iPhone Field Reports Archives

Nature’s Window: Spring melt

June 21, 2022 by John L. Dengler

Upper McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park surges with water, tumbling over McDonald Falls on a late Spring day in May.

Climate change is affecting the park. Glacier National Park is currently home to 26 glaciers. Compare that to the 80 glaciers that existed in the park in 1850. Based on the current rate of climate change, there may not be any glaciers in Glacier National Park in 2030. Already, some of the remaining 26 glaciers are considered too small to be considered glaciers. Between 1966 and 2015, every named glacier in the park got smaller, some by more than 80%.

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Capturing memories of Glacier National Park with a cell phone camera

June 19, 2022 by John L. Dengler

While I spent most of a recent long-weekend trip to Glacier National Park in Montana lugging my heavy Nikon camera and lenses, I found myself without them during an impromptu hike to Avalanche Lake in the park.

The point I want to make is that it has been said that the best camera is the camera you have with you. In this case, all I had was my iPhone. Not having my super high-quality Nikon equipment forced me to approach photography differently. The best part was not being burdened by lugging the typical backpack of gear up the mountain. Being liberated from this made the hike enjoyable and allowed me to easily and quickly try different things.

It really is true. The best camera is the camera that you have with you. Would I have taken more technically better quality photos with my Nikon equipment? Probably, but without the iPhone on this hike on this day, I would have only had memories had I not had the phone.

The 4.5-mile roundtrip hike to the mountain lake was fun, relatively easy, with beautiful scenery. Included that day was a side-hike through a grove of giant western cedars on the Trail of the Cedars trail that connects with the Avalanche Lake Trail.

Western Red Cedar branch litter — *Twigs and small branches litter the forest floor under a giant western red cedar tree (Thuja plicata) along the Trail of the Cedars, a wheelchair-accessible trail in Glacier National Park.*

Western Red Cedar tree — One of the huge western red cedar trees along the Trail of the Cedars, a wheelchair-accessible trail, in Glacier National Park. The humidity of the Lake McDonald Valley enables the cedars to grow in size of 100 feet tall and diameters of four to seven feet, with many of the trees being more than 500 years old. The western red cedar is one of the most widespread trees in the Pacific Northwest, ranging from southern Alaska to northern California. This grove in Glacier National Park is near the eastern terminus of the western red cedar range.

Forest view of Trail of the Cedars — *The Trail of the Cedars, a wheelchair-accessible Glacier National Park trail, allows visitors entry to the magical world of a 500-year-old western red cedar / black cottonwood forest.*

Black cottonwood tree — In this photo, a black cottonwood tree (Populus balsamifera), foreground, is bathed in the dappled light of the forest. The fuzzy fruit of the tree floats in the air during the spring and early summer, creating the look of warm-season snow. They inhabit riparian areas, including streams.

Avalanche Creek gorge — Both the Trail of the Cedars and the Avalanche Lake Trail afford incredible views of the gorge of Avalanche Creek. This photo was taken very near where the easy Trail of the Cedars joins the more moderate-challenging Avalanche Lake Trail.

*Avalanche Creek overflows onto the forest floor along the 4.5-mile roundtrip hike to Avalanche Lake.*

Moss covered boulder — *A sliver of sunlight lights a moss-covered boulder—an excellent example of how photography is all about light.*

Rain approaches Avalanche Lake as seen from the Avalanche Lake Trail. Avalanche Lake was named in 1895 by a party including Dr. Lyman Sperry, namesake of the Sperry Glacier, who witnessed many avalanches during their stay. The meltwater from Sperry Glacier feeds the lake. Monument Falls can be seen cascading down the mountain in the background along the cliff face. Avalanche Lake is the destination of the 4.5-mile roundtrip Avalanche Lake Trail. This photo was taken with the iPhone panorama shooting feature.

Glacier National Park in the Rocky Mountains of Montana encompasses more than 1 million acres. The park’s nickname is the “Crown of the Continent Ecosystem.” The park was established in May 1910. Soon after, hotels and chalets were established in the park, including the Lake McDonald Lodge. In 1932 construction began on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, allowing automobiles to traverse the park. Climate change is affecting the park. As of 2010, only 25 active glaciers remain in the park, down from the 150 that existed in the mid-19th century.

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After a million visiting birds, quiet time at Loess Bluffs

February 4, 2022 by John L. Dengler

A juvenile bald eagle feeds on the remains of waterfowl in the Pelican Pool at the Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 700-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats. — *A juvenile bald eagle feeds on the remains of waterfowl in the Pelican Pool at Loess Bluffs NWR.*

A few weeks ago, I made a scouting trip to the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Missouri near the Nebraska/Iowa/Missouri border. I use the word “scouting” trip as I knew I was traveling there long after the big migration of waterfowl (and the accompanying bald eagles) had passed through. Still, I wanted to make the trip because I have wanted to check the area out for over a decade so I knew what to expect when I would return during the height of the massive migration of millions, yes millions of birds.

Sunset over the Cattail Pool at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 700-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats. — *Sunset over the Cattail Pool at Loess Bluffs NWR.*

Snow and ice on the Snow Goose Pool Complex at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 700-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats. — *Snow and ice on the Snow Goose Pool Complex.*

I found the refuge (formally known as Squaw Creek) largely deserted, not only of people but of waterfowl. Outside of a few waterfowl stragglers, a few bald eagles (likely resident), and a coyote or two. Of the 7,440 acres of the frozen landscape, I found only one small pool of water that wasn’t frozen over. It was quite a distance, and any attempt of trying to get closer to the waterfowl would have caused them to take flight and expend their much-needed energy. As the saying goes, if all you have are lemons, you make lemonade, which is what I did. The results are nothing to shout about, but it allowed me to get a feel for the possibilities for future trips to the refuge.

I look forward to returning.

A juvenile bald eagle swoops down on trumpeter swans and other waterfowl in the Snow Goose Pond Complex at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 700-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months.

The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats. — *A juvenile bald eagle swoops down on trumpeter swans and other waterfowl in the Snow Goose Pond Complex.*

An injured coyote makes his way across the frozen and snow covered pond of the Snow Goose Complex at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 700-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months.

The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats.

A bald eagle awaits sunrise as the moon sets at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 700-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats. — *A bald eagle awaits sunrise as the moon sets.*

Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of snow geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes is a great way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats.

**VIEWER’S TIP:** Eagles are less likely to fly away if you view from inside your car. Your car is a great “mobile” blind.

A pair of bald eagles perched in a tree overlooking the Cattail Pool at Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly known as Squaw Creek). Loess Bluffs is a wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 700-acre refuge, located in northwest Missouri is known for the migrating waterfowl, particularly Snow Geese. Fall and Spring migration can bring millions of Snow Geese to the refuge. Also, bald eagles and an occasional golden eagle pass through the area during the fall and winter months. The 10-mile auto tour around the waterways and marshes of the refuge is an excellent way to spot birds of prey, waterfowl, beavers, otters, and muskrats. — *A pair of bald eagles perched in a tree overlooking the Cattail Pool at Loess Bluffs NWR as the moon sets on a chilly January morning.*

VIEW PHOTO GALLERY of all my Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge photos

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New “bird” spotted flying with the eagles in Haines

November 16, 2013 by John L. Dengler

Last week while in Alaska I took a break in my bald eagle photography to drop in on Paul Swanstrom, owner of Mountain Flying Service. Paul is a local pilot who provides air taxi support for mountain climbers, sightseeing flights for tourists or in my case, charter aerial photography support. I found Paul in his hanger tuning up his new plane; a handsome, fully restored and rebuilt, de Havilland Beaver.

This classic Alaska bush plane is a beauty. While his other plane, a sporty Bush Hawk XP, is a great plane for aerial photography, I’m looking forward to shooting from the de Havilland Beaver. The Beaver is much bigger than the Bush Hawk XP and offers easier shooting options for a professional photographer like myself. The Beaver seats seven to eight passengers depending on configuration. It’s powered by a large nine-cylinder Pratt & Whitney 985 supercharged radial engine. I’m always amazed (and glad to see since I fly with Paul) how meticulous Paul is with his planes and engines.

During my visit, Paul showed me some great photos of the Beaver in flight and when Paul was dropping mountain climbers off at a base camp on Mt. Fairweather (15,325 feet, 4,671 meters). Hopefully he will be posting the photos soon on the Mountain Flying Service website.

ABOVE: Paul Swanstrom, pilot and owner of Mountain Flying Service, takes a break from servicing the massive nine-cylinder Pratt & Whitney 985 supercharged radial engine of his de Havilland Beaver to pose for a photo in his hanger in Haines, Alaska.

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Nature’s Window: Spring melt

Capturing memories of Glacier National Park with a cell phone camera

After a million visiting birds, quiet time at Loess Bluffs

New “bird” spotted flying with the eagles in Haines

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