Máistir Nádúraí: Snowflakes!

1.11.2016

Snowflakes!

I haven't been to Pheasant Branch Conservancy since the 3rd, but I may venture out there tomorrow morning if it isn't too cold. Digiscoping in super-cold weather doesn't work very well on account of turbulence from the temperature differential inside the spotting scope compared to the outside air. It's pretty difficult to achieve sharply focused images.

This evening I spent some time photographing fresh snowflakes from my patio using my macro lens. Some were photographed on my patio railing, others I let collect on my cap for a few minutes. Read this if you're curious about the scientific explanation for their six-sided shape.

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.