Canadian Geese doing a flyby at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. On this day the place was full of geese, pelicans, egrets and more! Around St. Louis these geese are pretty common. In fact they may be considered a nuisance. However, these birds are always amazing to watch fly by.
A pair of White Pelicans at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Riverlands is just south of Alton, IL and has over 8.5 miles of trail featuring viewing platforms and bird blinds. The trails bring you through prairies, marshes, and bottomland forest habitats, and provide great viewing opportunities for the great variety of birds and other wildlife.
While I was here I watched flocks of these birds fly in and out of the area along with geese and ducks.
This is just off of the the Great River Road (see previous post) and an amazing place.
Flowing through America’s heartland, the Mississippi River provides a pathway for commerce and travel. As barges, trains and highway traffic move up and down the river, a power plant in the background provides electricity for the area.
The highway is one of the most scenic drives in the United States and is known as The Great River Road and stretches from Alton Illinois on past Pere Marquette Park. The drive provides a stunning vista of the Mississippi River and bluffs towering above the highway.
The highway will you take to places where you could spend the whole day: Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Historic Alton, Elsa, Grafton and Pere Marquette Park & Lodge. If you live in Missouri, there are ferries to take you home. Be sure to bring your camera!
Watch this blog for a series of photos from this area. Click the photo to see a larger version in my smugmug account.
After scouring woods, creeks and valleys, hunters return empty handed. This is in Lincoln County, Missouri with low rolling hills that turn into rugged terrain towards the Mississippi River. An easy area for these hunters to trail fox and the Basseters chase rabbits. However the enjoyment of being outdoors, camaraderie of friends and the after hunt meals make this a special day.
Hidden along the ridges of Chesterfield Valley you will find these scenic farms. On many Sundays in the Fall and Winter I will go hunting with a pack of Basset Hounds. Traveling through the back woods of farms and parks, following the pack, you will come upon scenes like this and this is probably the best way to experience Missouri’s fall color. Hope you enjoy my favorite season!
Click on the photo to see full screen (it might take about 20 seconds).
Missouri Botanical Garden’s Garden Party Lights features interactive lighting, projection mapping, and laser show installations.
At dark, the light show begins. Visitors take a self-guided journey through over a mile of free-flowing paths with electrifying multimedia created in collaboration with world-renowned projection and lighting experts AVI Systems and Theatrical Concepts Inc.
This is a laser projection on Henry Shaw’s home on the grounds. This is actually a live presentation featuring high definition music and narration. The interactive sights and sounds are something to see.
Be sure to click on the photo for a larger image and more scenes from the gardens.
Last weekend I was able to join a group of fox hunters in Pike County, Missouri. The hunters are dressed in full regalia and ride well groomed horses. The riders with their hounds are really something to see. Here we have a rider with 12 couples or 24 hounds. Twenty riders and the hounds will go through woods, fields and stream looking trying to pick up the scent of a fox.
Lots of excitement this day for the hounds horses and riders. Also, the fox were off doing something else, none to be found.
Early morning on Lake Minocqua. The fog has settled in and boats have not ventured out onto the lake. It is cold this morning but soon the fishermen will be out on the lake heading to their favorite spot.
This misty morning is very calm allowing for wonderful reflections on the lake.
Fall weather sets in on Lake Minocqua. This northern community usually sees it first snow in October and lazy summer days are at an end. In a short time, snowmobiles will be racing on the lake and traversing groomed trails through the woods.
On this day I got up early to photograph a sunrise and found this beautiful scene on the lake.
Click on the photo to see a larger version and more options.
You know it is fall when you experience opening day of Basseting. During the fall season through winter, about a dozen Basset Hounds are tested to see if they can find and follow the scent of a rabbit. Once the scent is found the Hounds go on full alert and try to find their elusive prey. Unfortunately the hounds are on the hare’s territory so eluding the Bassets is not a problem but everyone enjoys the chase!
