My book has been published!  <---- Click here to visit my page at the Blurb Bookstore or order via my email address.      Click to order the book!

Kip's Tick Count for 2008 is currently at: 6 Ticks

Kip's Mosquito, Fly, and Gnat Count for 2008 is currently at:

5,332,284.

Not Your Typical Wildlife (9/30/08)

I spent the last few days at a business conference.  Since I wasn't able to get out and shoot my normal wildlife images, I went for "Wild Life" images of a different style.  Do you recognize the landscape?

Now That is a Big One! (9/24/08)

As I rolled up a hose this afternoon, I startled a very big spider.  It took a while to catch it, but when I did, I determined it to be a wolf spider.  I haven't researched what it eats, but it could be small dogs and cats.

While out shooting today, I found a few other interesting subjects...

March Fly:

Asian Beetle Larva:

A few yellow-rumped warblers:

Ominous Sign or Sign of Promise to Come (9/24/08)

Yesterday's entry described how a cicada dropped from the sky near my feet as I talked to my son.  I interpreted that as a sign that I should do some photography.  Today, again while I was talking to my son, a white dove/white pigeon flew directly at us and rested on the roof not 10-feet away.  I'm not sure what kind of sign the white pigeon might represent.  Does it mean I should be updating my will and getting my affairs in order, or was it an indication of peace and tranquility about to come my way.  Or, was it just a tame bird pausing for a brief break before continuing on its flight home.  It does not have any bands that I can see.  I guess I'll never know for sure what the interesting bird visit was about!

A Situation to Ponder (9/23/08)

I consider myself to have been very fortunate in life.  My family seems to be strong and moving forward in a positive direction.  I am working in a position that I enjoy, my photography passion (obsession?) is moving forward quickly, and opportunities seem to present themselves often.  Today was such a situation where an opportunity presented itself that required thought, but not much!

My son and I were standing in our driveway talking this morning.  All was well and the day was running smooth.  Suddenly and out of nowhere, a cicada dropped from the sky at my feet.  The little guy was alive and appeared to be fine.  For some reason, he appeared to have challenged gravity and lost.

Anyway, my son and I both look down to see what fell and saw the cicada.  He doesn't have much interest in outdoor photography and thought the situation odd.  In my mind, I reasoned that if a cicada suddenly drops from the sky and falls to your feet, a person should do something about it.  Obviously this was an opportunity I was supposed to accept and did.  Following are a few images created from the surprise cicada from the sky!

Cicada - Overall View:

I should explain that I know this cicada is a male and that I am now nearly deaf.  While photographing it, the cicada began calling.  According to the research I've done, the volume of their call can reach 120db, which is very loud.

Cicada - Facial View:

One other comment...this cicada is lucky I was standing there and not my wife.  Had my wife been standing there, the next sound heard likely wouldn't have been the cicada calling, but the cicada squishing.

Cicada - Interesting Wing Design:

For the record - cicadas do not bite and are not a threat to humans.  Many are killed by wasps and birds.  In some cultures, cicadas are a delicacy.  I wonder if those cultures float them in soup!

A Couple More to Share (9/21/08)

Before calling it quits last night, I played with a couple of exposure ideas I was considering.  I have more work to do, but was able to create a couple of acceptable images of Iowa Wildlife.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Female):

White Moth (Species Unknown):

So Much Wildlife Just Feet From My Backdoor (9/21/08)

Today's wildlife observation efforts did not extend too far.  In fact, my farthest ranging image was only about 12-15 feet from the backdoor of our home.  Just outside of the door, we have many hostas that are in various stages of blossoming.  Those blossoms are so tempting for flying critters - from hummingbirds to bees, wasps, and beetles, that I don't have to leave my yard for photos.  A few samples follow:

The pollen baskets on this bumble bee are full, yet the bee is diving head first into the blossom for more!

This honey bee is in a similar full to capacity state as the bumble bee!  Notice the artistic bends in the wings of the honey bee as it flies toward the blossom.

Although this hover fly doesn't have pollen baskets to fill, it seems to be enjoying the hosta blossoms as much as the honey bees and bumble bees.  When examining the hover fly closely, when they aren't bothering us, aren't they beautiful creatures?

Leaf beetles are in the hostas too.

Not far from the blossoms, I found another white-marked tussock moth larva.

A Few Insects and Butterfly in a Flower Patch (9/20/08)

While walking past a cultivated flower patch, I noticed an assortment of insects and a butterfly.  I snapped a few photos, but didn't commit much time to the project due to harsh lighting.

This black swallowtail caught my attention first:

I then notice all of the small beetles that I believe are commonly called leaf beetles.  First I noticed the green beetles:

Then this orange beetle.  The painterly effect is due to the very limited depth of field allowed by my macro equipment.

I also found this pale white beetle:

This shiny, hard shell beetle was working under the blossoms most of the time.  It did climb on top of the plants for a brief period of time.  According to what I have been able to determine, this is a Japanese Beetle - an accidentally introduced species that can be quite damaging to plants/crops.

While watching the Japanese Beetle, I noticed how the smaller green beetles climb over and around the Japanese beetle while it lays on its side to work on the blossoms.

The patch of flowers also attracted at least two species of bees, including this bumblebee:

And this honey bee:

Katydid and She Was Proud! (9/19/08)

While mowing my lawn today, I noticed a katydid trying to escape into the grass.  Naturally, that meant it was time for a few photos.  Katydid was proud when it suddenly flew off during the photo session!  

This first image shows a typical view of the katydid.

I then went a bit closer and noticed that the katydid's mouth strongly resembles a horse's mouth.  

Earlier I snapped a couple of images of the resident queen hummingbird who refuses to share the feeder.

Before that, I took a few more pictures of the praying mantis.  While I was looking away, the critter flew off!!!  This first image might be my favorite from this session. The thing almost looks goofy.

Two Things I Didn't Know This Morning (9/18/08)

Many know that I try to learn something new each day.  I believe it is important to learn something different each day.  Knowledge keeps the mind sharp, helps in conversations, and may some day be a ticket to Jeopardy!  Sometimes the information learned is useful...sometimes just interesting.  Today I learned two new details regarding the praying mantis.

Detail I Learned #1

I learned that the praying mantis spends considerable time preening.  When it preens and I watch, I noticed how its limbs have a serrated edge.  It's no wonder they can climb so well.

Detail I Learned #2

I did not know that a praying mantis had an extendable neck (compare lower photo to upper photo) and I didn't know it had a tongue.

Now I have to figure out when I'll use my newly learned information!

50 Yards and 45 Minutes - What an Outing! (9/15/08)

Who would have imagined that I could spend no more than 45 minutes walking less than 50 yards on the Waverly Rail Trail and end up with so many different images of so many different species.  It didn't seem to matter where I turned, there was a photo subject almost begging to be photographed.  Several of the species were so photogenic that I am including multiple poses of them.  Enjoy...

The first subject to catch my attention was this Gray Hairstreak butterfly.  When viewed with its wings closed, it appears light gray and blends well with the surrounding habitat.  The butterfly was feeding on an aster, which is quite small.

With its wings opened, the tiny butterfly appears a blue-gray with a light trim along the edges of its wings and orange "eye spots."

I then had an exceptional opportunity with bumblebees on goldenrod.  Again, everywhere I looked was a cooperative model.  This was a standard "bumblebee from above" pose:

A bumblebee sharing the goldenrod with a raspberry bug:

An eye-to-eye image of a busy bumblebee:

A unique view of a bumblebee at work.  How often are we treated to such a clear view of such an interesting insect!

Only a short distance from the bumblebees was a colorful insect I have not been able to identify.  I've only seen these one other place - the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota.  They may be common in Iowa.  I just haven't seen them before around here.

Small and dark, the Soldier Fly is one of those insects we often ignore since it doesn't appear colorful.  In fact, I've swatted a few when out and about.  They too are complex creatures when a person stops to examine them.

The goldenrod attracted more than just bumblebees.  I also found a large number of what I believe are immature beetles:

Near the immature beetles was this yellow and black beetle.  Sorry, I don't know the specific species...

On a plant near the ground I found this shiny, armor-coated beetle.  The white spots behind the back legs are tufts of hair.

As I walked a bit further, I noticed this very tiny insect in the middle of an aster blossom.  Notice the bends in the shell of this little bug.  They create a prism effect when the light hits them:

Not only were the bumblebees very active, but so too were the wasps.  Most were of what I believe to be the paper wasp species.  However, I did find and photograph a lone black wasp (according to what I have been able to determine):

And now for a few close-up wasp images...

Some day I am going to get stung by a wasp or a bee.

Fortunately it wasn't today, even though I was very close to them!

What a wonderful outing...so many photos and so little ground covered.  Many people walked by and I doubt any realized all of the nature they were strolling past.  It pays to slow down sometimes.

I Have a Dilemma (9/14/08)

It doesn't happen often, but it did today.  After one of several rain showers ended, I went out to look around the backyard.  I knew light levels would be low, but I also knew the light would be very even - which makes for great portrait lighting - even if the portrait is of a flower.  I tried several different lighting techniques and compositions on a couple of the better looking hosta blossoms in my backyard.  I'm going to post three samples.  I couldn't decide which one I preferred...how about you?

Earlier in the afternoon, as I was messing around along the Wapsie, I came across the smallest, youngest Graham's Crayfish snake I've ever seen.  Due to a feisty personality, I wasn't able to create many images of this little snake...it would not pause long for photos.  I'll wait until it is older and sunning itself.  For the record - This little snake quickly became docile after its initial handling.  Note the round pupil - Graham's Crayfish snakes are non-venomous and their population numbers are considered low in this part of the state.

I also found what I believe to be a puffball mushroom, actually several, rapidly growing in size.

Before I went home I photographed this flower that I believe may be in the phlox family - possibly a cultivated version.

OK...Enough Rain for a While (9/13/08)

This year it seems we either have too much rain or we go for long periods of time with virtually no rain.  Today it was rainy again.  I'm ready for a nice, sunny, early autumn day.  Since that wasn't to be today, I adapted and photographed a white-marked tussock moth my wife and daughter found.  There is nothing special about them, but they do make for good photography practice.

An angled view:

A view from the side:

A view from the front (a bit on the scary side!):

I went out early this evening and noticed these tiny fungi that appeared in the wood chips in the backyard.  Sorry...I'm not able to identify them.  

The Neighbors are Going to Have Babies (9/12/08)

I guess my wife's comment that I have trouble staying on task might be true.  I was scraping paint today, high up in the peak of the house, when I found a lovely paper wasp nest.  A handful of wasps were scurrying around while I was deciding whether or not it was worth a photo to climb down, get my camera, climb back up, take a few pictures, climb back down to take my camera back in the house, and then climb back up the ladder to scrape paint.  Yes, I guess it was worth the effort.  This view shows a wide angle of view of the activity.

I cropped close so all could see the larval stage of the paper wasp in the nest.

Finally, here is a "portrait" of the caring adult paper wasp:

An Observant Eye Saves a Nest Running Over (9/10/08)

A conservation-minded friend of mine was working the task of removing bull thistle plants from his prairie.  Each bull thistle plant he would see would soon meet the sharp blade and drop.  As he was about to swing at another thistle plant, something unusual about the plant caught his attention and caused him to stop his swing on this plant.  There it was, near the middle of the plant, surrounded by sharp spines - a goldfinch nest filled with four young goldfinches just days from flying.  I appreciate the opportunity not only to photograph the nest, but just to see a goldfinch nest.  This is the first goldfinch nest I've ever seen!  Thanks for the opportunity!

And Now For Your Free Entomology Lesson For The Day (9/8/08)

I know of a family in my town with 4 boys.  Of the 4 boys, 2 of them have shown an interest in wild creatures.  One is a fan of birds, the other seems to take a liking to insects.  Recently the young man who enjoys bugs found a menacing looking creature that he could not identify.  He called me about it when I was in Minnesota at a Twins/Yankees baseball game.  By then the ferocious looking creature was already dead.  Then he terrorized his mother by strategically placing the winged beast in a location he knew his mother would approach.  Finally, I was able to get my hands on this tiny monster so I could identify it and photograph it.  This female Dobsonfly was dead and is missing both antennae.  Still, it does like quite threatening.

By the way, I'd be willing to bet the remaining two boys also like critters of some species, they just haven't found any needing to be identified yet!

This is a full body view of the insect.  According to the information I found, the larvae of the Dobsonfly is known as a hellgrammite - a very popular bait used by anglers.  Hellgrammites live in the water for several years before coming on land to pupate.  After emerging as a Dobsonfly, which can grow to nearly 5 inches long - as this one was, they live only 5 to 7 days.  The Dobsonfly in these photos was a female.  Males actually have much longer pincers.  Dobsonflies are primarily nocturnal, which makes me wonder...What would you rather have buzzing your head at night - a bat eating insects or a Dobsonfly that looks like this?

Hollywood Comes to the Wapsie - My Brush With Fame! (9/7/08)

Those of you who know me personally are very aware of my affection for the Wapsie River.  The Wapsie is a quiet, twisting and turning river with a very "remote" personality.  Begin paddling down the tree-covered Wapsie and within a short time you feel yourself relaxing, until you go around yet another corner and have to manuever around a fallen tree or shallow water.  The Wapsie is a great river that I'm willing to share, but I would be satisfied if its popularity remained with the locals.  

Imagine my surprise...my curiosity...my sadness when I realized the Wapsie was now attracting Hollywood stars!  I was paddling the stretch of river from Frederika to Snyder's Access.  The group I was paddling with left earlier than me, so I had to play catch up.  I came around a corner and saw this:

Well, I'll be...was that who I think it is?  Do you recognize him?  It's obvious the TV star didn't want me to ruin his day by taking his picture while he was on a simple paddling outing.  For me the hat was the give away - the trademark of this star.  If you are old enough, I'm sure you remember him.  I'll give you a hint, he was a mountaineer who struck it rich and moved to Beverly Hills.  This famous person had a daughter named Ellie May and a nephew named Jethro.  Do you need any more hints?  How about this... He was shootin' at some food, and up from the ground came bubblin crude, oil that is....  How about one more hint...he lived with his mother-in-law affectionatly known as "Granny."  By now you've figured it out, haven't you!

Yes, I saw him and even captured one fleeting, blurred image of his face...it was Jed Clampett!  I was so surprised to see him out on the Wapsie.  Doesn't he look much younger than he did on TV.  I don't remember him wearing glasses on TV, but maybe he wore contacts.  Perhaps he looks a bit different because he isn't wearing his TV star makeup.  Actually, I thought he was dead.  Was that just a rumor?  Who will we see next on the Wapsie - Elvis?  Anyway, here is the picture I was able to capture of the elusive JD Clampett.

Aren't we lucky to have famous people around!!

Another interesting aspect of today's adventure was the fact that for the first time in my life I was afraid I was going to be run over by a tractor while paddling the Wapsie.  I saw this driveway that extended to the other side of the river.  Between the drives the river is very shallow, so shallow in fact that I became hung up.  While I was trying to push myself free, I heard a tractor coming down the driveway.  Fortunately I was able to move downstream before the tractor crossed the river.

Hope, Optimism, and Ethical Decisions (9/6/08)

The activities of today that I am going to describe have been months in the making.  The fact that today's work was even necessary is unfortunate, but it needed to be done.  This story began last April, when I first noticed that one of the many pelicans that had stopped by Sweet Marsh during their spring migration appeared to be injured.  While the rest of the pelicans were able to fly around Sweet Marsh and Plum Creek, this particular bird only swam with its right wing drooping.  Although the bird appeared healthy, it obviously couldn't fly.

Injured wildlife poses an ethical dilemma...Should we allow nature to take its course - pleasant or unpleasant?  Should we intercede and take corrective actions based on human emotions?  Should we kill the injured animal to minimize its suffering?  I don't know that there is a correct answer that applies to each situation.  In this case, I opted to do nothing initially.

Two or three years ago I found an injured pelican at Sweet Marsh.  It too had a broken wing, at the shoulder joint.  Several of us worked to capture that bird and I delivered it to the nearest humane society.  After an initial exam, it was decided the bird could not be salvaged and was euthanized.  With that memory still clear in my mind, I chose not to quickly deliver the latest injured pelican to anyone for treatment - however treatment is defined.

I watched this pelican all spring and summer, along with a local angler.  We noticed how another pelican, possibly a mate, stayed with the injured bird all summer when the rest of their flock moved northward during the nesting season.  We were hesitant to remove the injured bird only to leave the healthy partner bird alone and away from the flock, so we waited.  We waited through the end of summer and into early autumn.  We waited and watched for the pelicans to return to Sweet Marsh as they began their southern migration.  At the same time, I searched for a home for the pelican.  Not any home would do...no, I wanted a home that would offer the bird the best chance at survival, even if it was only to serve as an educational bird.

Finally, after many weeks and many phone calls and emails...I found a rehabilitator willing to take a chance on the injured pelican and today was the day to capture the bird for delivery to its only chance to survive to see another warm weather season.

Arlie, Aaron, Zach, and I met at Sweet Marsh just after sunrise this foggy morning.  Zach's responsibility was to remain at the boat ramp for a land capture, if needed.  Arlie took his boat to find the bird while Aaron and I paddled kayaks for their ability to maneuver easily and change directions quickly, just like a pelican that doesn't want to be captured.

As we expected, the injured pelican was just about as far away from our trucks as possible, which meant plenty of paddling for me and Aaron.  Arlie sped ahead to begin the process of herding the bird.  Imagine our surprise when we found that nine or ten other pelicans had arrived overnight.  

Our presence on the water quickly separated the flock of healthy pelicans from the injured bird.  With our three vessels, we formed a triangle that reduced in size until the injured pelican was between the three of us.  Arlie then tossed a small blanket over the bird which helped to calm it.  Once subdued, the bird was lifted into Arlie's boat for the ride back to our trucks and on to the rehabilitator's home.

Pelicans obviously do not enjoy riding in the back of trucks.  I considered boxing the bird, but didn't want to induce any additional stress, so I ended up allowing the bird to move around the back of my truck as it wanted.

By mid-morning we reached the rehabilitation site where the bird was released into a wooden shelter.  The site includes a fenced area to allow the bird to move around outside during the day while being secured and protected inside at night.  A small children's wading pool offers water and a small resemblance of the wild habitat the pelican would be living in had it not been injured.

The outlook for the pelican is good.  Although the bird will likely never be able to survive year-round in the wild due to an inability to fly, it appears to be a good candidate for a life as a sanctuary bird or zoo bird.  Neither option is ideal, but both are much better than what would have occurred if the pelican remained at Sweet Marsh with winter on its way.

One More Image From Yesterday...

While looking at yesterday's work I found a great flower image I wanted to share with you:

Once Again, Things Just Clicked  (9/5/08)

My list of projects always seems to grow, but fortunately all of the activities on the list required things to be dry - such as paint surfaces, grass to cut, etc.  So, since I couldn't get started on "home work," I thought I might as well do a bit of Sweet Marsh surveillance work.  I went out with an open mind, ready to photograph any suitable subject, and did I get plenty of subjects...insects, a bird, and wildflowers.  Following is a sampling of images, in no particular order.  I'll begin with a scenic image of a dew-covered spider web:

Now for a few plant images...

Sunflower species of some sort:

Asters:

Red Berries (interesting leaves):

White Berries (I wonder if the berries are poisonous?):

Spotted Touch-me-not:

Wild Grapes (At least I think they are grapes...this reminds me of a picture on a church bulletin):

Hedge Bindweed:

Now, for a few insect images:

Sunflower Against a Blue Sky - Notice the Hoverfly:

Incoming Hoverfly (looks menacing, doesn't it!):

Ladybug on Goldenrod:

Bumblebee on Bull Thistle:

I'll end with a Marsh Wren image:

A Bunch From A Lunch and One From the Backyard  (9/3/08)

I don't often have time to take a lunch break, but today a lunch break worked into my "To Do" list.  Since the Waverly Rail Trail is so close, I chose to take a very short walk down the trail heading east.  It's hard to believe the short time on the trail was so productive.  I went back to work with several wildflower images, butterfly images, and other insect stuff.  Following are a few samples.

After shooting a few standard species-type shots, I then looked close at the flower blossoms.  This image shows a margined leatherwing on goldenrod.  Until tonight, I thought it was just another beetle.  I didn't realize it had such a complex name!

Nearby was a flower from the sunflower family.  Along the center of the blossom was a scene of mayhem.  The green insect was eating what appeared to immature milkweed beetles.

A short distance away I found a very small butterfly.  When its wings were closed, the butterfly appeared white.  

When the butterfly stopped on a blossom, I was surprised to see it was colored a nice shade of blue with black trim on the wings.  According to my butterfly book, this is an Eastern-tailed Blue.

Further down the trail I found a few tall bellflowers still in bloom.

The activity of the eastern tent caterpillars was easy to watch.  It won't be long before they will have the green vegetation stripped from within their "tent."

Finally, my lunch break ended with me finding some form of what I suspect is wild lettuce.  I found only the one plant near an edge-type habitat.

After I arrived home from work, I was transplanting a young cedar tree.  While digging, I noticed this white grub.  A search on the Internet showed this to be a June beetle larvae.

Momma's Boy Hangin' Out With Momma  (9/2/08)

As I drove down a gravel road today, I had to come to a near complete stop when a pheasant family - minus Dad - claimed the road.  It didn't take long before the hen pheasant flew off.  Her fledglings stood along the edge of the road and this young rooster called for his mommy.  I was able to snap a handful of images before the little ones also flew off into the beans.

What a Great Labor Day Weekend!  (9/1/08)

Well, here it is, late at night at the end of a very, very nice Labor Day weekend.  We spent the holiday at the cabin on the Wapsie, which meant I was able to get on the water very quickly many different times.  The weekend began with a great sunrise one morning:

While on the water exploring the river, I noticed an odd splashing and bouncing from the surface of the water.  Imagine my surprise when I rescued a cicada from the water.  According to my thoughts, if I rescue you, I can then photograph you too.  Here are a couple of cicada images (it is alive!):

One afternoon I laid in the muck along the river photographing this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail that was intent on eating or drinking from the moist sand of a sandbar.

Monday morning was incredible when I found possibly the most cooperative green heron ever hatched.  I was in my camo-covered kayak and this bird actually approached almost to the point of being too close to focus.  We spent probably 45-minutes together and I watched it catch and eat numerous minnows and one crawdad.  The bird finally flew away when a fishing boat came up the river.

Finally, I found this owl pellet near the cabin.  Don't you wonder how much pain was inflicted when bringing this up?