Photo of the Week – December 13, 2018

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I’ve been (pleasantly) buried in data analysis over the last couple weeks.  Despite that, I’ve managed to squeeze in a few short photography excursions into the snowy prairie.  The mild forecast for the next week or two makes me glad I took advantage of the opportunity.  Here are a few miscellaneous photos from those trips.  

Suspended ice above a partially frozen wetland.  The Nature Conservancy’s Platte River Prairies.
Aerial drone photo of the same restored stream and wetland shown in the above close-up image.  If you look closely, you might see some waterfowl at the very top left.  See more on next image…
One of the reasons we have put so much energy into restoring this wetland from a former gravel mine-created sandpit lake is the strong groundwater influence.  That groundwater flow helps keep the surface open in the winter, and at least 70 mallards were using that open water on this particular day.
Snow and frost on prairie grasses.  Helzer family prairie.
Rabbit tracks near sundown in the hills at the Platte River Prairies.   This was right after I spooked up a big jack rabbit, but these are cottontail tracks.

By the way, it’s about time for my annual collection of “best photos of the year”.  If you’ve got any nominations, let me know!  I’ve got it narrowed down to about 100 images so far…

This entry was posted in General, Prairie Natural History, Prairie Photography, Prairie Restoration/Reconstruction by Chris Helzer. Bookmark the permalink.
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About Chris Helzer

Chris Helzer is Director of Science and Stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska, where he conducts research and supervises the Conservancy’s preserve stewardship program. He also helps develop, test, and share prairie management and restoration strategies. Chris is also dedicated to raising awareness about the value of prairies through his photography, writing and presentations. He is the author of The Prairie Ecologist blog, and two books: The Ecology and Management of Prairies and Hidden Prairie: Photographing Life in One Square Meter. He is also a frequent contributor to NEBRASKAland magazine and other publications. Chris and his family live in Aurora, Nebraska.

2 thoughts on “Photo of the Week – December 13, 2018”

  1. Just curious Chris: are you also monitoring the water quality in the restored wetland for nitrates, etc, given the strong groundwater flow? Interested in what you are finding if it is being monitored.

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