Nature Photography at Pioneers Park

Pioneers Park is one of my favorite locations for photography.  There are countless backdrops just perfect for taking (human) portraits, but when the mood strikes, I like to get out and give that close-up treatment to the animals that call the park home.
 
On Friday I got up early hoping to take advantage of the soft morning light, but was disappointed to see gray clouds.  I went back to sleep for an hour, and when I woke up most of the clouds had passed, so I decided to head out even though I had already missed the morning’s prime lighting.
 
I walked around various parts of the park for more than two hours, just enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.  I followed a couple families of geese, one of which was tolerant enough to let me take close-ups of its babies (and didn’t even threaten to bite my face off!).  I even encountered a trail I had somehow missed in the past, which took me close to the bison (who were enjoying a nice morning wade in the pond) and also allowed me to get a couple photos of a red-winged blackbird (who teased me by flying back and forth between two posts before  finally allowing me to get one decent shot).  It was a bit breezy, so I didn’t attempt much macro photography, but when I happened upon a pretty purple flower all alone amidst the prairie grass, I gave macro a try and got one shot I think turned out pretty nice!
 
Being out in the quiet of the morning (unless you count croaking frogs, tweeting birds, and rustling grasses as ruckus) was really good for me.  The “keeper” photos just happened to be a plus.  Another plus?  I only had one tick in my hair when I got home! =P