True Beauty of Nature

 

I usually try to record beauty and perfection in nature ignoring its imperfections. A perfect specimen always gets my attention, whether it is a trophy deer or wildflower at peak bloom. This otherwise healthy buck is an example of survival in an imperfect world. The beauty here is its ability to adapt, survive, and thrive. Isn't that the beauty of our lives as well?

Scent Post

 

Some of us read the local news each morning. Coyotes check their scent posts for the latest  information. Occasionally the news is updated.

Technical: Reconyx Ultrafire cameras are placed in selected Scientific and Natural Areas under a special permit from the MN DNR.

A Wily coyote?

 

We tend to give animals human characteristics, frequently based on fictional stories. Think about the wily coyote in the Road Runner cartoons. Native Americans give the coyote supernatural properties. As with  humans generalizations can be misleading. This guy looks anything but wily or supernatural.

Diversity

This view from the top of a prairie knob shows both a remnant of the virgin prairie and the current status of the prairie restoration. The image below was taken on the same property showing the diversity of this scientific and natural area: Cedar Mountain SNA. The name is somewhat of an oxymoron since this "mountain" is within in a mile of the Minnesota River, in the heart of the valley.

Midnight Meeting

I put a trail camera in the backyard a couple weeks ago and recorded this interesting behavior. I think it shows two bucks dueling for dominance. The fight has been slowed to 50% of normal speed.

Bison Action

I've been watching, watching, and watching bison lately waiting for one to do something besides eat. When this cow turned toward me and stuck her tongue out she made my day. The joys of a wildlife photographer! 

Bison and Mill

These transplanted bison have become the rage for visitors at Minneopa State Park. Given the limited viewing times and the variability of bison behavior it took awhile to get a shot I had visualized. The Seppman mill in the background has long been the prairie shot to give a sense of place. Putting the two subjects together makes this a 21st century shot. The bison are one step in a very slow moving process of prairie restoration.

Before the Snow

This is was taken about a month ago while I was waiting for the real winter we now have. I've been out over the last few days and will be sharing real winter images soon.

A morning smile

Flat light, gray colors, and a quiet woods; a dull morning
until I looked down
isn't photography grand

Frost at the Falls

A warm, wet December has given us opportunities we, as photographers, rarely see in January.  Check out those waterfalls before they turn completely to ice.

Technical: HDR image using Lightroom 6

2015 Memories

Last year I volunteered for Yellowstone NP as a wildlife videographer (the government job title is a lot more detailed) and had an unforgettable experience recording aggressive elk behavior.   This elk ran up a couple steps and chased us off from this "safe" viewing location in front of Mammoth Hotel. For the rest of the week I chose another location and was able good footage of him attacking as the tourists fled the deck. The most amazing memory is that several people would not leave, as if they owned the space, when it charged the deck. The entire week was an experience I will never forget.

"Safe Area"

Technical: slight blurring due to shooting over my shoulder as I was making a quick exit.