Elk photo trip

Dan and Mary Dreher are putting together an Elk viewing/photo taking excursion to Clam Lake Wisconsin on the weekend on the 28th and 29th of Sept.. This is approximately 180 miles northeast of the Twin Cities. See Dan's blog at: http://www.wildlifephotographybymhd.com/blog.html for more info and to see a couple elk photos.

Dan is seeing about motel availability and there is a USFS campground at Day Lake campground which is located 1 mile north of Clam Lake. More info at our next meeting on Sept. 7

There is a photography workshop coming up at Maplewood Nature Center that I thought I would pass on to the camera club members.  The information is as follows:

CAPTURING INSECTS THROUGH YOUR CAMERA 
Saturday, August 17, 9 am-Noon
Learn the secrets of photographing bugs close-up from expert photographer Bill Johnson.    Bring your camera on a ‘bug hunt’ around Maplewood nature center’s native gardens as you learn how to take successful insect photos using your own equipment.    Take away tips, resources and photographic techniques as well as where and how to look for insect subjects. 
 View photographic print examples as the end result of the photographic techniques that have been discussed.  

Bill Johnson’s insect photography has been published in over 800 publications. He writes the column ‘Insect ID’ for Horticulture Magazine.
See his work at:  www.billjohnsonbeyondbutterflies.com
Location:  Maplewood Nature Center, 2659 7th St. E, Maplewood, 651-249-2170
Fee: $30/person.  Prepay by August 9th.    651-249-2170.     Adults

Rescued these two young racoons from the trash bin in the first beach parking lot Saturday before the meeting.

Some of my shots from Mystery Cave at Forestville State Park.

Saw three big bucks at the top of the hill under the flight path at around 9:15 pm today. Here's my best shot of one of them.

 Great day to take the kids to the beach.

 I was out kayaking on Snelling lake and saw this Black-crowned Night Heron. She/he let me get within 20 feet of him/her. Supposedly nocturnal and roosts and sleeps during the day. Taken around 10:00AM.

He/she held its beak open in the water for a good 2 minutes. Waiting for breakfast to swim in?

The 35 Most Spectacular Wildlife Photos From The National Geographic Photo Contest

Great National Geo pics worth sharing....