Oct 9, 2021 | AF-S 50mm f1.4G, Crabtree Nature Preserve, Illinois, Nikon D300, Nikon D300 Salad
Nikon D300 Salad | Pathway to Spring Springtime bursts with life at Crabtree Nature Center. From tree buds to turtles, spring brings to life all that is natural in northern Illinois. OK, it’s not spring right now. Still, it’s a cool image in my book. See Way Cool | a 7 Image Story for more of my favorite off beat images.
The Back Story This image came from a simple click along the hiking path. Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.
Details….
| Event | Spring Walkabout |
| Location | Crabtree Nature Preserve |
| Date/Time | 3/18/2010 8:30am Local Time |
| Weather | Partly Cloudy | 47°F | Light Winds |
| Method | Simple click along the hiking path. |
| Gear | Nikon D300 with an AF-S 50mm f1.4G lens |
Exposure
| 50mm (75mm) f/16 1/100s 0ev 200iso |
| Post | |
Oct 4, 2021 | AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, Gray Squirrel, Illinois, Nikon D300, Nikon D300 Salad
Nikon D300 Salad | Gray Squirrel in Fall Gray Squirrels seem like they are every color but well, gray. This guy was just having a good time in the early morning light.
The Back Story To capture the image without disturbing the gray squirrel’s routine, I used a long lens and stayed very low. It took a long time before he came into the good light. Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.
Details…
| Event | Walkabout |
| Location | Northern Michigan |
| Date/Time | 9/17/2009 10:29am Local Time |
| Weather | Partly Cloudy | 63°F | Light Winds |
| Method | Simple click after waiting for the light. |
| Gear | Nikon D300 with an AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR lens |
Exposure
| 400mm (600mm) f/8 1/60s 0ev 1800iso |
| Post | |
Oct 3, 2021 | AF-S DX 12-24mm f4G IF ED, Illinois, Nikon D300, Nikon D300 Salad
Nikon D300 Salad | Illinois Farm Even the flat land of Illinois sometimes makes a dramatic landscape image. This image was captured just as rain showers were moving off stage left. Within an hour, the clouds were gone and the sun had set. The challenge, of course, is to capture the essence of the moment.
The Back Story This image was a simple click after stopping along the gravel road. Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.
Details…
| Event | A Drive through the Country |
| Location | Northern Illinois |
| Date/Time | 8/18/2009 6:28pm Local Time |
| Weather | Mostly Cloudy | 72°F | Light Winds |
| Method | Simple click. |
| Gear | Nikon D300 with an AF-S DX 12-24mm f4G IF ED lens |
Exposure
| 24mm (36mm) f/16 1/60s 0ev 220iso |
| Post | |
May 17, 2021 | AF-S 50mm f1.4G, Daily Image 2021, Illinois, Landscape Portfolio Posts, Nikon D300
Landscape Portfolio | Walkway to Nature Springtime bursts with life at Crabtree Nature Center. From tree buds to turtles, spring brings to life all that is natural in northern Illinois. Nature preserves become more active during the spring. They can take us to another place and time, if we only venture over the walkway.
The Back Story Actually, this image took a while to develop. I visited Crabtree Nature Center on several occasions, a few days, apart while waiting for the color to turn. The color in this image finally came out.
Details…
| Event | An Hour along Crabtree Nature Center Trails |
| Location | Crabtree Nature Center |
| Date/Time | 3/18/2010 8:30 am Local Time |
| Weather | Partly Cloudy | 47°F | Light Winds |
| Method | Multiple images, several different days, a tripod…a not so simple click. |
| Gear | Nikon D300 with 12-24 mm zoom lens |
May 14, 2021 | AF-S DX 12-24mm f4G IF ED, Daily Image 2021, Illinois, Landscape Portfolio Posts, Nikon D300
Landscape Portfolio | Tallgrass Prairie Illinois was once covered with tall grass prairie. This fertile land has been mostly converted to farming land. Although Illinois was on on the far eastern edge of the Great American Prairie, it still contains several restored prairies to remind us of their natural beauty. This image comes from the Nachusa Grasslands in northwestern Illinois managed by The Nature Conservancy. See The Great American Prairie | a 7 Image Story for additional information and images,
The Back Story The Nachusa Grasslands has numerous trails through the grasslands. Most images come from simple clicks along the trail.
Details…
| Event | A Day Trip to Nachusa Grasslands |
| Location | Nachusa Grasslands |
| Date/Time | 8/25/2009 4:32 pm Local Time |
| Weather | Mostly Cloudy | 80°F | Moderate Wind |
| Method | Simple clicks on a hike through the tallgrass prairie. |
| Gear | Nikon D300 with 12-24 mm zoom lens |
Apr 25, 2021 | AF-S 50mm f1.4G, Illinois, Nikon D300, Spring Potpourri
Spring Potpourri | Walkway to Nature Nature preserves become more active during the spring. They can take us to another place and time, if we only venture over the walkway.
Dec 27, 2020 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, 2020 Good Riddance, Daily Image 2020, Illinois, Nikon 1 V3
2020 Good Riddance | Path Less Traveled This bike and walking path looks like many folks may feel this year. It looks forward to warmer weather and sunny days. For the whole story with all images, see 2020 Good Riddance | a 7 Image Story.
Oct 11, 2020 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, 21mm MOVO for Nikon 1, 7 Image Stories, AF-S 50mm f1.4G, Hunt for Red October Leaves, Illinois, Leaves, Nature, Nikon 1 V1, Nikon 1 V3
Hunt for Red October Leaves | a 7 Image Story The hunt for red October leaves is much harder than it would seem in northern Illinois. Northern Illinois has many trees with yellow and/or orange leaves, but not many with deep red leaves. For the deep reds, one must travel farther north or wait a few more weeks for red Icy Leaves.
Why a Sandhill Crane image? Well, first I like Sandhill Cranes. Second, they do have some red on their heads. Third, this Sandhill was finding some food in the grass while I was on my hunt for red October leaves.
Red Symmetry The Maple leaf’s symmetry makes it an unmistakable symbol of strength and endurance. The 21mm extension tube helps the veins of this maple leaf at peak color to make a distinctive impression. Slowly Turning Northern Illinois leaves turn slowly from shades of green to yellows to reds. Tree Line The trees in this tree line turn red at the same time each year. The tree line lies next to a bean field which lies next to a polo field. Yep, there’s a polo field in the middle of a grain farm. Burning Bush The trusty burning bush never disappoints. It always turns a brilliant red even if the trees only go to yellow or light red. Backyard Beauty is where you find it. Sometimes, it’s in the backyard. Bush in the Woods On my walkabout through the woods this beautiful red bush adorned the trail. It almost looks leather like. Along My Walkabout While walking along the lake, this tree stands out among so many others.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Hunt for Red October Leaves.
Click any image below for a slide show.
