Moving right along...

Mr. Pony is shedding! My little self propelled lawn mower got a good curry Saturday. In one hand I had the curry and in the other I had a shedding blade.

I hope the birds find his piles of hair. 

The weather for Sunday afternoon has promised us heavy rain and lots of it.

Up to 2 inches or more are expected.

I did get out in the morning to explore the valley and the creek for a little bit while Rich was busy watching a program.

The rain that was coming would keep me indoors for the rest of today and most of tomorrow.

I set my watch. I know how long it takes me to get to a few spots that I want to check out and get back home before he needs me for something.

I admit it. I'd rather wander with free will. But life doesn't always allow it.
Other chores around the house will wait for when the rain descends on us.

Mr. Chipmunk [Chippy] had a great time this morning checking out my daffodils. 

Isn't he cute? 

I washed and dried him and he came out looking just great. I'll add him to my collection of Stuffies. I do have my eye on the Prairie Dog I saw at one of the resale shops. He'd go great with my Chippie and Beaver!

I did some studies of lichen, mosses, and ducks Sunday morning.

I think it is Acarospora strigata lichen. I'd call it scaly white lichen on a log. I didn't find a common name for it, but still the macro shot is sort of abstract in a way.

My favorite green stuff found with mosses? Simply this: Snakeskin Liverwort.
I think that is a fun name for a Liverwort.

It has a Scientific name if you are interested. Conocephalum salebrosum.

Folklore says it is good for warding off evil spirits and brings good luck.

I just love the incredible texture it has on the small leaves.

I got to the creek and couldn't resist pulling these little ones out of my bag.

Go ahead and laugh. I'll never have my ducks in a row figuratively. But I can try.

I was careful and checked my time. I had some shots in mind and set them up quickly. I grabbed my stuff and dumped it in my backpack to head home.

Halfway home, I stopped by a little rock that had moss on it. The day was overcast which is like having the whole forest in a huge softbox.

I put my little 30mm macro lens on the camera and enjoyed a few minutes of 'close ups'.

One takes what conditions the weather gives you for photography. I like slightly overcast days much better than bright sunny ones [unless I am shooting Infrared, then bright sunny middays are perfect].

Now onto Monday's duties. We had an inch and 3/4 of rain last night. I expect my equine will be a bit muddy today.

Meanwhile in the Nuthouse...Spring signs?

Just some random stuff from this week.

Canada Geese 
protecting the nest

Wood ducks!

Fresh fern
Young fresh Sporophytes

Last year's leaves
Maidenhair Fern

A symbol of Purity
and
Innocence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've been waiting to use this Minifigure for a while. I wanted to go out and look for 'Spring'. It hasn't really arrived in our forest yet, but I keep hoping to find a sign somewhere. The Virginia Pinks usually arrive by April 20th and carpet the forest floor for about 10 days.

So I took this Mushroom Sprite [I call her Flora] and Hammie out for a walk with me when I went to check on the forest fencing yesterday afternoon. Once more I decided to experiment with the Lensbaby lens. I'm finally getting the hang of it...I think.

Since there are no spring flowers blossoming yet, I thought I'd try something different.

I wanted to create some flying Lego folks so I used wire to put these two in the air. I love the smile on the green guy's face.

Sunday came and with storms predicted, Jason and I decided it wouldn't be fun for me to go hiking in thunderstorms. He stayed home and after getting inside stuff done, I turned to some creative things.

It is amazing what a little light and cardboard can do! Of course Dr. Cob and his dog, Gear are collecting gears!

The shot and the result.

Later ~~ they are working in his secret lab???

And since I was doing spooky settings... I thought this was funny...

"Dude, I think you are in
the wrong movie set!"

Lucky for us! The day ended with a rainbow in the East!

 

I don't even know what to say....

I've talked before about meeting my Geologist friend on a New Year's Eve hike in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Little did I know how our friendship would develop into a relationship good for the both of us.

Let me be clear. This is a friendship.

This friendship has extended to my husband. Hmmm, let me clarify.

I got a text from Jason asking if I'd like a day this weekend to get out and go hiking. He'd come and stay with Rich and make sure he stayed safe for me to take as much time as I wanted to go hiking and photographing.

He volunteered.

He volunteered to drive two hours to come and spend the day with his fluff ball dogs and care for my husband while I took a DAY OFF. No limits on time. Just go and do what I love to do.

Jason showed up and immediately Rich and Charlie were ecstatic. Rich, because he enjoys Jason's company and gift of gab. Charlie, because he likes his hiking pals Piper and Felix...oh and let's not forget Jason, his other most favorite human who has dog treats.

Rich and Jason settled down with a cup of coffee and I started to chat with them. Rich said, "I thought you were going hiking?" Jason smirked and said, "Get going! We have this!" [or something to that effect]

I grabbed my backpack and hesitated. The guys shooed me out the door with a "Take as long as you like!"

I started down the Visitors Center Trail and then stopped, stunned. This was the first time in 10 years that I didn't have a time limit on my hikes. Always, always before, I tried to get out and back within at least 3 hours. Since my last exploration in the first week of January, I've not been able to go hiking at the Reserve.

I literally had to sit down on a rock when it hit me. Jason and Rich said, "Go do whatever you want and take your time."

Wait. I had a free day with no time restraints. If I wanted to wander about for hours AND take my time, I could. Is this what freedom feels like?

I was able to stop and ponder lichen on fallen oak branches. I could sit in the dirt and gaze at the Kickapoo River and listen to the sounds of the water and the birds. Since I was taking my time I searched the south facing bluff for signs of ephemeral plants.

The twin leaves of the Spring Beauties were emerging from the leaf debris. And then I spotted a patch of Wood Anemones. 

Normally, I would have taken a quick shot and moved on. But I didn't. I swapped out lenses to try out my Lensbaby Sol. 

...and why not? Why not take the time to explore something much different.

I did move on after enjoying some quiet time out of the cold wind. It was cold and cloudy with a breeze from the NW. But overcast days do make for good photo opportunities.

I could hear Canada Geese squawking and making noise in the west pond, so I headed through the muddy trails to get close to an area where I could hide on the pond bank behind some brush and photograph them.
To my delight I did find the Trumpeter Swans again this year!

I didn't have my 100-400mm lens as it is pretty heavy to go brush busting with, but here they are!

Ducks are so spooky! However eventually I will hopefully have the freedom at some point in my life to set myself up in a blind and sit for a long time to catch beautiful ducks.

I moved on and went off trail to follow the river. The winds kept me busy putting my hood up and taking it off. The sun would flash out for a moment and then disappear. I wasn't worried. I was happy even if I had to wear gloves.

I heard a Ring Neck Pheasant calling, I heard more Canada Geese, Ducks flew overhead to other ponds, and Song Sparrows sang. Blue Jays complained, and a Northern Flicker chatted from a scrub oak tree.

And after trekking through lowland fields I was amazed to find this bird alighting on a scrub oak!

Further beyond this mystical yellow bird was an area that I knew Sandhill Cranes like to hang out.

Photographing the Cranes was very tricky. They were beyond an area of thick brush next to the Kickapoo River. They were walking along quietly. I felt like I was spying on them. I did get one decent shot I think. They reminded me of secret lovers looking for a place to hold a tryst. 

The highlight of the day was laying on the multi use trail in the sunlight and seeing this fellow.

The black top was warm from the sunlight that emerged and I had the Reserve to myself. So Why Not?

I think I laid on the ground watching this guy for at least 10 minutes. Something I generally don't have the luxury of time for.

I'll stop right here as I've got to get out now and continue with cleaning up gravel and cleaning up the multiple flower gardens I have as well as many other household chores waiting for me. 

There are more photos, but I'll save them for another time.

When I got home, the 'boys' were laughing and having a great discussion.

Sometimes having someone else around to talk to is more interesting as old stories are new to the visiting friend. It worked out so well, we are going to try it again.

That time of the year?

 

With the arrival of Robins and Redwinged Black Birds, I get into the bird hunting mode. I blame Aurora over at equine expressions for that.

Saturday morning I did my 'duties' around the farm and because we have - had earlier daylight, I was finished and headed out to the Reserve to go birdwatching or at least walk around and pretend I was a Birder.

I did hear the Sandhill Cranes and the Canada Geese down at the ponds as soon as I stepped out of the car. I also realized that I had underdressed for the weather. I was instantly cold in my spring lightweight jacket and I had to pull up my hood to cover my ears.

I decided not to let the cold temps and wind stop me, so I went on down to the Big Pond to look around.

The Geese were noisy. I found a spot to use my long lens as binoculars and scout the opposite shore where the majority of the birds were hanging out.

There was a scuffle going on and so I took some shots and then looked at the shots I took. I found ducks!  I found what I think may be Mallards.
I don't know if March 9th is the early for them or not, but it was a first for me.

...and another scuffle which included
Canada Geese.
I shot through some brush, but still

managed to get some action.

Right then I got the urge to drive over to the Mississippi River and do some exploring. But I have time constraints and decided to just settle with what I could see in the immediate area.

That turned into a 2+ mile walk around the backwaters of the Kickapoo River.

It seemed that I was only going to see the Geese on this trip out. I could hear some black birds and many sparrows. Twice I almost got a shot of Chickadees, but they were so fast! Catching them near the bird feeder at home is easier, but there is a certain challenge of trying to get them out 'in the wild' so to speak.

I finally heard the Sandhill Cranes and saw them circling overhead and managed to catch a couple of shots. They didn't turn out the best, but there they were! The darn things kept fling low and through trees!

I did catch up with them after they landed though. I had to stand still behind some thick brush and look down onto the marshy area next to the river.

I came out next to Star Valley and decided to head back to the car. I stopped to pull down my hood and turned to see this:

These are steps that once led to a house on old Highway 131. I am standing on the old road that was the original highway and looking at steps for a home that was torn down.

I was really surprised as I must have walked past this spot hundreds of times. It made me wonder what it was like to live along this river and  road many years ago before the Government decided to take this land and turn it into a reservoir and dam to hold back flood waters.

None of that happened and many years later the Kickapoo Valley Reserve came to be in existance.

I was getting ready to put away my camera when I heard a bird call that I thought I recognized.

I kept turning around and looking for the source of the call. A flash of blue caught my eye and I took this shot which is again...NOT very good.

But there it was, a Kingfisher!!!

I did a little happy dance. Three years in a row I have been able to find a Kingfisher in this particular area. I call it dumb luck, but maybe it isn't.

It was worth getting cold through and through to see this just before I walked up to the parking area.

I am grateful that my Subaru has heated seats. When I got in, I turned the heater on full.

What a success. It was worth getting half frozen.

It must be that time of year!

Messing around

 

In the mean time, I've been busy with experimenting with lights indoors. I used a technique called Black Background ... it uses no background but a setting on the camera that makes the scene black and then the photographer uses a flashlight, flash, or something to light up the subject.

It was a pain to do, but I think if I practice a LOT more I can get it to work pretty easily. I'm studying how to do this outdoors while photographing a flower. I didn't take a 'how to' shot. 

I did it on the kitchen table with light coming in through a curtain. There is a coffee cup about 6 inches from the Lego Bird.

While the camera thought the scene was black, I used a bright flashlight to light up the Lego Bird and this was the result. I still have some work to do to figure out the best settings for this type of photography.

I tried a new method of lighting up a subject from underneath. I found a large piece of broken glass and put it on some old play blocks.
I stuck a flat light under the critters and a weak light shining on them from the front.

That is how I did the Shark Duckie shot which you already saw last week:

I then stood a tiny soldier right on top of the light with a black plastic background.

The soldier standing on the light with a black reflective
background behind him.

Cropped version...

A Calico Critter ~
She stood on the light and I took a flashlight and
lit her up from the top.

The shots turn out quite moody and interesting. I'd guess this method would work with some still life like an apple or forks or utensils? Perhaps a salt shaker with salt spilled on the glass and a small measuring spoon alongside it?

I just have to face it. There is not a lot out in the woodlands right now to get excited about. 

However. Things are starting to happen!

I saw Robins again today, along with Bluebirds, Sandhill Cranes have been flying overhead...and this morning I heard my first red winged black bird.

Seems like I need to start looking for neat signs of spring.

I guess a mission to look for Skunk Cabbage should be in order!

PS-- I did find skunk cabbage when I went out on Tuesday for my walk.

Coasting

Sometimes our lives take us on journeys that are unexpected.

You can feel as if you are afloat in an unknown territory.

You can face unexpected twists and turns and at some point have to stop and make a decision as to whether or not you move forward despite the odds.

oh brother I have tried
like a drop inside an ocean
but there's some comma on my light

there's a place where i am going

it's out of my control
so i'm going to coast
for a little while

[lyrics by Moontricks]

10 seconds

Sometimes you need to get your Ducks in a Row and they just don't want to cooperate.

Little Rogue Duckies!

Keep on keeping on and just coast along.

Ducks

My hikes last week? Abysmal. 

I had absolutely no motivation at all. I didn't even want to cook meals [that's not new though, I hate cooking]. 

I spent the week seriously having doubts about everything in Life. I like to have my Ducks in a row and it seemed like someone went into the duck pond and tossed all of my duckies around and scattered them.

So, I went to the gym and did Mobility Class and then a one on one work out which was intense and exactly what I needed. When I get down and out or anxious about my Ducks [metaphorically speaking], I need to expend great amounts of energy to bring out the endorphins and shut down the Mental Gibberish.

Good friends of mine from a distance have talked with me via email too and I am thankful for their support and lending an ear --- or well, reading. Sometimes a worry isn't such a worry if you share and just get some input. However, we stoic older Midwesterners were taught that you don't share worry or burden others. 
[And then talking with a counselor, that is exactly what she suggests! In tough times, lean on your circle of supporting friends. Who'd a THUNK of that?😛]

Truth is, we are never fully prepared for things that are tossed our way are we? We think we are. Yet, thankfully, I have an incredible son who can speak calming and sensible words to me and show me how to start sorting The Ducks.

 

Wild things

 My pal couldn't make it on Sunday morning, so I packed up my long lens and headed out to the ponds at the Reserve.

I know. I go there a LOT. It is 20 minutes or so by car and has nice trails along with nice access to a river.

The serious bird photographers this time of year are wandering up and down Highway 35 along the Mississippi or taking trips along the Wisconsin River where the wildlife is truly amazing and abundant.

I have to stay closer to home on my excursions. Hubby gets uncomfortable if I head out too.

When I got to the Reserve there was one vehicle parked in the Visitor's Center Parking lot. Usually people don't show up early to explore the Reserve. I could hear Sandhill Cranes, Redwing Blackbirds, and Canada Geese from the lot.

But motion in the tree ahead of me captured my attention.

Hubby says it was a pine squirrel. Around our home and in the forest we have quite a few grey squirrels but I rarely see the ones colored like this.

I stood for a long time and watched him/her, then moved on quietly. It was such a pretty and cute squirrel.

I went down the railroad tie stairs and along the Visitor Trail to another muddy trail that went between the two ponds. 

March 17th last year I spotted a pair of Trumpeter swans in the western pond. To my great surprise and delight, I found Swans again.

March 26th and I found the swans again!

I sat still and watched them for a while. I was able to observe a bunch of ducks too. I could see a wood duck paddling around the swans and I didn't want to spook any of them.

A gent with a dog came up the trail and he was trying to be quiet, but the movement of them set the whole pond off and birds started to take off.

Of course the Sandhill Cranes couldn't let just the geese make all the noise so they joined in too. But they didn't leave. They were on the far side of the ponds.

I decided to walk down another muddy trail on my way back to the parking lot when I heard a bird and saw a flash of blue across another pond.

It was far away, but I tried to catch a shot or two anyway.

A Belted Kingfisher.

I sure was pleased.

On the way back to the car I thought how nice it would be to arrive predawn and sit quietly by the ponds in a more remote spot and just watch all of the water fowl. 

It doesn't look like the weather will be good enough during this week though. Another Thursday sleet and snowish event. Yuck.

However a beautiful Bluebird stopped by as we were eating supper. So Spring is coming, right?