"What a thousand acres of Silphiums looked like when they tickled the bellies of the buffalo is a question never again to be answered, and perhaps not even asked." -Aldo Leopold
Here is one of the parents taking off again to go hunting. As this exposure was taken the bird was in just such a position for its long tail to be in direct light that made it through the persimmon branches. This light, effectively “blew it out”, creating an interesting effect. Of course the youngsters just want more tucker. 😉
“Hard-Working and Looking Pretty”
Happy winter solstice holidays to all my friends and family!
by Robert Frost
A winter garden in an alder swamp,
Where conies now come out to sun and romp,
As near a paradise as it can be
And not melt snow or start a dormant tree.
It lifts existence on a plane of snow
One level higher than the earth below,
One level nearer heaven overhead,
And last year’s berries shinning scarlet red.
It lifts a gaunt luxuriant beast
Where he can stretch and hold his highest feast
On some wild apple-trees tender young bark,
What well may prove the year’s high girdle mark.
So near to paradise all pairing ends:
Here loveless birds now flock with winter friends,
Content with bud-inspecting. They presume
To say which buds are leaf and which are bloom.
A feather-hammer gives a double knock.
This Eden day is gone at two o’clock.
An hour of winter day might seem too short
To make it worth life’s while to wake and sport.
“A Winter Eden”
Here are a few of my favorites from a hike along Lower Rock Creek that Steve and I had this past May.
Specifically referred to as potholes, this feature was found in the long stretch of shut-ins of the St. Francis River between Silvermines Recreation Area and Millstream Gardens. Steve and I took this, one of our favorite hikes, this autumn, just before peak color came into this section of the Ozarks. Here is a wonderful description of this feature’s formation from Tom Beveridge’s Geologic Wonders and Curiosities of Missouri:
“Potholes are formed at the nearly right-angled intersection of channelways where the direction of flow is abruptly changed. The abrupt changes in direction of flow and the intersecting channelways create local whirlpools where the swirling waters grind out circular holes using sand and gravel carried in suspension as a natural abrasive. Man did not invent sandblasting – he only mechanized it! Deepening of the holes is also expedited by the steep gradient of the stream; some holes are in part plunge pools formed by the impact of water descending vertically and gouging out the bed at the base of individual waterfalls.”
See my Flickr account for similar images made on this day.
“All Seeing Eye”
For me, a landscape does not exist in its own right, since its appearance changes at every moment; but the surrounding atmosphere brings it to life — the light and the air which vary continually. For me, it is only the surrounding atmosphere which gives subjects their true value.
-Claude Monet
“Ageless Banks”
“Amber Mists”
“Changing Time”
These three images were taken this past September during a hike that Steve and I took around the Heron Pond area of RMBS. By far the most commonly come across rail in this part of the world, the Sora, fills the perfect role of chicken in the fresh-water marshes. I never get tired of watching these guys wade out into shallow open waters to feed, ready to sprint back into the cover of the marsh plants at the least sign of danger. At just the peak of migration, I have been fortunate to see nearly 100 of these birds at Heron Pond at a given time.
“Suspiciously Sora”
“Sora with Snail”
“The Marsh Chicken”
“There are those who say that only spring is beautiful, and hie themselves to a warmer climate for the winter months. There are others, who, without the means of fleeing from the beauties about them at all seasons, waste their happiness with complaining. And there are some who must even go to Europe for scenery, and poets as well. But give me my native land at all hours of the day, all seasons of the year, and for all the years of my life; because its beauties, its interests and its ennobling influences are intended for its sons above all others. And have no fear, all who may doubt, that anyone by trying may get far more of use from a stroll over its hills, than even I did on this momentous ‘Tramp in November”
-Aldo Leopold
“Autumn Regality”
Referred to as the “feathered mouse”, the Sedge Wren is most easily seen in his nesting territory during breeding season. During this time one must simply listen for his song and follow by ear. With patience, the vociferous little wren can be viewed. These guys were plentiful at Dunn Ranch and adjacent Pawnee prairies this past July. This species has been affected by the destruction wet prairies, meadows and wetland type habitats that they rely upon.
“Sunshine & Song”
“Con Fuoco”
Don’t forget to thank a turkey today.
“Turkey Pride”
Every since I heard of the weird sandpiper that decided to live in the plains, away from considerable amounts of water, I dreamed of seeing and photographing them. Our trip this summer to Dunn Ranch Prairie provided for that, adding a new bird to both Steve’s and my life lists.
“Upland Sandpiper, Dunn Ranch Prairie, 2013”
“Upland Sandpiper in Flight, Dunn Ranch Prairie, 2013”
A Thousand Acres of Silphiums 