Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw Wind in the Grass

It was super windy at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. Gusts over 40 mph. I had the 300mm f4 on D7000 and put the 10-24mm on the D5000. I didn't want to switch lenses in that wind...guaranteed dust infiltration.

I figured there was no point in setting up the tripod either. Heck, I couldn't even stand still in those gusts. I made the photograph to the right by holding the camera against a part of the bridge. I cranked down the aperture to get a longer shutter speed. It would have been nice to get a stop or two slower but alas I have no 72mm ND filters.

I felt sorry for the egret below. It looked like a real chore to fly against this wind. It was the only large bird I saw flying today.

Flying Egret DSC_0349
Flying Egret DSC_0349
by Mully410 * Images

Monday, May 30, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw America's Finest

HMMWV 2 by Mully410 * Images
HMMWV 2, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
Behind the fence at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area is the Arden Hills Army Training Site (AHATS). The Minnesota National Guard leases this land from the US Army.

Here are two HMMWV (aka...hummer) with some of our troops. These two stopped to ask me if I'd seen a large buck in the area. Of course, I said. I saw it run east way on the other side of the lake.

Thank you for your service!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Brave Blackbird Chasing Osprey

The red-winged blackbirds of the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area sure seem to hate the osprey...or any raptor for that matter lately. This brave (or annoying, I guess) little blackbird chased the osprey clear across the entire lake.

Osprey Annoyed DSC_9670
Osprey Annoyed DSC_9670
by Mully410 * Images

I also saw my first beetle of the season at the WVA:

 
Beetle and Flower DSC_9851
Beetle and Flower DSC_9851
by Mully410 * Images

I also saw the bluebirds, tree swallows, geese, one of the trumpeter swans and two of the otters. 

 

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Cowbirds

Yesterday at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area, I saw a bunch of brown-headed cowbirds. The one in the middle of the shot on the left was squawking away and made this awkward pose for me.

I also saw an Osprey:
Osprey and Pines DSC_9393

And I saw red-winged blackbirds chasing a crow:
Blackbirds hate Crow DSC_9379

And a song sparrow singing on a vine:
Singing on a Vine DSC_9337

Friday, May 27, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Weird Bird

Weird Bird DSC_9057

Weird Bird DSC_9057
by Mully410 * Images

Yesterday, I saw this weird bird. Don't think I've ever seen one like this. The propellers were facing backwards and it has wings on the front. I thought it was a cruise missile or something.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw an Osprey with Dinner

Today was a great day overall. I planted my free trees from the Arbor Day Foundation, saw my friends and the osprey at the TCAAP WVA were very friendly.

I took the bike out to "my spot." The weather was perfect. 60F with high cirrus clouds here and there. When I first arrive, I met my friend, Kevin. I've known him ever since I started hanging out at the WVA. He's interesting and we share a love of wildlife and photography. Talking to him would have been enough to make it a good night but the osprey would not be upstaged.

Within a few minutes, we noticed one of the osprey tearing apart a fish on one of the nearby dead trees. I told Kevin watch for the osprey to lift its tail and crap because they almost always do that just before they fly off. Sure enough the bird did it and flew off...right towards us. Cool.

We chatted for a couple minutes until I remembered to turn around and keep an eye out towards Turtle Lake. I said "We better look this way because the osprey is going to catch a fish, fly right over us and bring it to the nest." Sure enough within just a few seconds that happened. The shot to the right was made at that moment.

At that point, Kevin had to leave and within a few minutes another friend showed up. While we were hanging out on the bridge, the osprey caught and ate 3 more fish. I got a few more decent shots.

An easy way to view the day's photo catch is to click on the photo. It will bring you to my Flickr page. Then use the "newer" "older" arrows to go through my most recent photos.

One last thing...I saw the first lupine in bloom:
Lupine DSC_9010
Lupine DSC_9010
by Mully410 * Images

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Geese.

Actually, I see geese pretty much every time I visit the TCCAP Wildlife Viewing Area. I don't like geese. They are obnoxious but I shoot them whenever they fly by...good practice. It almost annoys me when I get a good shot.

I heard these two coming from Turtle Lake...it's actually not hard to hear the coming. They came in low over the trees. This shot is not cropped.

BTW:  I didn't get out the WVA today because I was preparing to plants some trees in my yard.  

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Mushroom Cloud

Mushroom Cloud DSC_1152
Mushroom Cloud DSC_1152
by Mully410 * Images

Here is another shot from the other day when the tornadoes hit Minneapolis.  This shot was taken from the bridge at the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant Wildlife Viewing Area.  I didn't have time get out there last night...because I was shooting hummingbirds in front of my lilacs.

Visit My Collection of Almost 2000 Images of the TCAAP Area

TCAAP WVA Sign
TCAAP WVA Sign
by Mully410 * Images

I spend most of my time in this area at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. Sometime, I get inside the old TCAAP property (now known as the Arden Hills Army Training Site) on bird walks and sometimes I visit the Ramsey Country park along Rice Creek on the other side of the property.

I've rearranged my TCAAP area photo collection on Flickr so people can find it easier.  It's now on the right side of at the top right sidebar.

Here is a link directly to the collection.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Bridge Shadow

I didn't get out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area today so here is a shot from yesterday. Had to mow lawn after what seemed like 3 continuous days of rain.

Lately, I've been reading The Art of Photography by Bruce Barnbaum. I'm only a couple chapters into it (I think the 4th chapter) and I'm starting to "think" and "see" more. I've photographed this bridge lots and lots of times and it's getter more difficult to find some new angle or view to shoot. Last night, I put the 10-24mm Nikon on the D5000 so I could utilize the tilt screen and keep my 300 f4 ready to go on the D7K for wildlife. I think I like this shot. It shows the shadows really well. I ended up removing the vile white purple martin house though...not sure I feel ok about that yet.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Head in the Clouds

In the aftermath of all the tornado warnings, I headed out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. The clouds were very interesting. I met some interesting people and saw some birds.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Previously I saw the TCAAP WVA from the other side of the fence

TCAAPWVA from the Other Side DSC_6310
WVA from the other side
by Mully410 * Images

On Sunday May 15, 2011, I participated in the Urban Bird Festival held by the Saint Paul Audubon Society.  It took place within the Arden Hills Army Training Site (which used to be known as the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant.)  The shot above was taken from the south west side of Lake Marsden.  The white dot is the purple martin house.  If you look real close, you can see a person standing on the bridge.  It was clear and sunny that day.

During the bird walk, I saw a bunch of interesting things.  We saw a common loon on its nest along with a trumpeter swan on her nest.  I saw my first clay-colored sparrow and got some photos of the Minneapolis and St. Paul skylines from the second tallest hill in Ramsey County. 

Here is a slide show of what I saw that day:

Friday, May 20, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Butterfly

Blue Butterfly (4) by Mully410 * Images
Blue Butterfly (4), a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
It's rainy and windy at the TCAAP WVA today, so I'm probably not going to get there tonight. I don't mind a rain but the wind tends to make it difficult to keep the front element on the lens clean.

I shot this Northern Blue butterfly almost exactly two years ago with my Sony DSC_W150. It was about the size of a US dime. I still haven't seen another one.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Geese...like pretty much every day.

Today I saw geese at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. I pretty much see Canada geese every day in Lake Marsden, unless it's frozen solid. Let me be blunt. I hate geese. They are loud and obnoxious. They crap all over the place and aren't very pretty, in my opinion. However, I almost always shoot them (with my camera). They fly predictably. They are easy to track across the sky and provide great panning practice. Despite my enmity towards them, I occasionally get a shot I like. I really like this shot. They are perfectly silhouetted against the interesting clouds and sunset. What makes me like this shot the most is that I did nothing to it in the digital darkroom. No tweaks on sharpness, contrast, colors or cropping. In fact, all 6 shots I got as this group flew by turned out sharp.

My friend stopped by to chat while I was at the WVA tonight. He is always nice to talk see. I met him because he found my other blog and tracked me down at the viewing area. Kinda like a stalker, I guess. ;-) He's cool though. He loves birds and is fascinated with the former TCAAP property just like me.

The plants are really getting out there now. Here is a shot of nature's nature wire on the barbed-wire fence.

Natures Wire DSC_7696
Nature's Wire DSC_7696
by Mully410 * Images

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a pretty cool Sunset.

Sunset DSC_7610 by Mully410 * Images
Sunset DSC_7610, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
I stuck around until well after sunset today at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. It turned fully cloudy earlier in the afternoon but I saw a gap near the horizon. The sunset didn't do much until the sun got below the horizon. The light ended up highlighting the clouds nicely as I expected.

I also saw an Osprey make a dive into the lake and a song sparrow hanging out on the bridge.

Click on the images to get a larger view on Flickr. 

Song Sparrow on Bridge DSC_7443
Song Sparrow on Bridge DSC_7443
by Mully410 * Images

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Sparrow

I also saw two of the river otters at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. I watched them for about a half hour. They are more fun to watch through the lens than to photograph. They are just too far behind the barbed-wire for my puny 300mm lens.

Everything is growing pretty well after all the rain last week and sun this week. Here is a shot of some sumac.

Sumac Buds DSC_7213
Sumac Buds DSC_7213
by Mully410 * Images

Click on any of the images on my blog to see the larger sizes on Flickr. 

Monday, May 16, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Kingbird hunting with some Warblers

Today at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area, I watched an eastern kingbird hunting bugs along with some yellow-rumped warblers and eastern bluebirds.  The shot to the right show the kingbird in flight at the top.  A warbler is in flight in the middle right.  There are two other warblers resting on the barbed-wire.

I also saw a friendly goldfinch preening and ruffling its feathers.

Goldfinch Scratching DSC_6868
Goldfinch Scratching
by Mully410 * Images

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a dragonfly.

Snack Time DSC_3658 by Mully410 * Images
Snack Time DSC_3658, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
Here is a shot from June 2010. I've seen a couple dragonflies at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area this spring but haven't got a shot of anyone of them yet.

Today, I'll be on the other side of the fence for a bird walk sponsored by the Saint Paul Audubon Society. I look forward to getting closer to the sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans and the osprey nests. Stay tuned tomorrow for some photos.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area, I sawTrumpeter Swans

Golden Trumpeters by Mully410 * Images
Golden Trumpeters, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
Another rainy crappy day filled with chores...and standing near my new hummingbird feeder.

I made this photograph of a pair of trumpeter swans on February 26, 2010. Ya, I know...February? I found out later while on a bird walk within the Arden Hills Army Training Site (the other side of the barbed-wire at the TCAAP WVA) that part of the pollution mitigation going on water is continuously pumped out of the aquifer into an old gravel pit. As a result, there is open water back there year round.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a chipping sparrow.

I've been busy this week so I haven't been out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. I made this photography of a chipping sparrow singing on one of the large signs on May 8, 2010 with my Nikon D5000.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA I saw Flowers

I had to do chores around the yard tonight so I didn't get out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area.

Here is what might be my favorite flower shot. I took it last June. What's really cool for me is I helped plant these wildflower seeds the previous year at the Public Lands Day.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA I saw Sandhill Cranes

It was about 80F and humid today so quite warm, for me, and a bike ride. Today, I saw: people, goldfinches, bluebirds, palm warblers, the trumpeter swan chasing a goose and two sandhill cranes. The shot to the right is the best of the bunch. Considering, I was almost ready to pack up the gear for the bike ride home, I'm pleased with this shot.

I think this female eastern bluebird on the wire shot is pretty good too:
Eastern Bluebird F DSC_5134
Eastern Bluebird F DSC_5134
by Mully410 * Images

Monday, May 9, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA I Made a Photo of my Bike

This was the second time I rode my bike to the TCAAP WVA. It was a gloomy cloudy evening. I saw some new birds but didn't get any descent shots and I'm not sure what they were.

I got another shot of a tree swallow. This one was collecting grass for a nest.
Tree Swallow DSC_4802
Tree Swallow DSC_4802
by Mully410 * Images

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Tree Swallows

In addition to tree swallows, I saw the northern harrier, a bunch of turkeys, some deer, eastern bluebirds and I saw one of the osprey washing its claws.

This one had a small bit of hay in its beak:

Tree Swallow Nesting DSC_4543
Tree Swallow Nesting
by Mully410 * Images

Friday, May 6, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA I saw my first Bee of the year.

First Bee DSC_3872 by Mully410 * Images
First Bee DSC_3872, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
Saw this lethargic bee on my truck door as I was leaving the TCAAP WVA today.

I also made some sunset photos:
Sunset DSC_3784

Bridge Sunset DSC_3773

In the Future at the TCAAP WVA I don't want to see light towers

Sun Pillar DSC_7160
Sun Pillar DSC_7160
by Mully410 * Images

The Minnesota Vikings and Ramsey County Minnesota are colluding to sell us citizens on building a new NFL Stadium.  They plan to locate it on the west side of the old Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant site in Arden Hills.   I hope it doesn't ruin the view at the TCAAP WVA.  I cringe at the thought of dozens of massive light towers off in the distance ruining the sunset.


A new stadium at the old TCAAP site will definitely displace two osprey nests which will have to be destroyed.  The blowing napkins, beer cups and other litter will surely endanger these guys:

Otter with Fish DSC_6333
Otters with Fish DSC_6333
by Mully410 * Images

A stadium on this site might also have these guys reconsidering where they raise their families:

8 Swans
8 Swans
by Mully410 * Images
 (I know this shot is crummy but it was a huge crop from my point-and-shoot camera.)

 I wonder what effect a new stadium near here will have on the endangered Blanding's turtles that live here?

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA I saw the US Army

Army DSC_3569 by Mully410 * Images
Army DSC_3569, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
The Army was doing some sort of orienteering exercise today. I saw a number of soldiers walk by with maps and compasses in hand.

These two female solders were way across the lake from me. I had no idea they were pointing in my direction when I made this photograph.

I also saw the flowers have begun to emerge. This particular one is either a spurge or vetch of some kind...from what I heard. It's likely an invasive species.

Weed Flower DSC_3494

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA I saw Deer

It was a nice sunny day today and I got to get out the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area after what seemed like a long time.

Two people were leaving as I arrived. They complained that they didn't see any wildlife and laughed that the area is call a "wildlife viewing area." I suggested that they need to sit around quietly for an hour. The woman agreed and they left.

The deer photo to the right was one of my last shots of evening. I was outside the gate and fortunately looked to my left as I exited. I found this shot of the bunch funny because the buck stuck his tongue out at me.

I spent a lot of time working this bird (as they say in photographer parlance). It was interesting to watch especially since I don't think I've ever seen one before tonight.  I surely have never photographed one. It spent most of it's time very close to the ground and then would suddenly pop up 10-20 feet in the air to catch bugs. I stood very still and was very quiet and eventually it landed on the barbed wire about 15 feet away.   (edit:  I found out from my friends on Flickr that this is a palm warbler.)

Bird DSC_3225
Bird DSC_3225
by Mully410 * Images

I also saw a pair of common loons, one trumpeter swan, a great blue heron, bunches of Canada geese and red-winged blackbirds, a northern harrier and tried to get some in flight shots of tree swallows again.  

Monday, May 2, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a butterfly

With winter upon us here in Minnesota again, I thought I'd share a memory of summer today.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA I saw Otters Looking

Otters Looking by Mully410 * Images
Otters Looking, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
It's been almost a week since I made some decent photos at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. Last week was tough with family and photography things. I promise I'll get out more this week.

I made this photography about a year ago, March 17, 2011. I've seen river otters in Lake Marsden a bunch of time but almost never see their whole bodies...they are always swimming and diving. This time I caught the otters out on the ice.

Here is another shot I made back in November 2010.  This time they have fish:

Otter with Fish DSC_6333
Otter with Fish
by Mully410 * Images

(click the images for larger versions)