Month: December 2023

My Fascination With the Moon

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Moon over the St Francis River

“The moon is a friend for the lonesome to talk to.“

Carl Sandburg

As a child I remember staring at the moon looking to see the “Man in the Moon”. I always looked forward to seeing the full moon. It was always so peaceful perched high up in the night sky. It always had a calming effect on me. It seemed to be tugging at my soul.

As an adult it still has a hold on me. I love taking walks in the moonlight. I feel like God is telling me He sees me and is beside me reassuring me that I am not alone. It moves across the night sky in silence casting its light upon the countryside adding serenity to the landscape. The moon’s light has a way of making me feel warm and safe inside and nourishing my soul.

The glow of its light can be mesmerizing and cause excitement to fill my body and I feel closer to Mother Earth. It makes me feel special as if it is only playing just for me. My very own light show from heaven above, yet I know deep inside it is for everyone to enjoy. I can sit for hours drinking in the beauty it casts upon Mother Earth. It takes me back to the days I gazed upon its beauty as a child. Pleasant memories.

During our time as campground hosts at Silver Mines Campground, my wife and I would take a ten o’clock run through the park and we would stop on the old Highway D bridge that still crosses the St Francis River and admire the beauty of the moon. Our quiet time and time to reflect on our day.

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read the ramblings of an old, retired farrier. I appreciate you all very much.

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

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Golden eagle.

First, I give thanks to my wonderful wife for her patience and supporting me in my photography. She inspires me to do what I do. Thank you, Evelyn, you are the best.

On December 6, 2023, a good friend of mine, and fellow photographer, Jason Wilson, and I departed for Loess (pronounced “luss”) Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge located in northwest Missouri, 30 miles northwest of St. Joseph, MO. The refuge consists of 7,440 acres located along the eastern edge of the Missouri River. Every spring and fall, the refuge is visited by thousands of waterfowl migrating south for the winter.

I believe these are Trumpeter Swans. Too far away to say for sure.
Trumpeter Swan

The refuge was established in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and many of the roads, trails, dikes and buildings were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935 and 1936. The primary purpose of the refuge is to provide habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. There are 3,180 acres of wetlands, 2,175 acres of grasslands and 1,200 acres of forests. There has been as many as 2,000 trumpeter swans visit the refuge during the winter months along with 1.4 million snow geese and 200,000 ducks during the spring and fall migrations. I noticed a very significant number of muskrat dens throughout the wetlands, and it seemed the bald eagles enjoyed their use as a handy perch.

The refuge designed many avenues for observing the wildlife who call it home and to those visitors that drop in from to time. Roads and hiking trails have been provided along with viewing towers, and spotting scopes in various places throughout the refuge. Trails consist of Loess Bluff Trail, Munkres Homestead Trail, Callow Trail, Turkey Ridge Trail, Paw Paw Trail and Eagle Pool Overlook Trail. A ten mile Auto Tour is also located in the Refuge. One important bit of information is that restrooms are only located in the Refuge headquarters. The Refuge opens a half hour before sunrise and closes a half hour after sunset. For the most up to date information visit http://www.fws.gov/refuge/loess_bluffs/

The Visitor Center/Headquarters

We weren’t the only photographers visiting the Refuge. Even during the week there were still many photographers present snapping photographs. I couldn’t believe the large numbers of bald eagles present in the park. One time we counted 11 eagles perched on muskrat dens and nearly 40 perched in the trees along the roads. All in all, it was a great time. Camping isn’t allowed in the Refuge, so we camped at the MDC Bob Brown Conservation Area that was 15 minutes away.

Bald Eagles
Bald Eagles
Trumpeter Swans
Trumpeter Swans

FYI, be sure to take an appropriate lens that is able to reach out and grab the closeup you’re looking for. Don’t be a Wayne. I still made do with what I had. You aren’t going to be afforded too many close-up opportunities. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read my blog.

Boaters of Silver Mines

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The St Francis River flows through the Silver Mines Recreation Area and is the playground of a lot of kayakers and I had the honor of meeting several of them. The St. Francis River is the only river in Missouri that has been classified as “white water”.

The Missouri Whitewater Championships take place the third weekend of March and are subject to water levels. They begin at Millstream Gardens and continue downstream. The boaters have a choice of different events, slalom races, freestyle competitions, and downriver races.

The competition also draws a lot of spectators. There are some areas designated for spectators to watch the competition or they can watch from the riverbank. The boaters give them lots of action to watch and the crowd gets into cheering them on. Competitors are from all over the country and come in young and old.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog.