A Deer Encounter

Sometimes you get lucky to be at the right spot, at the right time, AND have all your photo equipment function properly. Such was the case in spotting this winter fur-sporting deer in Anamosa, Iowa's Wapsipinicon State Park. Our tan friend here was quite approachable, most likely because he/she encounters many park visitors throughout the year.

Deer made Iowa news this week when the DNR reported another confirmed case of chronic wasting disease was found in Allamakee County (NE Iowa.) Efforts by DNR and hunter alliances are seeking to manage the spread of CWD, which was first diagnosed in Iowa during 2013.

Fifty Shades of Green

Strong sunlight is filtered by scores of trees in the Wapsipinicon State Park near Anamosa, Iowa. Soaring high humidity seems to feed all things green to bring out Nature's spectacular verdant shades.

The canopy of green light is so vivid that you may think it will last forever. But in about two months the first day of fall arrives and with it the green will become yellow, red, orange and brown. Enjoy these green days while the summer lasts. I will.

Canadas on the Wapsipinicon River

A sunny 16F day in Anamosa, Iowa brought out a flotilla of Canada geese on the ice free Wapsipinicon River. The extreme record setting cold this week seems to not adversely phase these beautiful creatures as they gather for food and protection just below the dam.

Snowy Stairway to Grant Wood

Just two weeks ago the overnight snow lightly dusted the three stairs to Iowa's most famous painter, Grant Wood's grave. Today, the first day of Spring has seen most traces of snow melt away.Time to paint en plein.

Ford Tractor Sign Helps Define Anamosa's Main Street

What visual tour of downtown Anamosa, Iowa would be complete without the sighting of this iconic sign with its busted neon tubes and rust stains? Last weekend I photographed this historic red Ford Tractor sign which hangs over Main Street, something I wanted to do for some time.

Ford sold its Tractor division 20 years ago yet this sign remains in place and has become an important visual element of Anamosa. Who knows when the red post will be sold and removed from its longtime perch? I figured it is best to get a record of how this display looked for many years in its original element before any change of ownership (and removal) or severe weather elements damage the relic of the past.

Take the Road to Grant Wood Country

Eastern Iowa is Grant Wood country. Not far from Cedar Rapids is a road that runs north of State Highway 151. On county road X28 the Grant Wood Scenic Byway commences. It leads to nearby Stone City where you can see the stone quarry, church and general store that Grant painted (titled, Stone City.) The byway continues to nearby Anamosa where Wood is buried. Back in Cedar Rapids Wood's studio has been preserved for visitors and much of his work can be seen at the art museum. His most famous work, American Gothic hangs at the Art Institute Museum in Chicago.

First Light Birds

More first light tests yesterday (see yesterday's post) were conducted using a 1.4x teleconverter. Knowing that eastern Iowa would receive sleet and ice today the Saturday test pushed to find more willing subjects at mid-distances. 

At the Wapsipinicon State Park in Anamosa, Iowa (a few hundred yards south of where artist Grant Wood is buried) the open water attracts many ducks and geese. Flying overhead was a lone bald eagle looking for its next meal. After circling just below the dam, the bird of prey nabbed something in the water and started down river where I was stationed. I had been concentrating on the Canada geese sunning themselves while looking for minnows to eat. After I took a few photos of the eagle passing in manual focus mode, I later applied it to an online photo editor, and played with background and text as an experiment. 

Canada geese are year round residents of eastern Iowa. With ample open water and food sources available the large birds tend to stay rather than migrate. At times this becomes a problem for people wanting to stroll near rivers or lakes without walking in bird poop. Since temperatures meant that anything organic on the ground was frozen, yesterday's walk to photograph the birds included a caution not to roll off a frozen surprise.

First light tests went well. Things learned included the need for strong lighting, re-learning manual focus photography and anticipating where subjects may be in motion before the snap of the shutter. Simple.

Who is this U.S. Navy Sailor?

At a consignment store in Iowa City this afternoon a photo of a World War II era sailor was purchased. There is no information about him except for the Anamosa, Iowa photo studio name. Yesterday was the 71^st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Perhaps this sailor enlisted because of that event or was there himself, or served at another time. Maybe you can identify this person? Let me know. Read further about photo detective work with images found at antique stores, auctions, or consignment stores by going to the Forgotten Old Photos blog site.

Cave Visitors Look for Signs of Horses

Horse Thief Cave in eastern Iowa was recently visited by the 42N staff. The large entrance, shallow interior cave is located at Wapsipinicon State Park in Anamosa, Iowa. It is worth visiting if you are in the area but it doesn't extend too far back - so you may be disappointed. But perhaps the cave is actually larger. You never know if other entrances or extensions are present although hidden on purpose or naturally. Get your helmet, mud clothes and flashlight and explore. A more expansive cave system is located 40 miles from this location at Maquoketa.

Vivid Green in Soaring Temperatures

During this time of little moisture and near 100 degree days for the past week or so, it is surprising to find a green oasis. Saved by a tree canopy this forest bottom is covered with all shades of green near limestone caves. Inside Ice and Horse Thief caves at Wapsipinicon State Park near Anamosa, Iowa, the walls sweated and the ceiling dripped. And as you might expect the temperature was markedly less than in the open sun.

Special World of a HDR Winter

Snowfall has been sparse around most of the 42N latitude this winter. To make the surrounding area look more wintry here is a photo from this afternoon's visit to the Wapsipinicon State Park near Anamosa, Iowa. HDR or High Dynamic Range is a image processing filter that can bring out more fuller ranges between light and dark. I used HDR to improve the normal photo to a quasi-psychedelic image. I will miss Picnik when it leaves the net on April 19th. I liked the curve of the road with the contrast of snow and open areas framed by the bare trees. This spot is on my list to re-shoot when I can properly compose the exposure. Know that.

No Picnic Today At Wapsipinicon State Park

Blue skies finally returned to Iowa after two days of gray and snow. In 42N's eastern Iowa the storm dumped up to 8 inches of snow. Here at the Wapsipinicon State Park near Anamosa, Iowa the Christmas Eve snow covered the picnic area making outdoor eating cumbersome - in fact no one was using the tables or grills. Today snowboarders and sledders made use of the park's hilly golf course.

This park is one of Iowa's oldest state parks (dedicated in 1923) and features caves and cliffs made of sandstone and limestone. Dutch Creek (above) flows through the park and into the Wapsi River. Fishing is good where the two meet - so I am told - since I haven't caught any fish there to date but have lost tackle. Know that.

Three Stairs to Grant Wood's Grave

Three roadside steps will take you to the final resting place of American painter, Grant Wood. Here in 42N country Grant, his sister Nan and other family members are buried in nearby Anamosa, Iowa. Grant Wood was a US Army veteran from WWI, hence the military bronze marker and flags that flank his simple headstone.

One Day 2 of the the Big Wind, the lowest barometric storm over the continental US (aside from Tropical storms) the flags snapped with each gust and the fall leaves were no where to be found. Know that.

American Gothic's Grant Wood Still Rests in Anamosa, Iowa

American Gothic painter, Grant Wood lived and created art around 42N country. His 1930 masterpiece hangs at the Art Institute of Chicago (above top), a city near the coveted mid-northern latitude. American Gothic is one of the most recognized images of American art and one of the most parodied. Moving a bit to the west, the master painted his iconic rural midwestern oil and several others at his studio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Grant Wood was born and is buried in nearby Anamosa, Iowa. His grave is located along one of the middle roads in the cemetery and is usually adorned by flowers and his World War I service marker. He lies next to his sister, Nan Wood Graham, the woman who he painted in the American Gothic composition. A late afternoon photo on February 22, 2009 captures the solitude of this prominent member of the Regionalist art movement. Visit several Grant Wood sites around the 42N latitude. Click here to discover the painter's legacy. Know that.