Every state has diverse landscapes, but did you know that among Iowa's 99 counties you can find glacial kettles, long flowing rock formations called Palisades, and wind-blown hills made from loess (river silt)?  The cool thing about landscapes is what may appear to be a flat, boring pond in the middle of a bunch of growth, may actually turn out to have a unique history.

For example, one of my favorite places to roam around close to home is the Ciha Fen preserve south of Sutliff, Iowa.  This 80 acre preserve has what appears to be a pond, but upon closer inspection is really a Fen, or type of bog, that is very rare in Iowa.

Fens form when water and bubbles seep to the surface through buried sand and gravel left behind by glaciers. Natural landscapes formed over the eons bring a diverse look and feel to your photography if you allow light to be your guide in developing this beauty, and to accept the unique properties of the area regardless of how mundane it may look.  The photo below was taken at this wonderful preserve.

Darkness of AutumnThere were still colors, but they were darker and more defined on this late November day south of Lisbon, IA.

There are times when light is dreary and flat, and those are especially difficult times to capture a great photo, but even then, look for the diverse patterns, shapes or unusual growth patterns surrounding you that may evoke a special glimpse into nature's amazing world.