Máistir Nádúraí: Quiet

4.27.2015

Quiet

I wasn't even going to carry my camera. It was pretty quiet in the morning and it carried over into the evening. I saw Jim O'Brien coming from the opposite direction and we agreed ... it was quiet. There wasn't even a single Yellow-rumped Warbler. However, other subjects soon began to appear out of light and reflections of light—translucent leaves, thousands of tiny flies. Then the Barred Owl called and a Belted Kingfisher rattled over to its perch above the creek, breaking the silence for a short time. The quiet was utterly enjoyable and even a Wood Duck was quiet for a change. The soundless sun sank into the west and in hushed tones the critters under the moon told me to return in the morning.

Naturally, I will.

Bio:

Mike McDowell has been documenting southern Wisconsin’s flora and fauna since 1987 and began leading field trips in 2002. Prolific at Pheasant Branch Conservancy, other highlighted natural areas include Pope Farm Conservancy, Spring Green Preserve, and the Baraboo Hills. His nature photography has appeared in various publications, newspapers, magazines and was even featured on a Wisconsin Endangered Resources license plate, a Capital Brewery beer label, and a National Geographic publication. He began journaling nature observations on this blog in 2005. He's the recipient of the 2012 Bronze Passenger Pigeon Award from the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their local communities or state to promote the field of ornithology. He was a finalist in Swarovski’s Digiscoper of the Year photography contest several times. His other interests include insect macro-photography (especially tiger beetles, treehoppers, and robber flies), fossil collecting, amateur astronomy, botany, natural history, and marksmanship with long-range rifles. Once a gigging musician, collecting Fender Stratocasters is a recently revived interest—most prized being a 1957 Vintage Custom Shop 'Mary Kaye' White Blonde. A former IT Professional, he's spent the last 24 years employed in the sport optics industry.