Wildlife















































Resting in a tree in Tonsai, Thailand.
Some sleepy looking Macaques in Tonsai, Thailand.
In the cold of a December morning I crept into the small wooden hut before dawn and waited. Just enough room for me and my camera gear, there was a hole in the wall big enough for a camera lens to peer through. In the early grey light this Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) perched and sat, contemplating who knows what.
Klamath Basin, California.
Perched like a watchman, this Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) waits. Every winter 800-1000 bald eagles congregate on the frozen landscape of the Klamath Basin, a wetlands and wildlife refuge. The Eagles are attracted to and prey upon the thousands of other water fowl who stop over here on their migrations.
This Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) takes off in a snow storm. Once endangered by hunting and pesticides, Bald Eagles have flourished under protection.
Klamath Basin, California.
The world's southernmost ranging Parakeet, (Enicognathus ferrugineus), is found here in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares in Patagonian Argentina.
This female Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae) takes off after being released into its new territory.
Owens River Valley, California.
This male adult Bighorn is held by two volunteers. Blindfolded and hobbled, the sheep is relaxed as long as it is held and cannot see. After measurements and samples are taken, he will be relocated to a new area in hopes to increase the population's range. From these efforts the sheep's number and range have been increasing, but more work is needed before they can be removed from the Endangered Species List.
It was a magical morning that I captured this Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) on camera with the light just right as it waded in the shallows of the mud flats searching for small fish.
Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California.
The Raven (Corvus corax) posed for me at this classic view point of Bridal Veil fall in Yosemite National Park.
California
In the Torres Del Paines National Park lies the ultra blue waters of Lago Pehoe. Gauchos and their horses roam the grasslands near the lake.
Chile
The All American Trickster, the Coyote (Canis latrans) can't do any harm to this group of American Bison (Bison bison).
Badlands National Park, South Dakota.
These Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) try to fade into their surroundings in the Klamath Basin, California.
The plains seem to stretch on forever in Badlands National Park. This herd of American Bison (Bison bison) have it all to themselves.
Perched in front of its aerie, this Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), had at least one chick that could be heard begging for food. Castle Rock State Park, California.
Fiji Islands.
Santa Cruz, California.
White Tailed Deer, (Odocoileus virginianus).
Mato Tipila (Devils Tower National Monument), Wyoming.
This was my first spotting of the North American Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). Commonly called an Antelope, they are actually the only surviving member of the family Antilocapridae.
Northern Utah
North America’s littlest falcon, the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) packs a predator’s fierce intensity into its small body.
Klamath Basin, California.
This Southern Sea Otter, also known as a California Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) appears to be laying back and soaking up the early morning rays. Listed as an endangered species in 1977, the otter has rebounded in recent years with the 2016 population reaching 3,272 individuals. And for the first time, the otter numbers have exceeded 3,090, the total that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says is needed to be met for three years in a row before they can be considered for removal from the endangered species list.
Moss Landing, California.
The California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) takes a nap at the popular surf spot, Steamer Lane, in Santa Cruz, California.
A mother (Sphyrapicus varius) tends to her chick nested in a cavity of an Aspen Tree.
City of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho.
Aechmophorus occidentalis glides through water that is colored greens and blues from the reflection of nearby docked boats.
Moss Landing harbor, California
These Herons stalking prey in the Arcata Marsh made me feel as if I'd gone back in time to when Dinosaurs still roamed this earth.
California
Phoenicopterus chilensis line up in the lakes clear waters near El Calafate, Patagonia, Argentina. This species is listed as Near Threatened because it is suspected that it will undergo a moderately rapid population decline over the next three generations owing to egg-harvesting, hunting, disturbance and the degradation of its habitat.
Banteay Srey Butterfly Center. Siam Reap, Cambodia.
Elkhorn Slough, California.
I came across this strange scene in the Eastern Sierra. I'm not sure what happened here, but the image captivated me. Though the common North American Coyote (Canis latrans) has been continually hunted and trapped for the past ~200 years this persistent and iconic species continues to thrive.
These three endangered Sierra Nevada Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae) get a brief helicopter ride to waiting scientists. They are measured, weighed, and blood and stool samples are taken. Then they are transported to a new area, all in the hopes that this endangered species gains a new foothold in it's home range.
Owens River Valley, California.
Appearing to float in mid air this hand sized spider was rumored to catch small birds in its web.
Tonsai, Thailand.
Tonsai, Thailand.
These Magellanic Penguins, (Spheniscus magellanicus), make their way to the sea. I couldn't help but reminded of the Beatles album cover, Abbey Road.
Punta Tombo Penguin colony, Chubut Province, Argentina.
Two young Magellanic Penguin chicks (Spheniscus magellanicus) take a rest in their burrow.
Punta Tombo, Chubut province, Argentina.
Mother penguin rests her head protectively on her chick. (Spheniscus magellanicus).
Punta Tombo, Chubut province, Argentina.
These 5 Harbor Seals, (Phoca vitulina) take a nap on a dock in Moss Landing, California.
Every spring the American bison (Bison bison) sheds it's fur. It's very itchy and they scratch themselves on whatever they can find.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota.
This Black Tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) is reluctant to share its territory with this Burrowing Owl, (Athene cunicularia), which often makes it's home in old Praire Dog burrows, sometimes returning year after year.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota.
Ardea alba slowly stalking prey in the sunrise reflected shallows near Moss Landing, California.
Blending into the white overcast skies these snow geese fly in formation over the frozen wonderland of wildlife that is the Klamath Basin.
California.
Antilocapra americana roams the hills and plateaus of the San Rafael Swell in Utah.
This pair of Pronghorns (Antilocapra americana) was wandering the brushy plateaus of the San Rafael Swell.
Utah
Spiral patterns are found everywhere in nature from the microcosm to the macrocosm. This tiny shell was about the size of my thumbnail.
KareKare Beach, New Zealand