For more interesting wildflower photos, play with shooting angles, perspective, lighting and background...

For more interesting wildflower photos, play with shooting angles, perspective, lighting and background. Mid-day light is rarely flattering, but can be acceptable with interesting angles and careful backgrounds. To keep background muted (not busy) shoot with a big telephoto and/or minimal depth of focus. Backgrounds far from the subject also help. This globe mallow was shot from its level (about 10 inches off the ground) with a lighted background and then shadow background. Lens was Canon 100-400 4.5-5.6L with a 1.4 tele-extender. Click to see full image. I d probably crop square and might not show the background stem next time. It helps with plant ID, but distracts from the composition.  Album: 2015-05-28
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Subtly beautiful, but distressingly deadly. Invasive cheatgrass from Asia, brought over with wheat seeds...

Subtly beautiful, but distressingly deadly. Invasive cheatgrass from Asia, brought over with wheat seeds decades ago, is overwhelming the West s sage-steppe biome, endangering sage grouse, pygmy rabbits, sage thrashers, mule deer, dozens of native flowers and grasses. Join the fight against cheatgrass. And be extra careful with fire outdoors. P.S. On the bright side, chukars thrive on cheat grass. :-) _MG_3897.JPG
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Not just a cook book. This superb guide to wild game from Boone & Crockett club is the most complete...

Not just a cook book. This superb guide to wild game from Boone & Crockett club is the most complete reference and guide to game care from field to palate I ve ever seen. Skinning, aging, meat cutting and storage. From squirrels to moose. Every responsible hunter should own and study this book. The title is spot on: Wild Gourmet. You ll live on the most healthful, delicious meats in nature. Free range, all organic.  IMG_2200.JPG
http://bit.ly/1Lb6IJc

If you love hunting pronghorns in the U. S., you might like this...

If you love hunting pronghorns in the U. S., you might like this... Hunting for India blackbuck antelope introduced to Argentina is reminiscent of pronghorn hunting in Wyoming. Hunting helps the species long term survival.
http://bit.ly/1AdPQ4m

Leave it to beaver. North America's largest rodent murders trees on a regular basis, builds dams that...

Leave it to beaver. North America s largest rodent murders trees on a regular basis, builds dams that flood and destroy other animals homes and otherwise inspires humans. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes its cue from beavers, adopting the motto: Keep busy! (P.S. Altering habitats hurts some species, helps others. It s all a balancing act in nature.)  _MG_0032.JPG
http://bit.ly/1AeEcWG

Recent scientific study reveals an anti-hunting-inspired closure to regulated sport hunting in Zambia...

Recent scientific study reveals an anti-hunting-inspired closure to regulated sport hunting in Zambia the last two years cost dozens of locals their jobs as cooks, janitors, scouts, trackers, butchers and more. The sudden elimination of 286,000 pounds of fresh game meat forced locals to begin indiscriminate poaching of all species, females and young. Without professional hunters and their staff in the field, poaching proceeded unimpeded. Sport s Afield s Diana Rupp reports details here. Please share and spread the word. We can t allow emotional appeals to trump pragmatic solutions to protecting African wildlife.   A new study of game management areas in Zambia highlights the importance of the meat provided to local communities by hunting outfitters.
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School work. Learning all about the 28 Nosler during a test drive in Nosler's underground tunnel. I ...

School work. Learning all about the 28 Nosler during a test drive in Nosler s underground tunnel. I consistently got 1.3-inch groups, which just didn t measure up to the rifle s reputation -- or the round s. So I asked one of the technicians, Eric Lang, to give it a try. Three shots later, 1/2-inch group! I tried again and got another 1.3-inch group! Oddly, I shot a 6.5 Creedmoor and a 26 Nosler and registered 1/2 MOA with both. So, next time you re frustrated that you can t get a specific rifle to shoot as well as you think it could/should, let others try. Sometimes, for whatever reason, you and the rifle/scope/ammo just don t work together.  _MG_0051.JPG
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Brite Strike's APALS, All Purpose Adhesive Light Strips. are small, bright, waterproof, versatile and...

Brite Strike s APALS, All Purpose Adhesive Light Strips. are small, bright, waterproof, versatile and fun. Not only can you use them to mark trails, campsites, tents and such, but you can stick them onto bike wheels, runner s arms and feet, dogs collars -- anything you want to find in the dark. They last for days and can be seen from at least a quarter mile away. Drop them in a hot tub, pool or fish bowl for party fun. Here s a quick video demonstration of some of the ways you can put APALS to work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzBXeqFvbrk APALS2.jpg
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Are today's hunting videos inspiring non-hunters to disgust? Driving them over to the anti-hunting side...

Are today s hunting videos inspiring non-hunters to disgust? Driving them over to the anti-hunting side? Two current videos show the good, bad and ugly of hunting.  Two videos show the good, bad and ugly of hunting and hunters, suggesting conservationist hunters wishing to defend and elevate hunting should police their ranks.
http://bit.ly/1AN6sum

http://www.archerytrade.org/news/the-draw-an-award-winning-film-about-bowhunting Excellent, honest short...

http://www.archerytrade.org/news/the-draw-an-award-winning-film-about-bowhuntingExcellent, honest short films like this can help offset the poor hunter image portrayed on too many TV shows these past 15 years or so. Classy.  The Draw: An Award-Winning Film About Bowhunting | Archery Trade Association
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A pragmatic solution to a man-made problem. The ideal for waterfowl nesting success is perfect, pristine...

A pragmatic solution to a man-made problem. The ideal for waterfowl nesting success is perfect, pristine habitat, but we eliminated that decades ago. At the same time we enhanced habitat and survival of nest predators, many of which never existed in the region historically. Instead of wringing hands and crying about private landowners not managing perfect grasslands, Delta addresses what it can impact -- predator numbers. Yes it s a temporary fix. Yes it must be done again and again. But it works. And until humans give up agriculture in the prairie potholes region, should continue.   BISMARCK, N.D. — Delta Waterfowl's professional trappers once again are hard at work this spring to remove predators from the landscape to boost duck production. Predator Management gives nesting ducks a better chance to hatch ducklings in areas where egg-eating predators are abundant.
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Glad the Soviets under Stalin didn't raze this cathedral. St. Basil's in Moscow. Fairyland architecture...

Glad the Soviets under Stalin didn t raze this cathedral. St. Basil s in Moscow.  Fairyland architecture. With the right paint scheme, this could be a monument to Dairy Queen.  _MG_0510.JPG
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A simple, pragmatic plan to save rhinos might follow the same approach that assures strong populations...

     A simple, pragmatic plan to save rhinos might follow the same approach that assures strong populations of cattle: let private ranchers breed, raise and sell them. It s been proven time and again that the demand for rhino horn does not decrease. Poaching continues regardless how much society tries to stop it. Public wild lands and parks are too small to support huge rhino populations. Increasing human population will further deplete wild lands.     Private farmers in Namibia and South Africa have proven they can increase populations of sable, roan, mountain zebras, lions and more. Why not rhinos? Stop pretending these animals are sacred objects, give them commercial value, let them earn their place and they will thrive. It s our choice. Corn and wheat fields, domestic cattle or native animals? What would you rather have? The land can only support so much. Why not rhinos and other native wildlife? Use them or lose them.  _MG_0707.JPG
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Gotta love a reliable vehicle. Four day RAM drive, ID to TX and back. Over, under, around and through...

Gotta love a reliable vehicle. Four day RAM drive, ID to TX and back. Over, under, around and through the Rockies, High Plains, deserts, scrublands. Rain, lightening, raging winds, road construction, traffic jams in Denver (of course) and never a hiccup, never a glitch. Just fill and go, enjoy the ride and arrive fresh and ready to work. The best tool I ve yet discovered for transporting four people and a truckload of camera gear economically and reliably. 5.7 L Hemi, RAM 1500 Outdoorsman.  IMG_2162.JPG
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