66 Nebraskaland • July 2020
MIXED BAG
When the photography itch hits, I sometimes head to
picturesque Nebraska landscapes; my favorites include the
Niobrara River valley, the Wildcat Hills and Indian Cave State
Park. Sometimes, however, I fulfi ll my cravings by staying
close to home and taking photos in my own backyard. In
this period of limited travel, it has been an outlet for fun and
creativity.
My methods are simple. In early morning and evening,
when the sunlight is warm and ideal for photos, I wander
about the yard with camera in hand searching for subjects.
Occasionally, I will bike to a nearby park. I shoot mainly close-
ups using a 105mm macro lens with a tripod or handheld with
the lens vibration reduction on.
My favorite haunt is our prairie garden. With about 40
species of native wildfl owers and grasses, it is ideal for
photographing fl owers, seedpods, leaf patterns and the many
insects that the plants attract. Our blooming fruit trees – we
have 14 crowded into our yard – and ornamentals, especially
lobelias and sedums, also attract an array of bees, bumble
bees, butterfl ies and other pollinators that I cannot identify.
Other backyard wildlife I have photographed include a
Woodhouse's toad, a tree frog and even a rare albino squirrel.
If I had a telephoto lens, I would also pursue birds. Most
enticing are the colorful spring passerines that fl it about our
trees and bushes and the turkey vultures that roost and wood
ducks that nest in the neighbors' maple trees.
Being restricted to our yard has forced me to get creative.
My photo subjects have included lichens growing on tree
bark, sap dripping from trees, garden crops and frost patterns.
The last two wet summers our lawn and woodpile have been
fl ush with another photo subject – mushrooms. Lucky for me,
our chemical-free yard supports far more fungi species than
our neighbors' more manicured lawns.
If you are into photography, I suggest you explore your own
backyard. You might fi nd some interesting topics.
BACKYARD
PHOTOGRAPHY
By Gerry Steinauer
PHOTOS
BY
GERRY
STEINAUER
