Wildlife
As an avid hiker for more than 30 years, I have had the opportunity to photograph a variety of wildlife up-close-and-personal while trekking throughout the Appalachian Mountains and the southeastern United States. On weekends, you can usually find me somewhere in the pines of North Georgia or at Cades Cove, soaking up the views from Tennessee’s Great Smokey Mountains, or adventuring in the Blue Ridge Mountains. At other times I am traveling the country exploring the immense beauty of this country.
This gallery showcases some of the extraordinary wildlife I’ve ‘met’ (from a distance) along my journey. These animals so kindly allowed me to quietly observe them in their natural habitats and document our time together. More often than not, they left me with a smile and sense of wonder. I always feel privileged that these creatures, from the black bear to a white-tailed deer, let me into their space to capture their majesty on film.
Great Egret at Golden Hour - A Great Egret enjoying the evening surf on Jekyll Island.
Taking Flight- A pair of Sandhill Cranes taking flight in the early morning light. Hiawassee Wildlife Refuge, Tennessee.
Evening Stroll - A focused little Piping Plover searching for dinner on the beach of Cumberland Island, Georgia.
Yellow Crowned Night Heron - At one of the Jekyll Island rookeries.
Rocky Mountain Elk - This fella walked to the edge of the scrub brush and began to bugle. Within a few minutes his herd began pouring out into the meadow. Easily over a hundred of cow, calves and some young bulls in the rear. It was quite incredible to watch.
The Guardian - A male barred owl keeping watch over his nearby nest and young one.
Nap Time- After a morning of keeping up with three young cubs playing this mother bear was exhausted. She finally climbed a tree for a nap. Just about the time she closed her eyes, Junior peaked around the trunk.
Watching Me Watching You - A cow sticking its tongue out while watching me watch her.
Watching-This little cub was the runt of three siblings. The larger two were above playing in the upper branches of the tree. This little fellow preferred to stay near the mother. Over time it developed more confidence and was able to venture out with the siblings and participate in their romping's and adventures.
Red Panda - A Red Panda resting. This may be one of the cutest animals I have ever met. Admittedly, this little Panda was in captivity which I am not a fan of, but these are part of captive breeding program to try and save the species. Fingers crossed the efforts are successful.
Taking Flight - Sandhill Cranes during migration. 50,000-60,000 Sandhill Cranes winter in south Tennessee every year. This was taken in early February at the Hiawassee Wildlife Refuge.
The Matriarch-The oldest doe in the herd on my property stopped by for a visit. She is a frequent visitor.
River Otter- Being watched by a really cute and playful river otter in North Carolina.
Reflections of a Heron - This lovely heron was wading in the Tennessee River. It was a bright day, so I shot slightly over exposed for a minimalist look with a High-Key influence.
The Eye of the Bison - This image captures the soulful, sentient aspect of these beautiful and majestic beings. Once so close to extinction, seeing them again in the wild is a testimony to what can happen when we try to correct the wrongs committed in times past to our lands and its inhabitants. A success story still in the making.
The Grizzly - The Thinker. Sometimes we forget, or do not realize that wild animals are contemplative beings.
The Pronghorn - This amazingly design animal is stunning to look at. Near perfect coloring for camouflage and deceivingly fast. These animals are the fastest hooved animals in the United States, reaching speeds of 60 MPH. I truly never get tired of watching them.