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.
Click any image below for a slide show.
Nov 15, 2020 | 7 Image Stories, Action, AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Hiking Big Sky's Beehive Basin, Montana, Nikon 1 V1, Nikon D3x, Places
Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | a 7 Image Story Hiking the Beehive Basin trail in October makes for a beautiful day. It’s not too hot; not too cold. A little snow adds to the natural beauty of the land. No wonder Beehive Basin Trail has been ranked in the top ten greatest hikes in the world! As it winds through open meadows carpeted with wildflowers, it provides amazing views of the Big Sky Valley and Lone Peak.
The hike is considered moderate difficulty with a few steep climbs between flatter sections. The 6.3 mile trail starts at 7944 feet above sea level at the trailhead and climbs another 1300+ feet. Even though flat land visitors might notice the altitude a bit, a round trip hike should not take more than 5 hours, if you go all the way to the lake. It’s a beautiful day hike even if you don’t make it to the lake.
Looking Back As we started our hike, we looked back at our vehicle parked at the trailhead, Obviously, the terrain is rising already. We were the only vehicle in the rather small parking lot at around 2:30pm on a mid October afternoon. This trail is quite popular. Perhaps, October is a good month to miss the crowds. Up the Hill Up the hill we go. The incline is just over 200 feet per mile, but some places along the trail are steeper while others are almost flat. And remember climbing at elevations between 8,000 and 9,000 feet challenges some flatland folks. Foot Bridge No need to forge the river! This oe person wide footbridge keeps the feet dry while providing a nice vantage point.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin.
Click any image below for a slide show.
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.
Click any image below for a slide show.
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.
Click any image below for a slide show.
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.
Click any image below for a slide show.
Oct 4, 2020 | 1 VR 10-30mm f/3.4-5.6 PD-Zoom, 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, 7 Image Stories, Action, AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED, Farming, Illinois Harvest, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon D3x
Illinois Harvest | a 7 Image Story Harvest time in northern Illinois is not your grandfather’s harvest experience. Farming in northern Illinois, like most other parts of the country, has become largely a corporate experience. The number of family farms continues to decline. Even the few remaining family farms outsource their harvest to larger operators. Corn and beans are “custom combined” by these operators using large, expensive machines.
Big Round Bales The round bales standout big against a mostly sunny sky. Custom Combining What an amazing sight! These combines cut a huge swath through the bean field. And, they rarely stop since they can offload to the wagon while continuing to cut beans. While watching this operation for a couple of hours, only one combine stopped only once and then for only a couple of minutes. Into the Semi Then, from the wagon the beans go right into the semi. The wagon can unload faster enough for one wagon to keep up with two combines. Pretty slick operation! Disked Under The farmer can almost immediately disk the field under before winter. Small Bean Field Why so many John Deere images? My dad was somewhat partial to John Deere equipment. My first tractor driving experience as a kid was on the John Deere H model. Corn Header Just change the cutter head and the combine will cut, husk, and shell corn. Big Illinois Sky After the harvest, fall paints northern Illinois fields in shades of gold accented by reds, yellows, and greens.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Illinois Harvest.
Click any image below for a slide show.
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.
Click any image below for a slide show.
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.
Click any image below for a slide show.
