Monday, April 30, 2007

Wild yard bunny

This is one of the wild rabbits that hangs out in my yard. There were two outside at the time, but i wasn't able to get both in the same shot. I have six pet rabbits that live in the house with me and are spoiled rotten, but i also enjoy watching and seeing the wild rabbits happy. I've seen some unusual ones out there, and do what i can to not disturb them, mostly taking photos through the windows. There were a couple wild ones a few years ago that had Shopes, and my vet said it might not be a good idea to let my bunnies play out there and get it. Most of mine had been abandoned outside by people and i got them from the humane society, so they always act a little scared outside anyway. There was also a wild rabbit with only three legs, but the vet said that as long as he could get around and run, he should be fine. There are some predators in the area, birds of prey, wolves, foxes and such. I worry more about people hurting them though, wild animals do what they have to survive, people can just be mean.

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Public Library

Today i went to a presentation at the public library in town called "Real Men Wear Kilts" about the history of tartans and kilts. It was pretty interesting and the husband and wife were interesting characters who weave custom tartans. The new library is turning 10 years old this year, and has an interesting history that goes back to around 100 years ago. It's crazy hot out there right now, 88F at last check, and storms are looming so i'm hoping to get some night shots of lightning if i can for the next post.

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Neat house in town

This is one of my favorite houses in town, there isn't another one like it and it has such character. I've always wanted to ask the people who live there what it looks like inside, but i'm sure they get that all the time, so i don't. If it ever goes for sale though i'm going in on an open house.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Mourning Doves

This is kind of rushed picture, i saw them on my deck and quickly grabbed my camera, so it's kind of funny that i used a macro lens to get this, but i really like how it turned out. These are two of the mourning doves that live in one of the trees of my yard, i love the sounds they make and can't really understand why people would want to hunt them. They are very pretty to me, and kind of graceful in a funny way. I get mostly grackles, but also mourning doves, cardinals, blue birds and little ones i forget the name of. I occasionally see humming birds, but not a lot, even when i have a feeder, but i love them. Besides taking pictures of macro objects and night photography, i really enjoy trying to photograph wildlife living in my back yard. You'll probably get sick of those, but it is in River Falls. ;)

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Downtown at night

Here is downtown River Falls at night, looking south. You can pretty much see the entire downtown, it's not very big. The road is split into two one way sides with parking and trees in the middle. I've noticed that when i take photos at night police cars drive by slowly, and i imagine they are thinking "What is that guy doing with a tripod? Oh, it's a camera.".

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Hydroelectric Dam

This is the hydroelectric power plant here in town, it's only about half a mile from my house. The view from the bottom side of the dam is interesting too, and i will post that at some point too. There is some interesting geography here in town, which i have never really noticed before, but am seeing more of now. There is also a push to go more "green" (environmentally good) power here in town, and i think the hydroelectric is a good way to generate power. It's been overcast for quite some time, so the sky isn't very interesting in the last few days. ;)

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Flowers blooming

This came as a little surprise to me, i hadn't noticed that there were flowers blooming yet until i went out in the back yard to clean something up. I'm sorry i have a problem remembering what kind of flowers these are, but they come up every year. It looks like there are going to be more blooming soon too.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Construction in town

This is a photo taken today on the south edge of town where new construction has been going on for a while. I've never seen a foundation to a house like that, with all the pipes and such already sticking out without a building on top. This devolpment is right next to farm land and forests, and although i am about a half mile away from it or so, i still see foxes and other wild animals near my house. I've heard people have seen bears, i've never seen one in town, but i have seen some in Woodbury, which is the nearest suburb of the Twin Cities.


Sunday, April 22, 2007

Kleinpell Fine Arts (KFA) Building at night

This is the Kleinpell Fine Arts (KFA) building at the State University in town taken while it was still dark with a 30 second exposure and fish eye lens. The lights are more yellow, but i color corrected to make it more how i looks when you get used to the yellow lights. This is the building most of the classes i end up taking are in, arts, film studies, classes like that.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Kinnickinnic River

This is a picture of the Kinnickinnic river on the north side of town, not quite under the bridge. The trees still haven't gotten leaves yet, but the grass is getting green and plants are starting to come up. It was around 80F today, very windy, with storms predicted for later.

Spring now.

Spring has come, which is nice as it got warm and then snowed less than a week ago. It still gets chilly at night but the daytime is almost perfect with temps around 64F.
This picture was taken in my yard, i was playing around with the camera on a monopod held upside down. Just has a feeling of how it feels out now to me.