I was in Zion National Park in Utah over the weekend on business, but still managed to squeeze in a little time to get out and see what I could find. I arrived at the lodge after dark on Thursday and saw three grey foxes running around the parking area. I was determined to get out and find them again during daylight hours. Meetings finished early on Saturday and I was able to get out for about half an hour or so before heading to a client dinner. Sure enough, that was all I needed to find this dashing specimen. I managed quite a few shots as it meandered through the woods, dodging in and out of the grazing mule deer. I’ve been fortunate enough to photograph many red fox over the years, but the grey fox has eluded me for the most part. Both foxes have a mix of red and grey fur, but those colors are distributed in a different pattern and the grey fox lacks the characteristic white tail tip of the red fox.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 3200, f/4 at 1/200th of a second

Although not nearly as spectacular as their male counterparts, female wood ducks are still pretty good looking birds. On last January’s trip to the Vancouver area, I was able to photograph both sexes. Above, a portrait of a female wood duck, and below an action shot of one taking off from a pond.
(top photo) Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 270mm) ISO 1600, f/5 at 1/800th of a second
(bottom photo) Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 210mm) ISO 1600, f/5 at 1/800th of a second

It’s sandhill crane time once again in Bosque Del Apache in New Mexico. This time of year, thousands of these large birds congregate near Socorro in the central part of the state. I took this shot of three of them coming in for a synchronized landing, a few years ago, just after the annual Festival of the Cranes.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/400th of a second

A break in all the Botswana action for something a little closer to home. These four black bear cubs of varying ages were all playing together one afternoon on my trip to northern Minnesota back in June.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 220mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/400th of a second

This sea otter appears to be having a rough morning out on the open water of Elkhorn Slough in Moss Landing, California. Either that, or it’s just giving its head a good cleaning after munching on a feast of clams and mussels.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/160th of a second

This one goes out to all my fellow Cheshire High Rams that I had such a good time with last Saturday night at our 30 year reunion. Cheshire, being in Connecticut, doesn’t have any real bighorn sheep among its residents — Wyoming, on the other hand, where this photo was taken, has plenty to go around. Enjoy, and see you all at the next reunion.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 310mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/1250th of a second

Some of you might remember a horizontal photo of horseshoe crabs spawning on the beach that I posted a while back. Here’s another shot from that night I was in Cape May, New Jersey. The horseshoe crabs spawn during the month of May at high tide. Full and new moons bring the greatest number of crabs ashore.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 400, f/20 at 13 seconds, graduated neutral density filter

Since my trip to Minnesota in late June it seems like I’ve been posting a black bear pic each week. No reason not to keep the streak going. I love the way these two cinnamon colored black bears look almost bald on their faces as their cinnamon coat gives way to the more traditional black fur around their eyes, forehead and cheeks.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/2.8 at 1/400th of a second

This nine-banded armadillo on Merritt Island in Florida was searching everywhere. For what, I don’t know, but it must have been important because he was quite frantic about his search. He even looked inside this moss-covered log for that thing he wanted so much. I didn’t stick around long enough to see if he ever did find what he was looking for.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 19mm) ISO 800, f/3.2 at 1/640th of a second