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...

Rising from the Grave

Next month sees the return of a cherished nature center tradition: the Halloween pumpkin walk, scheduled for October 28-29.

For those unfamiliar with this event, the Enchanted Halloween Trail involves guides taking small groups of people to different nature- or prairie-themed characters. Each actor performs a short skit describing his/her character. (For example, a "prairie chicken" might do his spring dance.) Eight characters are scheduled along a pumpkin-lined trail (impressive when lit up) a little over half-mile in length. (Anyone remember the Man in the Moon from years back? If a working telescope was nearby, that was likely yours truly!) This year's characters are provided by MiShMaSh productions of Hastings.

After completing the trail, visitors will be guided back to the center, where a bag of popcorn and hot chocolate or cider (your choice) await. Additional snacks may be available for sale in our snack bar, and the Crimson Crown gift shop will be open for early holiday shoppers. For more information, check out the flyer image above.

We'll need plenty of volunteers for this event: trail guides in particular, but also trail monitors, snack-bar attendants, pumpkin carvers and a host of others. Interested in volunteering? Additional questions? Please drop me a line at dan(at)nebraskanature.org.

Looking forward to seeing you in October!

Monarch Madness

New adult monarch butterfly on NNVC grounds

On Saturday, September 17, the Nebraska Nature and Visitors Center (NNVC) and Dodge Elementary School in Grand Island team up to present “Monarch Madness.” This monarch butterfly tagging demonstration will begin 1 p.m. and end by 3 p.m. The program is offered free of charge to the public.

Hit the jump to read on...

Nice NTV Interview for the Center

Weekend Wild Walk - River Explore

In this summer's final Weekend Wild Walk, we'll take a stroll in the Platte River. Yes, in the river itself! We'll examine the many forms of life we can find along and in the water: amphibians, birds, plants and more. We may take a dip net or two along and see what we can capture. We'll walk from our sandbar between the footbridges to the Alda Road bridge.

The part of the river we'll be strolling is fairly shallow, generally a few inches deep, with occasional spots up to a foot in depth. Wear shorts and a shirt that can wet and dirty; same with footwear -- sandals or old tennis shoes are strongly recommended. (Flip-flops are easily lost and are not recommended.) A towel to dry off is optional.

The walk begins this Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and will end no later than 11 a.m. Admission is free, and all ages are invited. The walk will be cancelled if conditions are rainy or stormy. If weather is questionable, please call 308-382-1820 for an update.