missouri – A Thousand Acres of Silphiums

Return to Vilander Bluff

Autumn View of Vilander Bluff
f/11, ISO-160, 32 mm focal length, three exposure blend of 1/60, 1/15, 1/4 sec.

I had a great time introducing some photographer friends of mine to one of my favorite places in the state, Vilander Bluff. With the largest bluffs on the Meramec River, to get the type of view seen here requires a little bit of effort. Dave and I put in some work in finding this new-to-me perspective that was well worth the bit of effort and risk. Next time we’ll need to bring climbing ropes…

Blazing Maple
f/5.6, 1/6 sec., ISO-1250, 45 mm focal length

First Merlin of the Season!

Uncategorized

Merlin, RMBS
f/8, 1/1600 sec., ISO-640, 1600 mm focal length equivalent

A trip to Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary last weekend paid off. I crossed paths with this juvenile Merlin, my first of this season, three different times. In this instance I had my camera prepared. He kindly perched long enough that I could swap for the 2X teleconverter. I think the 2X performed pretty well in this perfect light, but heat distortion was a major problem on this cool but sunny day.

Perched Merlin
f/10, 1/800 sec., ISO-500, 1600 mm focal length equivalent

Wallen Creek Shut-ins

Uncategorized

Many thanks to Casey Galvin tracking this one down and to the property owners allowing us access.

Wallen Creek Shut-ins.
f 5.6, 1/10 sec., ISO-100, (0 mm focal length.

Wallen Creek Shut-ins.
f/11, 1/2 sec., ISO-125, 90 mm focal length, vertical stitch of three images.

Wallen Creek Shut-ins
f/8, 1/5 sec., ISO-160, 90 mm focal length.

Wallen Creek Shut-ins swirling
f/14, 15 sec., ISO-200, 19 mm focal length.

Missouri Orchids – Spiranthes lacera (slender ladies tresses)

Uncategorized

*Spiranthes lacera*, St. Francois Co, MO. f/16, 1/50 sec., ISO-640, 234 mm focal length equivalent

I only managed to photograph one of the Spiranthes this year. I had opportunities for others, but I just couldn’t get to the right place at the right time. Good news is that it shouldn’t be too difficult to add them next year.