I agree! Great shot; I’d really like to get a fast superwide one of these days primarily for sky photos at night, but of course for landscapes, and as your post shows quite nicely, wildlife images too!
You mentioned Summit Ledges. I have heard of other birders refer to this place. I can’t find it on any map of Hawk Ridge. Would you please tell me where Summit Ledges is and how to get there?
Hello Cindy,
Summit Ledges is at the north end of Hawk Ridge. Take the yellow trail to the point where it opens up into a grand vista looking north. The vegetation is very short so viewing is excellent. Great place if you want to get away from the crowds!
Thank you very much. We rarely go up there on weekends anymore because of the crowds. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad more people are involved with Hawk Ridge, it’s just a little too crowded for us. Again, thanks!
Sparky, on our way back to the Twin Cities yesterday, I was talking to my wife about the exact same snowstorm. It was so unusual because I couldn’t remember seeing fall colors and snow together before.
I remember one of those back packing trips Sparky! I developed a great case of strep throat on day one and spent the next week or so in a daze wrapped in a sleeping bag surrounded by herds of bison and beetles (as I recall). Great photos as usual!
Hi Pete!
Yes, fond memories of the 1982 trip…I’d forgotten you were so sick. I do remember the crush one of the girls had on you! Here is a link to two galleries of old UMD slides I scanned for the OP’s 30th party. There are more than a few Pete Olson photos!
Goodmorning Sparky. Since Great Grays are a rarity in Maine, I don’t care if all you got was a standard upright portrait, (even after seeing your spectacular plunge diving sequence and eye-level head on flight shots). I’m excited, and I like the composition, with the blue air aspen twigs looking like semi-abstract early ice platelets. You got a Solstice gift!!
Cheers, Garrett
Hi. You have a most interesting blog and gallery. I’m an eager birder myself in Norway. I guess you also have some nordic genes (according to your name. As there are a lot of norwegians who migrated to Minnesota, I’ve always been attracted to that state. So there’s at least a double reason for me to follow your blog.
Regards Magne Myhren
Thanks Magne! Yes, my family is originally from Melhus near Trondheim on my father’s side and near Bergen on my mother’s side. I still keep in touch with my family near Trondheim (Vikhamar). I love Norway and have been there five times….Even on my honeymoon!
If you ever get to Minnesota, call/email me and we can go birding/photographing.
Thank you for that initation! My father spent five years earning money in the norwegian community in Brooklyn in the fities, and I have some relatives there, and my wife has family in a small village, Derby, in Montana, so if we’re lucky we will be able to get over there some time.
Anyway, I guess your old friend here is called Lappugle in norwegian, or perhaps it’s a close relative (?)
Have a nice time. Next weekend I will take a trip to the cabin in southern Norwegian montains, Setesdal, together with my son and build a hide for the springtime and the possibillity to follow the black grouse-lek. Perhaps I also will lern from you and bild a floating hide for photographing ospreys. Life in the wild are beautiful.
Magne
That’s pretty sick that you got the goshawk on a nice bog perch like that!
Having made the same slog that you described for the black backed, I’d have to agree about “heart pumping”!
Excellent blog Sparkomatic.
The photos are gorgeous- thank you for sharing.
About 20 plus years ago, our seedless Ash was filled with Cedar Waxwings eating the seed pod, I expect. We haven’t seen any since. Not on their route anymore?
Congratulations! I’ve always considered it a special day when I’ve been able to see any of the herons in breeding plumage. Your tri-colored is gorgeous.
Enjoyed your sight, Sparky, after hearing you in Larry’s class last week. The pic of your son on the trail is priceless.
I was looking for your account of searching for the snowy owl and your encounter with security by the airport. My husband would love to read that. Anyplace I can find it? I’ll be checking out your books at B&N.
Mark– I fully expected to see you in a valentine swimsuit– the photo is great tho’.
Today I was visiting Marci at Northridge, she wanted me to see and use her magnifying glass. She opened the magazine she was currently reading and with this powerful glass your name popped right up at me! She was reading the MN Conservationist– a real “withit” gal!
Two winters ago in February heading back from a cross country ski weekend at Stokely Creek Lodge in Ontario, we were driving south of Sault Ste Marie on I-75 beneath a brilliant blue sky with small scattered wispy clouds. At first I thought it was a hallucination, but the sun lit edges of the clouds were refracting light in distinct “super” rainbow colors, magenta, chartreuse and electric violet. It was so unbelieveable and good I stopped beside the freeway and shot some photos with my “Canon ELF SD 400” (missed the photographer gene), just so I could confirm later that it was not the residual high of a ski weekend. The effect continued for about twenty five miles of driving.
Yes, Dan, you can hunt Sharp-tails and Ruffed Grouse in Sax-Zim. In fact, the MN DNR manages heavily for Sharp-tailed Grouse. There are several large WMAs where you could chase Sharptails all day.
Mark–Enjoyed your narrative (as in all of your writing) and also seeing the pictures–both the fox and baby, Bjorn. Very touching the analogy of feeding your baby and those of the fox. Thank you.
Virginia Hansing
Oh my gosh. I am pretty sure I wouldn’t have had the restraint you did. Is it true that brown thrashers are pretty aggressively protective and will attack a person near its young?
Awesome as usual. You need to look at some pictures of Alaska so you get that itch to come up here again:-) As of a week ago, I am armed with a Canon EOS Rebel T3, which I am determined to learn to use properly….we’ve always liked to take pictures, but my primary motivation this time is to get copyright free images for my art quilting:-)
Very cool:-) I checked three nights ago too, at 3:30 am, way too light out…:-( Solar midnight, (if that’s the nighttime equivalent of solar noon?) would be around 1:50 am here, I’m still doubtful it’s quite dark enough to see them yet.
Yes….not much night up there yet. I’d love to come up in winter and photograph the aurora. Someday, when the kids are older we’ll get up to visit you guys….I promise!
I love your photos and your writings. I am so thrilled to be on your email list and look forward to seeing what you have noticed and felt in the magical world. You most definitely belong with the Exhibit Group and I hope to get up there to see everybody’s work.
We went to an owl presentation yesterday at the Alaska Bird Observatory, where they had 4 live owls: great gray, boreal, great horned, and snowy. The great gray is named Earl:-) A friend works at ABO, so Ben has been helping feed Earl for the last year or so with the vole trapline he has going in the potato patch:-) We don’t see quite as many owls in our yard now, but our potatoes no longer have teeth marks…
Beret
Hi Julia,
Yes, I got 3 nearly identical shots…(the trail camera shoots 3 images in fairly quick succession before pausing for 10 seconds). This young bear must have paused briefly and then hustled on.
This image is not cropped at all either.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful photo and the history of the swan restoration in Minnesota. Incredible what one person with a vision can do. Got to love you son’s comment, too. Kids are such great sounding boards.
Wisconsin did the same thing in the early 90’s. Brett was working out in the same area that summer, and the swan guy (Rod King) from Fish and Wildlife up here was the bush pilot assigned to bringing Brett (and the crew he was with) the mail. Brett has pictures of some of the swan eggs the Wisconsin crew gathered. Shortly after they left, I got to fly out to see Brett, with Rod who was also checking to make sure the swans were back on their nests. (Which means lots of stomach churning swooping around in a small plane…:-) Once he saw a moose, and asked if I saw it. When I said no, he started swooping again…I’m thinking, “I’ve seen moose, I’m good!”:-)) We recently saw a documentary on the WI swans, it sounded like that was sucessful too. This fall I focused on getting crane pictures for quilting, next year I’m after the swans…I prefer the tundra swans though:-)
Very Cool, Beret! Yes, we don’t see as many Tundra Swans as we used to in northern Minnesota….Still thousands every spring down in southern Minnesota along the Mississippi River.
Sparky, Wow this is way cool. I see why you love the north country. Here in Flint, Michigan we are lucky to see an eagle or a coyote, never a contented wolf munching his prey. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Juliet Minard (wife of your cousin, Scott Stensaas)
What a phenomenal picture. Of course you only publish the phenomenal ones. The photographer in me wants to know how many hit the cutting room floor before this one!
Cool, this is the type of shot I’m always going for. I’m still trying to get close to an owl in my area. Hopefully I’ll be able to get one as nice as this :o)
Hi Alan,
I have the version from a few years back…The current year-model has some great new features including HD video! Mine does not. I hope to get one soon.
Hi Sparky – I am a wildlife photographer, specializing in birds. I’m on Audubon Minnesota’s state advisory board, and I donate many of my bird images to them. I do not derive any income from my photography but use it for bird conservation. I am planning to drive up for an overnight (or two) and photograph Sax-Zim habitat and birds – probably the last week in January. Can you recommend a convenient motel nearby? Meadowlands? And is there any snow up there yet?!
Hi Juliet,
Not yet unfortunately…I have to work out copyright issues with the music.
I hope to have it for sale by the end of this year.
Check with me later this year!
Wow, what fun to enter their world thru your world…especially when I spend most of my life at the computer! Thanks for sharing these unique snowshoe hare phtographs. Juliet Minard Flint, Mi.
White critters seem to elude me,Snowy Owls and the Snowshoe Hare! But it never stops me from trying! Great images, really like the last one showning the “snowshoes”!
Wow! What a great lead-up to your No. 1 shot, Sparky! I also loved the juvenile red-tailed hawk shot, and the cranes (?) and the moon, and the wavebow, and the …
I will get out my camera more this year and see what I can come up with. Thank you!
Fabulous! I did not know there were bobcats in the Duluth area! Scares me a little, but I would venture that you have a perfectly reassuring something to say about them.
Yes, Bobcats are extremely shy and afraid of humans. As are wolves, bear, etc. The encounter that would most frighten me is if I found myself between a mama bear or Moose and their little ones.
Thanks Sparky, your work is always inspiring and teaches one to see and think better (at least when it is not intimidating and I fall prey to the “why bother” syndrome). It makes the bounce-back all the sweeter when I get itchy to grab the camera kit and go looking for something!
Thanks a million.
Love numbers 7, 6, 3 and of course #1! All are gorgeous and I totally appreciate that you didn’t have to travel to far-flung destinations to see the beauty in nature.
So very precious. Thank you for this peek into their little lives. Interesting to see how often they have to stop their grooming or playtime to be aware of danger. We don’t often consider that with as free as our lives are.
I really have enjoyed your website ever since Sandy Banks told me about it. I look forward to seeing “Photojournalist” every time I open my e-mail. But today’s video…WOW…it was just breathtaking! What a rush! Sandy has told me that you live in a very natural area, I guess I just didn’t believe they still existed in the Midwest. Thanks for sharing your bit of heaven with us.
Such a great article it was which Prairies are not just grass! And this photo shows the rich diversity of an Illinois tallgrass prairie. In which his image is technically a HDR A High Dynamic Range photo. It is the result of a single image being processed twice in Aperture . Thanks for sharing this article.
great capture and an even better story…so true, the best camera is the one in your hands at that “moment” when everything lines up and the shot is heaven sent! Thanks for sharing the story!
Thanks Anna,
That’s why I always keep my camera in the car…and that’s why I’ve gotten some amazing shots I would not have otherwise gotten…But I suppose that’s why I’ve had a camera stolen too! 🙂
Thanks Joan…They are fascinating critters!
If anybody wants a more intimate look at the lives of Great Gray Owls, I can suggest three books: The Great Gray Owl: On Silent Wings by Robert Taylor (Windermere Books, 1997) [A year-in-the-life told from the owl’s perspective…stunning photos] , The Great Gray Owl: Phantom of the Northern Forest by Robert Nero (Smithsonian, 1980) [the pioneering text on Great Gray Owls and the research done in MN and Manitoba. Lots of fun stories and anecdotes] and Lady Grayl by Robert Nero (Natural Heritage, 1994)[stories about life with a captive Great Gray]
At first the shot through the snow-laden branches was just to stay out of the owl’s way…but then I really liked how it looked in the viewfinder (LCD screen). Thanks Garrett.
Thanks Lynne, If your camera can shoot at very high ISOs (above 1600) and/or you have a very fast lens (f2.8, f2, f.18, f1.4), you can make this shot. Even at my 25 second exposure you can see some star/planet movement.
There were HUNDREDS of swans just out in the distance off of that bridge near the opposite shore and flying overhead on Saturday near Morgan Park. Are these Trumpeter or Tundra swans?
Hi Ann, Very cool sighting. I never get tired of the sound and sight of swan flocks flying overhead. These are Trumpeters…but when you see hundreds during migration, then they are Tundras. The St. Louis is a major stopover for Tundra Swans winging it back to the arctic nesting grounds…the Tundra!
Oh yeah…One N. Saw-whet Owl calling…and saw a Barred Owl hunting the roadside ditch in my headlights. But my route was shortened by a closed road…probably due to mud.
Went there late season (october) before last. Beautiful. I want to go back in the next month or so to do some more birding while there is more activity! Thank you for the inspiration!
Yes, it is a completely different perspective when the house you grew up in becomes ramshackle and eventually abandoned. I haven’t been back to the farm in South Dakota in many years…Not sure if I want to go back 🙁 …even though we were only visitors as little kids.
I think it is great that you keep trying different effects and angles on the same shot! Joey Halvorson and I love playing with our pictures too. I am so happy I signed up for your e-mails.
Dear Mr. Stensaas, I found your photo in Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Magazine. I was so touched by the beauty it holds that I had to go searching for you. Thank you for seeing what most people are incapable of seeing; and also for giving us the opportunity to see what you see through photos. Your work is amazing and I am an instant fan! Linda S.
A friend sent this to me, and it looks great. But at first I thought it said ” Get Close and Get Shot ” . I better stop reading so fast. Or I thought perhaps he doesn’t like squirrels.
Fun post this week… It was great to see that video in all its versions.l There were a couple of clips I’ve seen before, so they really did their research.
Kudos to you, too, Sparky!
Now, I’m going to post this on my blog.
🙂
I love the “artistic” flower shots of the hepatica – I think my favorite spring wildflower. Thanks also for the tips. I really must start carrying (and using) my tripod more.
Thanks for taking me with you to the Shorebirds…
Just the respite I needed after spending days with husband in heart hospital and rehab.
Oh, such a gift.
Betty Vos Hemstad (we met at Chik-Wauk Museum)
Hi Betty! Sorry to hear about your husband…Hope all goes well. Just saw you (again) on Venture North…Perfect timing for the book as the wildflowers are really busting out. Take care, Sparky
Yes, I don’t know how many times my previsualized images don’t materialize on a specific shoot…But how many times something else presents itself. Keeps all of us nature shooters shooting!
Thanks Pauline. You may want to head up to the Sax-Zim Bog this winter…If our calculations are correct, it may be an irruption winter! Vole numbers cycle bust-boom-bust every four years are so…And when their numbers are low in Canada, many move down into NE Minnesota, and especially the Sax-Zim Bog area.
Really like this photograph, as you mentioned with the lichens…cannot do it now, but sometime would like to go out in the Sax-Zim with you and/or your friends you meet up with sometime….cannot seem to latch on to the Sharp-tails and Magpies when I have birded the area. Regards, mjblomberg
Hi Milt, Yes, come on up sometime…This winter may be a Great Gray Owl irruption year…We’ll know by December. The best roads for Magpie are CR229 N or CR133 just east of Meadowlands and Blue Spruce 1-2 miles N of CR133. For Sharp-tails check the area around the big hayfields along CR52/Arkola just east of Stickney, and also CR7 N of CR52. Take care.
Arresting photos. Wonderful reminders of the three moths that inspired me to learn more about nature 60 years ago – and I’m still at it and still love it.
Excellent video Sparky! Great tip on using a magnetic compass instead of I-phone. I find that in thick bogs sometimes it is difficult to pick up a signal and always have my compass with me!
Thanks John, Yes, a couple years ago I made the mistake of bushwacking without my compass. I was deep in the Superior National Forest when my iPhone and GPS unit had battery issues…and it was a cloudy day. Fortunately I just made it out. I will never forget my “old school” compass again!
What did you set out to bait this beautiful bobcat? I was always under the impression that a live animal, such as a rabbit, had to be set out to bait a cat. Any advice would be greatly appreciated here in the mountains of Nrn Pennsylvania. Thanks!
Hi Bob,
The camera is only a hundred feet from my house in the North Woods of MN. I had a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store for dinner and put the carcass along my trail…That’s all! I recorded the Bobcat on about six different nights over 4 months so my guess is that he/she uses the trail regularly. And p.s. I’d never put out a live animal…That’s just cruel. Lynx researchers here in MN will sometimes put a scent on a tree so Lynx will stop and check it out…I know they have used Stetson Cologne!
Dude. Awesome! I never knew you made it there. Your look was killer back then! You/me…let’s hop a train next June and do it?!
I would be so down for that…
Hey Shawn, Let’s do it! Shorebirds displaying, Loons on nests, ptarmigan, grouse. I’m meeting with Kim to get some inside info on Churchill…He goes every mid June. It’s on my calendar!
Very powerful footage! I used to hike there all the time and the bridge was my favorite place to linger and bask in the sun and listen to the river. The flood waters would be exciting but I would still prefer the more quiet sounds of a normal flowing river. Thanks for sharing and how is the bridge now?
Hello Wadeen,
Unfortunately the bridge was severely damaged…And the road into the park was totally destroyed in spots (canyons where there was once a hillside and road!). They say the park is closed indefinitely…at least until late fall, but I’m guessing it will be a year or more.
Well, first I have to admit that it’s not a very exciting story…I did NOT burn my house down…Nor am I an electrician…Nor is it my birth name…Nor I am named after baseball greats Sparky Lyle or Sparky Anderson. Actually I got the name in college…I was tagged with it by my friends Peter Olson and Ken Gilbertson…And it stuck!
Marvelous video and the reflection aspect was mesmerizing……so peaceful, like being there…..except for all the possible discomforts you endured to bring this to us.
Hi Sparky,
My sister loves otters and she’s coming to visit me in MN later this month. I thought we could go hiking and maybe hunker down somewhere to see if we could spot a river otter. What do you think is the best spot for that? Where would we have the best chance of seeing one?
Thank you!
Hi Tess,
Sorry about the late reply…I did not have my notifications settings set properly.
It’s tougher to find otters in summer, but almost any river will have their residents. My best luck is paddling a river…I’ve seen them in the last week on the Brule River (about 20 miles up the Gunflint) and the Swamp River (end of the Arrowhead Trail) But almost any quiet river will have them. Of course, dawn and dusk are best.
In winter, your best bet near Duluth is to set up on the Fond du Lac bridge over the St. Louis River and watch for family groups resting, preening, feeding on the ice.
Good luck!
Could you look any creepier with a lower shooting angle and all?!
Awesome images sir. Love the last virginia rail image in particular.
Sammy’s Pizza is waaaaaay better than Hugos….Sorry, but it’s true.
Spent the last two mornings crawling around in my undies (sorry, no pictures of that) out at Morgan Park…small numbers, but some cooperative specimens out there…you should come out and play!
A wonderful offer. I am going to pass this information unto my son who is a science and math teacher at West End Middle School in Nashville, Tn, as the advisor for the schools environmental club.
Thanks David! My wife is a teacher so I know how tight money is for schools. And those students are tomorrow’s “earth-protectors.” School environmental clubs are a perfect fit.
Hi Joey,
Yes, a little late for this year…We had a female at the feeder today after none for the last five days. I would love to try this type of shooting in Arizona in August sometime.
Sparky,
Enjoyed this video, especially the MW shot w/the slight breeze blowing the spruces. Very peaceful and moody. And those red eyebrows are sexy; WELL DONE!!
Greg
Thanks Pauline…Yes, the wide angle wildlife shots really do give you a different perspective….sometimes it can feel like you are RIGHT THERE with the critter.
Hi Deb, yes, you are correct…and since it is on the 7D it really makes it an effective 16-32mm focal length. I do enjoy the lens and use it ALOT! Especially great for video of the kids too.
Hey Sparky, great posting. And, now I know what to make you for a present: a nice black spruce root stitched birchbark call–that duct tape (while funny) lacks esthetics. Its gotta go. Thanks, you always delight.
Hi Garrett, Yes, the “traditional” duct tape moose call has to go! I see Elk callers out west are using cut-off plastic wiffle bats…Mine is almost as bad!
Hey – I attended the fundraiser for Wolf Ridge last night at Glensheen and saw LOTS of your books in the auction. Was hoping to see you but looks like you’ve been playing with the MOOSE! I LOVE this, Mark! Just sent it to all my friends 🙂 Enjoy your weekend! Teri
Hi Sparky!
I happened upon your website whilst looking for photo tips. I am heading up to Split Rock in November, and I am hoping to finally get a good shot of the lighthouse while it is lit. I try this every year, but fail miserably. I do not have a big expensive pro camera, I have a Fuji S2700… I would love to hear any tips/suggestions you would have to give me so I can be successful this year!
Thank you!!!!!
Hi Jessi,
Thanks for your question. I am assuming you are going up to Split Rock Lighthouse on November 10th for the lighting of the lighthouse in remembrance of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Not sure of the exact specs of the Fuji but here are some general tips.
I would go down to the beach and out to the island for your shot. Make absolutely sure you put your camera on a tripod! Set the self-timer so that you eliminate camera shake…especially important with low light photos. Turn the flash off. Take many shots so you get one with the light beam. If you are able to underexpose by a stop, do it. This will make the scene moodier. If you are able to use a slow shutter speed, do it. Better chance of capturing the light beam. Hope these tips help!
Thanks for the question.
Wow. Your photos are great and really challenge the conventional wisdom of shooting wildlife with a telephoto lens. I just ordered a longer telephoto zoom and now it seems like I need a really wide angle lens too. Were you shooting with a crop sensor camera or a full frame one?
Hi Mike, Thanks for the comment. Yes, all are shot with the Canon 7D a 1.6x crop factor camera. I probably shoot 80% of all my wildlife/bird images with the Canon 400mm f5.6, 10% with the Canon 500mm f4 and 10% with the Sigma 10-20mm…but the wide angle shots stand out because they give a very different look.
Mark, do you have any sunflower pictures in your collection thru the years? Lou wants one for his redecorated bathroom. I was thinking of just one big one in a 9″ by 12″ size. He wants a black frame. We would get the frame later. Sorry to interject this personal note here. Enjoyed seeing your unique ways to photograph animals. Aunt Joanne
Breathtakingly beautiful, both the scenery and your photos. Thanks too for sharing the technical aspects (lens, aperture, ISO, and exposure). It helps give me an idea of how you achieved the results (though nothing replaces your eye for composing the shots.
Incredible photos – – shows the amazing beauty of the Yellowstone landscape. I was always drawn to the scene of buffalo by the steam vents, just a mesmerizing scene. ~ Kat
Absolutely beautiful pictures! The picture that is the icing on the cake for me is the camp fire/ponderosa pines/ stars. Wish I could be there!!
I am curious what the temperatures were while you were there?
Alaska ravens can see me and my camera coming from 100 miles away, it’s been SO exasperating:-) I can’t even take pictures from inside a building, good grief!
I know the frustration! It seems like the biggest birds with the least to fear from predators are the wariest of humans…Like ravens, Bald Eagles, Pileated Woodpeckers, etc…
Yes! It takes fortitude to go out on a dark moonless night when I’m cozy in the living room…but worth the effort! Of course, the secret is to get as far from cities as possible.
Hi Ann, I’d like to start teaching some field classes but have not yet taken that step. I do speak at photo clubs, garden clubs, birding clubs and I take suggestions if you know of an organization looking for speakers. Anyway, all talks and classes will be posted here at the website. Thanks!
What an experience! Really enjoy your blog – the photos and stories and appreciate the photo taking info. Just heard you are the keynote speaker at the MN naturalists conference next May. Looking forward to it!
Very good! Duluth? If you check today’s Independent in London….there is also a guy who gets photos of gulls right in his face! Saw it in print perhaps on line too. Same wavelength; different side of the pond.
Thanks Barbara! What a great way to start my week! I really love video…It shows behavior that still images sometimes can’t capture. I’ll keep them coming!
Hi Bernt-Inge,
Thanks for your interest in my Get Close & Get the Shot Wildlife Photography DVD!
Sure! We can do a download. Just go to this link: http://www.birdnerdz.net/shop/get-close-get-the-shot-wildlife-photography-tips-tricks/
Put the DVD in your cart. At check out, click on the $1 shipping option (It won’t let me do $0 shipping).
You can then pay the $30.95 with PayPal.
Once I see the PayPal payment, I will email you a code so you can download the .mov file from my Vimeo site.
Does that work?
I’m 75% Norwegian (as we say in America)…I’ve been to Norway 5 times…LOVE IT! My dad’s family was from Trondheim/Melhus and my mom’s family from Bergen area. The most beautiful country in the world!
Sparky Stensaas thesparkygroup@gmail.com
Paid and used a Florida zip code to get it through the system with $1 shipping 😉
I thought the name sounded norwegian 😉 I´m on a christmas holiday north of Trondheim now, in Brønnøysund, Nordland. Been chasing an Eagle with my camera today, hopefully it will be back tomorrow so I can prepare better.
Thanks for sharing. I think your number 1, 2 and 6 choices are my favorite. I think the moose (#6) is a favorite because of the story you told in your earlier post about capturing the shot.
It must have been hard to choose only 20 but I must say that #1,2, and 3 moved me the most also. I shoot lots of butterflies but have never captured that unique view and lighting. The Bison and the owl give me a similar sense of mystery. Not only in the brooding tones but because I don’t see them often and close enough to feel them. Thank you for this trip through 2012.
Thanks for your input Joey! Yes, if you find a cooperative and large butterfly next summer, try shooting it with a wide angle lens…Low percentage shooting but lots of fun!
The images are beautiful, of course, but their beauty is really enhanced because you took the time to comment on each of them. There is a story behind so many of them and I remember well several of them from the latter months of 2012 when I started following your blog. I love the variety in subjects and techniques (and you’ve already inspired me enough that I just recently bought a wide angle zoom lens to try to get some wildlife shots in a different way).
What a treat to see this 2012 perspective of your stunning work. I really appreciate the time, care and compassion you put into each shot. In my job as a public library librarian, it is such a nice break to take a few minutes to look at nature thru your eyes – thanks!
What a cool video! I enjoyed the photos and video footage, but the soundtrack of the honking of the trumpeter swans was amazing. I felt like I was there (and didn’t even have to get dressed warmly).
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author. I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will come back down the road. I want to encourage you continue your great work, have a nice afternoon!
Hey…I’m glad to see you put the video on your blog..I have the stills of that snow plunge 🙂 It was really nice to finally meet you up there and that little bird was truly awesome to watch and photograph…and thanks for tip about the TCs…
The still photos are amazing, but the video is even more incredible. I loved watching the little head movements of the owl. The hunting sequence in the snow was wonderful.
Variation in the colour of the eyes from brown to green can all be explained by the amount of melanin in the iris, but blue-eyed individuals only have a small degree of variation in the amount of melanin in their eyes. “From this we can conclude that all blue-eyed individuals are linked to the same ancestor,” says Professor Eiberg. “They have all inherited the same switch at exactly the same spot in their DNA.” Brown-eyed individuals, by contrast, have considerable individual variation in the area of their DNA that controls melanin production.’
Hmm it seems like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess
I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any suggestions for newbie blog writers? I’d
really appreciate it.
Hi, My only advise is be semi-regular in your blog posts..I try and do 1 to 4 per month. Also, folks love lists…top tens, or??? Only need one photo per blog post. Also make sure to copy to your facebook and twitter accounts every time you post. Have fun!
I’ve noticed the slight electric green cast on ermines too. One that adopted our permanent wall tent and lived with us for two years was nick-named Greensleeves, although we sometimes substituted “Greenwease” (the “l” was silent). One spring the snow left before the white had molted to brown, and we suspect one of the resident barred owls noticed that one night.
Interesting Garrett…yes, the green does seem “electric.”
I bet you didn’t have many mice in your tent that winter!
The Ravens tried to capture these two ermine…Wing marks in the snow told the story…but the ermine dove under to escape.
Thanks Lyle, yes, they are very rarely seen except during irruptions. Folks came from all over the country. They are easy subjects (when you can find one) as they totally ignore humans.
Hi Greg, The Tricolored Heron shot was taken with a borrowed Canon 500mm f4 lens. I believe it was wide open at f4. I put the perch up in hopes of a heron…and several species were fighting over it!
Nice series of photos and as usual great story. Second time in a month that I have seen excellent photos that were taken through a window. Attended a wildlilfe resource agency talk a month ago and the presenter was a gentlemen that has set up an outdoor bird studio in his backyard and he takes 90% of his photos through the sliding doors from his living room. I don’t know that I will come in out of the weather, but I have been motivated to look more closely at the opportunities on my own property. Thanks
Wonderful shots of amazing action (and I loved the video). I remembered too from an earlier posting about how you will sometimes use a wide-angle zoom lens for wildlife, as you did here, and am hoping to try that later this year.
Fantastic! What a spectacle, and to think that you could sit indoors to photograph it. Sorry, but my windows do not permit such clear shots thought them. A fellow Minnesotan up in St. Paul.
Beautiful pictures!!! Last weekend, four of us attended the Detroit Lakes Birding festival and were able to see some of these birds that you captured beautiful pictures of!! Such a treat! Wish some of them would stay around longer for more good looks!
Sparky, what a great array of spring warblers! It is such a great pleasure to see these gorgeous birds and know that you were able to get so up close and personal with them, Thanks so very much for sharing.
Last season or the one before we had a huge fallout of birds along the shores of Florida by Tampa Bay. I was told that the winds and rains out over the ocean tired many birds out that died over the water and when the others finally made landfall, they were exhausted which have us a great opportunity to see and film birds you really never get close enough to see very well. They were everywhere and not moving very fast. Slowly they fed and got strong and left but what an occasion it was 🙂
The colors are vibrant, as if they were taken in bright sun, not gray clouds. I saw many anoles on a recent trip to Florida, and didn’t realize there was an invasive species among them (didn’t see that orange dewlap). Nice collection of photos!
You did have vertical lines in the cranes photo, but I’m not sure about your choice of aspect ratio. At any rate, it was an eye-catching photo, the one that stood out for me.
Wow. Your shots are breathtakingly beautiful. Many of us would be happy to see some of these birds and get record shots, but you did an amazing job in getting creative shots, which undoubtedly required quick thinking and incredible persistence. (Your comment about laying in the snow gives me an idea how hard you worked.)
Is this like the Triple Crown of horse racing? Wow — what gorgeous photos, and thanks so much for the great shooting tips. I’m anxious to try this. Fantastic post.
Beautiful photos, Sparky. I’ve been having good luck with moths this year as well. Do your instructions about Live View apply only to Canon cameras? My Nikon doesn’t seem to operate the way that you describe. Also, have you found a way to get the Tiger Moths and Underwings to hold their wings open so you can get photos of the beautiful hind wings? Earl Orf http://www.earlorfphotos.com
Congratulations, Sparky. Nice video, I enjoyed seeing the behaviors of the owlets. By the way, your Vimeo link gave an error, I had to click on the other link in this posting to see the video. Earl Orf http://www.earlorfphotos.com
Awesome! I love owls and I’m currently training to specialize in owl rehabilitation in the Duluth area. I also just started taking photography classes so I found the camera information very interesting and helpful! Class last night was on lighting. I’ll have to ask the instructor what a Beamer is! lol
Hi Christa, Thanks! A Better Beamer is an attachment for your hot-shoe flash. It basically attaches a fresnel lens in front of the flash in order to throw the light further. Pretty important for certain types of bird photography….low light, birds in shadows etc. Good luck with the owl rehab!
Thanks Tom! A fun morning of actual stalking. We ended up getting close enough for head and shoulder shots. [Mule Deer in Teddy Roosevelt National Park North Dakota]
Always look forward to each new article. Because of an illness in the family I can’t get out at all so it’s nice to live vicariously through your photography. Unfortunately I will soon be able to be back in the field
Hi Ed, Sorry to hear that. But thanks for the kind words. Getting back in the field will be its own solace …Years ago, Minnesota wildlife photographer Les Blacklock wrote a book called “Meet my Psychiatrist” …all nature photos and stories. I thought, what a fantastic title! And kudos to the publisher that let him use that title. Good luck.
Hi Greg, I really wish I could film more wolves! …and fox! Hard to find, and even harder to film natural behavior. I’m going Moose calling again this week, so maybe I will have another episode of Shooting with Sparky. p.s. Thank you so much for your DVD order!
Sparky,
Can’t wait to get my DVD and put your tips to practical use. Your work is beautiful and really outstanding. Could you consider doing a video on how to attract and film/photograph coyotes?
Good job Sparks! These are my favorite images. Did you have to adjust the direction of the horizontal perch or did you just know how to do it right the first time sticking it in the mud?
Hi Lynelle, Thanks. I just saw this stick in my woods, literally as I was getting in the van. I threw it in the back and headed out. The horizontal stub was a bonus. You rarely find perfect perches like this. It took two attempts to get the right placement of the perch. You’ll notice in the video that the water is already murky from my previous attempt!
Great idea that worked to perfection. I know from personal experience how spooky these birds can be and the only shots that I have managed to get have been from pretty far away. Your shots are spectacular and I enjoyed the video showing how they were made.
Hi Mike,
Yes, they are some of the hardest birds to approach for a photograph! It did work amazingly well this time…But I went out a week later and NO Kingfishers showed up, though I could hear one in the distance. Such is wildlife photography…Low percentage shooting!
Hi Photo Guy – Excellent shots,I use a canon 60D with the same 400 5.6. I’ll have to try your settings. I’ve been using manual mode set at 1000 to 1600 speed & f/5.6 also I set my ISO @ auto. It works well most of the time. I’m also curious on what blind your using.
Once again your photos & video are just EXCELLENT.
Dennis
Hi Dennis, Thanks! The blind is the small Lightning Set Blind from Cabelas…Unfortunately the do not make it anymore…Not sure why as it was the easiest blind in the world to set up! I also had the 6-sided Lightning Set but it collapsed and broke the poles because I left it up last April in our backyard (N Minnesota)…and we had 48 inches of wet heavy snow in April! I just shot hawks up at Hawk Ridge, and there I used Shutter Priority at 1/2000 of a second and auto ISO. In that case, the aperture didn’t matter because the background was blue sky and even 5.6 was enough to get the entire hawk sharp. Take care,
Hi Mike, Actually I think the 400mm length is ideal (plastic owl or not!). It is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to find a flying bird through the viewfinder with a 500mm or longer lens. This is the major problem for these lenses. Great for static perches and slow-moving subjects but terrible for fast-flying birds.
Great tips for shooting raptors! Thanks for this info on camera settings as well. I am lousy at finding and focusing my subject with a 400 mm focal length, unless they are sitting really still. Usually, I zoom in from 100 mm and then focus. By then, I will have lost the flying bird. Any tips for working directly from the 400 mm magnification?
Not trying to stir the pot but curious why using the feather duster isn’t considered harassment (or is it)? The big deal at Sax-Zim (and elsewhere) is the use of fishing gear (fake mice on the end of a line) to lure in owls and have them fly towards the photographer. Sure different circumstances, starving owl in the winter vs. migrating raptor, but either way it amounts to a disruption that otherwise may not occur. I do enjoy your work – just asking a question is all. Take care!
Hi Wes, It’s a plastic owl with some feather duster feathers glued to it.
Since the hawks are migrating, they are on the move…No time to linger. They make a pass or two and, satisfied that it is not a real threat, they move on. Of course, I’d NEVER use a plastic owl in the breeding season, no matter if it was near a nest or not. That would be harassment!
I don’t even know how I ended up right here, but I
assumed this publish was once great. I don’t understand who you might
be but definitely you’re going to a well-known blogger in
the event you are not already. Cheers!
Just magnificent. Your work is incredible Sparky. Can’t get enough, and by the way, I loved my “getting close” DVD. Can’t wait to put the tips into practice. Anymore word on the possible coyote attracting/photography video?
Thanks for the great story and facts about the Tamarack. The first photo of the Tamarack reflection is amazing. To this day I remember the Tamarack while growing up in the U.P. of Michigan.
I love the tamarack time of year. Sorry to hear they are under attack from the Larch Beetle. Interesting facts and, as noted above, the tamarack reflection photo is stunning.
Hi Sparky,
I’m wondering how you like your Canon 7D? Have you had any issues with the auto focus, noise with higher ISO’s, mirror falling out, eye piece discoloring and causing skin irritation? I’m thinking about upgrading and discouraged with the reviews I’ve been reading. Thanks in advance for any insights you can share!
Hi Donna,
I LOVE my Canon 7D! But if you can wait, I bet there is a replacement coming within a year. Just guessing…
Yes, it is noisy above ISO 800 but depending on the image, it may not matter. I’ve shot many moths at ISO 3200 early in the morning with great results.
I’ve sent it to Canon once for some minor repairs.
But…
No eyepiece falling out…No skin rash…No problems with autofocus with GOOD lenses.
The advantages for a wildlife photographer are 1) very high frame rate ..8fps 2) crop sensor 1.6x 3) rugged body 4) Great video capabilities.
Congrats. 🙂 I think all wildife even urbanized is worth depicting. I’m curious about the “tungsten” in the “white balance” . I have to admit, when I take a digital photo, (and sometimes even film!), I usually just fix the color in photoshop or iphoto later. You said the sky was really gray? Do you have a comparison picture? (Just wondering.)
Hi Jenn,
I usually change/fix white balance in Aperture on my computer too…But in this case, that would not have worked since I wanted the gull a warm tone and the sky a blue cast. If I did it at home on the computer it would have been a global change and the bird would go blue too. I’m sure there is a way to select an area (the sky) and change white balance to a cooler temp., then select the bird and change to warmer white balance, but it sounds like a lot of work…and I don’t know how to do that. I’ll look for a comparison picture. Thanks for your question!
I’ll be visiting upper Minnesota in early February. I know it is still early but with the early cold hitting the mid-west have you seen any owls moving South into Minnesota yet? I understand that it is a combination of extreme cold and lack of food that drives them South and I was hoping that this might be a year they migrate into Minnesota. If they do appear in Minnesota, what are some areas Great Gray and Snowy owls may be photographed? Thanks for your help.
Hi Roger,
There are a fair number of Great Grays being seen…but we think they are resident birds…ones that nested here. Most are only hunting near Black Spruce/Tamarack bogs at dawn and dusk…a sure sign that these are “locals” and that there are plenty of voles this winter. Birds that come south from Canada would be hungry and hunting in open areas all day long. Extreme cold doesn’t have anything to do with irruptions…These birds are built for extremes…Nor does snow depth. The only thing that would cause an irruption would be a lack of food in the North…and that means voles. When voles are at the bottom of their population cycle (every four years or so) the owls move south in search of food. That said, there are usually a few Great Grays and N Hawk Owls that are fairly tame and “shootable”. Snowy Owls are around, with scattered reports. Nothing like the irruption that’s going on in the East Coast this winter. Best areas for Great Grays/N Hawk Owls would be the Sax-Zim Bog and Aitkin County, MN. e-mail me before you come and I can give you exact directions. Thanks!
799 responses to “Montana”
marsam susetya
August 12th, 2010 at 00:44
wow..amazing
Wes Bailey
August 12th, 2010 at 09:04
Hi Sparky,
I agree! Great shot; I’d really like to get a fast superwide one of these days primarily for sky photos at night, but of course for landscapes, and as your post shows quite nicely, wildlife images too!
photonaturalist
August 13th, 2010 at 13:16
Thanks Wes,
My superwide is the Sigma 10-20mm.
Ryan
August 21st, 2010 at 10:24
Stacked TCs at ISO 2000!?!? Fantastic!
Loren A.Morey
September 5th, 2010 at 07:42
Great job Sparky. Ryan’s Farther in law. Motley
Cindy
September 21st, 2010 at 22:56
You mentioned Summit Ledges. I have heard of other birders refer to this place. I can’t find it on any map of Hawk Ridge. Would you please tell me where Summit Ledges is and how to get there?
photonaturalist
September 21st, 2010 at 23:26
Hello Cindy,
Summit Ledges is at the north end of Hawk Ridge. Take the yellow trail to the point where it opens up into a grand vista looking north. The vegetation is very short so viewing is excellent. Great place if you want to get away from the crowds!
Cindy
September 22nd, 2010 at 14:38
Thank you very much. We rarely go up there on weekends anymore because of the crowds. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad more people are involved with Hawk Ridge, it’s just a little too crowded for us. Again, thanks!
Dave Johnson
October 2nd, 2010 at 16:07
This is a wonderful website Sparky! Thanks for pointing me here. Your photo of the first hard frost on the dogwood leaf is stunning.
Dave
Dave Johnson
October 9th, 2010 at 23:53
Very well written! Thanks for the introduction to a gull that makes a very interesting “living”!
DJ
Earl Orf
October 11th, 2010 at 05:58
Sparky, on our way back to the Twin Cities yesterday, I was talking to my wife about the exact same snowstorm. It was so unusual because I couldn’t remember seeing fall colors and snow together before.
Peter Olson
October 21st, 2010 at 10:41
I remember one of those back packing trips Sparky! I developed a great case of strep throat on day one and spent the next week or so in a daze wrapped in a sleeping bag surrounded by herds of bison and beetles (as I recall). Great photos as usual!
photonaturalist
October 21st, 2010 at 11:21
Hi Pete!
Yes, fond memories of the 1982 trip…I’d forgotten you were so sick. I do remember the crush one of the girls had on you! Here is a link to two galleries of old UMD slides I scanned for the OP’s 30th party. There are more than a few Pete Olson photos!
http://gallery.me.com/sparkystensaas#100727
http://gallery.me.com/sparkystensaas#100709
Sandy Banks
November 9th, 2010 at 06:44
I wish I has a photo of “My Bear”! I just have a thing about bears, white or black.
Ryan
November 15th, 2010 at 21:49
Not much for barns, but love the eagle shot. As you suggest, printed BIG would be really cool.
Susan Howard
November 16th, 2010 at 22:50
I would have to say these photos are an example of “ZEN”. Nice movement! S.H.
Susan Howard
November 19th, 2010 at 10:58
Great photo, thanks for letting us know how you got it, who would have thought!The sky looks so rich.
S.H.
Dave Johnson
November 19th, 2010 at 20:34
Awesome! Thanks for putting together this great website and sharing these awesome photos with the world!
Dave
Marvil
November 25th, 2010 at 09:47
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Love your email pictures. Looking forward to the Birding Festival in February!
Garrett Conover
December 16th, 2010 at 05:36
Goodmorning Sparky. Since Great Grays are a rarity in Maine, I don’t care if all you got was a standard upright portrait, (even after seeing your spectacular plunge diving sequence and eye-level head on flight shots). I’m excited, and I like the composition, with the blue air aspen twigs looking like semi-abstract early ice platelets. You got a Solstice gift!!
Cheers, Garrett
Inspirational Living!
December 18th, 2010 at 12:00
What a beautiful shot..! I simply love the sky:)
Magne Myhren
December 29th, 2010 at 02:42
Hi. You have a most interesting blog and gallery. I’m an eager birder myself in Norway. I guess you also have some nordic genes (according to your name. As there are a lot of norwegians who migrated to Minnesota, I’ve always been attracted to that state. So there’s at least a double reason for me to follow your blog.
Regards Magne Myhren
photonaturalist
December 30th, 2010 at 07:43
Thanks Magne! Yes, my family is originally from Melhus near Trondheim on my father’s side and near Bergen on my mother’s side. I still keep in touch with my family near Trondheim (Vikhamar). I love Norway and have been there five times….Even on my honeymoon!
If you ever get to Minnesota, call/email me and we can go birding/photographing.
Magne Myhren
December 30th, 2010 at 16:42
Thank you for that initation! My father spent five years earning money in the norwegian community in Brooklyn in the fities, and I have some relatives there, and my wife has family in a small village, Derby, in Montana, so if we’re lucky we will be able to get over there some time.
Anyway, I guess your old friend here is called Lappugle in norwegian, or perhaps it’s a close relative (?)
Have a nice time. Next weekend I will take a trip to the cabin in southern Norwegian montains, Setesdal, together with my son and build a hide for the springtime and the possibillity to follow the black grouse-lek. Perhaps I also will lern from you and bild a floating hide for photographing ospreys. Life in the wild are beautiful.
Magne
Garrett Conover
December 31st, 2010 at 05:38
As usual Sparky, your keeper images are spectacular to the point of intimidation and vast envy. Always a major treat!
Garrett
photonaturalist
January 1st, 2011 at 09:25
Thanks Garrett! Hope your having a snowy wintery winter in your neck of the North Woods…I know you’re like me…the colder and snowier the better.
Dave Johnson
January 1st, 2011 at 19:47
Stunning work Sparky! My daughter, Sarah, and had a wonderful time looking at your top ten choices.
Dave
Magne Myhren
January 9th, 2011 at 01:42
Interesting article and beautiful images. I especially like the first one – it looks like a real hunter!
Magne
Ryan
January 19th, 2011 at 22:07
The Gos is a stunning looking bird. Did a quick image search as I’ve never seen one. My day in the bog was less productive. Nice work
Shawn Zierman
January 23rd, 2011 at 20:17
That’s pretty sick that you got the goshawk on a nice bog perch like that!
Having made the same slog that you described for the black backed, I’d have to agree about “heart pumping”!
Excellent blog Sparkomatic.
Ryan
January 24th, 2011 at 18:57
-24 in Kenwood.
Dave Johnson
January 25th, 2011 at 11:33
What a work of art. Thank you so much for sharing this website with the world.
Roberta Etherington
January 25th, 2011 at 13:51
The photos are gorgeous- thank you for sharing.
About 20 plus years ago, our seedless Ash was filled with Cedar Waxwings eating the seed pod, I expect. We haven’t seen any since. Not on their route anymore?
Christi Spak
January 26th, 2011 at 11:28
Congratulations Sparky!
Scott Thompson
January 26th, 2011 at 11:34
Congratulations Mark!
Nancy Haugen
January 26th, 2011 at 19:10
Congratulations! I’ve always considered it a special day when I’ve been able to see any of the herons in breeding plumage. Your tri-colored is gorgeous.
Pat Miller
January 31st, 2011 at 14:00
Enjoyed your sight, Sparky, after hearing you in Larry’s class last week. The pic of your son on the trail is priceless.
I was looking for your account of searching for the snowy owl and your encounter with security by the airport. My husband would love to read that. Anyplace I can find it? I’ll be checking out your books at B&N.
Thanks again for coming to the class.
Pat Miller
Roberta Etherington
February 16th, 2011 at 18:01
Mark– I fully expected to see you in a valentine swimsuit– the photo is great tho’.
Today I was visiting Marci at Northridge, she wanted me to see and use her magnifying glass. She opened the magazine she was currently reading and with this powerful glass your name popped right up at me! She was reading the MN Conservationist– a real “withit” gal!
Dedrick
February 18th, 2011 at 05:09
Wow, what a neat idea! I’d go with a white Jaba the Hut, the scariest Star Wars character of them all.
Megan
March 26th, 2011 at 21:56
Love the County Carlton reference. Nice.
photonaturalist
March 27th, 2011 at 15:18
Yes, it must be said with a proper Irish brogue though.
Megan
March 27th, 2011 at 15:59
If memory serves me correctly, you sounded like a pirate and not a leprechaun, when attempting said brogue.
Snark aside, great pics. Brings a bright perspective to the cold spring we’re having.
Ann
March 27th, 2011 at 18:21
Gorgeous and unique photos! I am a Minnesotan but live in the burbs of Mpls. so we did not get this…Wow!
Ann
March 27th, 2011 at 18:43
Nature can be so powerful! Nice photos!
Scott Stensaas
March 27th, 2011 at 19:53
Rainbow Waves, Great Photos!
Two winters ago in February heading back from a cross country ski weekend at Stokely Creek Lodge in Ontario, we were driving south of Sault Ste Marie on I-75 beneath a brilliant blue sky with small scattered wispy clouds. At first I thought it was a hallucination, but the sun lit edges of the clouds were refracting light in distinct “super” rainbow colors, magenta, chartreuse and electric violet. It was so unbelieveable and good I stopped beside the freeway and shot some photos with my “Canon ELF SD 400” (missed the photographer gene), just so I could confirm later that it was not the residual high of a ski weekend. The effect continued for about twenty five miles of driving.
Nancy Haugen
April 3rd, 2011 at 18:12
Cool photo of this unusual ice formation. Good to hear of a situation where photoshop layers works well.
Joey Halvorson
April 6th, 2011 at 10:54
Thank you for this day with the otters. I love watching nature show about them but with you being so close it makes me feel I was there too.
Susan Howard
April 8th, 2011 at 15:54
Very nice photos! The story line is always good/interesting too..thank you!
Susan H
Dan Wilson
May 1st, 2011 at 21:33
Would like to know if there is an open season for grouse hunting in sax zim. thank you. Dan Wilson
photonaturalist
May 3rd, 2011 at 13:20
Yes, Dan, you can hunt Sharp-tails and Ruffed Grouse in Sax-Zim. In fact, the MN DNR manages heavily for Sharp-tailed Grouse. There are several large WMAs where you could chase Sharptails all day.
Joey Halvorson
May 19th, 2011 at 16:11
True to who you are…a Photographer first…..I would have done the same thing.
Shari
May 19th, 2011 at 21:49
Ok wives read these things! Why am I not surprised? And why id Ryan not scold you? 😉
Virginia Hansing
May 21st, 2011 at 11:38
Mark–Enjoyed your narrative (as in all of your writing) and also seeing the pictures–both the fox and baby, Bjorn. Very touching the analogy of feeding your baby and those of the fox. Thank you.
Virginia Hansing
Jeanne
May 22nd, 2011 at 18:18
You are such a neat Dad! You are creating memories every day!
Ryan
May 31st, 2011 at 18:06
Blue eyes – would have never guessed. Very cool
Ryan
July 6th, 2011 at 09:22
Audubon submission?
Nice
Lynne Schoenborn
July 6th, 2011 at 22:29
Stunning photos of my favorite sparrow-
Brian
July 7th, 2011 at 15:49
Just an incredible event you captured!
dampscribbler
July 7th, 2011 at 15:56
I think it takes remarkable restraint to let nature take its course in a case like that. Thanks for sharing that amazing moment.
Ryan
July 7th, 2011 at 18:21
Nat Geo submission?
All this time in the field is paying off.
Nice work
Smoky Zeidel
July 7th, 2011 at 20:23
Simply amazing!
CPinedo
July 8th, 2011 at 07:36
Impressive capture.. Congrats
Julia
July 8th, 2011 at 11:08
Wow, that was great. Wonderful video and picture.
Jennifer
July 14th, 2011 at 08:07
Oh my gosh. I am pretty sure I wouldn’t have had the restraint you did. Is it true that brown thrashers are pretty aggressively protective and will attack a person near its young?
Beret
July 26th, 2011 at 15:09
Awesome as usual. You need to look at some pictures of Alaska so you get that itch to come up here again:-) As of a week ago, I am armed with a Canon EOS Rebel T3, which I am determined to learn to use properly….we’ve always liked to take pictures, but my primary motivation this time is to get copyright free images for my art quilting:-)
Julia
July 27th, 2011 at 16:24
So Beautiful . . . . . can’t wait to see more in the coming weeks! Congrats on your 5th wedding anniversary, you are a fantastic couple!
Rita Flores Wiskowski
July 28th, 2011 at 09:22
Magical! Thanks for sharing. And happy anniversary!
Dedrick
August 6th, 2011 at 22:32
Beautiful!
Beret
August 6th, 2011 at 23:57
Very cool:-) I checked three nights ago too, at 3:30 am, way too light out…:-( Solar midnight, (if that’s the nighttime equivalent of solar noon?) would be around 1:50 am here, I’m still doubtful it’s quite dark enough to see them yet.
photonaturalist
August 7th, 2011 at 07:11
Yes….not much night up there yet. I’d love to come up in winter and photograph the aurora. Someday, when the kids are older we’ll get up to visit you guys….I promise!
dohara
August 7th, 2011 at 08:42
Very nice job Sparky.
Denny O’Hara
Dave Benson
September 1st, 2011 at 21:30
Great photos, Sparky! I’m just wondering if you counted miles pushed for any of these vehicles.
Julia
September 12th, 2011 at 22:36
The Moonrise at Split Rock Lighthouse photo is just too beautiful for words. I love it.
photonaturalist
September 26th, 2011 at 13:24
Thanks Julia! You guys should come north sometime and I’ll take you there.
Marie Israel
September 21st, 2011 at 08:37
Have enjoyed reading about your expeiences and I wish that I could join you it sounds like fun.
photonaturalist
September 26th, 2011 at 13:25
Thanks Marie! Iceland is truly unlike any other place I’ve been.
Virginia Hansing
September 21st, 2011 at 19:37
Loved the pictures. The narrative was great; I learned about a new species (for me). Thanks.
Virginia Hansing
photonaturalist
September 26th, 2011 at 13:25
Thanks Virginia! Puffins are one of the world’s cutest birds!
Joey Halvorson
September 23rd, 2011 at 19:55
I love your photos and your writings. I am so thrilled to be on your email list and look forward to seeing what you have noticed and felt in the magical world. You most definitely belong with the Exhibit Group and I hope to get up there to see everybody’s work.
Sandra Banks
September 24th, 2011 at 09:27
Fantastic! Wish I could be there, too! We are all extremely proud of you…………..for many reasons.
Much love,
Mom B.
photonaturalist
September 26th, 2011 at 13:26
Thanks mom2! Hope you can make it up in October.
Pinetree Photo Nature Discovery
October 2nd, 2011 at 10:26
Great photos – incredibly sharp! Thanks for sharing how you did them. I am going to have to try the AI Servo setting – have never used it to date.
Ryan
October 2nd, 2011 at 17:39
Excellent work Sparky.
You might be sharing the ridge next time with me and my plastic Owl, “Frank”.
Beret Nelson
October 2nd, 2011 at 23:53
We went to an owl presentation yesterday at the Alaska Bird Observatory, where they had 4 live owls: great gray, boreal, great horned, and snowy. The great gray is named Earl:-) A friend works at ABO, so Ben has been helping feed Earl for the last year or so with the vole trapline he has going in the potato patch:-) We don’t see quite as many owls in our yard now, but our potatoes no longer have teeth marks…
Beret
betsy
October 4th, 2011 at 16:21
You’ve heard, “The dingo ate my baby!” Change that to – “The bobcat ate my nephew!”
Little guys, I worry about you.
Sincerely
Your city slicker Aunt Betsy
Sandra Banks
October 4th, 2011 at 18:20
Wish I had seen this one!!!!!!
Mom B.
John Pennoyer
October 16th, 2011 at 10:50
This is one of the better trail camera images that I have seen!
Julia
October 17th, 2011 at 23:57
I’m curious . . . did the camera take more than this one picture of the bear?
photonaturalist
October 18th, 2011 at 00:09
Hi Julia,
Yes, I got 3 nearly identical shots…(the trail camera shoots 3 images in fairly quick succession before pausing for 10 seconds). This young bear must have paused briefly and then hustled on.
This image is not cropped at all either.
Marvil
October 22nd, 2011 at 11:06
Thanks for sharing this beautiful photo and the history of the swan restoration in Minnesota. Incredible what one person with a vision can do. Got to love you son’s comment, too. Kids are such great sounding boards.
Beret Nelson
October 22nd, 2011 at 23:46
Wisconsin did the same thing in the early 90’s. Brett was working out in the same area that summer, and the swan guy (Rod King) from Fish and Wildlife up here was the bush pilot assigned to bringing Brett (and the crew he was with) the mail. Brett has pictures of some of the swan eggs the Wisconsin crew gathered. Shortly after they left, I got to fly out to see Brett, with Rod who was also checking to make sure the swans were back on their nests. (Which means lots of stomach churning swooping around in a small plane…:-) Once he saw a moose, and asked if I saw it. When I said no, he started swooping again…I’m thinking, “I’ve seen moose, I’m good!”:-)) We recently saw a documentary on the WI swans, it sounded like that was sucessful too. This fall I focused on getting crane pictures for quilting, next year I’m after the swans…I prefer the tundra swans though:-)
photonaturalist
November 7th, 2011 at 09:40
Very Cool, Beret! Yes, we don’t see as many Tundra Swans as we used to in northern Minnesota….Still thousands every spring down in southern Minnesota along the Mississippi River.
Ryan
November 2nd, 2011 at 07:30
I may have to start driving to daycare!
Sandy
November 2nd, 2011 at 08:38
Amazing! thanks for sharing
Juliet Minard
November 2nd, 2011 at 09:05
Sparky, Wow this is way cool. I see why you love the north country. Here in Flint, Michigan we are lucky to see an eagle or a coyote, never a contented wolf munching his prey. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Juliet Minard (wife of your cousin, Scott Stensaas)
Gene
November 2nd, 2011 at 13:15
Hey Sparky, Loved the wolf video. Lucky guy.
Virginia Hansing
November 2nd, 2011 at 21:05
Thanks for sharing a part of nature that we can’t see in the city. I love your narrative as well.
Virginia Hansing
Joey Halvorson
November 6th, 2011 at 09:13
Thanks to your lens and Chris for these up close and personal with this beautiful big white marvel.
Joey Halvorson
November 7th, 2011 at 09:46
Great variety to show off the Cranes..color, form, strength. Each shot gave me a special feel for the wonder of the Crane. Thank you
Garrett Conover
November 10th, 2011 at 19:15
Beautiful! I love it. Fantastic
Beret Nelson
November 10th, 2011 at 20:39
“Unbeknownst to me” means “without permission” 🙂
photonaturalist
November 11th, 2011 at 07:53
“Unbeknownst to me” means “the kind of surprise that really makes your day and your week!” 🙂
John Pennoyer
November 16th, 2011 at 11:21
Great idea Sparky! But I see now way of signing up for “Friends of Sax-Zim Bog”
Nancy Haugen
December 25th, 2011 at 11:30
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Sparky.
Nancy & Jim
Lonni Skrentner
December 25th, 2011 at 12:28
What a phenomenal picture. Of course you only publish the phenomenal ones. The photographer in me wants to know how many hit the cutting room floor before this one!
Merry, Merry,
Lonni Skrentner
Sax-Zim Bog Festival 2011
ohzoey
December 26th, 2011 at 23:03
gorgeous, all of these
ohzoey
December 26th, 2011 at 23:04
Phenomenal ! how??
Julia
December 28th, 2011 at 11:35
Have a very Happy New Year filled with God’s Blessings!
Julia & Tom
David
December 30th, 2011 at 17:11
Very nice ideas. Good article
sillydoggarden
December 31st, 2011 at 09:27
Thanks for the inspiration!
photonatureblog
January 4th, 2012 at 07:10
Wow, I’ve been wanting to go here for years. This makes me want to go even more :o) Good job!
photonatureblog
January 4th, 2012 at 07:10
Cool, this is the type of shot I’m always going for. I’m still trying to get close to an owl in my area. Hopefully I’ll be able to get one as nice as this :o)
Alan Olander
January 8th, 2012 at 18:22
Great video! Which Bushnell Trophy Cam do you have?
Sparky Stensaas
January 17th, 2012 at 13:37
Hi Alan,
I have the version from a few years back…The current year-model has some great new features including HD video! Mine does not. I hope to get one soon.
Rebecca Field (Becky)
January 17th, 2012 at 12:29
Hi Sparky – I am a wildlife photographer, specializing in birds. I’m on Audubon Minnesota’s state advisory board, and I donate many of my bird images to them. I do not derive any income from my photography but use it for bird conservation. I am planning to drive up for an overnight (or two) and photograph Sax-Zim habitat and birds – probably the last week in January. Can you recommend a convenient motel nearby? Meadowlands? And is there any snow up there yet?!
Thanks.
Rebecca Field
Juliet Minard Stensaas
January 17th, 2012 at 15:21
Sparky, Can we buy a copy of your video?
Juliet for the Michigan cousins
Sparky Stensaas
January 17th, 2012 at 16:44
Hi Juliet,
Not yet unfortunately…I have to work out copyright issues with the music.
I hope to have it for sale by the end of this year.
Check with me later this year!
Joanne Stensaas
January 19th, 2012 at 00:32
Wish I could be there. Aunt Joanne
Shawn Zierman.
January 23rd, 2012 at 10:13
Sorry I missed this sir. You are a multi media mogul!
I would of at least liked to come and heckel you!
Take care sir.
Mary MacDonald
January 26th, 2012 at 17:36
That is a fabulous picture..and narrative. Love getting your emails.
Juliet Minard Stensaas
January 26th, 2012 at 17:48
Wow, what fun to enter their world thru your world…especially when I spend most of my life at the computer! Thanks for sharing these unique snowshoe hare phtographs. Juliet Minard Flint, Mi.
Lynne Schoenborn
January 26th, 2012 at 19:07
Beautiful photos! I appreciate that you include your camera settings.
Joan
January 26th, 2012 at 20:02
What a cutie! Thanks for posting this, Sparky. Isn’t it amazing that prey animals all seem to have the “cute’ factor?
John Pennoyer
January 27th, 2012 at 07:07
White critters seem to elude me,Snowy Owls and the Snowshoe Hare! But it never stops me from trying! Great images, really like the last one showning the “snowshoes”!
Rita Flores Wiskowski
January 27th, 2012 at 12:50
Beautiful captures I especially love the last shot of her ‘snow shoes.’
Shawn Zierman.
January 29th, 2012 at 18:39
Great story/images Bog Ninja! It’s nice to hear a positive story about someone who was interested in what you were shooting.
Regards sir.
Sandra Banks
February 9th, 2012 at 08:45
Wish I could come!
Joanne Stensaas
February 9th, 2012 at 22:43
Sounds great! Wish it weren’t so from California. Aunt Joanne
Joey Halvorson
February 11th, 2012 at 21:04
Great choices Sparky…….I love what you see in this world and thank you for letting us be an intimate part of your vision.
Joan
February 11th, 2012 at 21:56
Wow! What a great lead-up to your No. 1 shot, Sparky! I also loved the juvenile red-tailed hawk shot, and the cranes (?) and the moon, and the wavebow, and the …
I will get out my camera more this year and see what I can come up with. Thank you!
Sparky Stensaas
February 14th, 2012 at 11:02
Thanks Joan…Yes, get out your camera more…You live in such a beautiful part of the state!
violajane
February 11th, 2012 at 21:59
Fabulous! I did not know there were bobcats in the Duluth area! Scares me a little, but I would venture that you have a perfectly reassuring something to say about them.
Sparky Stensaas
February 14th, 2012 at 11:05
Yes, Bobcats are extremely shy and afraid of humans. As are wolves, bear, etc. The encounter that would most frighten me is if I found myself between a mama bear or Moose and their little ones.
Garrett Conover
February 12th, 2012 at 07:24
Thanks Sparky, your work is always inspiring and teaches one to see and think better (at least when it is not intimidating and I fall prey to the “why bother” syndrome). It makes the bounce-back all the sweeter when I get itchy to grab the camera kit and go looking for something!
Thanks a million.
Sparky Stensaas
February 14th, 2012 at 11:09
Hi Garrett, Thanks! Yes, it has been a tough “winter” for us here…very little snow and not very cold either. Hard to get motivated to shoot.
John Pennoyer
February 12th, 2012 at 10:51
All very nice; but the dew drop does deserve to be #1! A technique I have tried and have yet to succeed! Well done!
Pauline Wahlquist
February 12th, 2012 at 11:44
All lovely but the dew drop was awesome. I like that you planned it and figured out how to execute it, it didn’t just happen.
natureswonders
February 13th, 2012 at 07:11
Great timing there! Lovely shot. Love the flowers in the droplets image too. Basically like them all!
Rita Flores Wiskowski
February 13th, 2012 at 11:14
Incredible images every one!! Thanks Sparky!
Lorrene Maroney
February 13th, 2012 at 15:26
Love numbers 7, 6, 3 and of course #1! All are gorgeous and I totally appreciate that you didn’t have to travel to far-flung destinations to see the beauty in nature.
Lorrene
Sparky Stensaas
February 14th, 2012 at 11:05
Thanks Lorrene…Yes, amazing things are happening right in our backyards!
Virginia Hansinng
February 13th, 2012 at 22:49
Love it all.
Looks as though you have great patience.
Joey Halvorson
February 14th, 2012 at 13:04
So very precious. Thank you for this peek into their little lives. Interesting to see how often they have to stop their grooming or playtime to be aware of danger. We don’t often consider that with as free as our lives are.
Kathy Bury
February 14th, 2012 at 15:25
Really cute!! Thanks for sharing.
Chris Allison
February 15th, 2012 at 11:06
I really have enjoyed your website ever since Sandy Banks told me about it. I look forward to seeing “Photojournalist” every time I open my e-mail. But today’s video…WOW…it was just breathtaking! What a rush! Sandy has told me that you live in a very natural area, I guess I just didn’t believe they still existed in the Midwest. Thanks for sharing your bit of heaven with us.
Sparky Stensaas
February 16th, 2012 at 10:58
Thanks Joey, and yes, good point…Glad we don’t have to be looking over our shoulders every few seconds!
Sarah Beaster
February 17th, 2012 at 09:55
Incredible images! All of them quite amazing and breathtaking. You have a true gift.
Sandy
February 19th, 2012 at 11:03
Such a great article it was which Prairies are not just grass! And this photo shows the rich diversity of an Illinois tallgrass prairie. In which his image is technically a HDR A High Dynamic Range photo. It is the result of a single image being processed twice in Aperture . Thanks for sharing this article.
Terri rauscher
February 24th, 2012 at 11:42
Sparky, I enjoy your posts so much! Keep them coming!
Terri rauscher
February 26th, 2012 at 08:19
Wow! Beautiful shots! Thank you for posting these!
Dedrick Benz
February 26th, 2012 at 08:34
Beautiful!
Pauline Wahlquist
February 26th, 2012 at 10:44
Beautiful pictures of two awesome animals. Great luck to have seen them. Thanks for sharing.
Anna Martineau Merritt
February 26th, 2012 at 11:31
great capture and an even better story…so true, the best camera is the one in your hands at that “moment” when everything lines up and the shot is heaven sent! Thanks for sharing the story!
Sparky Stensaas
February 26th, 2012 at 13:30
Thanks Anna,
That’s why I always keep my camera in the car…and that’s why I’ve gotten some amazing shots I would not have otherwise gotten…But I suppose that’s why I’ve had a camera stolen too! 🙂
corinthcorners
February 27th, 2012 at 19:56
Amazing…so envious. Great Job to your friend, and thanks for sharing.
corinthcorners
February 27th, 2012 at 20:05
love otters!
corinthcorners
February 27th, 2012 at 20:19
Great list!
Joan
March 7th, 2012 at 00:18
Wow! What a fascinating video, Sparky! Thanks!
Sparky Stensaas
March 7th, 2012 at 07:42
Thanks Joan…They are fascinating critters!
If anybody wants a more intimate look at the lives of Great Gray Owls, I can suggest three books: The Great Gray Owl: On Silent Wings by Robert Taylor (Windermere Books, 1997) [A year-in-the-life told from the owl’s perspective…stunning photos] , The Great Gray Owl: Phantom of the Northern Forest by Robert Nero (Smithsonian, 1980) [the pioneering text on Great Gray Owls and the research done in MN and Manitoba. Lots of fun stories and anecdotes] and Lady Grayl by Robert Nero (Natural Heritage, 1994)[stories about life with a captive Great Gray]
Garrett Conover
March 7th, 2012 at 06:51
As usual Sparky, you are the master of composition and essence. Great footage.
Sparky Stensaas
March 7th, 2012 at 07:57
At first the shot through the snow-laden branches was just to stay out of the owl’s way…but then I really liked how it looked in the viewfinder (LCD screen). Thanks Garrett.
Debbie M.
March 7th, 2012 at 07:29
Beautiful, beautiful!
Joey Halvorson
March 7th, 2012 at 10:48
I learn so much from you and my eyes and soul are enriched with each of your entries…….this owl hiding is most wonderful.
Julia
March 7th, 2012 at 14:43
I am speechless . . . . the music was perfect for this. The angle of the video footage was so cool thru the snowy branches!
Sparky Stensaas
March 8th, 2012 at 15:22
Thanks Julia! I’m glad it was a cloudy day with snow falling…Apropos to the mood of the bog in winter.
Lynne Schoenborn
March 17th, 2012 at 07:15
That’s a beautiful photo. Thanks for sharing all of the setting info. I would like to give it a try.
Sparky Stensaas
March 18th, 2012 at 12:56
Thanks Lynne, If your camera can shoot at very high ISOs (above 1600) and/or you have a very fast lens (f2.8, f2, f.18, f1.4), you can make this shot. Even at my 25 second exposure you can see some star/planet movement.
Pauline Wahlquist
March 19th, 2012 at 09:04
Beautiful picture.
Timothy Conklin
March 26th, 2012 at 09:29
Hi Sparky,
Nice photo indeed. I’d like to know what the original photo dimensions were — I mean, how did you crop it?
Sparky Stensaas
March 27th, 2012 at 15:02
Hi Tim, That’s uncropped. But I took many variations on the theme. Ice is gone now 🙁
Ann Pellant
March 26th, 2012 at 10:00
There were HUNDREDS of swans just out in the distance off of that bridge near the opposite shore and flying overhead on Saturday near Morgan Park. Are these Trumpeter or Tundra swans?
Sparky Stensaas
March 27th, 2012 at 15:04
Hi Ann, Very cool sighting. I never get tired of the sound and sight of swan flocks flying overhead. These are Trumpeters…but when you see hundreds during migration, then they are Tundras. The St. Louis is a major stopover for Tundra Swans winging it back to the arctic nesting grounds…the Tundra!
Juliet Minard
March 27th, 2012 at 15:26
Awesome, Sparky. Any owls that night, too?
Sparky Stensaas
April 2nd, 2012 at 22:40
Oh yeah…One N. Saw-whet Owl calling…and saw a Barred Owl hunting the roadside ditch in my headlights. But my route was shortened by a closed road…probably due to mud.
Beret
March 29th, 2012 at 18:56
Looks familiar, no shortage of black spruce bogs around here! We just got back from skiing in one:-)
Sparky Stensaas
April 2nd, 2012 at 22:41
I’m jealous! No spring skiing here this year…Unless you count our “Week and a half Winter” in early March.
Debbie M.
March 29th, 2012 at 22:08
Went there late season (october) before last. Beautiful. I want to go back in the next month or so to do some more birding while there is more activity! Thank you for the inspiration!
Sparky Stensaas
April 2nd, 2012 at 22:42
I’d love to go back in the fall! The new visitor center and firetower are worth return trips.
Ken Brennen
March 29th, 2012 at 22:08
Thanks for the info. Looks like a place I’ll have to visit.
Gerry Danen
April 8th, 2012 at 21:40
What a beautiful video of the Great Grey, and an awesome blog.
Joanne Stensaas
April 9th, 2012 at 01:09
Am afraid our farm house is going to look similar soon……so sad. Aunt Joanne
Sparky Stensaas
April 11th, 2012 at 12:25
Yes, it is a completely different perspective when the house you grew up in becomes ramshackle and eventually abandoned. I haven’t been back to the farm in South Dakota in many years…Not sure if I want to go back 🙁 …even though we were only visitors as little kids.
Wadeen Baribeau
April 9th, 2012 at 21:14
I think it is great that you keep trying different effects and angles on the same shot! Joey Halvorson and I love playing with our pictures too. I am so happy I signed up for your e-mails.
Linda Horn Sheils
April 10th, 2012 at 13:46
Dear Mr. Stensaas, I found your photo in Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Magazine. I was so touched by the beauty it holds that I had to go searching for you. Thank you for seeing what most people are incapable of seeing; and also for giving us the opportunity to see what you see through photos. Your work is amazing and I am an instant fan! Linda S.
Sparky Stensaas
April 11th, 2012 at 12:26
Thank you Linda for those very kind words!
Joanne Stensaas
April 14th, 2012 at 13:43
Scenery 10, sleeping arrangements 0 Aunt Joanne
CONNIE STENSAAS
April 14th, 2012 at 16:39
I LOVED THE PHOTOS….SO PEACEFUL….I COULD FRAME THEM
ALL!! SLEEPING IN THE CAR…TAKES US BACK TO YOUR
YOUNGER DAYS…MOM
Sparky Stensaas
April 17th, 2012 at 10:54
Thanks Mom! Yes, sleeping in the back of my car DID bring back memories of earlier travels (and travails!).
Diana M. Rankin
April 18th, 2012 at 08:05
Sparky, I’d like to take advantage of your special offer, but the link doesn’t work. Diana Rankin
Sparky Stensaas
April 18th, 2012 at 10:12
Hi Diana,
Bad link…I fixed it now…Or you can always click on the photo of the DVD in the sidebar.
And THANK YOU!
j'adore champagne
April 18th, 2012 at 17:50
A friend sent this to me, and it looks great. But at first I thought it said ” Get Close and Get Shot ” . I better stop reading so fast. Or I thought perhaps he doesn’t like squirrels.
Sparky Stensaas
April 25th, 2012 at 05:38
Maybe “Get Close and Get Shot” will be my next DVD about street photography in New York City!
j'adore champagne
April 25th, 2012 at 14:39
Or London! Where I work….although I “live” min Minnesota
j'adore champagne
April 24th, 2012 at 12:24
Very nice capture of the girls looking bored while the men show off……..don’t they understand we need our coffee first? 😉
Sparky Stensaas
April 25th, 2012 at 05:36
Yes, the ladies put on a very convincing act of nonchalance and indifference.
Lynelle
May 5th, 2012 at 16:13
That is really cool Sparkydo! I’m sharing this post with my Lake Superior Binational Program colleagues. Lake Superior to the world! via Sparky!
Sparky Stensaas
May 7th, 2012 at 10:24
A visit to Lake Superior should be on everybody’s “bucket list!”
Brenda Rosenbaum (Brenda K of the Milkyway)
May 5th, 2012 at 18:17
Very cool video. I hope you have your Moose leash ready! I will be coming your way June 15th!
Sparky Stensaas
May 7th, 2012 at 10:25
The Moose are ready!
Joan
May 5th, 2012 at 18:21
Fun post this week… It was great to see that video in all its versions.l There were a couple of clips I’ve seen before, so they really did their research.
Kudos to you, too, Sparky!
Now, I’m going to post this on my blog.
🙂
Sparky Stensaas
May 7th, 2012 at 10:26
Thanks for the repost Joan!
Joanne Stensaas
May 5th, 2012 at 22:53
Wow! Think I better get traveling. Enjoyed seeing your shot and the whole video.
Sparky Stensaas
May 7th, 2012 at 10:27
I agree…I better get traveling too! Can’t wait until the boys are a bit older and will really appreciate “the open road.”
Pauline Wahlquist
May 7th, 2012 at 09:56
Very exciting for you. Nice video.
Joey Halvorson
May 9th, 2012 at 08:42
Thanks for the useful tips, Sparky. Your fuchsia background plays tenderly on my heart.
Scott Stensaas
May 10th, 2012 at 14:50
The blue hepatica reminds me of blue shades in snow. Thanks for lovely potraits.
Sparky Stensaas
May 26th, 2012 at 14:00
Thanks Scott!
Pinetree Photo Nature Discovery
May 11th, 2012 at 08:34
I love the “artistic” flower shots of the hepatica – I think my favorite spring wildflower. Thanks also for the tips. I really must start carrying (and using) my tripod more.
Sparky Stensaas
May 26th, 2012 at 14:01
Thanks! Yes, a tripod is essential to good close-up/macro flower photography.
Joanne Stensaas
May 31st, 2012 at 00:59
Beauitiful! Joanne
Joanne Stensaas
June 1st, 2012 at 23:30
OUCH, I felt your pain. Aunt Joanne
Sparky Stensaas
June 2nd, 2012 at 10:04
They really hurt for such tiny flies!
Betty Hemstad
June 2nd, 2012 at 09:09
Thanks for taking me with you to the Shorebirds…
Just the respite I needed after spending days with husband in heart hospital and rehab.
Oh, such a gift.
Betty Vos Hemstad (we met at Chik-Wauk Museum)
Sparky Stensaas
June 2nd, 2012 at 10:03
Hi Betty! Sorry to hear about your husband…Hope all goes well. Just saw you (again) on Venture North…Perfect timing for the book as the wildflowers are really busting out. Take care, Sparky
hugeknot
June 6th, 2012 at 15:43
Talk about best laid plans! This is a nice alternative shoot, requires an open mind though and open attitude.
Sparky Stensaas
June 9th, 2012 at 08:41
Yes, I don’t know how many times my previsualized images don’t materialize on a specific shoot…But how many times something else presents itself. Keeps all of us nature shooters shooting!
Pauline Wahlquist
June 9th, 2012 at 15:36
What a great shot. I am envious. Just to see this would have been awesome.
Sparky Stensaas
June 11th, 2012 at 19:36
Thanks Pauline. You may want to head up to the Sax-Zim Bog this winter…If our calculations are correct, it may be an irruption winter! Vole numbers cycle bust-boom-bust every four years are so…And when their numbers are low in Canada, many move down into NE Minnesota, and especially the Sax-Zim Bog area.
Milt Blomberg (St. Cloud)
June 12th, 2012 at 10:10
Really like this photograph, as you mentioned with the lichens…cannot do it now, but sometime would like to go out in the Sax-Zim with you and/or your friends you meet up with sometime….cannot seem to latch on to the Sharp-tails and Magpies when I have birded the area. Regards, mjblomberg
Sparky Stensaas
June 17th, 2012 at 16:47
Hi Milt, Yes, come on up sometime…This winter may be a Great Gray Owl irruption year…We’ll know by December. The best roads for Magpie are CR229 N or CR133 just east of Meadowlands and Blue Spruce 1-2 miles N of CR133. For Sharp-tails check the area around the big hayfields along CR52/Arkola just east of Stickney, and also CR7 N of CR52. Take care.
Kenneth Brennen
June 19th, 2012 at 00:05
Arresting photos. Wonderful reminders of the three moths that inspired me to learn more about nature 60 years ago – and I’m still at it and still love it.
John Pennoyer
June 20th, 2012 at 11:19
Excellent video Sparky! Great tip on using a magnetic compass instead of I-phone. I find that in thick bogs sometimes it is difficult to pick up a signal and always have my compass with me!
Sparky Stensaas
June 22nd, 2012 at 12:37
Thanks John, Yes, a couple years ago I made the mistake of bushwacking without my compass. I was deep in the Superior National Forest when my iPhone and GPS unit had battery issues…and it was a cloudy day. Fortunately I just made it out. I will never forget my “old school” compass again!
melodylowes
June 20th, 2012 at 13:51
You captured such a mood with this shot – this owl looks so superior, almost sinister, doesn’t her?
Lynne Schoenborn
June 20th, 2012 at 14:41
Stunning!
violajane
June 20th, 2012 at 21:30
Wow Sparky, These moths are truly beautiful. I am so enjoying your blog, keep up the good work!
Marianne
June 21st, 2012 at 06:13
Awesome! Were the photos taken using the <a href="http://www.canon.com.au/For-You/EOS-Digital-SLR-Cameras/7D"this 7D"? I don’t think my Nikon can do that..
Sparky Stensaas
June 22nd, 2012 at 12:35
Hi Marianne, Yes, I have the Canon 7D. What Nikon do you have? Most of the DSLRs now can take HD video.
Joanne Stensaas
June 24th, 2012 at 21:55
I hope youj weren’t as close as it looked. Aunt Joanne PS. It did remind me of the power of nature.
Judy Chucker
June 25th, 2012 at 10:10
That was wonderful! Thanks for taking us along. Thanks, too, for posting the link on the MOU net.
Jason Mandich
June 25th, 2012 at 10:23
great video sparky!
Julia
June 26th, 2012 at 19:38
What incredible force! Did the bridge survive?
Canon Fan
June 26th, 2012 at 23:10
I love the shorebird photo! Was it hard for you to take that shot without spooking the bird?
Bob Hamilton
July 8th, 2012 at 08:12
What did you set out to bait this beautiful bobcat? I was always under the impression that a live animal, such as a rabbit, had to be set out to bait a cat. Any advice would be greatly appreciated here in the mountains of Nrn Pennsylvania. Thanks!
Sparky Stensaas
July 8th, 2012 at 19:51
Hi Bob,
The camera is only a hundred feet from my house in the North Woods of MN. I had a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store for dinner and put the carcass along my trail…That’s all! I recorded the Bobcat on about six different nights over 4 months so my guess is that he/she uses the trail regularly. And p.s. I’d never put out a live animal…That’s just cruel. Lynx researchers here in MN will sometimes put a scent on a tree so Lynx will stop and check it out…I know they have used Stetson Cologne!
Pauline Wahlquist
July 15th, 2012 at 10:46
Beautiful pictures and a very helpful post. Thank you!
Dennis Donath
July 15th, 2012 at 11:25
Great photos. So far, I am at the caterpillar stage.
Joanne Stensaas
July 15th, 2012 at 23:10
Am just realizing how difficult photographpy is and why I seldon if ever see butterflies as you picture them. Aunt Joanne
Shawn Zierman.
July 19th, 2012 at 08:15
Dude. Awesome! I never knew you made it there. Your look was killer back then! You/me…let’s hop a train next June and do it?!
I would be so down for that…
Sparky Stensaas
July 19th, 2012 at 11:07
Hey Shawn, Let’s do it! Shorebirds displaying, Loons on nests, ptarmigan, grouse. I’m meeting with Kim to get some inside info on Churchill…He goes every mid June. It’s on my calendar!
Wadeen Baribeau
July 25th, 2012 at 08:16
Very powerful footage! I used to hike there all the time and the bridge was my favorite place to linger and bask in the sun and listen to the river. The flood waters would be exciting but I would still prefer the more quiet sounds of a normal flowing river. Thanks for sharing and how is the bridge now?
Sparky Stensaas
July 27th, 2012 at 14:44
Hello Wadeen,
Unfortunately the bridge was severely damaged…And the road into the park was totally destroyed in spots (canyons where there was once a hillside and road!). They say the park is closed indefinitely…at least until late fall, but I’m guessing it will be a year or more.
Dee
July 25th, 2012 at 10:28
Your photos are awesome! And Thanks for sharing your tips! Can I share your link on my blog?
Sparky Stensaas
July 25th, 2012 at 11:04
Hi Dee, Thank you for your kind words. Yes, you certainly can share the link on your blog.
Sparky Stensaas
July 27th, 2012 at 16:01
Hi Sparky, This is Sparky testing your “Ask Sparky” link. How did you get your name “Sparky”?
Sparky Stensaas
July 27th, 2012 at 16:05
Well, first I have to admit that it’s not a very exciting story…I did NOT burn my house down…Nor am I an electrician…Nor is it my birth name…Nor I am named after baseball greats Sparky Lyle or Sparky Anderson. Actually I got the name in college…I was tagged with it by my friends Peter Olson and Ken Gilbertson…And it stuck!
Joey Halvorson
July 29th, 2012 at 13:45
Marvelous video and the reflection aspect was mesmerizing……so peaceful, like being there…..except for all the possible discomforts you endured to bring this to us.
Sparky Stensaas
July 30th, 2012 at 07:35
Thanks Joey! It’s all worth it! I hadn’t actually seen a Virginia Rail in years.
Joanne Stensaas
July 29th, 2012 at 20:53
Leeches! You wouldn’t find me there. Buit thanks for the journey. Aunt Joanne
Sparky Stensaas
July 30th, 2012 at 07:34
Hi Joanne, Fortunately they couldn’t get through the neoprene! But a little “blood letting” never hurt anyone…Did it?
Tess
August 9th, 2012 at 13:47
Hi Sparky,
My sister loves otters and she’s coming to visit me in MN later this month. I thought we could go hiking and maybe hunker down somewhere to see if we could spot a river otter. What do you think is the best spot for that? Where would we have the best chance of seeing one?
Thank you!
Sparky Stensaas
August 23rd, 2012 at 12:48
Hi Tess,
Sorry about the late reply…I did not have my notifications settings set properly.
It’s tougher to find otters in summer, but almost any river will have their residents. My best luck is paddling a river…I’ve seen them in the last week on the Brule River (about 20 miles up the Gunflint) and the Swamp River (end of the Arrowhead Trail) But almost any quiet river will have them. Of course, dawn and dusk are best.
In winter, your best bet near Duluth is to set up on the Fond du Lac bridge over the St. Louis River and watch for family groups resting, preening, feeding on the ice.
Good luck!
Shawn Zierman.
August 16th, 2012 at 10:05
Could you look any creepier with a lower shooting angle and all?!
Awesome images sir. Love the last virginia rail image in particular.
Sammy’s Pizza is waaaaaay better than Hugos….Sorry, but it’s true.
Spent the last two mornings crawling around in my undies (sorry, no pictures of that) out at Morgan Park…small numbers, but some cooperative specimens out there…you should come out and play!
Arthropods of Maine
August 18th, 2012 at 08:06
Great pictures! I am also going to check out “Moths and Caterpillars of the north woods”, as I have been looking for a book like that. Thanks.
Sparky Stensaas
August 23rd, 2012 at 12:49
Great! Jim’s book is fantastic…I might even go as far as the best moth book on the market!
Earl Orf
August 23rd, 2012 at 17:25
Will you be putting it out in a version for the Nook? Earl Orf http://www.earlorfphotos.com
_____
David Olmstead
September 5th, 2012 at 08:08
Sparky,
A wonderful offer. I am going to pass this information unto my son who is a science and math teacher at West End Middle School in Nashville, Tn, as the advisor for the schools environmental club.
David Olmstead
Cell Phone: 615-210-4698
Home: 615-377-6911
Email: davido137@comcast.net
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/troutwhisperer/
Sparky Stensaas
September 5th, 2012 at 08:23
Thanks David! My wife is a teacher so I know how tight money is for schools. And those students are tomorrow’s “earth-protectors.” School environmental clubs are a perfect fit.
Joey Halvorson
September 10th, 2012 at 09:46
Great information as my last Hummer left yesterday so I will try to remember this for next summer. Thanks as always for inspiring my photograpy.
Sparky Stensaas
September 10th, 2012 at 22:41
Hi Joey,
Yes, a little late for this year…We had a female at the feeder today after none for the last five days. I would love to try this type of shooting in Arizona in August sometime.
lynnsarda
September 13th, 2012 at 16:00
These are spectacular….
Sent from my iPad
Sparky Stensaas
September 15th, 2012 at 06:26
Thanks Lynn! I’m sad to see the hummers leave for the winter.
Greg Douglass
September 15th, 2012 at 10:44
Sparky,
Enjoyed this video, especially the MW shot w/the slight breeze blowing the spruces. Very peaceful and moody. And those red eyebrows are sexy; WELL DONE!!
Greg
Sparky Stensaas
September 21st, 2012 at 07:13
Thanks Greg! I love these birds!
Bernice Sonterre
September 23rd, 2012 at 10:05
Nowhere can I find out how long it takes the adult to hatch out. Please help me.
Pauline Wahlquist
September 24th, 2012 at 09:55
Beautiful and original shots. Interesting perspective.
Sparky Stensaas
September 24th, 2012 at 22:36
Thanks Pauline…Yes, the wide angle wildlife shots really do give you a different perspective….sometimes it can feel like you are RIGHT THERE with the critter.
DebPotts
September 24th, 2012 at 19:09
BEAUTIFUL photos…about the lens, you said wide angle so did you use Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens and not the super wide aspherical, right?
Sparky Stensaas
September 24th, 2012 at 22:34
Hi Deb, yes, you are correct…and since it is on the 7D it really makes it an effective 16-32mm focal length. I do enjoy the lens and use it ALOT! Especially great for video of the kids too.
johnpennoyer@comcast.net
September 29th, 2012 at 08:24
Sounds like a very exciting and adventure filled day!
Sparky Stensaas
September 30th, 2012 at 08:11
Hi John, It is amazing what you can see and experience in a day in the Superior National Forest…If you get up early enough!
Garrett Conover
September 29th, 2012 at 08:40
Hey Sparky, great posting. And, now I know what to make you for a present: a nice black spruce root stitched birchbark call–that duct tape (while funny) lacks esthetics. Its gotta go. Thanks, you always delight.
Sparky Stensaas
September 30th, 2012 at 08:09
Hi Garrett, Yes, the “traditional” duct tape moose call has to go! I see Elk callers out west are using cut-off plastic wiffle bats…Mine is almost as bad!
Sandy Roggenkamp
September 29th, 2012 at 09:41
wow! thanks.
Sparky Stensaas
September 30th, 2012 at 08:13
Thanks Sandy! Let me know if you see any bulls up by Sax-Zim…I heard there was a big bull in Stone Lake the other day.
Teri Glembin
September 29th, 2012 at 09:54
Hey – I attended the fundraiser for Wolf Ridge last night at Glensheen and saw LOTS of your books in the auction. Was hoping to see you but looks like you’ve been playing with the MOOSE! I LOVE this, Mark! Just sent it to all my friends 🙂 Enjoy your weekend! Teri
Sparky Stensaas
September 30th, 2012 at 08:15
Thanks Teri! Sorry I missed it. Yes, we donated a bunch of books…Good cause!
Sam Cook
October 3rd, 2012 at 09:42
Nice advice, Sparky. And nice photos, too.
I was out early at Hartley today. One photo attached.
…Sam
Sparky Stensaas
October 3rd, 2012 at 19:48
Thanks Sam! email me the photo…Can’t find the attached image.
meanwhileintexas
October 3rd, 2012 at 09:48
i miss this time of year here in north/east Texas.here every thang just turns brown.
Jack Viere
October 3rd, 2012 at 10:23
Whoa those photos you used were really intense and emphasized your points!
Beret
October 3rd, 2012 at 11:09
Too late for me, unfortunately…where were you a month ago? 🙂
Sparky Stensaas
October 3rd, 2012 at 19:49
Hi Beret, Yeah, I suppose the leaf season is long gone up in Fairbanks…Time to wax up the skis I suppose!
Dounia
October 3rd, 2012 at 13:31
Wow, these are beautiful photos! And your solutions are great too 🙂 Thanks for sharing – the tips and the photos!
travelgardeneat
October 3rd, 2012 at 18:43
Great photo tips in such a visually pleasing post! ~ Kat
Jessi
October 9th, 2012 at 21:15
Hi Sparky!
I happened upon your website whilst looking for photo tips. I am heading up to Split Rock in November, and I am hoping to finally get a good shot of the lighthouse while it is lit. I try this every year, but fail miserably. I do not have a big expensive pro camera, I have a Fuji S2700… I would love to hear any tips/suggestions you would have to give me so I can be successful this year!
Thank you!!!!!
Sparky Stensaas
October 15th, 2012 at 10:06
Hi Jessi,
Thanks for your question. I am assuming you are going up to Split Rock Lighthouse on November 10th for the lighting of the lighthouse in remembrance of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Not sure of the exact specs of the Fuji but here are some general tips.
I would go down to the beach and out to the island for your shot. Make absolutely sure you put your camera on a tripod! Set the self-timer so that you eliminate camera shake…especially important with low light photos. Turn the flash off. Take many shots so you get one with the light beam. If you are able to underexpose by a stop, do it. This will make the scene moodier. If you are able to use a slow shutter speed, do it. Better chance of capturing the light beam. Hope these tips help!
Thanks for the question.
Sam Cook
October 11th, 2012 at 09:05
Beautiful shot, Sparky.
Kristen Marie
October 15th, 2012 at 21:30
Beautiful picture! Thanks for putting it up! 🙂
Joanne Stensaas
October 19th, 2012 at 22:28
So cute!!!! Aunt Joanne
Beret
October 20th, 2012 at 01:20
Oh my goodness:-)
Sandy
October 20th, 2012 at 08:49
like father, like sons…
Pauline Wahlquist
October 20th, 2012 at 10:22
Really cute!!!
Debbie M.
October 24th, 2012 at 20:07
cute cute cute!!!! 🙂
Karen Matson
October 26th, 2012 at 10:47
Hey Sparky, So cool.
Jeanne Super
October 27th, 2012 at 08:06
They are naturals!!
Jeanne Super
Mike Powell
October 27th, 2012 at 08:46
Wow. Your photos are great and really challenge the conventional wisdom of shooting wildlife with a telephoto lens. I just ordered a longer telephoto zoom and now it seems like I need a really wide angle lens too. Were you shooting with a crop sensor camera or a full frame one?
Sparky Stensaas
October 27th, 2012 at 19:16
Hi Mike, Thanks for the comment. Yes, all are shot with the Canon 7D a 1.6x crop factor camera. I probably shoot 80% of all my wildlife/bird images with the Canon 400mm f5.6, 10% with the Canon 500mm f4 and 10% with the Sigma 10-20mm…but the wide angle shots stand out because they give a very different look.
Joanne Stensaas
October 27th, 2012 at 14:26
Mark, do you have any sunflower pictures in your collection thru the years? Lou wants one for his redecorated bathroom. I was thinking of just one big one in a 9″ by 12″ size. He wants a black frame. We would get the frame later. Sorry to interject this personal note here. Enjoyed seeing your unique ways to photograph animals. Aunt Joanne
Mike Powell
October 28th, 2012 at 18:32
Breathtakingly beautiful, both the scenery and your photos. Thanks too for sharing the technical aspects (lens, aperture, ISO, and exposure). It helps give me an idea of how you achieved the results (though nothing replaces your eye for composing the shots.
travelgardeneat
October 28th, 2012 at 19:26
Incredible photos – – shows the amazing beauty of the Yellowstone landscape. I was always drawn to the scene of buffalo by the steam vents, just a mesmerizing scene. ~ Kat
Debbie M.
October 28th, 2012 at 20:03
Absolutely beautiful pictures! The picture that is the icing on the cake for me is the camp fire/ponderosa pines/ stars. Wish I could be there!!
I am curious what the temperatures were while you were there?
Beret
October 28th, 2012 at 22:22
Alaska ravens can see me and my camera coming from 100 miles away, it’s been SO exasperating:-) I can’t even take pictures from inside a building, good grief!
Sparky Stensaas
October 29th, 2012 at 17:01
I know the frustration! It seems like the biggest birds with the least to fear from predators are the wariest of humans…Like ravens, Bald Eagles, Pileated Woodpeckers, etc…
Ken Brennen
October 29th, 2012 at 11:32
A great visual reminder of the breath-taking beauty and awesomeness of the night sky.
Sparky Stensaas
October 29th, 2012 at 16:59
Yes! It takes fortitude to go out on a dark moonless night when I’m cozy in the living room…but worth the effort! Of course, the secret is to get as far from cities as possible.
Ann Pellant
October 29th, 2012 at 13:38
When do you teach a photography class- if ever??!!
Sparky Stensaas
October 29th, 2012 at 16:58
Hi Ann, I’d like to start teaching some field classes but have not yet taken that step. I do speak at photo clubs, garden clubs, birding clubs and I take suggestions if you know of an organization looking for speakers. Anyway, all talks and classes will be posted here at the website. Thanks!
Beaster5
October 29th, 2012 at 17:55
Love the reenactment, but it should be in black and white with some creepy Halloween music!
Carol
October 29th, 2012 at 22:36
What an experience! Really enjoy your blog – the photos and stories and appreciate the photo taking info. Just heard you are the keynote speaker at the MN naturalists conference next May. Looking forward to it!
Joanne Stensaas
October 30th, 2012 at 00:21
Am so glad you lived to share your story! Joanne
Becky Weers
October 30th, 2012 at 11:25
Be careful you dork! Thank goodness God was taking care of you extra special that day!
Dave Johnson
October 30th, 2012 at 12:17
Be careful Sparky! We need you around for all the wonderful things that you do! Dave Johnson
Pauline Wahlquist
November 2nd, 2012 at 12:24
I would not have expected a lone coyote to attack a human. Seems like really strange behavior. The fur looked really nice. Great shots!
Joanne Stensaas
November 12th, 2012 at 00:28
Glad you stayed your distance this time! Aunt Joanne
j'adore champagne
November 19th, 2012 at 13:42
Very good! Duluth? If you check today’s Independent in London….there is also a guy who gets photos of gulls right in his face! Saw it in print perhaps on line too. Same wavelength; different side of the pond.
Joey Halvorson
November 22nd, 2012 at 19:12
Thanks Sparky, I love learning a little bit more than I did before and the Turkeys fascinate me
Joanne Stensaas
November 27th, 2012 at 00:18
Had no idea that wild turkeys were so beautiful! Aunt Joanne
Dave Benson
December 4th, 2012 at 10:16
I see you working. This is your Christmas list, isn’t it?
Barbara Murray
December 16th, 2012 at 15:26
Just watched some of your nature videos.Sooooo wonderful! Could watch for hours if time permited!
Many thanks for THIS hour of joy!
Barbara Murray
Sparky Stensaas
December 17th, 2012 at 09:51
Thanks Barbara! What a great way to start my week! I really love video…It shows behavior that still images sometimes can’t capture. I’ll keep them coming!
Wyatt VanDePol
December 19th, 2012 at 15:54
Awesome Photos!!! Love it!
SusanREllis (@SusanREllis)
December 19th, 2012 at 15:58
Awesome sequence! We have them in our yard as well, but I haven’t managed this level of expertise!
Jack Viere
December 19th, 2012 at 21:06
The nine shot composite is really great work not to mention it’s really funny (squirrels are hilarious!)
Joanne Stensaas
December 19th, 2012 at 21:43
Mark, they are so cute in the pictures but here in California they are not red and have overrun our area. Any ideas? Aunt Joanne
John Pennoyer
December 20th, 2012 at 06:56
What a great sequence!
Julia
December 20th, 2012 at 16:23
So Cool! ! !
Bernt-Inge Madsen
December 28th, 2012 at 03:50
Hi Sparky
Is there anywhere to pay and download your DVD?
Shipping cost to Norway is the same as the DVD price :S
regards
Bernt-Inge
Sparky Stensaas
December 28th, 2012 at 12:11
Hi Bernt-Inge,
Thanks for your interest in my Get Close & Get the Shot Wildlife Photography DVD!
Sure! We can do a download. Just go to this link:
http://www.birdnerdz.net/shop/get-close-get-the-shot-wildlife-photography-tips-tricks/
Put the DVD in your cart. At check out, click on the $1 shipping option (It won’t let me do $0 shipping).
You can then pay the $30.95 with PayPal.
Once I see the PayPal payment, I will email you a code so you can download the .mov file from my Vimeo site.
Does that work?
I’m 75% Norwegian (as we say in America)…I’ve been to Norway 5 times…LOVE IT! My dad’s family was from Trondheim/Melhus and my mom’s family from Bergen area. The most beautiful country in the world!
Sparky Stensaas
thesparkygroup@gmail.com
Bernt-Inge.com
December 28th, 2012 at 12:31
Thanks 🙂
Paid and used a Florida zip code to get it through the system with $1 shipping 😉
I thought the name sounded norwegian 😉 I´m on a christmas holiday north of Trondheim now, in Brønnøysund, Nordland. Been chasing an Eagle with my camera today, hopefully it will be back tomorrow so I can prepare better.
Looking forward to watch your movie.
regards
Bernt-Inge
Sparky Stensaas
December 28th, 2012 at 17:53
Tusen takk Bernt!
I sent the password to your gmail email address.
Please let me know if all goes well with the download.
Good luck with the eagles!
Juliet Minard Stensaas
January 2nd, 2013 at 14:57
Happy New Year, Sparky!
Sam Cook
January 3rd, 2013 at 10:30
Thanks, Sparky. Nice year.
…Sam
Sparky Stensaas
January 7th, 2013 at 13:46
Thanks Sam!
David Olmstead
January 3rd, 2013 at 15:37
Thanks for sharing. I think your number 1, 2 and 6 choices are my favorite. I think the moose (#6) is a favorite because of the story you told in your earlier post about capturing the shot.
Sparky Stensaas
January 7th, 2013 at 13:46
Thanks David…Yes, Moose calling is an exciting…or boring…hobby…depending on if a Moose comes in on not!
Joey Halvorson
January 3rd, 2013 at 17:31
It must have been hard to choose only 20 but I must say that #1,2, and 3 moved me the most also. I shoot lots of butterflies but have never captured that unique view and lighting. The Bison and the owl give me a similar sense of mystery. Not only in the brooding tones but because I don’t see them often and close enough to feel them. Thank you for this trip through 2012.
Sparky Stensaas
January 7th, 2013 at 13:48
Thanks for your input Joey! Yes, if you find a cooperative and large butterfly next summer, try shooting it with a wide angle lens…Low percentage shooting but lots of fun!
Garrett Conover
January 3rd, 2013 at 18:47
Thanks Sparky, your shots and commentary are always inspiring to me. –Garrett
Sparky Stensaas
January 7th, 2013 at 13:49
Thanks Garrett! This yearly exercise also motivates me to do better each year (because I also get to see all my truly awful photos!)
Mike Powell
January 4th, 2013 at 05:11
The images are beautiful, of course, but their beauty is really enhanced because you took the time to comment on each of them. There is a story behind so many of them and I remember well several of them from the latter months of 2012 when I started following your blog. I love the variety in subjects and techniques (and you’ve already inspired me enough that I just recently bought a wide angle zoom lens to try to get some wildlife shots in a different way).
Sparky Stensaas
January 7th, 2013 at 13:50
Great Mike! Yes, you need to be creative when trying to get wide-angle wildlife shots…but it can be very rewarding when you succeed!
Juliet Minard Stensaas
January 4th, 2013 at 11:20
What a treat to see this 2012 perspective of your stunning work. I really appreciate the time, care and compassion you put into each shot. In my job as a public library librarian, it is such a nice break to take a few minutes to look at nature thru your eyes – thanks!
Sparky Stensaas
January 7th, 2013 at 13:51
Thanks Juliet! I appreciate your comment….from one Stensaas to another!
Rita Wiskowski
January 4th, 2013 at 14:57
I absolutely love your blog and especially your year highlights. You do amazing work.
Sparky Stensaas
January 7th, 2013 at 13:51
Thanks Rita!
Mary Gruhlke-Hall
January 7th, 2013 at 09:54
Just beautiful. I’ve enjoyed following your blog and this iced the cake. I too love the commentaries and vids.
Sparky Stensaas
January 7th, 2013 at 13:51
Thanks Mary! Hoping to make more videos in 2013!
Mory Jahangir
January 20th, 2013 at 17:54
Great work as usual Sparky.
Mike Powell
January 20th, 2013 at 21:49
What a cool video! I enjoyed the photos and video footage, but the soundtrack of the honking of the trumpeter swans was amazing. I felt like I was there (and didn’t even have to get dressed warmly).
Juliet Minard Stensaas
January 21st, 2013 at 08:13
Thanks, Sparky! A great way to start MLK Day!
Sparky Stensaas
January 22nd, 2013 at 06:26
The sound is what really makes that experience!
April
January 21st, 2013 at 10:10
Sparky –
Did you know Sax-Zim was in the New York Times?
http://travel.nytimes.com/2013/01/20/travel/in-a-minnesota-bog-a-festival-of-birds.html?src=me&ref=general
You are so hip!
Sparky Stensaas
January 22nd, 2013 at 06:26
I did! Fun article by my friend Gus Axelson…former editor of the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer.
Joanne Stensaas
January 21st, 2013 at 23:40
Loved both the audio and visual! Am glad I wasn’t there though….too cold and too early. Thanks for sharing. Aunt Joanne
Sue
January 22nd, 2013 at 16:06
Fantastic photos and video Sparky. I’m so sorry I missed your post when I wrote about this same topic yesterday (http://bybio.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/a-bevy-a-lamentation-or-a-wedge/ ) But I’ll update with a link to your post now.
Wyatt
January 29th, 2013 at 07:04
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author. I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will come back down the road. I want to encourage you continue your great work, have a nice afternoon!
Cathy Firth
February 7th, 2013 at 15:52
Thanks
Sent from my iPad
Joey Halvorson
February 23rd, 2013 at 20:42
Emotionally wonderful pictures and I am going to start stacking teleconverters
Deb Potts
February 23rd, 2013 at 22:41
Hey…I’m glad to see you put the video on your blog..I have the stills of that snow plunge 🙂 It was really nice to finally meet you up there and that little bird was truly awesome to watch and photograph…and thanks for tip about the TCs…
Sue
February 24th, 2013 at 20:54
The video captures so much more of the owl persona. Thanks for including it.
Mike Powell
February 25th, 2013 at 06:20
The still photos are amazing, but the video is even more incredible. I loved watching the little head movements of the owl. The hunting sequence in the snow was wonderful.
Karen Matson
February 25th, 2013 at 08:17
Thanks for sharing Sparky. Loved it!!
Joanne Stensaas
February 25th, 2013 at 22:18
Too cute! Aunt Joanne PS. Isn’t it a bit cold for them in Minnesota?
Yer Stanier
March 11th, 2013 at 18:08
Variation in the colour of the eyes from brown to green can all be explained by the amount of melanin in the iris, but blue-eyed individuals only have a small degree of variation in the amount of melanin in their eyes. “From this we can conclude that all blue-eyed individuals are linked to the same ancestor,” says Professor Eiberg. “They have all inherited the same switch at exactly the same spot in their DNA.” Brown-eyed individuals, by contrast, have considerable individual variation in the area of their DNA that controls melanin production.’
My very own web site
<.http://www.caramoantourpackage.com/
fountains
March 13th, 2013 at 19:34
Hmm it seems like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess
I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any suggestions for newbie blog writers? I’d
really appreciate it.
Sparky Stensaas
March 24th, 2013 at 13:57
Hi, My only advise is be semi-regular in your blog posts..I try and do 1 to 4 per month. Also, folks love lists…top tens, or??? Only need one photo per blog post. Also make sure to copy to your facebook and twitter accounts every time you post. Have fun!
Garrett Conover
March 23rd, 2013 at 17:04
I’ve noticed the slight electric green cast on ermines too. One that adopted our permanent wall tent and lived with us for two years was nick-named Greensleeves, although we sometimes substituted “Greenwease” (the “l” was silent). One spring the snow left before the white had molted to brown, and we suspect one of the resident barred owls noticed that one night.
Sparky Stensaas
March 23rd, 2013 at 17:22
Interesting Garrett…yes, the green does seem “electric.”
I bet you didn’t have many mice in your tent that winter!
The Ravens tried to capture these two ermine…Wing marks in the snow told the story…but the ermine dove under to escape.
lylekrahn
March 23rd, 2013 at 20:01
What a fantastic set of photos!
lylekrahn
March 23rd, 2013 at 20:03
The owl really is special and you captured it well.
Sparky Stensaas
March 24th, 2013 at 13:54
Thanks Lyle, yes, they are very rarely seen except during irruptions. Folks came from all over the country. They are easy subjects (when you can find one) as they totally ignore humans.
Greg Douglass
March 24th, 2013 at 09:22
Shibui-Japanese for “understated highly refined elegance”!
Greg
Greg Douglass
March 24th, 2013 at 09:34
Gorgeous, not surprised it made Audubon, well done. Can you please advise on camera, lens and settings?
Greg
Sparky Stensaas
March 24th, 2013 at 13:53
Hi Greg, The Tricolored Heron shot was taken with a borrowed Canon 500mm f4 lens. I believe it was wide open at f4. I put the perch up in hopes of a heron…and several species were fighting over it!
Alan Olander
March 24th, 2013 at 10:28
Excellent post. Great photographs and story.
Mory Jahangir
April 23rd, 2013 at 00:19
Exceptional picture.
David Olmstead
April 29th, 2013 at 08:36
Nice series of photos and as usual great story. Second time in a month that I have seen excellent photos that were taken through a window. Attended a wildlilfe resource agency talk a month ago and the presenter was a gentlemen that has set up an outdoor bird studio in his backyard and he takes 90% of his photos through the sliding doors from his living room. I don’t know that I will come in out of the weather, but I have been motivated to look more closely at the opportunities on my own property. Thanks
John Pennoyer
April 29th, 2013 at 15:10
Fun video to watch!
Mike Powell
April 29th, 2013 at 20:53
Wonderful shots of amazing action (and I loved the video). I remembered too from an earlier posting about how you will sometimes use a wide-angle zoom lens for wildlife, as you did here, and am hoping to try that later this year.
Sue
April 30th, 2013 at 19:29
Fantastic! What a spectacle, and to think that you could sit indoors to photograph it. Sorry, but my windows do not permit such clear shots thought them. A fellow Minnesotan up in St. Paul.
Sandy
May 26th, 2013 at 11:42
since I didn’t make it down to Park Point during the fall out, thanks for the virtual trip Sparky! as always incredible photos
Pauline Wahlquist
May 26th, 2013 at 14:20
Thank you for sharing the pictures of the beautiful birds. I had no idea that we had such lovely travelers.
Debbie M.
May 26th, 2013 at 20:22
Beautiful pictures!!! Last weekend, four of us attended the Detroit Lakes Birding festival and were able to see some of these birds that you captured beautiful pictures of!! Such a treat! Wish some of them would stay around longer for more good looks!
Dave Johnson
May 26th, 2013 at 21:00
What a gift you have shared with us! Thanks Sparky!
Mike Powell
May 27th, 2013 at 04:38
Thanks for an amazing series of shots of so many different warblers (and the tips on how you got them).
victoria Pryce
May 28th, 2013 at 10:29
What a fabulous parade of warblers. Thanks for being so generous with your expertise.
Juliet Minard Stensaas
May 28th, 2013 at 10:55
Sparky, what a great array of spring warblers! It is such a great pleasure to see these gorgeous birds and know that you were able to get so up close and personal with them, Thanks so very much for sharing.
Wadeen Baribeau
May 30th, 2013 at 10:24
Last season or the one before we had a huge fallout of birds along the shores of Florida by Tampa Bay. I was told that the winds and rains out over the ocean tired many birds out that died over the water and when the others finally made landfall, they were exhausted which have us a great opportunity to see and film birds you really never get close enough to see very well. They were everywhere and not moving very fast. Slowly they fed and got strong and left but what an occasion it was 🙂
indybirdphotographer
June 3rd, 2013 at 19:48
Hi Sparky,
I enjoyed looking at your photos.
mjspringett
June 5th, 2013 at 08:53
Wonderful photos, thanks for sharing, I especially liked the Sedge Wren in the dogwood, thanks MJ
Scott Stensaas
June 7th, 2013 at 21:42
Thank You!
Kim Wheeler
June 12th, 2013 at 15:41
Just lovely! Makes me want to go back to Florida as an adult in the digital age!
Pinetree Photo Nature Discovery
June 12th, 2013 at 17:34
I spend winters in the same general area you just visited. It was fun to see your take on some of my favorite Florida subjects. Great shots!
Julia
June 12th, 2013 at 22:33
I love the Sea Grape leaf picture. My favorite colors right now! Glad to hear you had a great time celebrating Sandy’s 70th.
Sue
June 18th, 2013 at 09:24
The colors are vibrant, as if they were taken in bright sun, not gray clouds. I saw many anoles on a recent trip to Florida, and didn’t realize there was an invasive species among them (didn’t see that orange dewlap). Nice collection of photos!
lynnsarda
June 22nd, 2013 at 07:53
Your oystercatcher shots are absolutely wonderful…you got that bird’s personality.
Sent from my iPad
Sandra Banks
June 22nd, 2013 at 08:16
Loved it! Now how about some “human” beach life?
Joanne Stensaas
June 24th, 2013 at 00:07
Hope you had time for a little vacation for you too. Aunt Joanne
Sparky Stensaas
July 6th, 2013 at 14:52
Bridget and I got an afternoon “off” as Nana and Aunt Beth watched the kids.
Dave Johnson
June 30th, 2013 at 12:27
Your work is magic! Thanks for sharing!
James Ownby
June 30th, 2013 at 13:03
You did have vertical lines in the cranes photo, but I’m not sure about your choice of aspect ratio. At any rate, it was an eye-catching photo, the one that stood out for me.
Sparky Stensaas
July 6th, 2013 at 14:51
Thanks James, I will try a horizontal crop too.
David Olmstead
June 30th, 2013 at 14:45
Great series of photographs. Thanks for sharing, and congratulations on raising all that cash for the Bog.
Mike Powell
July 1st, 2013 at 04:09
Wow. Your shots are breathtakingly beautiful. Many of us would be happy to see some of these birds and get record shots, but you did an amazing job in getting creative shots, which undoubtedly required quick thinking and incredible persistence. (Your comment about laying in the snow gives me an idea how hard you worked.)
mjspringett
July 2nd, 2013 at 07:59
Great art, lovely photos, you are an inspiration, thanks MJ
Karen Matson
July 3rd, 2013 at 12:08
Loved the little Yellow Rumped Warbler!! As always Sparky, fantastic!
Sparky Stensaas
July 6th, 2013 at 14:50
Thanks Karen! She looks MAD about all that April snow!
Kim Wheeler
July 11th, 2013 at 11:55
Now you need to add IO, Buck Moth and Pine Imperial, Pink-striped Oakworm and Rosy Maple. great photos!! Love your blog!
Sparky Stensaas
July 11th, 2013 at 11:59
Yes I do! I have Buck Moth from a major emergence in Duluth many years ago (in the “film days”) and have Rosy Maple Moth but am missing the others.
Greg Douglass
July 11th, 2013 at 13:26
Gorgeous, love the backgrounds- WELL DONE !!
Sue
July 11th, 2013 at 15:32
Is this like the Triple Crown of horse racing? Wow — what gorgeous photos, and thanks so much for the great shooting tips. I’m anxious to try this. Fantastic post.
Earl Orf
July 11th, 2013 at 20:12
Beautiful photos, Sparky. I’ve been having good luck with moths this year as well. Do your instructions about Live View apply only to Canon cameras? My Nikon doesn’t seem to operate the way that you describe. Also, have you found a way to get the Tiger Moths and Underwings to hold their wings open so you can get photos of the beautiful hind wings? Earl Orf http://www.earlorfphotos.com
_____
wadeen baribeau
July 31st, 2013 at 09:09
awesome photos; what a wonderful way to start the morning
for me viewing your wildlife 🙂
Sparky Stensaas
August 1st, 2013 at 08:10
Thanks Wadeen!
Earl Orf
July 31st, 2013 at 10:31
Congratulations, Sparky. Nice video, I enjoyed seeing the behaviors of the owlets. By the way, your Vimeo link gave an error, I had to click on the other link in this posting to see the video. Earl Orf http://www.earlorfphotos.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EarlOrfPhotos
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Sparky Stensaas
August 1st, 2013 at 08:09
Hi Earl, Thanks! I’ll see if I can fix the link.
Christa
July 31st, 2013 at 12:10
Awesome! I love owls and I’m currently training to specialize in owl rehabilitation in the Duluth area. I also just started taking photography classes so I found the camera information very interesting and helpful! Class last night was on lighting. I’ll have to ask the instructor what a Beamer is! lol
Sparky Stensaas
August 1st, 2013 at 08:07
Hi Christa, Thanks! A Better Beamer is an attachment for your hot-shoe flash. It basically attaches a fresnel lens in front of the flash in order to throw the light further. Pretty important for certain types of bird photography….low light, birds in shadows etc. Good luck with the owl rehab!
Milt blomberg
July 31st, 2013 at 13:04
super!…like your additional natural history, nature notes, tid-bits incorporated into your writing. mjb
Sparky Stensaas
August 1st, 2013 at 08:07
Thanks Milt! Owl biology is really interesting.
Letizia
July 31st, 2013 at 13:21
What amazing photos!
Juliet Minard-Stensaas
July 31st, 2013 at 16:19
Wow, I almost feel like I was in the bog, too!
Sparky Stensaas
August 1st, 2013 at 08:09
Thanks Juliet! I think it’s the whine of the mosquitos…they are the true essence of the bog!
Mike Powell
August 1st, 2013 at 05:15
Wow. These shots are amazing, truly dreams do come true. Congratulations. I’m still in shock, a baby owl photographed with a 10-20mm lens.
Sparky Stensaas
August 1st, 2013 at 08:04
Thanks Mike…owlets are very tolerant and curious…I just don’t linger long so mom doesn’t get upset!
Pinetree Photo Nature Discovery
August 1st, 2013 at 07:03
Incredible shots and experience. I think the first one with the two owlets peering around the branch is my favorite.
Sparky Stensaas
August 1st, 2013 at 08:03
Thanks Carol…I like that one too…Siblings
Pamela Benson
August 1st, 2013 at 10:39
Simply amazing, Sparky! Wonderful shots!!
Sue
August 2nd, 2013 at 19:37
Great video, and wonderful shots of this somewhat rare (to me) owl. Thanks for the vicarious experience tracking them through the swamp!
Tom Reichner
August 14th, 2013 at 23:24
Awesome use of the light when composing this. I love the way you were able to place the deer in front of the dark slope. Excellent!
Sparky Stensaas
October 6th, 2013 at 09:33
Thanks Tom! A fun morning of actual stalking. We ended up getting close enough for head and shoulder shots. [Mule Deer in Teddy Roosevelt National Park North Dakota]
Mariah Haberman (@MariahHaberman)
September 30th, 2013 at 22:27
Hi there! Did you take this photo? I’d love to use it for a blog post I am writing.
Sparky Stensaas
October 1st, 2013 at 05:29
Hi Mariah,
Yes, you may use this photo for the discover wisconsin blog. MUST use this exact photo credit “©Sparky Stensaas/www.ThePhotoNaturalist.com”
Thanks,
Sparky
Nancy
October 1st, 2013 at 08:44
Your road trips sound/look fantastic
David Olmstead
October 1st, 2013 at 11:06
Hand held with telephoto lens. Wish I had the talent. Nice article and photos.
Ed Mullaney
October 1st, 2013 at 13:43
Always look forward to each new article. Because of an illness in the family I can’t get out at all so it’s nice to live vicariously through your photography. Unfortunately I will soon be able to be back in the field
Sparky Stensaas
October 6th, 2013 at 09:32
Hi Ed, Sorry to hear that. But thanks for the kind words. Getting back in the field will be its own solace …Years ago, Minnesota wildlife photographer Les Blacklock wrote a book called “Meet my Psychiatrist” …all nature photos and stories. I thought, what a fantastic title! And kudos to the publisher that let him use that title. Good luck.
Sue
October 2nd, 2013 at 00:04
Wonderful photos. I had forgotten about this place. Thanks for the reminder.
Sparky Stensaas
October 6th, 2013 at 09:29
Hi Sue,
Yes, Crex Meadows is a fantastic place for wildlife photography spring through fall. And don’t miss their amazing visitor center!
Sue
October 4th, 2013 at 19:53
Great reminders! Thanks.
Greg Douglass
October 5th, 2013 at 07:26
Just as worthwhile and positive as last year. Well done Sparky!
Paul Schillo
October 5th, 2013 at 08:01
Great Pictures Sparky-Really enjoyed them. PS
Sparky Stensaas
October 6th, 2013 at 09:29
Thanks Paul!
Greg Douglass
October 5th, 2013 at 08:03
Love the videos, behavior and the music. So well done. More please, especially wolves! Also, how about some foxes Sparky?
Sparky Stensaas
October 5th, 2013 at 08:44
Hi Greg, I really wish I could film more wolves! …and fox! Hard to find, and even harder to film natural behavior. I’m going Moose calling again this week, so maybe I will have another episode of Shooting with Sparky. p.s. Thank you so much for your DVD order!
Greg Douglass
October 5th, 2013 at 20:06
Sparky,
Can’t wait to get my DVD and put your tips to practical use. Your work is beautiful and really outstanding. Could you consider doing a video on how to attract and film/photograph coyotes?
Sparky Stensaas
October 6th, 2013 at 09:24
Hi Greg, That’s a good idea! Maybe I’ll try and film some more Coyotes this fall and put together a short video.
Liz Deluna gordon
October 5th, 2013 at 11:08
Most beautiful advice I’ve ever seen. Fabulous.
Sparky Stensaas
October 6th, 2013 at 09:28
Thanks so much Liz!
Lynelle
October 5th, 2013 at 18:44
Good job Sparks! These are my favorite images. Did you have to adjust the direction of the horizontal perch or did you just know how to do it right the first time sticking it in the mud?
Sparky Stensaas
October 6th, 2013 at 09:28
Hi Lynelle, Thanks. I just saw this stick in my woods, literally as I was getting in the van. I threw it in the back and headed out. The horizontal stub was a bonus. You rarely find perfect perches like this. It took two attempts to get the right placement of the perch. You’ll notice in the video that the water is already murky from my previous attempt!
Mike Powell
October 5th, 2013 at 18:57
Great idea that worked to perfection. I know from personal experience how spooky these birds can be and the only shots that I have managed to get have been from pretty far away. Your shots are spectacular and I enjoyed the video showing how they were made.
Sparky Stensaas
October 6th, 2013 at 09:26
Hi Mike,
Yes, they are some of the hardest birds to approach for a photograph! It did work amazingly well this time…But I went out a week later and NO Kingfishers showed up, though I could hear one in the distance. Such is wildlife photography…Low percentage shooting!
Dennis Lane
October 9th, 2013 at 17:55
Hi Photo Guy – Excellent shots,I use a canon 60D with the same 400 5.6. I’ll have to try your settings. I’ve been using manual mode set at 1000 to 1600 speed & f/5.6 also I set my ISO @ auto. It works well most of the time. I’m also curious on what blind your using.
Once again your photos & video are just EXCELLENT.
Dennis
Sparky Stensaas
October 10th, 2013 at 11:19
Hi Dennis, Thanks! The blind is the small Lightning Set Blind from Cabelas…Unfortunately the do not make it anymore…Not sure why as it was the easiest blind in the world to set up! I also had the 6-sided Lightning Set but it collapsed and broke the poles because I left it up last April in our backyard (N Minnesota)…and we had 48 inches of wet heavy snow in April! I just shot hawks up at Hawk Ridge, and there I used Shutter Priority at 1/2000 of a second and auto ISO. In that case, the aperture didn’t matter because the background was blue sky and even 5.6 was enough to get the entire hawk sharp. Take care,
Mike Powell
October 11th, 2013 at 14:46
Wonderful shots of the hawks. Somehow I imagined that you had to have a 500mm, 600mm, or even an 800mm lens to get images like these.
Sparky Stensaas
October 11th, 2013 at 14:49
Hi Mike, Actually I think the 400mm length is ideal (plastic owl or not!). It is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to find a flying bird through the viewfinder with a 500mm or longer lens. This is the major problem for these lenses. Great for static perches and slow-moving subjects but terrible for fast-flying birds.
Nancy
October 11th, 2013 at 15:47
Thanks for posting these …. they are fantastic as are all your photos.
Sue
October 12th, 2013 at 10:53
Great tips for shooting raptors! Thanks for this info on camera settings as well. I am lousy at finding and focusing my subject with a 400 mm focal length, unless they are sitting really still. Usually, I zoom in from 100 mm and then focus. By then, I will have lost the flying bird. Any tips for working directly from the 400 mm magnification?
Rita Flores Wiskowski
October 15th, 2013 at 10:51
A feather duster! Now why didn’t I think of that?! Great tips and outstanding photos as always.
Wes Bailey
October 17th, 2013 at 18:24
Hi Sparky,
Not trying to stir the pot but curious why using the feather duster isn’t considered harassment (or is it)? The big deal at Sax-Zim (and elsewhere) is the use of fishing gear (fake mice on the end of a line) to lure in owls and have them fly towards the photographer. Sure different circumstances, starving owl in the winter vs. migrating raptor, but either way it amounts to a disruption that otherwise may not occur. I do enjoy your work – just asking a question is all. Take care!
Sparky Stensaas
October 19th, 2013 at 20:34
Hi Wes, It’s a plastic owl with some feather duster feathers glued to it.
Since the hawks are migrating, they are on the move…No time to linger. They make a pass or two and, satisfied that it is not a real threat, they move on. Of course, I’d NEVER use a plastic owl in the breeding season, no matter if it was near a nest or not. That would be harassment!
Meine Seite
October 18th, 2013 at 14:20
I don’t even know how I ended up right here, but I
assumed this publish was once great. I don’t understand who you might
be but definitely you’re going to a well-known blogger in
the event you are not already. Cheers!
Scott Stensaas
October 19th, 2013 at 12:44
Thanks for great photos including the big lake.
J Pat Valentik
October 20th, 2013 at 12:40
Brains, give me brains
Glory Adams
October 20th, 2013 at 13:08
What a pleasure to see beauty and uplifting pictures in a world so full of horrible problems. Thanks
Christine Oliver
October 20th, 2013 at 13:09
Hmmm how did you get to be red-capped?
j'adore champagne
October 20th, 2013 at 15:25
“Hellllooo! Anyone home?”
Victoria Pryce
October 20th, 2013 at 18:01
I’ve set my cap for you; you have captured my heart.
Dave Benson
October 20th, 2013 at 20:17
“There’s no place like gnome!”
Lee Ann Landstrom
October 21st, 2013 at 17:09
Hey, you in there. Time to fill the feeder!
Mike Powell
October 22nd, 2013 at 04:53
Are you sure this wasn’t taken in Gnome, Alaska?
Mike Powell
October 22nd, 2013 at 04:54
“Do you think that I got the point?”
Mike Powell
October 22nd, 2013 at 04:54
“Oh, no, my cap is now pointless…”
Greg Douglass
October 22nd, 2013 at 09:32
Just magnificent. Your work is incredible Sparky. Can’t get enough, and by the way, I loved my “getting close” DVD. Can’t wait to put the tips into practice. Anymore word on the possible coyote attracting/photography video?
Well done!
Greg
David Olmstead
October 22nd, 2013 at 10:22
Thanks for the great story and facts about the Tamarack. The first photo of the Tamarack reflection is amazing. To this day I remember the Tamarack while growing up in the U.P. of Michigan.
Pinetree Photo Nature Discovery
October 31st, 2013 at 07:36
I love the tamarack time of year. Sorry to hear they are under attack from the Larch Beetle. Interesting facts and, as noted above, the tamarack reflection photo is stunning.
david williams
November 4th, 2013 at 15:34
they look like jackdaw eggs
Donna Crider
November 16th, 2013 at 14:27
Hi Sparky,
I’m wondering how you like your Canon 7D? Have you had any issues with the auto focus, noise with higher ISO’s, mirror falling out, eye piece discoloring and causing skin irritation? I’m thinking about upgrading and discouraged with the reviews I’ve been reading. Thanks in advance for any insights you can share!
Sparky Stensaas
November 19th, 2013 at 13:35
Hi Donna,
I LOVE my Canon 7D! But if you can wait, I bet there is a replacement coming within a year. Just guessing…
Yes, it is noisy above ISO 800 but depending on the image, it may not matter. I’ve shot many moths at ISO 3200 early in the morning with great results.
I’ve sent it to Canon once for some minor repairs.
But…
No eyepiece falling out…No skin rash…No problems with autofocus with GOOD lenses.
The advantages for a wildlife photographer are 1) very high frame rate ..8fps 2) crop sensor 1.6x 3) rugged body 4) Great video capabilities.
B Smith
November 16th, 2013 at 19:26
YES—I have my suit on!
californiaflicka
November 16th, 2013 at 19:58
And then he started to suspect that this was no hot tub party.
Mike Powell
November 16th, 2013 at 20:00
“My honey is in hot water again…what did she do now?”
Mike Powell
December 3rd, 2013 at 04:14
Congratulations. I remember the shot when your first posted it.
falconjenn
December 4th, 2013 at 06:17
Congrats. 🙂 I think all wildife even urbanized is worth depicting. I’m curious about the “tungsten” in the “white balance” . I have to admit, when I take a digital photo, (and sometimes even film!), I usually just fix the color in photoshop or iphoto later. You said the sky was really gray? Do you have a comparison picture? (Just wondering.)
Sparky Stensaas
December 21st, 2013 at 06:39
Hi Jenn,
I usually change/fix white balance in Aperture on my computer too…But in this case, that would not have worked since I wanted the gull a warm tone and the sky a blue cast. If I did it at home on the computer it would have been a global change and the bird would go blue too. I’m sure there is a way to select an area (the sky) and change white balance to a cooler temp., then select the bird and change to warmer white balance, but it sounds like a lot of work…and I don’t know how to do that. I’ll look for a comparison picture. Thanks for your question!
Roger Trentham
December 10th, 2013 at 11:01
Hi Sparky:
I’ll be visiting upper Minnesota in early February. I know it is still early but with the early cold hitting the mid-west have you seen any owls moving South into Minnesota yet? I understand that it is a combination of extreme cold and lack of food that drives them South and I was hoping that this might be a year they migrate into Minnesota. If they do appear in Minnesota, what are some areas Great Gray and Snowy owls may be photographed? Thanks for your help.
Sparky Stensaas
December 21st, 2013 at 06:45
Hi Roger,
There are a fair number of Great Grays being seen…but we think they are resident birds…ones that nested here. Most are only hunting near Black Spruce/Tamarack bogs at dawn and dusk…a sure sign that these are “locals” and that there are plenty of voles this winter. Birds that come south from Canada would be hungry and hunting in open areas all day long. Extreme cold doesn’t have anything to do with irruptions…These birds are built for extremes…Nor does snow depth. The only thing that would cause an irruption would be a lack of food in the North…and that means voles. When voles are at the bottom of their population cycle (every four years or so) the owls move south in search of food. That said, there are usually a few Great Grays and N Hawk Owls that are fairly tame and “shootable”. Snowy Owls are around, with scattered reports. Nothing like the irruption that’s going on in the East Coast this winter. Best areas for Great Grays/N Hawk Owls would be the Sax-Zim Bog and Aitkin County, MN. e-mail me before you come and I can give you exact directions. Thanks!
Nancy
December 15th, 2013 at 18:38
Is the welcome center open? I hope to be in the Sax Zim Bog on Wed.