A sea otter grabs a quick snack. Photographed in Morro Bay, California. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/640th of a second.

This moose cow was working her way around Sandy Stream Pond in Baxter State Park, Maine. Grazing and drinking. Grazing and drinking. She even tried a bit of grazing while drinking — on the mineral rich vegetation growing in the middle of the pond. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 70mm) ISO 200, f/4.5 at 1/180th of a second.

I saw my first flying squirrel of the season last night while out with the dog, but wasn’t able to get a shot. Here’s one from last fall when for a two week period I was seeing them almost nightly. Next up is to try and get one flying. Nikon D500 with nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/8 at 1/60th of a second, Nikon SB-900 flash.

As you might imagine, I get more squirrels in my camera trap than any other animal. Sometimes I find the shots quite amusing. This was one of those times. This guy seemed to pause to admire the complexity of my set up before bounding off into the woods. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 20mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/200th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flashes.

The camera trap doesn’t always work out as planned. I keep a few surveillance trail cams around to see where the animals are crossing through the yard and also to monitor the effectiveness of my outdoor studio. These two black bears were in quite a playful mood as they made quick work of my camera, throwing it to the ground before actually tripping the shutter. You can see that this is a three flash set up — two hanging from trees and a third on a tripod. Of course, the light doesn’t matter if the camera is facing into the ground. Thought everyone might enjoy this look behind the scenes.

Always fun to see what the birds are up to back at the camera trap. This white-throated sparrow was frozen in action just after take off. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 20mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/200th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flashes.

June is bighorn lamb season in Badlands National Park. A few years back I photographed this young one running up and down the eroded buttes of the park. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 310mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/160th of a second.

This year’s cottontail babies have made an appearance in our front lawn. Here’s hoping they keep their heads low and away from the always circling red-tailed hawks. Nikon D500 with 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/400th of a second.

The raccoons have been active lately in the woods behind our house. I’ve still yet to see one in the daylight on our property. Which is a good thing. It means they haven’t adjusted their nocturnal routine to accommodate the foraging of garbage. At least not to the extent that has caused them to come sneaking around at any opportune time as is the case in many other areas. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/11 at 1/200th of a second.

I can never get enough of red foxes. And they always seem to show up when I’m not expecting them. I was on the way back to my cabin after a day of photographing bears in Lake Clark National Park in Alaska when I spotted this fox resting in the ferns. A nice way to end a very productive day. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/160th of a second.