Aug 13, 2023 | 7 Image Stories, Butterflies, Daily Image 2023, Nature, Nikon 1 V3
Peck Butterfly House II | a 7 Image Story The Peck Butterfly House always seems to delight with new butterflies every few weeks.
Black Swallowtail Busy Although butterflies are less efficient than bees at moving pollen between plants, this Swallowtail appears to be very busy trying. Black Swallowtail Color This Black Swallowtail rests while showing off its dazzling colors. Clipper Butterfly Head On Clipper Butterflies stay in one place long enough to get a head shot. Blue Moon Butterfly Even with a couple of hundred butterflies in the house, capturing one while not flying can be challenging. Great Mormon Butterfly Sometimes, nature’s symmetry is just amazing! Blue Morpho Butterfly Where’s the blue? It’s on the top go the wings. Unfortunately, this butterfly does not stop long enough with its wings open to get a photo of those beautiful wings. Clipper Butterfly Colors Spread your wings on a nice flower. How much better could it get for a beautiful butterfly!
Each image from Peck Butterfly House II | a 7 Image Story will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Peck Butterfly House II. Note: I post an image most days at hankconrad.com.
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Jul 23, 2023 | 1 VR 6.7-13mm f3.5-5.6, 7 Image Stories, Daily Image 2023, Nature, Nikon 1 V3
Prairie Burn Goes Green | a 7 Image Story This set of images shows the story of a field from a planned burn to tall green vegetation in less than four months.
Burned Trail Walk This field on our daily walk was burned on March 30th. Only the trees and the trail grass did not burn. Hopefully, over the next few years, the field will be turned into a nice prairie. The Pugs are looking forward to tall grass and wild prairie. Cut Grass Survives The cut grass did not burn because it was green when the controlled burn happened. Brown brush and weeds filled the remaining space. The black ash reminds me of volcanic ash. Four Months Later What a difference four months makes! The prairie now rises to shoulder height and abounds with beautiful wild flowers giving home to several bee species.
Prairie Wildflower Wildflowers abound in the new prairie. It’s amazing that beautiful flowers three feet tall appear in less than four months after the burn. Save the Bees Wildflowers in the new prairie need bees for pollination. Bees are in the decline in our country. Prairie flowers help the bees recover. Shades of Yellow Wildflowers Yellow seems to dominate the wildflowers in the new prairie. Yellow Daisy Yellow Daisy to light up your day!. Never enough flowers!
Each image from Prairie Burn Goes Green | a 7 Image Story will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Prairie Burn Goes Green. Note: I post an image most days at hankconrad.com.
Click any image below for a slide show.
Nov 22, 2020 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, 7 Image Stories, AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Faces, Fox Squirrel, Gray Fox or Black Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Nature, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon D200
Gray Fox or Black Squirrel | a 7 Image Story Around the Midwest, most squirrels are gray squirrels. Still, large numbers of fox squirrels also make the Midwest their home. Then, of course, pockets of blacks squirrels also share the habitat. So, are they really all different species? For years, I thought the fox squirrel and black squirrels were just different colored gray squirrels. Well, not so!
Although colors vary a bit, gray squirrels tend to be grey with a brownish tinge. They tend to have a whitish belly with a frosty white tail. They are much smaller than fox squirrels and their tails tends to be shorter and less bushy. Fox squirrels tend to be reddish-brown or brownish-grey with a rusty brownish-orange belly. They are also much larger than gray squirrels and tend to have longer coats, bushier tails and more hair on their ears.
Black squirrels are not common in the Midwest with only one black squirrel in every 10,000 squirrels. Black squirrels are a product of a genetic fault caused by interspecies breeding between the gray squirrel and the fox squirrel. The black squirrel is actually a gray squirrel with a faulty pigment gene from the fox squirrel that makes their fur darker. To make it even more complicated, some fox squirrels are also black.
Fox Squirrel Portrait This cute fox squirrel stopped just long enough to capture the image. Notice the reddish brown fur and the bushy ears, which are indicative of the fox squirrel. Gray Squirrel Profile This gray squirrel really stands out. Notice the grey coat with a tinge of brown particularly on its head and its off white tummy. Also, its ears look pinkish brown and its tail seems to be smaller and flatter than the fox squirrel. Fox Squirrel Tail This fox squirrel is the perfect example of the species with its reddish brown coat, long bushy tail, full furry ears, and a light brown belly. Nice of him to stop for a moment on the branch and pose for the close up shot. Black Squirrel Black squirrels are actually grey squirrels with a genetic fault caused by interspecies breeding between the gray squirrel and the fox squirrel.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Gray Fox or Black Squirrel.
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Nov 8, 2020 | 7 Image Stories, AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Blue Jay, Blue Jays, Faces, Nature, Nikon 1 V3
Blue Jays | a 7 Image Story The Blue Jay is a common songbird in northern Illinois. Native to North America, at least some Blue Jays stay around all winter. They are beautiful against the snow. They seem to be a hardly bird; living up to 26 years old.
Blue Jays like to live at the forest’s edge, especially near oak trees, as well as woodlots and parks. They mainly feed on nuts and seeds so they show up every day to the bird feeder; particularly, when snow covers the ground.
Blue Jays are well known for their intelligence and tight family bonds. They make a large variety of calls that can carry long distances. They frequently mimic the calls of hawks, especially the Red-shouldered Hawk, also common in northern Illinois. They are very aggressive and sometime attack other birds. Occasionally, they may eat eggs and nestlings of other birds,
Thousands of Blue Jays migrate in flocks along the Great Lakes each year, but little is known about their migration. Young jays are more likely to migrate than adults, but adults also migrate. No one has determined why they migrate, when they migrate, or why some migrate while others do not.
Over the Shoulder Blue Jays look beautiful no matter what time of year. This image was captured at the end of April. Notice the Nikon 1 V3 with its 2.7 crop factor continues to be my go to camera for capturing bird images. Looking at Feeder Just about 3 feet above these bush branches hangs a winter bird seed feeder. This Blue Jay looks so calm and serene looking at the feeder. Actually, Blue Jays are very flighty. They do not sit in any one place for long and they fly at the slightest disturbance. Capturing a good photograph of them can be very challenging. Bright Day Winter has many cloudy days. Capturing this Blue Jay image on a nice bright day was a real treat. Stretching for Flight Just before taking to flight, this Blue Jay leans forward stretching into the air. Power Profile What’s a power profile? It’s a profile image captured from a low angle which enhances the strength of the image. Ground Search Yes, Blue Jays will frequently go to ground to get seeds. A little snow on the grass doesn’t bother them. Spring Snow A little snow adds a lot to a Blue Jay image.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Blue Jays.
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Oct 18, 2020 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, 1 VR 6.7-13mm f3.5-5.6, 7 Image Stories, AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, Leaves, Nature, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon D3x, Old Mission Peninsula Fall Color
Old Mission Peninsula Fall Color | a 7 Image Story The Old Mission Peninsula leaves turned into their fall color later than the surrounding inland areas. The lake water surrounding the peninsula on three sides provides an more consistent climate for the peninsula. The lake’s impact to the peninsula’s climate also provides an excellent weather for vineyards to grow world class grapes.
Old Mission Lakeside Path This path winds through the woods next to Grand Traverse Bay for several miles. It’s an easy trail for a very picturesque hike along the bay near the Old Mission Lighthouse. Old Mission Color Sometimes a colorful tree branch gets in the way while hiking down the Old Mission Lakeside Path. Wine on the Vine The grape vines make a kaleidoscope of colors in the fall. Old Mission Red Old Mission Red sounds like a nice red wine. This red tree stands on the grounds of one of the more popular wineries. Old Mission Road The ride between wine tasting stops goes through beautiful wooded and colorful woods. Ripe Grapes The grapes look so nice against the vines when they are about ready for harvest. Old Mission Crib This old crib always stands out against the colorful landscape not matter what the weather is like.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Old Mission Peninsula Fall Color.
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Oct 11, 2020 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, 21mm MOVO for Nikon 1, 7 Image Stories, AF-S 50mm f1.4G, Hunt for Red October Leaves, Illinois, Leaves, Nature, Nikon 1 V1, Nikon 1 V3
Hunt for Red October Leaves | a 7 Image Story The hunt for red October leaves is much harder than it would seem in northern Illinois. Northern Illinois has many trees with yellow and/or orange leaves, but not many with deep red leaves. For the deep reds, one must travel farther north or wait a few more weeks for red Icy Leaves.
Why a Sandhill Crane image? Well, first I like Sandhill Cranes. Second, they do have some red on their heads. Third, this Sandhill was finding some food in the grass while I was on my hunt for red October leaves.
Red Symmetry The Maple leaf’s symmetry makes it an unmistakable symbol of strength and endurance. The 21mm extension tube helps the veins of this maple leaf at peak color to make a distinctive impression. Slowly Turning Northern Illinois leaves turn slowly from shades of green to yellows to reds. Tree Line The trees in this tree line turn red at the same time each year. The tree line lies next to a bean field which lies next to a polo field. Yep, there’s a polo field in the middle of a grain farm. Burning Bush The trusty burning bush never disappoints. It always turns a brilliant red even if the trees only go to yellow or light red. Backyard Beauty is where you find it. Sometimes, it’s in the backyard. Bush in the Woods On my walkabout through the woods this beautiful red bush adorned the trail. It almost looks leather like. Along My Walkabout While walking along the lake, this tree stands out among so many others.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Hunt for Red October Leaves.
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Sep 27, 2020 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, 21mm MOVO for Nikon 1, 7 Image Stories, Bee, Fall Flower Walkabout, Flowers, Nature, Nikon 1 V3
Fall Flower Walkabout | a 7 Image Story Summer flowers will be gone soon as fall weather gets colder and brings the season’s first snow. It’s their last few weeks of beauty until next spring. A nice macro lens or extension tube captures their detail. It may be late in the season, but plant life continues if the weather remains warm enough. Even in the fall, some flowers open by unfolding their tightly folded petals to reveal their inner beauty. Flowers look different when viewed close up. The extension tube allows us to see the detail veins in beautiful flowers. Sometimes flowers look rougher the closer they are viewed. Sometimes, the opposite is true. Sometimes they look smoother close up. Bees also keep working late in to the season. Protect the bees. We need them much more than they need us. A beautiful flower provides both the food and the table for a bee. It’s a nice trade in exchange for pollinating the flowers. Fall finally turns the landscape into textured tans and browns.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Fall Flower Walkabout.
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Sep 20, 2020 | 7 Image Stories, AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED, AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Bison, Coyote, Elk, Nature, Nikon 1 V1, Nikon D200, Nikon D300, Nikon D3x, Places, Raven, Yellowstone, Yellowstone NP Wild
Yellowstone NP Wild | a 7 Image Story Wild describes the essence of Yellowstone. It’s a vast wild place providing habitat where Bison, Wolf, Elk, Coyote, Pronghorn, and Bighorn Sheep as well as Bald Eagle and Raven call home. Life’s survival in wild Yellowstone is always challenging with winter being the hardest. Yellowstone is a land of fire and ice while beautiful and harshly wild. Yellowstone’s habitat is also beautiful scenery no matter what time of year. It contains contains 45 named waterfalls and hundreds of unnamed waterfalls. It’s not known for its rock formations, but it does have a few nice ones. Yellowstone’s thermal features keep the rivers from freezing in the winter and provide unique beauty year around.
American Bison This Bison image comes from Lamar Valley on a cold February afternoon. Notice his heavy winter coat to protect him from Yellowstone’s hard, long winter. Bison are year round grazers requiring water every day. They eat primarily grasses, but will also eat flowering plants, lichens, and woody plant leaves. In the winter, they sweep their heads from side to side to clear the snow. Bison lose so much weight from fall to spring just trying to survive the Yellowstone Winter, over nine percent of adult bison die during the winter.
The American Bison, also call Bison Bison, is our National Mammal and symbolic of the Great Plains. It’s largest land animal in North America. At one time millions roamed in herds across the grasslands of The Great American Prairie. A mature Bison stands 5-6 feet tall weighing 1,800 to 2,400 pounds. They can reach speeds of 30 miles per hour. Just like much of the Great American Prairie has gone the way of the plow; so most of the Bison have gone. Today, small herds are live in Canada and the USA; mostly in state and national parks like Wind Cave NP, Custer State Park, and Yellowstone NP. With about 5,000 Bison, Yellowstone NP has North America’s largest population of wild Bison and is the only place in the United States where bison have lived continuously since the prehistoric times of the last ice age. Also, see American Bison | a 7 Image Story for more information and images of the American Bison.
Yellowstone River Yellowstone’s first snow of the year in mid November made for a great day to capture images along the Yellowstone River. A snowstorm had fallen the night before, covering everything in sparkling fresh snow. Actually, we only had a few minutes to capture this image between snow showers. Although it was midday, the sun was shining through a thin cloud layer softening the light. Blowing snow and the calming sound of water ripples from the river completed the experience. The Yellowstone River, flowing north out of the park, was not frozen due to the thermal features of the park. It does not look like much of a river in this image, but it becomes a nice size river as it travels further north. There’s nothing like Yellowstone in the winter. Yellowstone always provides perspective and introspection. Every time I go to Yellowstone, the experience changes with new vistas, wildlife, challenges, and accomplishments.
Coyote This coyote is taking a break from hunting voles during the first snow of the year in Yellowstone. Coyotes are very good at finding the voles. They can hear them in their underground burrows. Winter in Yellowstone can be harsh. The coyotes seem to be well suited Yellowstone’s 20+ below zero cold. For more information on coyotes, see Coyote | a 7 Image Story.
Yellowstone Rainbow A few rain showers in the distance yielded several rainbows. This rainbow ends near Mammoth Hot Springs and Mt. Everts on the north part of Yellowstone NP. It’s difficult to show the vastness of Yellowstone. Although Yellowstone is not necessarily known for its mountains, the rocks help put the rainbow in perspective.
Raven Portrait Ravens tend to hang around the parking areas in Yellowstone. Ravens are among the smartest of all birds and have accompanied people around the Northern Hemisphere for centuries by following their wagons, sleds, sleighs, and cars looking for a quick meal. Ravens are really quite amazing birds. They can fly over 20,000 feet. They adapt to a very wide variety of habitats including the harsh climate in Yellowstone. They adapt to living around humans quite well. They’ll eat a wide variety of foods. They even befriend wolves while still sharing in the wolves bounty. Yes, amazing birds!
Mammoth Hot Springs This Mammoth Hot Springs image was captured during a rain shower. Mammoth Hot Springs, in the northwestern part of Yellowstone NP, is a large complex of hot springs on a mound of travertine, a form of limestone, created over thousands of years as hot water from the spring cooled and deposited calcium carbonate. The spring’s energy comes from the same magmatic system that fuels other Yellowstone geothermal areas. The hot water that feeds Mammoth comes from Norris Geyser Basin after traveling underground via a fault line. The water temperature at the spring hovers at about 170 °F (80 °C). Algae living in the warm pools have tinted the travertine shades of brown, orange, red, and green.
Elk Cow & Calf Yellowstone is all about its wildlife. It’s hard to miss the affection this mom Elk has for her baby; well her bigger baby now. Yellowstone has thousands of wildlife stories every day. It’s a real privilege to witness just one of those stores.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Yellowstone NP Wild.
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