Missouri Wild and Wonderful

M iss o uWornderIful Wild and MATT MILES Foreword by Joel M. Vance

M iss o WuornderIful Wild andPhotographs Copyright © 2017 Matt Miles PhotographyText Copyright © 2017 Matt Miles PhotographyThis book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by any means.Permission may be granted for promotional purposes or articles on thephotographer.First Printing 2017ISBN 978-1-64007-646-4Book designed by Matt Miles PhotographyProduction/Logistics by ArtBook Printing, Grand Rapids, MIPrinted by ArtBookPrinting.com in PRCFor all inquiries please contact:Matt Milesmattmilesphotography.com

This book is dedicated to my daughters, Micayla, Macy and Mattie May you always run life’s race with purpose and passion.

Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie SunsetSt. Clair County, Missouri

Foreword Two decades ago Matt Miles had one of those moments that every outdoor person has had when experiencing a once- in-a-lifetime event. He happened on a litter of bobcat kittens sporting about in a tree while an anxious mama looked on, and Matt said what everyone confronted with such an epiphany has said, “Wow, I wish I had a camera!” So he got a camera–and for the past 20 years he has explored Missouri’s uniquely rich outdoors capturing its secrets through the eye of that camera. The result is this book, the cream of that two-decade Odyssey, a collection of remarkable photographs and fascinating facts about the world of nature that makes Missouri perhaps the richest and most varied outdoor state in the nation. From the rippling tallgrass remnant prairie of the Southwest to the hardwood Mississippi River Hills of the Northeast, from the swamp gloom of the Southeast to the wind deposited loess bluffs of the Northwest, Matt Miles has documented both the drama of the well-known to the rarely and less well-known secrets of nature. You’ll thrill to the sight of a doe with twin fawns but also glimpse the hidden life of insects. Beyond wildlife these stunning images also capture the incomparable beauty of Missouri’s wild places–springs, rivers, fall color forests, wind-tossed prairies and the myriad wonders that make the state’s outdoors so unique. There is a white-tailed buck deer in the snow with an antler rack so spectacular it would make a deer hunter salivate like a hungry canine confronted by a porterhouse steak. On another page a white squirrel peeks from a hole in a gnarly old tree and elsewhere a great horned owl glares suspiciously at the camera. That’s just the tip of the cornucopia of unforgettable nature images that decorate these pages. It’s a sure bet that, having looked through the book, you’ll be motivated to roam the outdoors in search of your own “Wow, I wish I had a camera!” moment. It takes the eye of an artist to see the perfect vantage point from which to capture a view not seen by most. Matt has that eye. What you hold in your hands is a door–a door that you can open to a world of natural marvels. After you linger over these photos you can modify that inevitable comment of “Wow, I wish I had a camera” to “Wow, I’m glad he did!” Joel M. Vance

Black BearWebster County, Missouri

Introduction I’ve had a passion for all things outdoors as long as I can remember. The Kansas grasslands, woodlands, and rivers where I grew up were filled with adventure and wonder. At an early age, I was intrigued by wildlife and wanted to get close–both for the challenge and for better observation. Instead of studying schoolbooks, I read field guides and outdoor magazines. Formal education was not my top priority. Eyeglasses provided by my parents in hopes that I’d get better grades were quickly dismissed. However, the glasses were useful to better spot wildlife. Frustrated, but also realizing my passion, Dad would smile and tell others, “He only wears them when something is really important, like quail hunting.” He was right. Growing up, I do not recall hearing the term “naturalist”, but even then I was becoming one. Lessons learned from early outdoor experiences would later serve me well through wildlife photography. For more than 20 years now, photography has been among my favorite pursuits. Had someone told me years ago that taking pictures would someday cut into my fishing time, I would never have believed them. Photography presents both challenge and pleasure in sharing my outdoor experiences with others. Both quests are combined in this book. I hope these pages create a greater awareness and appreciation of Missouri’s natural beauty and wonders. For some, perhaps this book will inspire a new outdoor hobby such as bird watching, planting native wildflowers, or nature photography. The loftiest goal I can have for this book is for these pages to stir a desire in someone young to begin a lifetime of outdoor adventure and enjoyment. Missouri is an incredibly beautiful and diverse state with unlimited outdoor opportunities. So get out there, venture off the beaten path, watch closely, and listen carefully. Be thankful and treasure the moments you capture, if not with a camera, then in your mind. Matt Miles

Birdfoot VioletDouglas County, Missouri Eastern Bluebird Webster County, Missouri

Blue Spring The vivid waters of Blue Spring flow toward the Current River in Shannon County. Deep blue water is attributed to dissolved limestone andShannon County, Missouri dolomite brought forth from the rushing water with a recorded depth of 310 feet. Blue Spring’s average daily flow exceeds 90 million gallons. The Osage Indians called this spring Do-Ge-Thabo-Bthi, meaning “Spring of the Summer Sky.”

Glorious Moment Missouri’s Current River became the first in the nation to receive federal protection through the creation of the Ozark National ScenicShannon County, Missouri Riverways. Prior, the U.S. Congress debated for nearly 30 years a proposal by the Army Corps of Engineers to place an immense dam on the river. This drew national attention to the natural beauty and Ozark heritage of the region. Ultimately, this wonderful river and treasured region were preserved in 1964. After hiking in darkness for nearly an hour, I came upon a river overlook just minutes before the sun broke over the horizon. Anticipating a good photo opportunity, I quickly dropped my backpack and set up for the shot. Within a minute of taking this photograph, the sun rose into the clouds, somber gray filled the sky, and the golden light was gone.

Hover Flies Wright County, MissouriAmerican KestrelGreene County, Missouri

Downy WoodpeckerWebster County, Missouri

Raccoon Vernon County, MissouriLong Creek FallsHercules Glades Wilderness AreaTaney County, Missouri

White-tailed FawnGreene County, MissouriGrasshopper SparrowHarrison County, MissouriA small bird of open grasslands, the Grasshopper Sparrow takes itsname both from diet and its buzzing, insect-like song. Male and femalebirds sing during the day, and males may continue through the night.Sitting atop a purple coneflower at Pawnee Prairie, this male lays claimto his territory.

Linden’s PrairieLawrence County, Missouri

Black Mountain CascadesMadison County, Missouri