I know someone who likes doves. It’s her birthday today, so this one is for her. It’s not just any ordinary dove… this is an emerald spotted wood dove. It was photographed in Olare Orok, Kenya, just north of the Masai Mara. Enjoy — and happy birthday.
Another rarity for me (no animals, plus a man made structure). Anyone who has been to Grand Tetons National Park will recognize this barn. Several such structures sit in the shadow of what is arguably the most picturesque mountain chain in the American Rockies. On this particular trip, I was only there for one night and was hoping for some spectacular light. It wasn’t to be, but I did like the way that the little creek (the result of some heavy rains) leads the eye into the frame.
We ran into this cape hare late one afternoon in Laikipia, Kenya. They are a nocturnal species and there was barely enough light left in the day to get this photo without using flash. Cape hares are common and found throughout much of Africa. They have also spread into some parts of Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Puffins are a lot quicker in flight than you might think, making them tough to photograph as they dart back and forth. I photographed this one from a boat, just before we docked on Machias Seal Island off the coast of Maine.
This photo was taken in the Masai Mara in Kenya. A heavy rain was about to get even haeavier just as these two giraffes were crossing the river. They seemed a bit surprised by the sudden downpour and looked in both directions as if searching for the best possible course of action.
Here’s one for the frog fans. This handsome fellow emerged from a pond of duckweed soup and crawled up onto that log for a little rest. The location is Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in southern Indiana.
The red kangaroo is the largest kangaroo species in Australia, topping out at about 200 pounds. It’s also one of the more common. I encountered this guy in a rugged area of South Australia in Flinders Ranges National Park.
This prairie dog was living in a small town near the base of Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming (that’s what they call an area of active burrows — a prairie dog “town”). I got down low in order to frame the animal with all that out of focus green grass.
At first a tiger’s stripes might seem a bit showy, but they actually provide nice camouflage…
During the long dry season, the sun casts shadows that are very similar to the striped patterns on the tiger’s fur…
And bamboo leaves and other foliage also mimic the stripes and coloring and enable tigers to sneak up on their prey.
Another of the many lion cubs we saw in Kenya. This little guy kept on walking up to our vehicle and attempting to roar (in actuality, it was more of a weak meow). After delivering the message, he would retreat back to his mom, who was resting in the bushes.