2013 was a decent year for me and wildlife spotting, especially considering all the other things I had going on this year (getting married and all does take a bit of one’s time and I didn’t get out there quite as much as in past years). That being said, below are a few of the highlights from throughout the year.

Snowy Owl, Boundary Bay, British Columbia, Canada
The year started out great with a trip to Boundary Bay, near Vancouver, for snowy owls
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm), ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/400th of a second

Black Bear, Orr, Minnesota
Springtime brought me to northern Minnesota and close encounters with black bears.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/640th of a second

Raccoon, Bill Baggs State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
In July we took a weekend trip down to Key Biscayne in Florida where I ran into a few scavenging raccoons at Bill Baggs State Park.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/160th of a second

Pangolin, Linyanti Concession, Botswana
The wedding was in August, and what would the honeymoon be without a little time set aside for wildlife. In Botswana, spotting a rarity like a pangolin was certainly a highlight. The fact that that pangolin was being stalked by a leopard definitely made it a highlight of not only 2013, but of my wildlife photography career.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/5 at 1/100th of a second

Grey Fox, Zion National Park, Utah
And in November, a work trip took me out to Zion National Park in Utah for the weekend, where I ran into this fine looking grey fox late one afternoon. Here’s hoping that 2014 brings many more great encounters from around the US and the world.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 3200, f/4 at 1/160th of a second