocks or small groups. Great blue herons may fly 10-15 miles to a good fishing hole, where it will stand motionless for long periods of time. When a fish passes, one quick move and the fish is speared by the razor sharp bill. The bill can also catch fish, frogs and small mammals in scissor-like fashion.

Egrets, both snowy and great, were almost wiped out by hunters in the late 19^th century. Their beautiful white feathers were sought by the millenery trade.The Great egret is often seen in shallow wetlands throughout southern and western Minnesota during the summer months. Today their greatest danger lies in the draining of wetlands.

Ten Tips for nature photographers

2011-02-13T20:13:00.000-08:00

10 Tips for Nature Photographers

Dave Zosel

1. The Multiplication Factor

Most consumer quality to semi-pro models of SLR digital cameras,have a smaller sensor, which can be a plus for wildlife photographers. This 1.6 multiplication factor equates a 100 mm lens to a 160mm lens. My 500mm X1.6 becomes an 800mm. This is true of any lens you use with your camera. It can be detrimental however, for the landscape photographer, who might struggle because the 28mm, wide angle lens has become a 45mm. It is important to understand how this multiplication factor impacts the images captured by each lens.

2. Purchasing Equipment

If you want to get serious about your nature photography, but have a desire keep it economical, you’re best off purchasing the “body only” when buying a camera. “Kit” deals often incorporate inferior lenses in the package. Companies like Tamron and Sigma produce wonderful lenses for Canon and Nikon cameras at about half the price of Canon or Nikon. As an example I shoot a Tamron, 180mm Macro, and a Sigma 50-500mm telephoto on my Canon Camera. I have always been pleased with the results and saved a lot of money in the process.

3. Exposure

Exposure is a tricky, but a very important concept for the naturephotographer to understand. Exposure meters are very accurate in modern digital cameras. Realize however, that the camera light meter does not measure up to the human eye. When most people see black, white, or other colors, the rendering is quite true. However, your camera will see everything as mid-tones. The blacks will be gray, the whites will be gray and the colors will be mid-tones. If you’re photographing snow scenes or Trumpeter swans and the subject occupies a large part of your image, you will likely end up with dingy, gray snow and gray swans. A good motto to remember is “ add light for white, subtract for black”. Your camera has a compensation tool to allow you to quickly do this. For example, when I am shooting white swans in flight, with snow or bright sky in the background, I generally will add 1 ½ to 2 stops of light on the compensation dial. Learning to use your camera in the manual setting will become a valuable asset to you.

4. Histograms

Learn to read your histogram and then refer to it frequently. The histogram is one of the most important tools in your camera. The histogram will give you a quick look at the exposure of your image to let you know if you are over-exposing or under-exposing an image. Think of the histogram as consisting of a bell shaped curve between two walls. The left wall indicates blacks with no detail in your image. The right wall indicates whites with no detail. The perfectly exposed image should fall within the frame, without any part of the curve touching the left or right wall. If you find part of the curve touching black, add a plus one on your compensation dial and reshoot the shot. If your curve is touching the right wall, subtract a stop on your compensation dial and try again. If your curve fits within the correct frame your image will be exposed properly, however always favor the right side. So if you still have some room on the right side, add another 1/3 to ½ stop of light to move your curve further to the right. Note: (It can be difficult to read a histogram on your LCD screen in bright light. An empty toilet paper tube, with a string to hang around your neck, can be used to give you a shaded look at the histogram.)

5. Composition

Composition consists of choosing pleasing elements for your image.In involves keeping the background simple and uncluttered. using leading lines, diagonals, and S-curves, to draw the eye of the viewer into and through the image. This means to avoid having the subject in the center of the picture. The “Rule of Thirds” is extremely important. Divide the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Where the lines intersect is called the power points of the image. It is always best to place key elements near the power points. Horizons in landscape images, can be placed in the top third or the bottom third of the photo for entirely different effects.

6 6. Light

The word photography refers to recording with light. The differencebetween an ordinary photo and one that really catches the eye is often the quality of light recorded. Photographers are always hoping to catch their subject in “sweet light”. This refers to light waves in the visible spectrum like red, orange, and yellow. This light predominates early and late in the day when the sun is at a low angle and is often called “warm” light. Some photographers photograph from sun-up until 10am, put their camera away during the hours of high sun, then go back at it from 4pm to sunset. You can learn to extend this shooting time by working in the shade or incorporating flash and diffusers into your photography. One thing to remember is if the sky is blue with clouds, feel free to include it in your landscape photos, but if the sky is gray and murky, zero in on your subject and definitely leave the sky out of your picture.

7. Location

All the finest equipment and skill you can muster won’t help if you don’t photograph in a location where you can find your subject. If bird photography is your target, then you better go where the birds are. Choose the season and the location where you will find the most birds being active. If I want to photograph Trumpeter Swans, as I often do, I will head for Monticello during the winter months where a thousand or more Trumpeters are being feed along the Mississippi River each day. If I am looking for Bald Eagles, there is no better place during the winter months in Minnesota, than the Mississippi River bottoms from Red Wing to Winona. Wildlife refuges, along with state and regional parks, are great for general bird and wildlife photography. Wildlife Drive at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge has been the location for many of my most treasured shots. Become familiar with the natural history of the birds, wildlife and wild flowers in your area. Find out about local hotspots, migratory routes, and where the basic needs of birds and wildlife can be met. Keep notes whenever you find a particularly good location. The odds are in your favor if you return to the same locations, at the same time the following year.

8. Sharpness

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve hurried home after a photo outing, all excited about a special shot. What a disappointment to find the image spoiled by less than perfect technique. The goal should be to record sharp images every time you press the shutter. Though you won’t hit it every time, if you’re constantly reminding yourself, you’ll find that more often than not, you’ll be right on the mark. The single most important thing you can do is to use a sturdy tripod whenever possible. Research, and study techniques for the proper hand and arm positions.. A relaxed body position is far less likely to produce tension and trembling. When shooting from a car, use a beanbag or blubb. Learn to use the mirror lock-up, and self -timer on your camera. In shooting landscapes, it’s best to use a remote release. If you can afford it, spend the extra cash to purchase image-stabilized lenses. They are definitely worth the extra cost. Incorporate these tools and tips, then practice, practice, practice.

9. Blinds

Blinds, or what might be referred to as “hides”, by some writers, are a great tool for bird and wildlife photographers. Blinds can consist of any natural or man-made material that tends to break up the human outline. Many photo equipment suppliers advertise quick set-up camou-colored hoop blinds. Another less expensive alternative is the kwik-camou, or insti-blind, a large camouflage cloak, with shooting portals, that you can drape over yourself. Good blinds have even been fashion from large appliance boxes. Whatever you choose to use, the blind, set up near a bird feeder or along a well-used wildlife trail, will get you up close and personal for some amazing shots. Many of my best shots have been taken from my vehicle. While traveling little used country roads and refuge wildlife drives, I keep my camera, equipped with a telephoto lens handy. I may have the window down and my blubb in place. If I see a possible subject up ahead, I get my camera set and slowly approach. Shortly before reaching the target, I turn the engine off and coast to a stop in the perfect position, and start shooting. If the bird flies away I will often stay put and soon the bird will return to the same perch. When shooting from a car you need to be fully cognizant of other vehicles around you.

10. Enjoy Your Photography

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Remember to shoot what you want. The images you produce only have to satisfy you. Don’t worry about your critics, learn from them. Analyse your shots, figure out what you can improve and get back at it. Remember even the masters didn’t get where they are today without years of practice. The better your shots, the more you will enjoy your photography. The more you enjoy the more you will shoot. The more you shoot the better you will get. The better you get the more you will enjoy. It’s a self -perpetuating hobby.

Sites to look at:

www.birdsasart.com

http://impressionsofnature.smugmug.com

www.minnesotanature.org

www.naturephotographers.net

Anhingas and Cormorants

2011-02-04T19:58:00.000-08:00

This anhinga is spreading its wings to dry.

The double-breasted cormorant is an excellent fisherbird with a bad reputation

The cormorant can be easily photographed on fishing piers and sea pilings.

This bird was making itself at home in the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

I watched this anhinga cruising underwater with neck extended above suddenly the head went under and a small fish was speared. The move was almost too fast to see.

This anhinga was sunning itself, preening and drying its feathers.

Two great fisherbirds of the gulf coast are the anhinga and the double-breasted cormorant. These birds are designed for underwater fishing. They are somewhat primitive in that they do not have waterproof plumage, which reduces their buoyancy. They can often be seen perched over water, holding their wings in a spread position in order to dry the feathers. The anhinga has a sharp, piercing bill, used to spear fish, which he then flips into the air and swallows head first. The anhinga cruises through the water with body submerged and neck extended above the water in snake-like fashion. The cormorant has a hooked bill and beautiful, blue eyes. Being an excellent fisherbird, large populations can quickly decimate local fish population as was recently the case on Leech Lake.

Orchid Photography

2011-01-05T19:37:00.000-08:00

A $5 piece of cloth from Walmart provided a great background.

Using a spray bottle to add water drops lends variety

Some photographers prefer to use black background for orchids.

Orchids are popular at Green Valley Greenhouses

Join us for some great orchid photography opportunities.

If your interested in orchids, check out the Green Valley website at www.gvgh.com. On Saturday, January 22nd, Linda Sizer of the Minnesota Orchid Society and I will team up to do a pair of classes on orchids. After you learn all about caring for orchids I will be giving some tips on orchid photography and then you can break out your camera and shoot orchids to your hearts content. I will be on hand to help you and answer any questions you might have.

Monticello Swans

2011-01-04T19:04:00.000-08:00

Canada Goose comes in for a landing

The "Swan Lady" retrieves a swan suspected as a lead poisoning case.

A resting Trumpeter in the Mississippi.

A trumpeter coming in for a landing

New Years day was cold and windy, which is the perfect day for photographing swans. One of the great winter opportunities in the metro area is photographing Trumpeter Swans in the Mississippi River at Monticello. Sheila Lawrence , known as the “Swan Lady” feeds the swans about 1200 pounds of corn a day December through February. One thousand and more swans, along with Canada Geese and Mallards stack up along the river to take advantage of the open water food source.

I like shooting with my 500 mm lens at wide open. If I pump the iso to 800, I can pickup shutter speeds in excess of a 2,000^th of a second, fast enough to stop any action of flying or squabbling swans. I always mount the lens on a tripod with a ball head and can quickly pickup and follow the action of the swans.

When shooting swans in flight you need to figure the light reading, set the appropriate aperture and shutter speed manually and stick with it until the light changes. A good way to set the light manually is to dial in aperture priority, take a reading off the sky and add two stops of light. Set this reading manually and it will give you a very close to correct exposure. After shooting your first couple of shots, check out the histogram and adjust accordingly.

Bird Feeder Photography

2010-12-16T18:46:00.000-08:00

Raucous bluejays usually come in in bands love to eat the cracked corn.

The tree sparrow loves to work on the spills under the feeder.

The red-bellied woodpecker loves to work on the suet.

The male cardinal is a real treat at the winter feeder and much prefers the sunflower seeds.

+
It looks like winter came early this year and plans on staying around for awhile. Deep snow and cold early in the winter can take a toll on wildlife. Everything has to be a matter of economy for the wild creatures. "If I sleep and rest more I can conserve energy or if I hunt for food I may gain energy." But the fact remains if it costs more than it pays it's a bad deal. Cold weather and deep snow steals a lot of energy. Expending energy without a payback can be lethal for wild critters. Most winter birds can cut down on heat loss by dropping body temperature, fluffing feathers into fine air pockets of insulation and remaining motionless out of the wind. A bird feeder however, can make a big difference for the birds of your neighborhood. Sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and suet, provide protein, carbohydrates and fats necessary to stoke the fire. Bird feeders are also a great place to work on your bird photography. Normally I will set up perches for the birds to land on as they approach the feeding source. Birds are creatures of habit. Once I see where they are landing I can set up my bird blind, add a telephoto lens to my camera and snap away. Remember to add a stop of light if their is a large amount of white in your image. Morning light on your subject will add pop to your photos.

Buffalo Rock

2010-11-09T19:17:00.000-08:00

Carrol Henderson and Steve Maanum, examine the polished granite on the underside of the "Buffalo Rock".

The "Buffalo Rock" on the Chippewa Prairie south of Appleton, MN.

A beautiful autumn day at Lac Qui Parle. When shooting scenics, placing the horizon on the photo can make a difference in the mood of the image. Here I have chosen to place the horizon in the top third.

With cameras ready, we traversed the hills on the Chippewa Prairie.“I know it didn’t disappear,” Carrol Henderson, Minnesota DNR Nongame supervisor quipped.

We had come to Montevideo for a Digital Bridge to Nature session. With some spare time on our hands Carrol led us out to the Lac Qui Parle Refuge where he started his career some 40 years ago.Carrol wanted us to see the “Buffalo Rock” while we were there so now we were trekking across the prairie south of Appleton trying to locate the rock. Finally we topped a rise and Carrol shouted, “There it is!” An impressive rock came in to view in the distance, so we started in that direction.

The “Buffalo Rock”, was so named because of it’s attraction to bison herds in the distant past. Bison used the rock as a rubbing station. The shape of the rock allowed the bison to get under the east end of it and press their back and side against the rock, rubbing to their hearts content while finding protection from the hot afternoon sun. Many years of rubbing against the rock had actually polished a portion of the granite structure smooth like a tombstone.

Tragic Deer Stories

2010-10-10T19:20:00.000-07:00

There had to be a tragic story connected with this fawn. Maybe it wandered out into the lily pads to feed, became entangled and drowned. Possibly it was following its mom through the pond and tired or entangled. The water here was several feet deep. The fawn had bloated and floated to the surface.

This young deer was probably wounded during the hunting season and died on thin ice along the river. It did not go to waste but became food for opportunistic feeders like foxes, coyotes, mink and weasels.

Whitetails passing between daytime woods cover and evening feeding, often become victims of automobiles and trains.

A mink is a fiesty, curious fur-bearing member of the weasel clan, often sought after by trappers. Mink prefer fresh meat but are not above scavenging if the opportunity presents itself.

I was biking down the road today and noticed the smell of a dead animal. I pulled over, stationed my bike, and hiked over a hill where I looked down on the railroad tracks. As I occasionally do, I spied a dead deer along the tracks. It is not unusual for deer crossing between the fields to the north and the woods to the south, to panic and freeze at an oncoming train. Such was the case, and this deer was somewhat bloated from the warm days we have had in October. If this is where the story ended, it would not be unusual. A closer inspection revealed a large fully-furred buck mink lying within a couple of feet of the deer. Apparently the deer had met her waterloo while crossing the tracks. The mink lured by the smell of fresh meat came to scavenge a meal from the deer carcass. Either too distracted by the meat or possibly a slow reactor, the mink met the same fate as the deer, not necessarily proving that nature can be cruel but more likely “he who hesitates is lost”.

Sandhill Cranes

2010-09-22T19:31:00.000-07:00

Bald eagle eyeballs marsh for dead ducks and fish to scavenge.

Sandhill works his way across skim ice at Crex.

Sandhills feeding in marsh grass and skim ice at Crex Meadows.

October and November will represent a staging season for thousands of Sandhill Cranes banding up for the flight south. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area and Crex Meadows near Grantsburg, WI, are great viewing areas for bird enthusiasts. The big cranes will be in the wetlands early and late in the day. By midmorning they will have left the refuges and fanned out into neighboring fields. An hour or two before sunset they will return in large flocks and settle back into roosting areas in the refuge. Plenty of migrating Bald Eagles will also be passing through the refuges.

Itasca Camping

2010-09-06T15:54:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Tim, Trey and I spent time at Itasca State Park. It was our fifth annual TTand G campout. We have camped in Wisconsin, Kathio-Mille Lacs State Park, Forestville State Park,

Jay Cook State Park and Itasca. The weather was great, though a bit windy which shook the fire tower pretty well as we scampered to the top. Trey received a membership in "The Squirrels" club for making the climb. We also rented a pontoon to do some fishing, did the headwaters thing, hiked some trails and were well entertained with campfire and on two evenings "The Holker Family Players" sang and strummed all sorts of stringed instruments to bluegrass and gospel music. We were joined this year by Trey and Zoe's new border collie , Ellie.

Back to Wadena

2010-09-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

Tim and Trey in front of the hardware store. Grandpa Z. and Uncle Bob bought the store in 1920.

Uncle Bob, Dad and Bobby owned the store for many years. Dad sold out his part in 1966. Bobby sold out the final portion to Al Bretz in 1992. The Zosel sign still remain.

This is Grandpa and Grandma Zosel's old house. The deck, breezeway and garage have been added. This house was right next door to ours. I have many fond memories here.

This is the house I grew up in. It has recently received a total makeover. (It needed it). The window at the front dormer was my bed room. The front of the house had a screen porch that has been enclosed. Herbert June built the garage and Grandpa B. painted it.

On a recent trip to Itasca, we stopped at Wadena to show Trey the old house, and hardware store.

Mahkwa Camp

2010-08-24T20:10:00.001-07:00

8-15-10

Ron Rude and I traveled to Lac Seul in Ontario to do some fishing at Mahkwa Camp.It was good to see old friends and hunt the waters of Lac Seul for big northerns and tasty walleyes. Our trusty Ojibway guide Johnny Bull has become a good friend and knows the waters of Lac Seul as well as any one. One of my favorite evening entertainments is to head over to the dump to look for bears. Over the years I have spotted bears, foxes, eagles, ravens, porcupines and a timber wolf nosing through the garbage heaps mostly from the village of Whitefish Bay and a few fishing camps along the lake.

Darlene one of the long-time camp employees has the habit of training critters with minnow. One year she had a great blue heron that she could call in to feed minnows. This year she had four northern pike that hung out by the dock where they would wait for Darlene to toss in minnows each day.

Lutsen

2010-08-24T20:09:00.000-07:00

7-29-10

Nancy and I spend time on the North Shore of Lake Superior with our annual pilgrimage to Lutsen Lodge. We enjoy exploring the beautiful lichen covered rocks along the lake and always spend a bit of time in Grand Marais with a hike out to “Artist’s Point”.

Rice Lake Refuge

2010-08-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

7-21-10

Dudley Edmonson and I presented a digital bridge seminar at Rice Lake NWR to 12 teachers from McGregor. We were able to photograph “purple fringed orchids” as well as ripe blueberries and other native plants.

Luverne

2010-08-24T20:06:00.000-07:00

Male dickcissel singing territorial song on the prairie

The kick-off to Digital Bridge was held at Luverne, MN where former National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg was the keynote speaker. Students also were given a first hand look with time to shoot photos at Blue Mound State Park and “Jim Brandenburg Touch the Sky Prairie.”

Digital Bridge to Nature

2010-08-24T20:02:00.000-07:00

8-24-10

Digital Bridge to Nature is an initiative that hopes to boost interest in nature for kids. We plan to present 80 teacher workshops over the next two years. Teachers will be taught to use the digital camera to enhance their curriculum while introducing their students to nature. I have been involved in presenting four workshops so far and have found teachers to be enthusiastic about the program. We have done our four presentations at Luverne, Rice Lake NWR near McGregor, and a double header at St. John’s University.

Bird Photography

2010-06-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

Yellow Warbler on Indian Tobacco ( Rumex altisma)
Yellow Warbler in song.
Song Sparrow in song.
Male Bluebird on fence post.
Male Cardinal in majestic pose.

Spring is a beautiful time to photograph birds. Colors of the males sometimes defies the imagination. I try to catch action. In the spring that usually means territorial announcements or carrying food to the nests. It's important to try to eliminate background clutter. Photographers call it a "pure background". Sometimes it's impossible to clean up the background because of the habitat. Set your camera on aperture priority and select wide open. Easiest birds to catch singing are cardinals and song sparrows. I also love photographing bluebirds, yellow warblers and yellow throats.

2010-05-07T19:27:00.001-07:00

The best way to highlight pubescence on the stem is by backlighting the flowers. Click on photo to get a good look at the tiny hairs.

One of my favorite spring wildflowers is the delicate pasqueflower.

One of my favorite spring flowers to photograph is the hearty pasqueflower. Often the first wildflower to push through its sandy or gravelly substrate in the spring, the little pasque wastes no time showing off. Before the leaves ever develop, the delicate lavender or white petal-like sepals are open for display. Each evening the sepals fold up for the night and reopen as the plant warms the following day. The stems have beautiful soft hairs to help trap heat on cool spring days. Pasque flowers are best photographed from a low perspective. Often I am lying down on my belly to photograph them. I use a tripod and because of the normally windy April days, I often try to block the wind before I snap the shot.

Frog Chorus

2010-04-29T19:09:00.001-07:00

The gray tree frog, here in its green phase-is the chameleon of the frog world. We often see it on summer evenings stuck to the window, feeding on insects attracted to the lights. It is equipped with little suction cup toes.

The wood frog, well camouflaged, is sometimes know as the frog that freezes to death in the winter and is resurrected in the spring.

Willow and I took a walk in the evening a couple of weeks ago and when we crossed over Jay’s Swamp, we were delighted to hear the first frogs of the season. Earliest singers are usually the Western Chorus Frogs. They sound much like the clicking of a comb. When a pond full of chorus frogs get going they can be deafening. The chorus frog is sometimes called the cricket frog.

As we stopped to enjoy the chorus, we caught the isolated bark or chuckle of a lone Wood frog in the choir. Wood frogs will increase their singing as the nights get warmer.

Just a week later we started hearing the spring peepers. They sound off with a sharp peep. Later in the summer the gray tree frog, that may appear gray, or shades of green, will be calling with a slow trill that lasts about a second.

These frogs, unlike the common leopard frog, do not hibernate underwater but form a type of antifreeze in their body which allows them to hibernate on land under leaves or other ground cover. The antifreeze prevents cellular damage due to ice crystals forming in the body. If the frogs thawed from the outside- in as we would expect, they would never be able to have a heart beat and circulating blood to support the thawing parts. Instead according to the Creator’s wise design, they are able to thaw from the inside-out, a remarkable feat.

Why Aren't the Goldfinches Gold?

2010-04-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

Male goldfinch during the winter. Why isn't the goldfinch gold?

A male goldfinch on a crab apple branch in May. This new wedding attire will serve the goldfinch well as he establishes his territory and parades for a mate.

After taking a quiz on Minnesota birds where I had displayed a winter goldfinch, one of my students asked a logical question, “Why aren’t the goldfinches gold?”

Color in goldfinches, as in many birds, depends upon the nuptial molt. This past week many of our male goldfinches are just finishing up the change into their wedding attire. Drab brown to olive green, with white and black markings during the winter, the males have just donned beautiful yellow-gold nuptial feathers. Goldfinches are one of the latest nesters in Minnesota. Later in the summer, they will build their milkweed or thistledown-lined nests , usually in a shrub or low in the branches of a small tree. Here 5-6 eggs will hatch after 13 days of incubation. Both parents will actively help feed the little ones a mushy mix of regurgitated seeds. Thistle seeds are the number one treat for goldfinches at the feeder.

2010-04-04T20:32:00.000-07:00

Zoe, Grandpa and Uncle Matt celebrated their birthdays together on Saturday. We had a great time. Zoe is getting so big. She is three years old now and had a really fun time playing hide and seek, bat and ball and doing some exploring . Grandma made a really good birthday cake.

Barred Owls

2010-03-31T18:31:00.000-07:00

A young owlet fell from the nest. The bird eventually hopped its way to cover. The parents nervously kept an eye on it.

Two young birds sat in the opening of the nest. These owlets are only days from fledging.

The parent birds share the job of feeding the young and surveying the area for possible danger.

It was warm enough to sleep with the window slightly ajar a few nights ago. I awoke to the distinctive call of an old friend outside the window. “ Who cooks for you, who cooks for you, who cooks for you all?"

This is a sure sign of spring in our neighborhood. Barred owls have taken up residence in our neighbor's oak tree for the past five years. They can be seen most evenings and can be heard morning and evening. The barred owl is rather tame in behavior, and is a welcome rodent exterminator in the neighborhood. Barred owls feed on mice, voles, grasshoppers, and the occasional small bird.

They certainly are most active at night when they can zero in on prey unerringly. Owls have their ears slightly offset so that they can triangulate the sounds and pinpoint the exact location of their prey. The catch is secured by needle sharp talons and wolfed down in large portions. The indigestible hair and bones are separated and rolled up into a small pellet which the owl coughs up sometime after the meal.

By mid to late June the young will sit out in the opening where they expect both parents to keep bringing in the food. By the end of June they will leave the nest.

One year a very young owlet fell from the nest. He hopped around on the grass and eventually in to some shrub cover. Both parents were very excited and perched in trees above the little one to keep a protective eye on it. The parents will be faithful in bringing food to a fallen owlet –but whether the owlet can stay out of the jaws of cats, foxes and crows is another story.

Cottontail's with Horns

2010-03-20T21:07:00.000-07:00

This cottontail with Shope's fibroma hung around the yard a couple of summer's ago. Check out the warty growth on his head.

This was a healthy looking cottontail that took up residence in our yard.

The first time I walked into a local bait shop and saw the jackalope hanging on the wall I was impressed. Here was a jackrabbit to which some enterprising taxidermist had fitted a couple of small antelope horns.

“Horns on a rabbit?. That wouldn’t fool anyone. Or would it?”

Horns on cottontail rabbits are actually quite common in Minnesota. This phenomenon was first reported by R. E. Shopes in New Jersey in 1931. Since then it has appropriately been known as Shope’s fibroma.

The warty looking horns are actually caused by a tiny poxvirus. The horns, or growths, are usually only skin deep and may be a single lump or a tangled mass. They are apparently not harmful to the rabbits and may grow more profuse over a period of several months. Once the rabbit has established a strong core of antibodies the virus weakens and the growth begins to diminish. Some studies report that once the fibroma disappears the rabbit is immune to future attacks of the virus. The fibroma virus is very contagious among rabbits and is generally spread by ticks, mosquitoes and other biting insects.

We had a cottontail with Shope's that hung around most of the summer a couple of years ago. He actually became quite tame as I laid on my belly and edged in for some up-close photos.

Hunters need not be concerned about the disease and may safely handle, skin and eat infected rabbits.

Ten Tips for Flower Photography

2010-02-18T19:06:00.000-08:00

Tulip with tag-board background.

Cala lily with natural background. Perspective shows the pistil in the flower.

1. Choose a quality specimen Be certain that the plant or flower that you choose to photograph is healthy and in good shape. Avoid plants with leaves that are torn or have necrotic spotting. Choose flowers that have a full complement of petals, anthers and stamens.

2. Choose your lighting Decide whether you would like front lighting, side lighting that shows off the texture, or back lighting that shows pubescence and sometimes transparency. Why not try a few shots, varying the light. If you’re outside, shoot early and later in the day when the light is warmer. Mid-day sun produces harsh shadows. Use the histogram to assure correct exposure. Expose the image as far to the right as possible without clipping the right side

3. Choose your background. The background can make or break the picture. Try to avoid a busy distracting background. Soft mottled colors in the background are pleasing to the eye. Make sure your subject is several feet from the background to bring out this effect. Avoid “hot spots” (white or very light areas). The eye will be drawn away from your subject to these hot spots.

4. Choose an acceptable format The format you choose will depend upon the plant that you are photographing. Tall and narrow plants like “spath”, or tall flowers like tulips or gerberas, often demand a vertical format. Shorter thicker plants will photograph best in a horizontal frame. Be sure to leave enough room around the subject so that in cropping, important areas will not be clipped.

5 Use a tripod One of best ways to improve your shots is to use a tripod. This is especially important when doing extreme close-up work. Image stabilized lenses and cameras have come along way and will help with sharpness. Using a remote release and a mirror lock-up feature will also help reduce vibrations. Using a tripod has the added advantage of allowing you to slow down and think about composition.

6. Use fill-flash The best way to add “pop” to your images is by adding a bit of fill-flash. Most cameras have a compensation dial where you can add or subtract light from your flash. Check your camera manual for information. I like to set the flash at

-1.5.

7. Choose your perspective Always look the plant over to find the most photogenic side. Choose the part of the plant you’re trying to show off, then frame and focus carefully. Most flowering plants look best when shot from above at about a 45 degrees angle. Remember, in most cases the pot is not the main subject.

8. Choose a pleasing composition Composition is putting the shot together so that the final image says what you want it to say. It should be pleasing to the eye. Think about diagonals and S-curves that lead the eye into the frame. Think about the rule-of thirds. The power-points of an image are located where the horizontal thirds and the vertical thirds of the frame intersect. Dead center is not always the most pleasing.

9. Isolate your subject A beautiful specimen, the greatest lighting, and most wonderful composition will mean nothing if the subject is not isolated. Background texture, color and proximity are all important in isolating the subject. You want it to stand out and have something to say. This means limiting all other distractions in the frame.

10. Enjoy and experiment Rules in photography are not set in stone. Don’t be afraid to break out and try something new. You are the author. You are the painter. Make the image say what you want it to say.

Hoarfrost

2010-02-14T19:53:00.000-08:00

Highbush cranberry along the Mississippi River decked in hoarfrost.

Norway Pine ( our state tree) arrayed in beautiful hoarfrost.

A beautiful scene of hoarfrost and blue sky in Elk River.

We had a marvelous display of hoarfrost on Friday. Shrubs, grasses, fences and conifers were decked out in beautiful flocking. I had an opportunity to snap a few shots with the camera. Initially it was difficult to find blue sky. When the frame of the image displays so much white, the camera’s auto exposure will certainly under expose the image. Your eye may see frost as white but the camera will see it as gray. The way around this difficulty is to open up an additional two stops of aperture. This compensation will bring out the white in your white snow and frost.

Hoar frost is the piling up of frozen water crystals on thin surfaces. Its formation generally follows a day of thawing when the air is saturated with moisture. When a cold, calm, clear night follows, the thin surfaces of grasses, twigs and pine needles, will radiate energy into the air and become colder than the surrounding air temperature. There is a direct deposition of water molecules onto those surfaces. The water molecules are changing directly from vapor to ice crystals without passing through the liquid state. As the molecules pile up on the surface we see the phenomenon called hoarfrost. Because Friday was absolutely still and cold the frost remained throughout the day.

Happy Birthday Macy!

2010-02-04T20:40:00.000-08:00

This is Macy enjoying a swim when she visited us last summer.

This is Macy and her dog Blue.

Friday, February 5th is Macy's birthday. Hope you have a wonderful birthday Macy. Macy lives in the Alaskan Bush. We miss you Macy! Love, Grandma and Grandpa

"Harley" Released

2010-01-31T20:28:00.000-08:00

Brian Baladez thrills to the sight of Harley breaking into flight. Click on the photo and notice the radio transmitter on the eagle's back.
Brian is interviewed by a camera man
Brian with a new leather jacket given to him for his heroic efforts in saving the eagle's life.

On August 3rd, Brain Baladez, a motorcyclist from Cloquet, discovered a bald eagle in the ditch along County Rd T near Wascott, Wisconsin.

“ It didn’t fly away like they usually do”, Baladez remarked.

He quickly headed his “Harley” back in the direction of the eagle, wrapped the bird in his leather jacket and with a bungee cord, secured the bird to the saddle bags of his motorcycle, and headed for the Duluth Zoo. From here, the bird was transported to the Raptor Center in St. Paul.

The bird, named “Harley” by the media, suffered from a broken ulna and lead poisoning. It was an adult bird, and according to Julia Ponder, Director of the Raptor Center, “ after surgery the bird made a rapid recovery”. Soon it was in endurance, flight and strength training.

Saturday the bird was released at the Carpenter Nature Center along the St. Croix River, near Prescott , Wisconsin with about 250 people watching. Brian Baladez was chosen to release the bird and had the thrill of his life to see the bird break into magnificent flight. The bird will likely join 30 - 40 other eagles hanging out along the open water south of Prescott. The adult male was wired with a radio transmitter which will constantly monitor its position. Those that wish can receive an email message telling of “Harley’s” movements. You can sign up on the University of Minnesota Raptor Center web site.

Woodpeckers

2010-01-21T19:39:00.001-08:00

A female Hairy woodpecker storing a piece of suet in a Scotch Pine. Notice the stiff tail feathers for propping against a tree.

A pair of Downy woodpeckers at the feeder. The one with the red cap is the male.
A Red-bellied woodpecker working his way up a pine tree.
A Pileated woodpecker scouring the bark of a Bur oak for insects. The red mustache indicates a male.

Woodpeckers

Some of the most common birds at our winter feeders are the woodpeckers. They come in all shapes and sizes but are all basically black and white with the males sporting red caps. Red-bellies and Pileated females also have the red head gear. They all fly an undulating flight, make a lot of noise and love the suet. In addition all woodpeckers have stiff tail feathers, a barbed tongue, and feet designed to cling to bark.

Tiniest of the lot is the Downy. About the size of a sparrow, he is the most industrious, often spending hours at the feeder each day. The male and female will work side by side on the suet. Sometimes what looks like a female will show up and the male immediately sends her packing. I suspect the imposter is actually one of the offspring from the past summer. Downy’s are the least wary of the woodpeckers and I can often approach to within a foot or two before they will reluctantly fly off.

A Downy look-alike is the Hairy woodpecker. Though nearly twice the size of the Downy, his markings are almost identical. The Hairy is by far the most wary of those that come to the feeder. The slightest movement or disturbance will send him on his way.

The Pileated, a crow-sized woodpecker, seems to have more personality than any of the others. The Pileated will usually arrive at the feeder preceded by a loud cackling laugh. Woodpeckers use these calls to keep track of each other. This woodpecker favors the large chunks of suet and generally ignores the little blocks. All of the woodpeckers will introduce their young to the suet feeders by late summer. Downy’s and Pileated are particularly nurturing and are constantly shoving bits of suet into the gaping mouths of their little ones, which incidentally, are about the same size as the parent birds. Recently the Pileateds are visiting us in pairs. They pay attention to each other and often claw their way up or down the tree in synchonization. If a squirrel joins them on the tree, they immediately stretch out their long wings and fluff up their crest to look fearsome.

The Red-bellied woodpecker is the loner of the woodpeckers. He’s much lighter in color with a beautiful crimson hood and a light rose-colored breast. Commonly called “ladder-back", he is the one most likely to spend time pecking at the corn and sunflower seeds at the feeder.

All of the woodpeckers are ecologically important in our woods by providing nesting and roosting holes in dead trees and branches. They also are constantly foraging on insects that are detrimental to tree health.

"Old Town" Elk River

2010-01-15T19:33:00.000-08:00

The "new bridge" over the Mississippi on Parish Avenue in Elk River. Many of us remember the old bridge, which was neatly dropped into the river by a team of engineers several years ago.
A mural of earlier days along the Mississippi in Elk River. This is one of several neat reminders of the wonderful history of our town.
Entry way to the Elk River "pit". The pit, currently a city park with ice rinks, sits behind Hanke Elementary (formerly Elk River High School), and was the site of many exciting football games.

Elk River is a particularly scenic village. Like much of modern suburbia it boasts an "old town", and a box store/strip mall new town. I, along with many of the longtime residents, prefer the old town. I was cruising through old town on my way to Green Valley recently. I couldn't resist taking a few phots of those winter scenics that make Elk River unique. With the convergence of two choice rivers, the Elk and the Mississippi, the old town is worth preserving and efforts are well underway.

Those Amazing Winter Birds

2010-01-10T21:16:00.000-08:00

The bill and the feet on this mallard have little need for blood flow, a great adaptation for cold water.
Stick-like legs and a stubby beak serve a seed-eating junco very well.

Take a good look at the junco. Now, in your mind’s eye, remove the beak, feet and tail. What do you see?

Right – a ball of feathers with two eyes.

Think about heat loss. Beaks are made of horn, a material very much like your fingernails. Blood flow is extremely limited and therefore heat loss is limited too. The secret is to keep areas of high vascularization from coming in contact with cold, snow, or icy water.

Ever wonder about those stick-like legs and bony feet on a bird? No muscle, just ligaments and tendons controlled by muscles snuggled under a thick layer of well-oiled feathers further up the leg. It’s like having mechanical legs. It’s amazing how ducks can sit on the ice or in icy water all day and night and still retain body heat. The tail too, is basically feathers with little need for blood support.

As long as birds can find enough fuel to stoke the fires, they seem to do very well surviving our cold Minnesota winters.

Chickadee - Dynamo of the Bird World

2010-01-03T11:40:00.000-08:00

Wind can be devastating on a cold day. Here the feather insulation is disrupted.
It takes continual daytime feeding to support the chickadee's energy needs.

January 2^nd dawned bitter cold on the Elk River. The thermometer registered 25 degrees below the zero mark. This didn’t make too much difference to me – all snuggled up in my chair with a mug of hot coffee in my hand. I noticed that the bird feeder was particularly busy. Usually the cardinals are the first to appear shortly after day break. Soon the juncos follow. These birds prefer to feed on the ground pecking at the spills of other birds. Before long a darting band of chickadees, usually with a companion nuthatch or two, will begin working the tube feeders as well as the tray.

Chickadees have always amazed me. This little bundle of energy, half the size of a tennis ball, seems to never slow down. With a core body temperature of 108 degrees, it’s hard to believe that just an inch away from that thundering heart the outside temperature may be well below zero. This speaks volumes to the amazing creativity of the One who fashioned and cares about the tiniest bird.

Feathers are orderly, clean and preened into place. The little mighty mite flies in, snatches a seed, then returns to a nearby perch to hammer at the morsel pinned between its toes. While it works on its prize, the feathers are fluffed into position to trap air into many tiny pockets to provide insulation. Within seconds the work is finished and it’s right back to the feeder for another seed. This pace must be kept up all day in order for the little machine to be fueled for a twenty-four hour period.

As the day gives way to darkness, the chickadee seeks protection from the cold and wind by nestling, solo, into a small hollow. This is where the feathers fluff out, the body temperature begins to tail off, and the chickadee drops into a state of induced hypothermia. The body temperature may fall as much as 20 degrees, reducing the energy needs for the night by 25%. The seeds and suet of the day provide muscle energy which is converted into heat by shivering. At first light, the little bird is back at the feeder with all the zip and vinegar that makes it the true dynamo of the bird world.

Welcome to Naturally Nature

2010-01-02T08:02:00.000-08:00

A pair of trumpeters coming in for a landing.

A cygnet and an adult. Cygnets will retain the gray feathers until the early summer molt.

The magnificent Trumpeter swan is the master of grace on the water as well as in flight.

Welcome to my blog site. I am a retired educator who enjoys outdoor photography and will love to share some of my latest images and techniques with you. I also do photo shoots for Green Valley Greenhouse and will certainly want to offer some flower photography tips for you plant buffs. Each day seems to offer some new and exciting experience so each blog post will bring you up to date on what I am thinking and what I am doing.

For a starter you can enjoy a few swan shots I took on New Years eve day along the Mississippi River. It was 6 degrees with a stiff north wind. Needless to say it was a cool time.

You can click on the photo to see a larger view.

David Zosel's Nature Photography

Trip to Georgia

Swans back at Swan Park

No Snow- No Swans

The Magnificent Monarch

Macro Photography

Workshop for Teachers

Wall

Maplewood Nature CenterThis is a wonderful free teacher workshop, please pass along to any teachers you may know.

Flight photography

Bird Photography

The Odd-ball Herons

Shorebirds

Brown Pelicans

The Long-legged Wading Birds

Ten Tips for nature photographers

Anhingas and Cormorants

Orchid Photography

Monticello Swans

Bird Feeder Photography

Buffalo Rock

Tragic Deer Stories

Sandhill Cranes

Itasca Camping

Back to Wadena

Mahkwa Camp

Lutsen

Rice Lake Refuge

Luverne

Digital Bridge to Nature

Bird Photography

Frog Chorus

Why Aren't the Goldfinches Gold?

Barred Owls

Cottontail's with Horns

Ten Tips for Flower Photography

Hoarfrost

Happy Birthday Macy!

"Harley" Released

Woodpeckers

"Old Town" Elk River

Those Amazing Winter Birds

Chickadee - Dynamo of the Bird World

Welcome to Naturally Nature

Maplewood Nature Center
This is a wonderful free teacher workshop, please pass along to any teachers you may know.