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.

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

November Roar

  

The recent rain has made for great waterfall photography. The color may be a little flat but what a great time to spend an hour or so exploring the edges of the roaring water.

Technical: Recorded on an iPhone6.

Nest of Leaves

I was walking in the  rain earlier this week searching for any remaining color in fallen leaves. These rain soaked oak leaves nestled in a fallen log caught my attention. 

Technical: tripod mounted iPhone6 capture, WB 6100 using Procamera8 app

Autumn Detail

While photographing fall colors this single leaf caught my attention. I was drawn to the simplicity of the contrasting colors. To me the leaf says "autumn" as much as a brilliant maple tree draped in autumn leaves. Photographed at Minneopa State Park, Blue Earth Co., MN.

Minneopa Color

For some reason fall colors also draw me to water. Minneopa State Park has both so yesterday I went on my annual fall visit. There are now bison in the prairie section of the park but the gate is closed during best photo times so I'll wait for a good atmosphere day to try my luck with them.

Shadow Flower

Shadow Flower

I'm continuing to explore the range of photo possibilities with the iPhone6.  Yesterday I went into the park to see how it did with macro subjects.  I was so happy with the results that I ordered a couple lens attachments to further explore macro and movie options.

Minneopa Waterfalls

It should be called a water trickle. Autumn is great for dramatic color but definitely not for dramatic water shots. Soon ice will bring water back into the spotlight as great subject material. Technical: A 2 stop ND filter was used to keep the sky within dynamic range.

Exploring Water & Rock

Same waterfall, same day. I could (and have) spend an hour at a waterfall. Moving back, moving in, changing lenses, changing point of view, the list of possibilities goes on and on. Conversion to B &W to eliminate the browns in the rock and water.

September Waterfall

The spring run off is long past and summer rains a memory leaving the slow moving water of fall. This is a roaring stream in the spring and now you can walk across it with ease. The smooth water adds to the tranquility of the afternoon when it was recorded during a 5 second exposure.

Technical: polarizing filter and 2 stop ND filter used.