“With gorilla gone, will there be hope for man?”

September 25, 2019 in Featured

It is a simple question posed by teacher to pupil, yet the words resonate with a force that transcend their simplicity. In his book Ishmael, Daniel Quinn explores human origins, human culture, and the consequences or our blind anthropocentricity. More relevant today than when I first read it in 2004, Ishmael’s perspective on the human condition sheds light on how we have arrived at this place and time.

I have been purposefully cryptic about the book’s content because I want… rather, I need you all to read it. While this blog is posted days beyond its inception, you should know that I began outlining my thoughts following the publication of some disturbing news that appeared in my twitter feed. As I sat down to formulate some thoughts focused on Identity, the following New York Times banner appeared on my screen: “2.9 billion birds have disappeared from the United States and Canada.”

The words sent chill down my spine, and I thought to myself… “With gorilla gone, will there be hope for man?” One day later young people around the world walked out of their classes in protest, and Greta Thunberg was preparing to give her impassioned speech to the UN Council on climate change.

The news of disappearing birds is not the metaphorical “canary in the coal mine,” it is a direct indictment of the environmental damage that is linked to human expansion, human population growth, and our addiction to fossil fuels. While governmental officials wait for the “smoking gun” to incite action, or wait for innovation to bring us back from the brink, the damage continues and those with power don’t care.

As a teacher I profess the power of collective action to my pupils, and sincerely hope that today’s children will be the solution. Yet, the biologist and latent researcher in me fears for the devastation that seems to be the prerequisite before the restoration of biodiversity can begin. Now I wonder… With bird gone, will there be hope for man?

Grizzly Bear - Khutzeymateen Provincial Park, British Columbia Canada

Random Musings on Teaching, Photography, and Conservation

July 12, 2019 in Featured

As a high school educator who has spent the better part of a career teaching Advanced Placement Biology courses, I am constantly looking for ways to inspire “buy-in” by my students. I stress the values of grit, perseverance, and resiliency. I spend my non-contact hours dreaming up ways to bait the hook so that my content is too irresistible to ignore. Yet, there are times when I know I am a fraud; a flimflam artist trying to sell an old junker of a car as if it were something shiny and new. Herein lies what I consider to be the art in teaching.

Harbor Seal - Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia Canada

Photography is a wonderful parallel to my life as a teacher. When I’m not thinking about the next lab or lesson to share with students, I’m dreaming of ways to make compelling images that will engage and entertain the viewer. More than this, I am seeking to inspire my audience to value a world that extends beyond our human wants. I use this medium to display life’s diversity and to illustrate its beauty. Like the teacher who focuses on the extremes of reality to establish a commitment to learning, this photographer uses the same tools as way to inspire conservation and the fear of loss. My hope is that my images force you to look into the eyes of a cute animal in its untouched habitat and wonder…

Bobcat - Point Reyes National Seashore, California United States

The amount of detail captured by the photographer, the cameras used, or the time spent to get on location are all irrelevant if the pictures produced fail to inspire the audience. Like the great teachers, the real wildlife artist is a master of exclusion leaving you with more questions than answers.

12 Months in the Midwest

July 01, 2019 in Featured

The Stillwater Public Library, known for it great views and historic collection, is currently exhibiting 12 of our wildlife images from the upper Midwest. Created with an attempt to portray the diverse nature of our Midwest climate, each photo was titled for the month in which it was taken.

Images are for sale as is the 2020 calendar with all twelve photographs (more on that later). Visit the library to see the collection and drop by on August 22nd for the reception packed with food and live blues music.

Reflecting on 2018

December 23, 2018 in Featured

Today is December 22, 2018*… the day following the Winter Solstice. For many reasons, phenological events associated with the ebb and flow of time hold great meaning for me. The long nights and short days inspire introspection and reflection of the year that was and the one that will soon be. This year was a year defined by political, economic, and environmental chaos that continues to be unsettling. In many ways, the chaos in Washington has sapped a bit of joy from the little things in life. Disrespect for culture, for friends, and for the environment now trumps (pun intended) the common courtesy that once was considered acceptable… if not appropriate. This shortest of days coincides with a governmental shutdown designed to acquiesce to the will of a minority voting block rather than the larger populace of our nation.

I am not sure I know what any of this has to do with photography and the twenty images displayed here, however I think that I can tie it all together. My year in photos was one that included three publications, two workshops, travels to Iceland, Canada, and transcontinental drives across the United States. I visited many new destinations, made images under extreme environmental duress, photographed a few new species, and sadly, became obsessed with the gear I used rather than the images being made. Much like a government which seems to have lost its way, I continued to push the shutter release without giving much thought to the work I was producing. My productivity without focus seems to parallel the workings of a government without a conscious… something a little less than what it could have been.

Postscript - The Images posted are what I consider to be my 20 best from 2018. What follows is a key to what is presented in chronological order. 1. Swan Rousing, Vadnais Heights, MN : 2. Bison Huddle, Yellowstone NP, MT : 3. Tree Bones, Yellowstone NP, MT : 4. Swan Landing, Hudson, WI : 5. Resting on Ice, Hudson, WI : 6. Flocked Tree, Stillwater, MN : 7. Crane Fight, Grantsburg, WI : 8. White Pelican, Stillwater, MN : 9. Chicken Fight, Bluestem Prairie, MN : 10. River Mist, Afton, MN : 11. Tree Bones, Teddy Roosevelt National Park, SD : 12. The Sentient Bear, Kootenay NP , BC Canada : 13. Lake Louise and Misty Clouds, Banff NP, Canada : 14. Rialot Sunset, Olympic NP, WA : 15. Lake Superior Sunrise, Grand Marais, MN : 16. Cow Elk, Elk County, PA : 17. Kirkjufell, Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland : 18: Geothermal Pipes, Reykjanesta Peninsula, Iceland : 19, Water and Rocks, Reykjanesta Peninsula : 20. Buck and Goldenrod, Fort Snelling, MN

*Note: While Posted on December 23rd, I began writing the blog on the evening of December 22nd.

Beaver at Sunrise - Nikon D500 + Nikon 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR, ISO 1600

Geeking Out with Optics... The 500mm PF, 200-500mm VR, & 200-400mm f/4

September 25, 2018 in Featured

While this photo blog focuses more on the process of photography and the ethics of being a nature photographer, every year or so I get the itch to write a gear head / photo geek essay. Years ago, prior to the introduction of the D500, I was inspired by the capabilities of the D7200 (see link) and that seemed to have been a useful post to those who stumbled upon my blog. Today, I’ve decided to share information about a select group of Nikon telephoto lenses with the hope that my experiences may be valuable to present and future readers.

Carpentry - Nikon D500 + Nikon 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR, ISO 1600

For the sake of disclosure, it is important for you to know that I am not a full time professional photographer who makes a living that is exclusively tied to image production. I am a teacher. I teach high school biology, I teach photography, and I lead photo workshops and seminars in and around Minneapolis Minnesota. I have authored numerous articles, and my work has appeared in books, magazines, and throughout the web. Most significantly, I have a modest income, and my expenditures on photographic gear need to be tempered by what my budget can support. As such, I tend to be a bargain hunter. I am always looking for the best functional performance in new or used gear that can meet the demands of the weekend warrior nature photographer.

Piebald Deer - Nikon D500 + Nikon 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR, ISO 1600

The impetus for today’s discussion correlates with the introduction of Nikon’s new AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens. At just over three pounds and less than ten inches long, the thought of shooting and owning an “affordable” super telephoto prime has become something just short of an obsession. So, when my new lens arrived a little more than a week ago, you can only imagine how excited I was. While the 500mm f/5.6PF is not a cheap lens at $3600, it is about $7000 less than Nikon’s premier AF-S 500mm f/4E FL ED VR lens. While I do not own a 500mm f/4 optic, I do have and shoot two other high quality Nikon super telephoto lenses. The lenses I currently own have served my needs in wildlife photography for the past few years, and were used for the majority of wildlife images displayed throughout my galleries on this site.

Great Grey Owl - Nikon D500 + 200-400mm @ 400mm and f/5.6

In 2014 I sold my Canon system and replaced it with Nikon. At the epicenter of my wildlife kit is the AF-S 200-400mm f/4G VR. While the design of this lens dates back to around 2006, it continues to be an extremely versatile and relatively affordable professional tool. The fast f/4 aperture, professional weather sealing, and overall build makes it one of Nikon’s premier lenses. Retailing for around $6500 for the latest model, I bought my lens used for about $2400 at KEH camera. I consider this lens to be one of the greatest bargains for photographers with a modest incomes who want to add a professional lens to their bag. My second wildlife lens actually belongs to my wife and resides within her bag of tricks. The Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR zoom is what I call the “gateway drug” into the Nikon system. We bought this lens new for $1400, and it is the bargain of new designed OEM (original manufacturer) super-telephoto zooms. Exceeding its price point by a mile, the 200-500mm f/5.6 is nearly as sharp as my more expensive 200-400mm f/4, and is more versatile, as it reaches all the way out to 500mm. While not weather-sealed to the degree of other Nikon super telephoto optics, this lens has endured days of salt spray in the Salish Sea, winter snowstorms in Yellowstone, Icelandic rains, and the tropical extremes of Costa Rica. Nikon appeared to cut costs by relying on a more modest design, however they seemed to spare little when it came to using high quality glass in an innovative optical formula.

Atlantic Puffin - Nikon D500 + 200-500mm f/5.6 @ 500mm and f/8

So, with the delivery of my new 500mm PF lens, I wanted to know how its overall optical performance compared to my tried and true lenses. With this goal in mind, I borrowed a stuffed screech owl (circa 1958) from my biology classroom and set it up on a fence that surrounds a local ball field. I then positioned a pair of tripods about 40 meters from the target. I mounted the new 500mm PF with a D500 camera to one tripod, and placed my wife’s 200-500mm f5.6 with matched D500 on an adjacent Gitzo (see set-up picture below).

D500 + 200-500VR on the left, D500 + 500mm PF on the right,… owl mount is just visible in the right corner (image taken with an iPhone 6)

Both cameras were set to AFC-S (single spot) and auto ISO. The lenses were pre-set to f/5.6 and the 200-500mm lens was extended to 500mm. I used back-button focus to aim the camera’s center spot on the face of the owl and ripped about 12 photos in intervals of three. I then chose the best frame from each camera/lens and posted them below. To assess sharpness I extracted a 100% crop of the owl’s face and posted these as well. Note, all images were shot in raw, imported into Lightroom Classic, were NOT modified, and were exported using Lightroom’s “standard sharpening for web.”

(Left -> 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR :: Right -> 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR… click to enlarge)

The second series of images followed the exact same protocol, but rather than being 40 meters from the target, I moved the cameras closer to the bird at a distance of 20 meters. In addition to the 500mm PF and the 200-500mm VR, I also repeated the protocol with my 200-400mm lens set at 400mm and f/5.6. The series of 6 images are labeled with each lens so you can be the judge of how they all performed.

(Left -> 200-500 f5.6E ED VR :: Middle -> 500 f5.6E PF ED VR :: Right-> 200-400 f4G ED VR… click to enlarge)

As a final point, I realize that this is not a lab test for sharpness. I also recognize that I have done little to suggest anything about the effectiveness of VR, autofocus speed, or hand-holdability. However, as a wildlife shooter who still uses a tripod for 90% of his work, I do think that this simple analysis does suggest something about the optical acuity of the three lens. I leave the final judgement about quality to you and other more tech-minded reviewer… happy shooting…

Buck - Nikon D500 + Nikon 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR, ISO 1600

Steeler Sea Lions near the Broughton Archipelago in British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D500 + Nikon 300mm f/4 PF Lens

What's Happening (Part ii)?

September 15, 2018 in Featured

I deliberately divided this look at my photographic exploits into two distinctly different posts. The first, published on September 1, was a bit of travel update as I was reflecting on the joys of my rare extended summer break. In contrast, this post might be interpreted as a minor brag about recent publications, updates to the website, and upcoming opportunities to participate in my photo workshops.

It’s been a while since I have authored a photography related article, but the long drought has finally ended. Nature Photographer Magazine published my article about keystone species in their 2018 Summer/Early Autumn issue. With a focus on the role of beavers in wetland communities, this article includes a number of photographs taken throughout the last few years.

While lightning rarely strikes twice in the same spot, I, evidently, can get more than one piece of work published in a season. In fact, the Grinnell College journal, Rootstalk, with its focus on “prairie culture, science, and the arts,” used my grassland sunrise photo for their cover art as well as an image of a summer bison within the pages. Much credit belongs to my former student Tim Brennhofer, who recommended my work to the managing editor of the journal.

As for website updates, I have finally published a new gallery of work that has taken nearly a year to edit. What was once 8500 pictures is now 54. If you have some time to kill, check out “The Wild BC Coast.” This series of images were made during the summer of 2017 when Tamy and I spent over a week on a small sailboat cruising channels and investigating rocky islands between mainland BC and Vancouver Island. If you likes marine mammals like whales, sea lions, otters, and foggy landscapes, you may find this body work interesting.

Workshops?…. yes, I actually use my teaching skills to help photographers too! Are you interested in picking my brain? Are you looking for some insight on ways to improve your nature photographs? Are you struggling with your camera and want to learn how to use it in a more deliberate manner? Well if this is you, or just want to hang out with fellow photographers, you can join me on one of two instructional workshops that I am teaching in October. The first, hosted by the Hardwood Creek Library in Forest Lake, will begin with a seminar on Friday October 5th followed by a morning of in the field instruction on Saturday October 6th. If this sounds interesting to you, please check out this link for information about how to register.

Finally, I will be co-hosting a destination wildlife photography workshop with my good friend and fellow photographer Brian Collins. The workshop, to be held at Crex Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Grantsburg WI, will be all about improving your skills as a wildlife photographer. Crex Meadows is a critical wetland habitat used by migrating waterfowl and sandhill cranes. Renowned for its autumn migratory spectacle, as many as 5000 cranes roost within the sanctuary’s boundaries. This will be a great opportunity to photograph birds in flight as we hope to capture take-offs at sunrise and landings at sunset. In addition to cranes there are always opportunities to photograph Canadian Geese, migratory flocks, and the occasional predator looking for a meal. Brian and I will teach you techniques of capturing wildlife, discuss key pieces of gear for making wildlife images, and will share our insights about where to be when the cranes are flying throughout the park. This workshop is being offered by West Photo in Minneapolis, MN, and is sponsored by Sony, Fujifilm, Manfroto, Tamron, and Blackrapid. Tuition is $75. If you are interested please check out the following link.

Parachuting Cranes, Crex Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary
Nikon D500 + Nikon 200-400mm VR Lens

Kirkjufell on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, near the town of Grundarfjörður.
Nikon D810 / Nikkor 16-35mm f/4VR / Vue 10-Stop ND Filter / Induro GIT303 w/ BHL3S Ball Head

What's Happening?

September 01, 2018 in Featured

To say that it has been a busy summer would be one large understatement. Construction at the high school where I teach allowed for a two week early release, so Tamy and I did whatever we could to take advantage of the extra time. With 10 contiguous weeks away from work, I managed to spend 17 days driving west with the goal of reaching the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. We packed a lot of photo gear, two golden doodles, and some food into the Jeep and dragged the RPod through Theodore Roosevelt NP, Glacier NP, Banff NP, Kootenay NP, and Olympic NP. Other than a nasty heat spell in North Dakota, we managed to spend most of our time photographing landscapes and wildlife as we made our way to the Pacific Coast. Shortly after our return home, we restocked the trailer and pointed the Jeep north where we spent 5 days along Minnesota's North Shore. A respite from the 5000 plus miles of driving, this was a more leisurely way to pursue a bit of landscape photography. With our tiny trailer parked on the edge of Lake Superior, we had countless opportunities to photograph the varied moods of this Great Lake. Following a brief recovery period, we hit the road again, but this time in "The Cooper." Like squeezing sardines into its tin, we drove East to New York where I visited family and photographed elk in foggy landscapes across Northwest Pennsylvania. Not one to embrace long stretches of nothingness, I managed to find some inexpensive airfare to Iceland, so Tamy and I decided to explored the Northwest in a Happy Camper Van that served as our base of operations.

Storm over the Grand Marais Lighthouse, Grand Marais MN
Nikon D810 / Nikon 70-200mm f/4VR / Gitzo Mountaineer Tripod w/ Induro BHL3 Ball Head

To say we've had some fun would be like claiming that ice cream is cold. It's been a great summer and the fall promises to be as exciting photographically and educationally as every autumn seems to be. This teacher and photographer is definitely refreshed. I have great plans for my students and my small business... stay tuned, and happy shooting!

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