Adventures in natural history photography with Sparky Stensaas
February 2023: Sparky makes a quick birding/bird photography trip out to “Minnesota’s tundra” of Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge and Polk County. Is there anything to be found out here at Minus-40F? YES! Snowy Owls, Greater Prairie Chickens, Snow Buntings, Gray Partridge, basking Red Fox and more! Sparky even makes a visit to Key West…but he finds NO beaches…NO bikinis…NO bars or beers.
February 2023: Wolves are not uncommon in Sax-Zim…but to see one is a very special event! In this episode Sparky runs across a semi-cooperative Timber Wolf. Plus we hike down Gray Jay Way to meet a Snowshoe Hare, find some Red Crossbills, meet volunteer Jim and find THREE signs of spring in early February. And Sparky shares the results of the Tiny Bird Art auction.
January 2023: Join Sparky in Grand Marais on the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog BRRRRdathon-World’s Coldest Birdathon. Long-tailed Ducks, Bohemian Waxwings.
We also answer some of your questions about Sax-Zim Bog including “Why aren’t there more owls this winter?”
Also we cross-country ski on the only ski trails in the Sax-Zim Bog.
On a very cold December 19th day, a dozen intrepid birders go forth and find 35 species of birds in the Sax-Zim Christmas Bird Count 15-mile diameter circle. Winter finches were the heroes of the day, but a late afternoon Great Gray Owl (the third of the day) silently searched for voles as Sparky filmed the hunt.
October 2022: In this episode of Quick Trips with Sparky, he goes to nearby Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge near McGregor, Minnesota. He takes you along to the Observation Tower for ducks and swans at sunrise. And gets distracted by a ruffled Ruffed Grouse, who is in full courtship display…in late fall! (Learn why).
But this episode is titled, “You don’t always get what you want” because in wildlife photography you sometimes don’t get the photo you imagined before you go on your trip, but sometimes end up with other interesting photos.
April 1, 2023
Sparky Stensaas
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Sparky heads out for a short wildlife photography jaunt on a mid October in northern Minnesota.
“Bad weather” can create some unique images.
http://www.thephotonaturalist.com
April 1, 2023
Sparky Stensaas
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It was a blast going through my 19,753 images from 2022 (15,259 on Canon R5 and 4,494 iPhone11) and finding my most memorable wildlife photos. Trips to Churchill, Manitoba, floating blind in the prairie potholes of North Dakota, Crex Meadows in Wisconsin and other parts of wild Minnesota netted some cool outdoor experiences:
Close range Hawk Owls, an adorable Saw-whet Owl, Short-eared Owls, Red Fox dens (in 2 states and 1 province!), Western Grebes performing their courtship “Rush Dance,” hunting Mink, frosty Long-eared Owls, and more.
Top Tens in several categories including “Creative Wildlife Photography,” “Wildlife Behavior,” “Animal in the Landscape,” “High Key,” “Landscape & Vernacular Architecture,” and more.
Plus, Sparky’s overall Top Ten photos from 2022.
Happy New Year and enjoy!
Winter finches have arrived in the Sax-Zim Bog! Evening Grosbeaks are abundant with lesser amounts of Pine Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls. Sparky goes on an early winter jaunt in the snowy Sax-Zim Bog in search of winter birds. A junco is an unexpected find at the Sisu feeders at the Zabin. We also stop by the Welcome Center and find a Pileated Woodpecker feasting on a deer rib cage. A flock of Bohemian Waxwings make a cameo along Nichols Lake Road. A side trip takes us to Mary Lou’s new garage and outdoor “birder lounge.” Sparky also shares details about the upcoming Tiny Bird Art online auction AND the BRRRRdathon-World’s Coldest Birdathon. Come on along!
On a whim, Sparky stops by Crex Meadows in western Wisconsin on his way home from a conference in St. Paul…and despite the initial BLAAH light and heavy overcast, he stays and the light suddenly turns magical…WHAAT!
Sandhill Cranes and Trumpeter Swans are the avian highlights.
Sparky tries shooting through the red fall foliage to create some unique and creative wildlife photos.
All photos taken with Canon R5 and Canon 100-500mm lens
YouTube video and gallery below.
http://www.sparkyphotos.com (My photo galleries)
In this part 3 of Sparky’s “Monsoon Season” trip to southeast Arizona he birds around the Chiricahua Mountains and Portal, AZ.
This July trip yields some awesome reptiles (Striped Plateau Lizard, Sonoran Gophersnake, Arizona Box Turtle) and birds (Greater Pewee, Gilded Flicker, Bridled Titmouse, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, etc).
http://www.thephotonaturalist.com
218.341.3350
Nemadji Valley of northern Minnesota
Join Sparky in the field in these short videos from past wildlife and nature photography adventures.
