Sunday, July 31, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Six Cygnets

8Swans3 by Mully410 * Images
8Swans3, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
Another hot steamy day near the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. I didn't make it out there today.

This is one of the first photos I made of the swans that nest in Lake Marsden. Back in 2008, they started with 7 cygnets and only lost one that summer. Six cygnets successfully fledged and flew off for the winter.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Great Light on the Bridge

E Bridge DSC_2701 by Mully410 * Images
E Bridge DSC_2701, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
Kind of a plain sunset tonight at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. No clouds but great light on the bridge. When I made this shot, I was standing in wildflowers and weeds up to my armpits. The purple ones are a monarda...aka...bee balm. They are almost done blooming so the centers are kind of brown. The yellow flowers are a kind of cone flower, I think.

The Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts people now have a 16x24 framed print of Evening Bridge at the TCAAP. I decided to enter that photo because I won a best-in-show from Gallery96 last fall with an 8x12 version. I'll know their decision to allow it into the State Fair or not by next Thursday. Last year my Demur Amur photo of one of the Amur Leopards at the Minnesota Zoo did not make it into the fair but it won the People Choice award at the Salon 300 State Fair Overflow Show.

Here are a couple more of tonight's photos of the bridge:

Bridge Wide DSC_2711

Bridge into the Sun DSC_2712

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Buck with a Gigantic Rack

Big Buck DSC_3324 by Mully410 * Images
Big Buck DSC_3324, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
The floating bogs on Lake Marsden were all jammed up at the south end today at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. I saw a blob of brown moving along the edge of one of the bogs and quickly focused on it with the 300mm f4. It was a deer. Weird. There really isn't any place for this deer to go and actually I didn't think one could walk around on the bogs. Well, this one did. When I got home and cropped this shot tight and counted at least 10 points. I suspect there are a lot more. Hopefully, I'll see him close up soon.

I also caught a sparrow with a caterpillar of some sort.

Sparrow with Dinner DSC_3201

And some grass:

Limp DSC_3338

And a green heron flew by:

Green Heron DSC_3280

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Loon Landing

Last night, I saw these two adult loons come in for a landing. I could watch loons taking off and landing all day. The way they come in and skid along the water looks fun.

I also some the adult and the young loon cruising around.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Sparrow

Sparrow DSC_3078 by Mully410 * Images
Sparrow DSC_3078, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
These sparrow are quite common at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. They are also very vocal. If I stand still and quiet for a few minutes, one of them is bound to land near me and start squawking.

The little bunny I mentioned in Sunday's post was dead on the trail. It didn't look like anyone started eating it yet. I bet the crows get it soon.

Monday, July 25, 2011

My Photobook of the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area is Now Available

My New Photobook: Today at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area is now available. Only $67.95. 37 fine art images on high quality photo paper. Twenty six 8" x 12" pages bound professionally with full color images.

View a preview below.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw an Injured Bunny

Rabbit DSC_3010 by Mully410 * Images
Rabbit DSC_3010, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
As I left for the evening, I saw this little bunny at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area entrance. It appeared injured, ill or really tired. It let me approach without moving at all so I gently nudged it with my shoe. It moved a little bit but didn't run away.

About an hour earlier, I witnessed an older woman empty a live trap near where I found this guy. I've seen people do this on a number of occasions. I'm really not sure what people are thinking when they do this. "Oh hey, there's a public park, let me dump my trapped critters there." I've heard it's especially cruel to relocate squirrels. They are super territorial not to mention they store their winter food all over the place. When people relocate them, it's a death sentence. I suspect it's easier for a bunny to get settled in a new location but I haven't heard anything about that.

I don't know for sure if this little bunny was dropped off by that lady but it seems likely. This poor little guy couldn't get his feet under him when I poured a little water near. (I figured maybe it was in the trap all day and got a bit dehydrated.) It was pretty pathetic. I almost put it out of its misery but decided no. There are plenty of critters that will use this fuzzy bunny to feed their families.

I almost posted a photo of this woman's car and license plate but my evidence is only circumstantial. If I was on a jury, I would have reasonable doubt...but I'd probably bet money on it.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Dragonfly on Mullein

It was super awful hot at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area this evening. No shade. I was soaked through within minutes.

The heat is good for one thing, dragonflies. There were many out and about tonight. They like to perch on the highest spots so they are easy to see. I used the 300mm f4 so I don't have to get too close but it only focuses down to 12 feet or so. That means I had to crop most of them. The shot on the right is my favorite. There are more in my Flickr stream so click on the photo and use the "newer" and "older" buttons to scroll around.

I also saw a doe in the monarda (aka Bee Balm). Monarda are the purple-ish lavender colored flowers that look like they should be in Whoville.

Doe in Monarda DSC_2418

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Still haven't made it out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. Sorry for all the "Previously..." posts lately. I had a family event tonight.

Here is a shot of an eastern tiger swallowtail on a monarda flower. I haven't see any of these butterflies around the viewing area this year but hope to soon. I've spotted a couple monarch and sulfurs already.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Flying Loon

Flying Loon DSC_1767 by Mully410 * Images
Flying Loon DSC_1767, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
This is the most recent photo I've posted from the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. I'm getting anxious to get out there but it's been too damn hot. There isn't much shade out there.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Wildflower

Wildflower DSC_9826 by Mully410 * Images
Wildflower DSC_9826, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
It's the 4th straight day of super hot and topical humidity at the TCAAP WVA. I didn't bother going out again. I'm sure I missed an interesting sunset as I could see the color of the light from my window.

Here is another winter shot from at Wildlife Viewing Area. I can't wait for snow.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Frosty Barbed-Wire

90F and super humid today so I wussed out and didn't make it to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. Besides, I got my gigantic bottle of LensClens and cleaned my filters and lenses.

When I shot this Frosty Barbed-wire, it was probably about -10F to -15F. I woke up early and looked outside to see fog. That got my heart pumping because when there is fog there is a good chance of hoar frost. This is one of 37 of my favorite shots that are in my new book.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Bee Balm

Whoville? by Mully410 * Images
Whoville?, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
Monarda, also known as bee balm, is all over the place at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. It's blooming right now.

This shot is from exactly three years ago. Taken with my Sony DSC-W150 point and shoot. I think it looks like something from Whoville which is probably why this photo has over 3000 views on Flickr.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Harrier Scoping out a Baby Loon

Got up early this morning and headed out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. It's going to be hot and sticky later so I wanted to get my shooting in early.

As always, it was an interesting visit. The northern harrier was cruising the cattails. It paused often and timidly dove into the reeds. I didn't see that it grabbed anything while I was there. At one point, it flew over the baby loon. Momma was underwater.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Received My New Photobook

Danger Sign DSC_6398

Today, I received my photo book of the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area.  Over the years, I've done a lot of business with Adorama in NYC.  They are a top notch company that provides pretty much all the photo and video equipment and accessories anyone will ever need.  AdoramaPix is their printing arm.  A while ago, I watched a review posted by one of my all time favorite wildlife photographers, Moose Peterson.  Moose said the books from AdoramaPix rock so I decided to give it a try. 

It took me a really long time to put this book together.  It's 26 pages of my favorite photos from the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area.  37 photos in all.  I tried to put together a collection that represented the vast diversity of nature and wildlife I've seen in the last 4 or so years.   You'll find everything from coyotes, otters, swans, songbirds, sunsets, landscapes, wild flowers and more.  Please view the book at this link (grab the page with your mouse and slide it over to turn the page) and if you feel so inclined, you may purchase it. 

It's printed on real photo paper.  Professional durable binding.  Thick cover and thick pages.  It lays flat so the photos that span two pages are almost seamless.

If I can figure out how to embed the book viewer into the blog, I'll make another post for you.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw New Paint on the Sign

Fresh Paint DSC_2217 by Mully410 * Images
Fresh Paint DSC_2217, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
Actually, I saw the brown coat on Monday and they finished off the letters today.

This shot is facing south west-ish looking towards the entrance to the area.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a leaping Doe

Just as I was about to leave the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area tonight, I spied a doe. I remained still while fiddling with my camera. The ISO was showing 6400 with my normal shutter speed of 1/500 sec. I switched to my "still subject" programmed setting for a 1/125th and got a 3200 ISO. This is still kinda noisey and a bit blurry due to motion but not entirely bad. I'll print one up for you if you want to buy one but I don't recommend it.

I also saw a bunny rabbit on alert and shot the sunset out the truck window while driving to the WVA.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Crow on Fire

This cloud lit up in bright rainbow-ish sundog colors for only about a minute at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area tonight. It was kinda cool that the American Crow decided to land in the frame just in time.  I'm not exactly sure it this is technically called a sundog.  Maybe they have a different name when they happen in the summer.

I also got a great shot of a chipping sparrow that landed on the bridge in front of me, a straight-out-of-camera song sparrow and an osprey with a fish.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw the First Monarda of the Year

Went out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area this morning and saw the first Monarda (bee balm) blooming. This plant is all over the place within the WVA and this is a first bloomer.

At one point, I heard an awful creepy squawking and looked to see a great blue heron being annoyed by a red-winged blackbird. Fortunately, it landed on one of the closer dead trees.

Heron and Blackbird DSC_1077

Heron Landing DSC_1085

Heron Landed DSC_1089

Great Blue Heron DSC_1095

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Sunset

Last night, I got inspired to do a time-lapse at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area.  Here is my first experiment in recording a sunset.  I'm going to try again.



It's also available in High Definition.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Baby Loons

Yay! My first sighting of baby loons on Lake Marsden at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. I've heard they have a difficult time (50% success rate) on this lake because of all the floating bogs. I haven't seen baby loons here for the last several years. They are real far away from the viewing bridge so this shot is pretty severely cropped. Plus they were backlit by a strong sun. Regardless, I'm happy I saw them tonight.

I also got a nice shot of a bumblebee working on a giant blue hyssop.

Bumblebee on Hyssop DSC_0540

And I met a very nice and interesting videographer/photographer Jim Radford.

Here a video essay he made at Bosque del Apache wildlife refuge in Socorro, New Mexico, with Naturescapes.com workshop.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Black Feather

I found this black feather under one of the benches at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. It's very likely from an American Crow. The clouds and sky were very interesting today so I put the feather in a crack on the bridge and made this photo.

The swan family was out for a stroll. Still have the one cygnet. Yay!

The sunset was quite interesting.

And a pileated woodpecker flew by...

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Green Fly

Green Fly by Mully410 * Images
Green Fly, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.
Exactly three years ago today, I made this photo of a fly on this purple wildflower. Don't recall the name of the flower at this time, but I know I used to know it. ;-)

I didn't make it out the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing area today because I cleaned my filthy sensor on the D7000. Not sure why it got so dirty. The D5000 has never needed cleaning. Hmmmm.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Pink Ghost in the Mist

We had a strong thunderstorm quickly move through the area tonight, so I headed out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area in the hopes of seeing a rainbow. Didn't see the rainbow but I did see mist rising all over the place. Here is a shot of all the wildflowers and a pink ghost.

This post isn't longer because I was working on all my fireworks shots from last night.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Rose-breasted Grosbeak

This is a shot of the first rose-breasted grosbeak I've seen at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. Not the best shot, technically, but I wanted to post something.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw some Young Barn Swallows getting fed.

I got up early again and went to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. The first thing I saw was a these three barn swallows waiting for a meal. This shot is barely cropped but it's a little blurry. However, I have a much sharper shot without the adult. After a few minutes, there was a big commotion and they all flew off. When I looked up, I saw the northern harrier fly over.

Later in the evening, I went back to the WVA and saw the harrier carrying dinner. I think it was a red-winged blackbird...lots of them were chasing it.

Harrier with Dinner DSC_9847

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Swans and the Tree

I got up early to get out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. I'm trying to get some more morning light shots in my archive. This morning I saw the swans out with their cygnet. The swan on the right still has some sort of hangy thing under its chin, but you can't see it in this shot.

After a day of chores and a great dinner with the parents, I stopped by the Wildlife Viewing Area for sunset. The clouds really popped in the end.

PNT Pink and Orange DSC_1758

I also had an eastern bluebird land right in front of me, saw one of the osprey and got a nice shot of the bridge and a mullein plant.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Shelf Cloud and Lightning

I saw a big line of thunderstorms heading towards the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area tonight. Since there wasn't any rain yet, I headed out there with the 35mm f/1.8 and the D7000.

The shot on the right is handheld against the bridge at 1.6 seconds, f/1.8, ISO 100. I tried longer exposures but didn't get anything remotely sharp. The last thing I wanted to do is bring my metal sticks (tripod) out to the exposed bridge. Lightning was everywhere.

I processed a couple other shots and posted them here, here and here.