Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Snake in a Hole

Snake in a hole DSC_9204, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Wandered around the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area tonight. There weren't many birds tonight. I saw a murder of eight crows, one phoebe (briefly) and only one goldfinch.

As I completed my stroll around the short trail, I came upon this garter snake's tail. I quickly popped the on-camera flash and flipped my preset slower shutter program and snapped away. Fortunately, it stuck its head out and slinked in and out of the hole.  (click the image to embiggen)






I got low for the shot below.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw and Otter and it Pooped

Otter on Ice
by Mully410 * Images

Didn't make it out the TCAAP WVA today so I'll share a photo from last winter.  Everybody poops, even river otters on a half iced over lake. ;-)

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Goldfinch Photobomb

Young Red-tailed Hawk DSC_8781, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Actually not today but yesterday a Flickr friend pointed out the goldfinch in the foreground of this shot at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. After shooting it, processing and posting it, I totally didn't see it until it was pointed out to me. Very cool. The bird the young red-tailed hawk is looking at high on the branch is likely one of the eastern phoebes in the area.

Yesterday at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Wasps

Wasp on Goldenrod
by Mully410 * Images

Last night, I saw wasps at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area.  Lots and lots of wasps.



They've been building their colony all summer.  Looks pretty successful to me.

For the first time (I always have a first here), I saw three racoons swimming from bog to bog in Lake Marsden.  I thought it was the otters splashing around but it wasn't.  When I got home and examined the photos, the tell-tale black mask of a raccoon was visible.  The photos were super crappy so I'm not posting them. 

Just before I left for the night, I heard a crashing commotion through the cattails.  Eventually, two does emerged.  Too dark for a photo but fun to see.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw the Morning Dew

Pink Dew DSC_9021, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Got out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area this morning to see what I could see. Saw a pair of trumpeter swans, not the family. I haven't see the cygnet for over a week.

This morning I made some shots of the morning dew on the remaining flowers. It's difficult to get macro like shots with the 300mm f4. It focuses no closer than 12 feet. All these shots are cropped kinda tight.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Young Red-tailed Hawk

Young Red-tailed Hawk DSC_8914, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Today, I saw this young red-tailed hawk preening for a while at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area.

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I was at the Minnesota State Fair.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Katydid

Katydid DSC_7741, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

This my first time shooting a katydid. I don't think I've ever seen one before tonight at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. Could have used a 105mm Micro VR...

I spent most of the night watching this great blue heron. It didn't do much other than preen now and again. I was hoping it would fly off into the sunset for me but it didn't.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw an Osprey

Osprey DSC_7495, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

One of the osprey flew over me a couple times while I was at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. The fish in it's claws is a little sunfish. Here are my favorites.

I had to dodge the dark areas under the wings in Capture NX2 because I don't own a gigantic flash. ;-)

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Northern Blue Butterfly

Blue Butterfly (4), a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I'm tired and not feeling well today so I didn't get out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing.

Here is a shot of the only northern blue butterfly I've ever seen. I made this photo on May 22, 2009 with my Sony DSC-W150 point and shoot camera.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a nice Sunset and some warbers (maybe)

Sunset DSC_7436, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

This is another sunset from the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. It's one of my favorites. I am so bored with sunsets but I still snap them when I see them. This shot is straight-out-of-camera...I love my D7000.

I also saw these warblers (maybe) grabbing bugs from the grasses and flowers in the area.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Spiders on Big Blue Stem

Spiders on Big Blue Stem DSC_7260, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Just as I was leaving the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area tonight, I saw these two spiders on some big blue stem. I think the big one just got done killing the little one. It ran up the grass and came back to wrap up its meal. Interesting.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw Through the Bridge

Through the Bridge DSC_6988, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I sat down on a bench at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area to rest after a long walk at Rice Creek Regional Park. This eastern phoebe has been hanging out lately picking off bugs on the goldenrod. It briefly landed on the barbed-wire where I could see it through the bridge.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Danger Sign

Danger Sign DSC_6398, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I have plans tonight so I won't be getting out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. Here is another shot that is in my photo book.

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Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw and Heard a Noisy Finch...again

Noisy Finch DSC_6499, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Goldfinches are abundant at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area this year. I don't count them but it sure seems like there is a whole lot more this year than any other year. They can clean out the feeder in my yard in 2 days. Last year it took more than a week.

Here is a shot I like of one of the noisy buggers on the barbed-wire with vines.

There were a couple eastern phoebes handing out and picking off the yellow beetles from the goldenrod. I think this shot best.



Lastly, it was an interesting sunset so I added to my collection of a jillion sunsets here.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a WWII Bird

Bomber DSC_6460, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I caught a shot of this bird just after sunset. It was in the process of lowering its landing gear. I'm not sure which bomber it is but it was about to land at the Anoka County airport.

It isn't Betty's Dream which I've see around from time to time.

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

Shelf Cloud and Lightning DSC_9226, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

We have a loud wet storm over the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area tonight so I'm not going out there. Here is a shot of a wicked cool shelf cloud I saw on July 1, 2011. I was scared to bring out the tripod so this is handheld against the bridge. Should have used the tripod.

This shot was "Explored" by Flickr on that day.  Over 2300 views so far.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Bolt and a Sunset

Bolt and Bridge DSC_9455, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I made this photo of the bridge at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area back in April this year. I really like the light and composition so I had a 16x24 print made. I don't really like the print because the bolt in the foreground isn't in focus. I've tried to reproduce this but I just can't get the bolt in focus and the composition just right. Even with a large depth of field parts of the bridge are in the way of where I want to put my camera.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw lots of Swans

Swan and Cygnet DSC_6178, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Up until recently, there have only been two adult swans and a cygnet in Marsden Lake at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. A few days ago, I saw two more adults. Tonight there were three more adults in addition to the swan family.

The shot to the right is an adult with the cygnet (baby swan). The other parent was out of frame to the left. These three maneuvered into some open water where the two "renegade" swans were hanging out. There was much honking and head bobbing. 


Shortly after the family made it into the open water, the renegades took off.



For some reason, one of the renegades came back later.



Earlier these two flew by:



All of these shots are heavily processed in my digital darkroom. Lots of noise reduction. Black and white control points to reduce the haze. Some sharpening. Not much I can do about the blown out highlights of the swans.

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

Frosty Barbed-Wire DSC_0874, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I'm not going to make it out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area today because I'm going to the opening of the 2011 Salon 300 State Fair Overflow Show. My work, Evening Bridge at the TCAAP WVA, is showing there through September 4th.

Here is a shot I made on February 5th, 2011. It was quite cold out that morning. I noticed it was super foggy so I dragged myself out of bed early and go the viewing area. This photo is featured my book, Today at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area, which is available from Adoramapix.com.  (Please give it a minute or two to load.)

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Yellow Bugs

Yellow and Bugs DSC_5758, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

These yellow beetles are all over the place withing the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. They are mostly hanging out on the goldenrod.

I also caught a quick shot of one of the osprey with a fish. Not super sharp but it was good light.



The trumpeter swans were out with their young cygnet. Another pair of adult swans were trailing the family. The family were bobbing their heads up and down a lot. I'm not sure why but I suspect they do that when they are nervous...or something. It was way too dark for a decent shot tonight.

I also briefly saw a great-horned owl.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Caterpillar and a Fly

Caterpillar and Fly DSC_5534, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I finally got an interesting shot of the elusive monarch caterpillar. It's been pretty lucky given all the birds cruising the area.

This was shot with the D7K and Nikkor 300mm f4 AF-ED and on camera flash.

I also got a nice one of a goldfinch who was digging seeds from the spotted knapweed.

Evening Bridge at the TCAAP WVA will be Showing at the Salon 300 Show

Evening Bridge DSC_1034, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Evening Bridge at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area did not get accepted into the Minnesota State Fair this year. Who knows why the judge didn't deem it worthy. Oh well.

I dropped it off at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. They show state fair rejects at their Salon 300 State Fair Overflow Show.

Last year my Demur Amur won People's Choice. Please visit Salon 300 this year and vote for what you like (hopefully my work).

I'll be at the opening reception on Saturday August 13 from 6-8pm. Come say hi.  The exhibition runs through September 4th. 

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Heron After Sunset

Heron After Sunset DSC_5455, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

This great blue heron landed on the dead tree just after sunset. It only stayed for a couple minutes, squawked and flew off. This shot is straight out of camera with the D7K, 300mm f4 and the vivid picture control.

I also got this nice pastel colored shot of the water tower.  Nearly straight out of camera.  I only erased a couple birds (dots) to clean up the sky.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Pareidolia

Pareidolia Anyone?, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Nearly three years ago, I made this photo of pareidolia. Pareidolia is when out brains see a face where is there none. This photo is simply to holes and a crack in the bridge at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area.

Go here to learn more about pareidolia.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw a Plane Skip off the Moon

Skip off the Moon DSC_5312, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I was half keeping an eye out for a planed to fly close to the moon tonight at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. My friend pointed this one out to me. I'm happy he did because this shot shows the heat from the jet engine smearing the Moon so it looks like plane skidded off the lunar surface.

I also saw a dragonfly enjoying the end of the black-eye susan season.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Clouds

Sunset DSC_4975, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Tonight I hung out at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area and watched the storm clouds come in. This is my favorite shot of the night. I tried a time lapse from a new angle but it didn't work out. Very boring and bad composition. In the end, I got rained on and had to scramble back to the truck...which had a sunroof open.

Saw one of the osprey carry a northern pike over me.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Vines Reaching for the Sunset

Reaching DSC_4676, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Busy night at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. Spoke to a whole bunch of people and saw a photographer shooting what looked like a senior portrait. It's about a month late if they wanted flowers. The black-eyed susans and monarda are done already.

Did some slow shutter panning practice tonight.  What do you think?

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Warning Sign

Do Not Dig DSC_3884, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

One of the few rules about visiting the other side of the fence at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area is: Don't eat the dirt.

The US Army spend around 50 years making ammunition on this property. Back then, few people knew how bad the things they were dumping in the ground would be. After polluting the area ground water, they began clean up and eventually shuttered the plant. Most of the area is perfectly safe to visit and doesn't seem to have a negative effect on the diverse wildlife in the area. Just don't dig holes and eat dirt within the marked areas.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Red Dragonfly

Top Down Dragonfly DSC_4460, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I had to work a bit more than usual to get this shot of a red dragonfly at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. I straddled the bridge railing, leaned out and maneuvered to get it in focus. The 300mm f4 focuses at 12 feet so it was tricky.

I also saw a goldfinch tearing apart the spotted knapweed looking for seeds.



And I got an interesting close-up (cropped) of another dragonfly. Fill flash worked out great.



Saw the Swan family again. The cygnet still looks healthy and is getting bigger. Saw one common loon fly over and one of the adult osprey.

BTW: Yesterday, I heard that one of the two young osprey likely got predated. The other one looks healthy.