Wildlife

Arizona Birds

Black-Headed Grosbeak Photo

This male Black-headed grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) is one of many that flitted among the trees in upper Madera Canyon. There were females too but their coloration was not as striking. Black-headed grosbeak, male.Image ID: 22911Species: Black-headed grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalusLocation: Madera Canyon Recreation Area, Green Valley, Arizona, USA Shot at Bill…

adminMay 23, 2009

Arizona Birds

Brown-Headed Cowbird Photo

The Brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) is rather plain, but I really liked this image of one with the golden light of sunset illuminating the bushes behind it. Brown-headed cowbird, male.Image ID: 22916Species: Brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus aterLocation: Amado, Arizona, USA Shot at Bill Forbe's Pond at Elephant Head, which I visited…

adminMay 21, 2009

Arizona Birds Wisdom

Photographing Birds at Bill Forbes Place, The Pond at Elephant Head

I recently spent a couple days photographing southern Arizona critters at the Pond at Elephant Head and the Upper Madera Drip with the help of Bill Forbes. Bill is the inventor of the Phototrap, a device for remote camera triggering using infrared beam, perfect for capturing difficult images of wildlife…

adminMay 20, 2009

Great White Shark Sharks Wildlife

Great White Shark Photo on National Geographic’s NG Channel

The National Geographic Channel recently produced the television documentary "Great White Odyssey", and choose one of my great white shark photos (Carcharodon carcharias) to use as the main background to the web page publicizing the program. Here is a link to NG Channel's page for the Great White Odyssey. The…

adminApril 24, 2009

Great White Shark Guadalupe Island Icons Mexico Sharks

Great White Shark Photos

This great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) was photographed at Guadalupe Island, Mexico. I think I have made about 15 trips to the island, a mix of open-water diving trips and shark cage photography trips. I am hoping to get down there again for scuba diving, freediving and just plain exploration…

adminApril 22, 2009

Alaska Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle Catches a Fish, Alaska

A bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) pulls a fish from the water on the fly, leaving a splash in its wake. The fish can be seen in the eagle's talons. Bald eagle makes a splash while in flight as it takes a fish out of the water.Image ID: 22584Species: Bald eagle,…

adminApril 21, 2009

Alaska Bald Eagle Wildlife

Photo of a Bald Eagle in Flight, Homer, Alaska

See the new bald eagle photos. This photo of a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is quite simply composed but was not quite so simple to execute. The wind was blowing steadily parallel to the sun angle which led to the eagles banking and circling in front of me. But often…

adminApril 17, 2009

Alaska Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle on the Beach, Alaska

See the new bald eagle photos. This adult bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was observed foraging for bits of food in a shallow tidal stream on a broad sand beach. The bits of white in the air are snowflakes -- it was a wet snow and made the eagle look pretty…

adminApril 6, 2009

Alaska Bald Eagle Icons

Bald Eagle Landing, Alaska

See the new bald eagle photos. A large group of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was gathered on the snow-covered ground when periodically another eagle would arrive, in flight, and join the group by skimming just over their heads, slowing with wings outstretched, finding a suitable spot amid the crush, and…

adminApril 5, 2009

Alaska Bald Eagle

Two Bald Eagles on a Perch, Alaska

See the new bald eagle photos. There were several perches that the bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) would use each morning. The broad wooden perches could typically accomodate several eagles each. In this image the eagle on the left, which has been on the perch for a while, throws its head…

adminApril 4, 2009

Alaska Bald Eagle

Two Bald Eagles in Flight, Alaska

See the new bald eagle photos. Having over 200 bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nearby would seem to make it easy to gather a variety of photos. But I was tempted to shoot the same few compositions repeatedly and had to make an effort to look for different compositions and angles…

adminApril 3, 2009

Alaska Bald Eagle Wildlife

Bald Eagle and Kenai Mountains, Alaska

See the new bald eagle photos. During two of the mornings that I was in Homer, I was fortunate to be inside Jean Keane's yard as the bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) gathered to eat herring. This was quite something, to be so close to so many eagles. Unnatural perhaps, as…

adminMarch 31, 2009

Alaska Bald Eagle Wildlife

Juvenile Bald Eagle, Alaska

See the new bald eagle photos. This is a juvenile bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). The speckled brown and white coloration is highly variable among juvenile bald eagles which can sometimes resemble golden eagles. It is typically not until the fourth year that juveniles mature and assume the characteristic brown body…

adminMarch 30, 2009

Alaska Bald Eagle Wildlife Wisdom

Photographing Bald Eagles in Homer, Alaska

Photographing Bald Eagles in Homer AK -- What Worked and What Didn't Bald eagle in flight, banking over beach with Kachemak Bay in background. Image ID: 22613 Species: Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Haliaeetus leucocephalus washingtoniensis Location: Kachemak Bay, Homer, Alaska, USA If you have seen much of this web site,…

adminMarch 29, 2009

Alaska Bald Eagle Wildlife

Flip Flops

Bald eagle in flight, sidelit, cloudy sky and Kenai Mountains in the background.Image ID: 22596Species: Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Haliaeetus leucocephalus washingtoniensisLocation: Kachemak Bay, Homer, Alaska, USA OK, I've been running since I was thirteen. That's 32 years of running. I'm not a skinny guy, which means I've been pounding…

adminMarch 13, 2009

Alaska Bald Eagle Wildlife

Secondary Inspection

Bald eagle, closeup of head and shoulders showing distinctive white head feathers, yellow beak and brown body and wings.Image ID: 22582Species: Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Haliaeetus leucocephalus washingtoniensisLocation: Kachemak Bay, Homer, Alaska, USA Going to try my hand at photographing some bald eagles in the cold. Up at 4am, shower,…

adminMarch 12, 2009

Environmental Problems Monterey Sea Lion

Sea Lion Entangled in Monofiliment Line

This California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) has a severe neck laceration caused by what is likely monofiliment fishing line wrapped around its neck and digging into its skin. Monofiliment fishing line is an exceptionally thin and strong type of synthetic line used for sportfishing. Given that it is designed to…

adminMarch 10, 2009

Florida Manatee Wildlife

Propeller Wound on Florida Manatee

Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus) are often struck and injured by boats, in spite of laws intended to slow the passage of boats in areas inhabited by the slow-moving mammals. Manatees tend to rest below the surface, holding their breath, and surface without warning when they need to breathe. A boater…

adminMarch 9, 2009

Hawaii Humpback Whale Wildlife

Boat Strikes Humpback Whale

Some years ago, when I was assisting Dr. Dan Salden and Hawaii Whale Research Foundation during whale seaon in Hawaii, we came across a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) not far from Lahaina that showed considerable scarring, almost certainly from a boat strike. The most likely explanation for the series of…

adminMarch 8, 2009

Environmental Problems Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

Seabird Entangled in Plastic

To add to my description from yesterday about the pelican entangled in a plastic bag, here is another view of the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) entangled in a plastic grocery bag. I did consider making a grab for the bird (gently of course), hoping I could restrain it long…

adminMarch 7, 2009

Environmental Problems La Jolla Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

Pelican Entangled in Plastic Bag

Discarded plastics and styrofoam are destroying our environment. They wreak havoc especially hard on marine wildlife. I recently came across a textbook example of how such trash can injure and kill in the form of this unfortunate brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) which is entangled in what appears to be…

adminMarch 6, 2009

Galapagos Diaries Marine Life

Marine Iguana, Galapagos

Skip found a marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) foraging on algae while we were freediving along the edge of Bartolome Island, and I got a shot of it, the only one I've ever seen in the Galapagos Islands underwater: Marine iguana, underwater, forages for green algae that grows on the lava…

adminMarch 5, 2009

Galapagos Diaries Marine Life

Bigeye Jacks, Galapagos

On our 2006 trip to the Galapagos Islands, we had some very good diving at Darwin Island: hammerheads, silky sharks and spotted eagle rays galore on the shoulder of the reef, with more than a few Galapagos fur seals, turtles and various schools of fish closer to shore. At the…

adminMarch 4, 2009

Galapagos Diaries Marine Life

Schooling Fish, Galapagos

On our 1998 trip, Tracy and I bumped into these schooling snappers while diving at Albany, one of the better dive sites in the central Galapagos Islands. Schooling fish, Albany.Image ID: 02032Location: James Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador See more schooling fish photos and Galapagos Islands photos.

adminMarch 2, 2009

California La Jolla Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird Wildlife

Pelicans in La Jolla

I went down to La Jolla this morning to see how many brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) are there. (The California race of brown pelicans has been experiencing a mysterious malady this year, with many pelicans being found weak and disoriented far away from their usual habitat.) I had not…

adminFebruary 28, 2009

Blue Whale

Blue Whale Photo in National Geographic Magazine

I am very fortunate to have one of my blue whale photos (Balaenoptera musculus) appear in the March 2009 issue of National Geographic Magazine. It is an image of a whale's dorsal ridge and fluke, taken underwater, in the "Inside Geographic" section near the end of the magazine which describes…

adminFebruary 18, 2009

Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

Open Wide

When I first viewed the shots from the day this was taken, I nearly tossed this one. "Sick and ugly" I thought. However, Skip said he thought it was the best shot of that day. I still think it is rather hard on the eyes, but I'll hold on to…

adminFebruary 4, 2009

Birds Bosque del Apache New Mexico

Snow Geese Blasting Off at Sunrise, Bosque del Apache

Another early morning blast off of thousands of snow geese (Chen caerulescens), viewed from near the flight deck alongside the main impoundment at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Snow geese at dawn. Snow geese often "blast off" just before or after dawn, leaving the ponds where they rest for…

adminDecember 23, 2008

Birds Bosque del Apache New Mexico

Sandhill Crane in Flight, Bosque del Apache

I had hoped to get a few good photos of a single sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) in flight during our visit to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Sandhill cranes are relatively large birds, meaning they are relatively easy to find in the viewfinder and they fly relatively slowly, helpful…

adminDecember 22, 2008

Birds Bosque del Apache New Mexico

Golden Crane, Bosque del Apache

Here is another sandhill crane (Grus canadensis), backlit by a reflected gold sunset, wading through one of the crane pools at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. A sandhill crane, standing in still waters with rich gold sunset light reflected around it. Image ID: 21805 Species: Sandhill crane, Grus canadensis…

adminDecember 21, 2008

California Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

La Jolla Pelicans

I went down to La Jolla last week to check out the brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus). There is a fence blocking access to the cliffs now, which is unfortunate and a real shame. When I was going to UCSD (many years ago) we would leap into the ocean from…

adminDecember 20, 2008

Birds Bosque del Apache New Mexico

Snow Geese on Pond, Bosque del Apache

Each morning I would watch the predawn blast off of snow geese from Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge's main impoundment. Each time was impressive. Afterward, I would move to the crane pools, hoping to watch the cranes take off as the sun reached them and warmed them up. One…

adminDecember 19, 2008

Birds Bosque del Apache New Mexico

Blastoff, Bosque del Apache

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is famous for its early morning "blast off", a stunning event in which thousands of snow geese (Chen caerulescens) take to the skies. It does not happen every morning, nor does it happen at the same time on those mornings on which it takes…

adminDecember 18, 2008

Birds Bosque del Apache New Mexico

Snow Goose in Flight, Bosque del Apache

Our first few days at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge did not yield great opportunities to photograph individual snow geese (Chen caerulescens) in flight, primarily because the geese were spending the bulk of their day in the far northern corn fields, far out of reach of even the longest…

adminDecember 16, 2008

Birds Bosque del Apache New Mexico

Sandhill Cranes, Bosque del Apache

Each evening while we were at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge we positioned ourselves at one of the two northern "crane pools", the ones located on the west side of the road as one approaches the main entrance to the refuge. For 30-40 minutes before and after sunset, sandhill…

adminDecember 15, 2008

Birds Bosque del Apache New Mexico

Snow Geese on a Crane Pool in Afternoon, Bosque del Apache

Midday at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is, for photographers, pretty slow. The bird flight activity seems rather low and the light is harsh. We would return to Socorro for midday, to have lunch, clean up, and catch up on reading the news or having a nap. We would…

adminDecember 13, 2008

Birds Bosque del Apache New Mexico

Photo of Sandhill Cranes at Sunset, Bosque del Apache

On our recent trip to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Skip, Ken and I were treated to several fantastic sunsets as we watched the sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) flying in from nearby corn fields to roost for the night in shallow ponds, where they are protected from coyotes. These…

adminDecember 12, 2008

California Monterey Wildlife

Sea Otter Photos

Check out our selection of sea otter stock photos. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is found along the coasts of the northeastern Pacific ocean. Sea otters are marine mammals. Adult sea otters weigh about 30 to 100 lb. Sea otters are the largest species in the weasel family, but are…

adminNovember 20, 2008

California Monterey Wildlife

Not Impressed

We came to Monterey packing some serious photo schwag to photograph the otters. Between Jon and I, we had two 50Ds and at least one each of 5D, 1DIIN, 1DsII, 300/2.8, 400/DO and 500/4 lenses, plus a nice medium format film rig. This sea otter (Enhydra lutris) was nevertheless quite…

adminNovember 5, 2008

California Monterey Wildlife

Otter Paparazzi

Here is one of the cuter sea otters (Enhydra lutris) I managed to photograph in Monterey recently. After shooting one afternoon's worth of otters, both Jon and I decided that it was not worth spending time taking pictures of the dark-faced otters -- their deep brown fur made it tough…

adminNovember 2, 2008

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