Outdoor Art by John Thomason

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Plattsmouth, NE
Outdoor Art by John Thomason

I want my photography to reveal the amazing animals, plants, and scenery that are with us, but are too easily overlooked.

People don't care about things they don't know about. John Thomason is a lifelong native of the Plattsmouth, Nebraska area. He spent most of his early years living on a farm west of town. It was this setting that sparked his love of nature, wildlife and the environment. He spent several years as a tuba player in the United States Air Force’s Strategic Air Command Band. He also performed with the N

ebraska Brass and numerous other ensembles in the Omaha, Lincoln and Hastings area. During these years, he dabbled in photography whenever the opportunity arose. In recent years, John has devoted more time to the art and craft of photography. This fit well with his former administrative job at a local church, where he managed the website, page and screen presentation system. His photos often found their way into the materials he produced. Currently, John works in the Guest Services department at one of the world's top conservation organizations - Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. John enjoys photographing landmarks, flora, and fauna of eastern Nebraska. He follows the examples set by native Nebraskans Thomas Mangelsen, Joel Sartore, Michael Forsberg, Chris Helzer, and many other photographers and friends. John and his wife Patti live near Rhylander Park in Plattsmouth with two adult kids, a beagle and two cats.

06/22/2025

Yesterday was just a RIDICULOUS day for birding, with or without a camera. 100°+ actual temperature, with wind gusting over 35 mph. The trees in my yard were all waving back & forth. But I had been hearing a yellow-billed cuckoo in the area for three solid days. I was pretty sure I got a glimpse of him in the white pine tree on Friday afternoon, and then he vanished. Saturday, I heard him again, and got glimpses of him flying among the trees in my yard and the park next to it. Finally, he swooped through the yard and into the pine tree. By the time I got my camera up to my face, he had already taken off, but landed a short distance away in the big bur oak. I managed to shoot 15 shots in burst mode, of which 10 were good enough to save.
Yes, this is a "lifer."
Nikon D7100, Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

06/07/2025

One of the fascinating things about birding is discovering a behavior you didn't know about. I bought this "upside-down" suet feeder to keep away all the birds like starlings, house sparrows, grackles, and the like. They can't grasp the wire mesh and feed the way woodpeckers and nuthatches can. But really intelligent birds - like the gray catbird - can improvise and devise other techniques that work just fine. 😲

05/11/2025

THE PROBLEM WITH REDSTARTS
Anyone who has EVER chased these little demons knows how hard it is to get a clear shot of one. Of course, this collection does not include the shots that are blurred beyond recognition, or the perfect shots of a branch from which the bird has just launched. ;-) 🐦📸😂

05/09/2025

From Wednesday, May 7, 2025 on the Linden, Childs Hollow, and Beaver Chew trails. Birds are individually labeled.
Nikon D7100, Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

05/08/2025

Here's a lifer for me - a northern waterthrush! (It's actually considered a warbler. But I won't tell if you don't!)
May 7, 2025, Childs Hollow Trail
Nikon D7100, Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens

05/06/2025

New friends from Fontenelle Forest - and home. Individually tagged. May 5, 2025; Nikon D7100, Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

04/30/2025

Some of the photos from right here in the yard over the last week: A white-throated sparrow, male house finch, male Baltimore oriole, and Harris's sparrow.
Nikon D7100 with Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

04/15/2025

I saw my first eastern towhee on Hawthorn Trail at Fontenelle Forest yesterday (4-14-25). And the Dutchman's breeches are blooming, too!
Nikon D7100, with Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

Address

1004 S 4th Street
Plattsmouth, NE
68048

Website

https://www.instagram.com/jthomason58/

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