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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
