Sandhill Cranes - Maxton Plains

A pair of sandhill cranes walking through the Alvar Grasslands of the Maxton Plains, like a couple of prehistoric dinosaurs. This is about a 30% crop of my 250mm shot at it's full reach. It can produce some nice shots. Drummond Island Michigan (July 2012)

Dock Spider

A spider hanging around the dock on Drummond Island while waiting for the ferry to Detour. Didn't have time to grab my macro lens, but my zoom still worked pretty well. Gruesome creatures. Drummond Island Michigan (July 2012)

Bison Lick

Buffalo licking his lips. Custer State Park

Bull Moose

Bull moose grazing near the North Fork Shoshon River between Cody and Yellowstone in Wyoming.

Illegal Immigrants

Canadian geese, probably here illegally. Doesn't look like they're carrying passports or papers. Get out of here geese, stop stealing our jobs! Yellowstone National Park

Soaring Eagle

Another photo of possible Golden Eagle flying over the Snake River in the Teton's. Grand Teton National Park

Eastern Comma Butterfly

Goll Woods, Fall 2012. Goll Woods is the least disturbed woodland known to remain in extreme northwestern Ohio. This preserve features some of the largest trees remaining in the state. Many of these magnificent trees are 200-400 years old and measure 4 feet in diameter. http://ohiodnr.com/location/dnap/goll_woods/tabid/942/Default.aspx

Orangutan Portrait

The orangutan was staring at Dave while he was reviewing photos on his camera.

Eastern Green Mamba

This guy was a surreal green color. According to the sign at the zoo: "With their virulent venom and large fangs, these fast moving tree cobras have a dangerous reputation. They spend most of their lives concealed in brush and trees, where they hunt birds and lizards. When provoked, they can defend themselves with a lightning fast strike that few survive without treatment."

Rutting Elk

A massive bull elk standing within a herd of cows inside Rocky Mountain National Park. You can see his breath in the cool air, up around 10,000 feet as the sun started to set.

On the Hunt

A coyote, above the tree line, looking for something to eat.

Wintering Geese

Canadian Geese flying over the partially frozen Maumee River, near Waterville, OH. The light was just starting to become pleasing as this flock of Canadians flew over in their distinctive V-formation. Dirty birds, but very majestic when caught in flight like this.

Those Eyes

Australian saltwater crocodile in captivity at the Toledo Zoo. If you look closely you can see the teeth just below the surface.

Magnificent Frigatebird

This female Magnificent Frigatebird appears to be immature due to the lack of coloring around her beak. Females are larger than males and fullgrown adults can have wingspans of 8 feet across. She can be identified as a female due to her white coloring and lack of inflatable red gular sac. Magnificent Frigatebirds can spend days or weeks at sea without landing. They are one of only two known bird species to be able to sleep while flying, only needing to land for mating. They are unable to land on the water and would likely be unable to escape the water if they came in contact with it. Instead they swoop down and catch fish jumping from the water to escape predators and flying fish. http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/htmlsite/1004/1004_feature.html

Prairie Bro

Prairie dog taking a break in the Badlands National Park.

Common Dolphin

We were surrounded by a pod of dolphins while searching for whales during an adventure rib boat tour.

Red Fox

A red fox hunting for (and catching) rodents just outside of Tower Junction on our way into the Lamar Valley. She was listening for mice or voles with her big ears. When she would lock onto one or a nest, she would attempt to dig them out from under the sage. Sometimes she would have to dig for minutes, taking periodic breaks, until one would run, then she would chase it down. Other times she would sneak up and spring into the air before landing on one. She did this for some time, ignoring the mass of people that had gathered on the roadside to watch. We watched for about 10 minutes before she started to move along towards the picnic area not much further up the road.

Great Egret

This great egret has a bright green lore around his eyes signifying that it's breeding season. Taken at Magee Marsh near Oak Harbor, OH near the shore of Lake Erie.