Photographer Rick Rasmussen featured in Gallery.

Nebraska wildlife photographer Rick Rasmussen will feature 38 of his wildlife and nature images images in the Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center's Hornaday Art Gallery through December 31, 2011. An open house will be held Saturday, November 19th - time TBA. Rick has traveled all over the world capturing images of nature. His images include sandhill cranes, ducks wolves, prairie chickens and a lot more. Rick is a long-time supporter of the Nature Center and we are delighted to have a more extensive body of his work in the gallery.


Rick's favorite place to photograph is in his lifetime residence of Central Nebraska where he has shared the diverse wildlife opportunities with many photographers from around the United States. Traveling to other locations to experience other fascinating wildlife and landscapes has been a dream come true. Some of these destinations include: Alaska, Yellowstone and Antarctica.

Some of Rick's photo credits include; Highly Honored Winner in Natures Best Magazine 2008 - Windland Rice International Awards Competition, Grand Prize Winner in Wyoming Wildlife Magazine 2008 photo competition, Best Of Show in Grand Island Art In The Park and Best Of Show 4 times at Stuhr Museum Wings Over The Platte Competition. He has also been published in several books and has many images in advertising campaigns.

Rick just returned from and Alaska photo excursion, and said it was awesome but was quick to point out that he's a prairie guy at heart. He is a member of Prairie Winds Art Gallery in Grand Island.

A Few Photos from the Trail

I have not had a chance to post photos from the trail for a while. The Great Plains and prairie is a place that is best experienced on foot. The fall is one of my favorite times to get out there and do a little exploring. Not a lot of birds this afternoon. A few white crowned sparrows and a belted kingfisher were near the first bridge. I noticed a few fresh cut trees downed by beavers near the first bridge as well. I was going to go down and photograph them but smelled the unmistakable perfume of a skunk in the area so I'll leave that photo go for now.


The mixed grass prairie of Central Nebraska.


Belted kingfisher patiently waits for a fish to rise.


Platte River from the first footbridge.

Jorn Olsen - Across a Wide Horizon

Hastings Nebraska photographer Jorn Olsen stopped by the Nature Center today to sign a few copies of his book for the gift shop. His book, "Across a Wide Horizon: Discovering the Uncommon Beauty of Nebraska’s Plains" is really a treat to look at. The book review posted below is by George Tuck, who is a professor emeritus, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he taught photojournalism in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.

The book is very high quality, and printed in the U.S.A. which is saying something in this era of everything being outsourced to other countries. I hope you stop by and pick up a copy for yourself or to give as a gift.


Book Review
Across a Wide Horizon: Discovering the Uncommon Beauty of Nebraska’s Plains
Photography by Jorn C. Olsen
With Foreword by Christopher Amundson

WOW! Outstanding images, beautiful printing, clever titles, dramatic scenery, spectacular wildlife, electrifying weather, peaceful landscapes and, well, you get the idea.

Hit the jump to read on...