Tamarack Gold

This tamarack grove was in full display at Crex Meadows on an early morning last week. The cranes were flying out of the Refuge as they have for decades so I decided to explore other photo opportunities. The sun had just risen and the air was calm, perfect flying conditions.

Watchful Eye

I thought Canada geese goslings were eating machines but watching these cygnets put the geese to shame with their blinding speed grabbing and gobbling grass (probably rice) on Crex Meadows. It's no surprise when you think they must be ready to migrate just a few months after hatching. Mother (?) was carefully watching me as the youngsters foraged.

High Water

While crossing the St. Croix last weekend I noticed police officers and spectators on each side of the bridge. I pulled into the canoe landing and saw the river almost touching the bottom of the bridge. On Crex Meadows ponds and lakes also were filled almost to capacity . This photo was made with one leg of the tripod resting on the asphalt.

A morning with the cranes

I recorded this one morning a couple weeks ago. I like to watch the cranes wake up routine and listen to their raucous calling as they leave the roost each morning. As the season progresses they spend more time warming up making for even more interesting dancing and stretching routines.

Blue

The last of this week's series on color and the last shot of cranes flying for awhile. I'm working on a video of crane activity in the morning, however it's currently twice the length of my usual minute movies so there is some serious editing to do before it is published.

Orange

Recorded at Crex Meadows where the sky can have incredibly intense color. Depending on the weather it can also be very, very flat. We were driving into Grantsburg at the end of the day and the sky became this phenomenal color, needless to say supper was postponed.

Technical: WB 6k, Saturation +2. The color almost exactly as seen.

Clouds over Crex Meadows

Earlier this week I spent an afternoon and morning  at Crex with Gary L. While waiting for cranes to come in at sunset these clouds caught my attention. 

After the Storm

My latest playground in photography is time-lapse. It does not require a big investment, perhaps only an intervalometer. I use Magic Lantern which is an incredible free program for Canons and I think Nikon has a built in intervalometer. I have been using an old Quicktime Pro program but switched over to Sequence for this video. At $35 it is a perfect replacement for Quicktime on Macs. Its ability to remove flicker is a major improvement over Quicktime.

Fox Kits Playing

I watched this pair earlier in the week and couldn't wait to put it online. Background sounds were recorded at the time when the kits were inactive. The kits were comfortable with my presence as long as no sound or movement was made. 

Waiting

This is a rare quiet moment as the kits wait for their morning meal. The den site which is ideal for photography has been used regularly, but not necessarily yearly, for the last several years.  Most of the other dens are tucked away in dense cover and very difficult to photograph. I'm currently wading through about a hundred video clips reliving a memorable morning.

Alert Kits

I can't get enough of these guys! I spent 2 hours with them yesterday, mainly filming play. They were alert to the slightest sounds, usually inquisitive but also alert to the sound of danger.  The rustling of my cotton jacket perked there ears on more than one occasion. After saying a quiet thank you to them I let them to go back to their private lives. 

Fox Kits

I feel like I'm running too fast and not able to finish the story. I left the chickadees before they were able to fledge, I have watched a female crane twitch on her nest for untold hours. Today I spent the dry hours watching a couple fox kits. Mom came into feed them but noticed me and did not hang around after delivering the groceries. A good day.

Technical: still image from C100

And you think its wet

I'm not sure who looks more miserable.

Technical: I chose a journalistic approach and did not clone out the branch through the beak. Still image taken with Canon C100 using a 500 mm lens. Shot from the portable Toyota blind.

Open water in February

It's unusual to find quiet open water this time of year, especially after the recent temperatures. This rust laden water along Main Dike Rd. in Crex Meadows stays open and can be a winter viewing location for otters and mink, but none on this day. The setting sun and water added color to an otherwise gray winter afternoon. White balance set at the cloudy preset to enhance the colors.