Journey Into The World Of...
WILDLIFE
I have been a photographer for over 30 years, and although I have done my share of shoots for weddings, sporting events, and even modeling, nature and wildlife is by far the most raw. Nothing is ever staged. Therefore, no shot can really be recreated. You have one opportunity to capture that special moment when an animal leaps to capture its prey, turns to gaze at you, or capture it in a playful mood. That's what really makes wildlife photography so exhilarating .
Throughout my travels I have witnessed some very special moments and been fortunate enough to capture them through my lens. It takes a lot of patience, but in the end it's well worth it.
While walking along the boardwalk of the Cypress Swamp Trail at Highlands Hammock in Sebring, Florida... we noticed this young alligator resting on a log. It was maybe 6 feet long at best. But it wasn't just the gator that caught my eye, it was its reflection in the dark water. Darker waters always make for good reflection photos, and this is probably one my best ones.
An early winter storm hit Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding areas, dropping almost a foot of snow overnight. As we trekked through the park, we came across a coyote "on the hunt" for something scurrying under the blanket of snow. It never paid me much attention as it was more focused on dinner and survival.
The desert bighorn sheep is an icon and symbol of Zion National Park in Utah. During one of our several visits to the park, we searched for these beautiful animals and found them in a valley near one of the park's tunnels. While watching the herd, the "king" alpha male emerged from a thicket of bushes. I crawled out onto a large rock overlooking this hollow to make some really good shots of the large ram.
The American elk are in abundance in Yellowstone National Park. This male was proudly walking amongst the females, calling out for them to follow.
The gator hole at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve in Central Florida didn't disappoint. There must have been at least 30 visible alligators, some smaller and some larger. I went in "close" to capture this shot of one of the larger reptiles.
The Roosevelt elk is a regular resident of Fort Stevens State Park in Oregon. As we entered one of the parking areas, a group of these elk were just hanging around. The elk in this photo and I had a "stare down" as it took an interest in being my subject for this photo.
The coyote in Yellowstone National Park were in full force and looking for dinner. I managed to catch this coyote in mid-leap as it pounced into the snow trying to capture its prey.
River otters have a lot of character. This little one was having a great time sliding down the rocks and running back around to do it all over again.
Living as close as we do to The Everglades and spending as much time as we do filming in The Glades, it's not often that we don't see alligators. In this particular photo, this 8-foot gator appeared to be taking a nap. But in my experience, I'll keep my distance and a watchful eye on these primitive-looking creatures. This photo was made at Fakahatchee Strand in Copeland, Florida.
Alligator Snapping Turtle Fakahatchee Strand, Big Cypress Preserve, Copeland, Florida Wildlife Photography
American Elk Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Wildlife Photography
This female American pronghorn was moving along with the herd at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming when I managed to capture her pretty face turning towards me.
While walking down a trail close to the water in Everglades National Park, I noticed some movement close to the path. Looking over, I noticed a couple dozen baby alligators crawling over one another. Mama was close by, so while I made this shot I kept a watchful eye on her as well.
Wildlife doesn't always have to be "wild." Our pets can make for some nice and sometimes interesting photos. This photo is one of our Italian greyhound, Bean. He's 1 of 3 dogs that we have running our household.
You never know what you may run across while trekking through the woods. Case in point... I was walking off-trail when I heard some movement ahead, and I knew whatever it was it was large. As I rounded a large tree, I see a black bear in my sights. It was less than 30 feet away. I managed to get a couple of shots off before the shutter startled it and it went the other way. WHEW!
Nice black and white photo of an American elk at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
Common Basilisk Wakodahatchee Wetlands Delray Beach, Florida Wildlife Photography
Common Basilisk Green Cay Wetlands Delray Beach, Florida Wildlife Photography
Our Siberian Huskie, Damian, looks ominous... but he's really a sweetheart. Those beautiful blue eyes really set him apart.
I don't make many photos of insects or butterflies... however, this Julia Butterfly actually stayed still long enough for me to make a nice shot. This photo was taken at Markham Park in Weston, Florida.
While driving back to Southeast Florida from Tampa, I decided to take a drive through the Babcock Wildlife Management Area. Although I didn't see much, this doe white-tailed deer popped her head up over some palms to say "Hi."
Black and white photo of a coyote at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
During our trip to Maine and Acadia National Park, we stopped by a refuge and had the opportunity to walk a pair of rescued wolves. This one was aptly named Gandalf, as in Gandalf the Grey Wolf.
Gopher tortoises are common on Honeymoon Island near Tarpon Springs, Florida... which is where this photo was taken.
Green Tree Python Kyoto, Japan Wildlife Photography
The alpha male desert bighorn sheep stood tall on this bluff in Zion National Park, Utah watching the herd below.
The Florida Key Deer is an indigenous species found only in the Florida Keys. This deer is on the endangered species list, as its numbers have dwindled to less than 800 in the wild. This deer is small, measuring about 26 inched as its shoulder. These small deer are often found in the Lower Keys, with Bahia Honda and Big Pine Key carrying the largest of the population.
This photo of a wild horse was made near The Grand Canyon, South Rim in Arizona.
"Hello! I'm Mr. Ed." This photo of a horse sticking its head out of the stable was a very random photo shot near Acadia National Park in Maine.
The Salt River Horses of Arizona can be seen in the Salt River Basin east of Phoenix, Arizona in the Tonto National Forest.
Getting a nice "dirt bath", this Salt River Horse in the Tonto National Forest in Arizona was obviously having a grand time!
The Salt River Horses of Arizona can be seen in the Salt River Basin east of Phoenix, Arizona in the Tonto National Forest.
The Salt River Horses of Arizona can be seen in the Salt River Basin east of Phoenix, Arizona in the Tonto National Forest.
During our trip to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming we had the opportunity to witness several coyotes "on the hunt", looking for prey through the fresh blanket of snow.
After diving into a snow bank in attempt to capture lunch, this coyote came up empty except for the snow stuck to its face and nose. This photo was made in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
The alpha male of the herd of desert bighorn sheep in Zion National Park, Utah have a "challenger." Well, not really... although one day this young ram may take over the herd once the current "king" of the mountains moves on to greener pastures.
The area near Tarpon Springs, Florida boasts many state and local parks that have a variety of wildlife. While taking a stroll through Anderson Park near Holiday, Florida, I noticed this squirrel curled up on a branch in a tree. It looks as though it's praying... praying to find more nuts I guess.
MOOSE! I love seeing moose in the wild. They are such large, yet graceful animals. During our trip to Yellowstone National Park we found a small group of moose. We trekked out into the snowy field to get a few nice shots. Although it appears that I was close, my zoom lens can bring these large animals closer while maintaining a safe distance for us.
During the night, the sea lions of Astoria, Oregon park themselves under the piers and BARK loudly in communication with one another. What a sound, and sight!!!
Two deer appear from the woods at Anderson Park near Holiday, Florida.
I know... this is an iguana. But, it's NOT just any iguana. It's a BLUE iguana!!! The blue iguana is an endemic species found only in the Cayman Islands... and it's on the endangered species list. Thirty years ago, less than 10 of these animals were documented in existence in the world (on Grand Cayman). But thanks to conservation efforts, the blue iguana now numbers about 700. Most of these iguanas can be seen on Grand Cayman at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park.
Even animals show affection... in reality, these two white-tailed deer are most likely cleaning each other those areas they themselves cannot reach. This photo was made at Anderson Park near Holiday, Florida.
This 10-point (and YES, he has 10 points) white-tailed deer buck emerges from the brush at Zion National Park in Utah.
It's been a few years since bobcat kittens / cubs have been seen at Green Cay Wetlands. This year, we have been BLESSED with a couple of these cuties hanging around with their mother for several months. I can only hope that they stay long enough to bring a new generation to the wetlands in Delray Beach, Florida.
With every visit that I make to Zion National Park in Utah, the desert bighorn sheep are the highlight for me. Seeing the herd is always a joy for me, and I will go out of my way to make some good photo opps every time.
The green iguana is an invasive reptile species in Florida. However, their colors do make this pest a beautiful subject.
The features of the green iguana does make one think that dragons once existed.
