drdadbooks

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Bad Hair Day 6U8A4939 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: The weather is damp and breezy making it, what some might call, a bad hair day. Marsh birds are nesting everywhere but despite the numbers, catching a glimpse of their precious young can be difficult. Wakodahatchee Wetlands is a wonderful place to see a wide variety of species in relatively small location. It isn’t a place to go if you detest shooting photographs from anywhere but the waterline, but it’s wonderful for seeing these birds at their elevations and catching a gander at their lives and young. These great egret young will make you realize that you can never really have a bad hair day.

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The Wish for Fish C7A1184 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: A skilled hunter, the blue heron stands motionless, staring into the shadows beneath the water’s surface. Only the brief calculated turn of his head or craning of his neck might give away his presence. He strikes like a lightening bold emerging with an astounding catch. On this occasion, the wish for fish is stronger and more cunning that the wish to survive. The circle of life rolls onward and nature rarely chooses favorites.

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Hungry Brood C7A5478 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Spring is well underway in Florida’s wetlands and this year’s fledgling birds are preparing to take to the wing. Nests are filled with parent birds incubating their eggs, brooding their chicks, and tending to their young. Aside from feeding their hungry chicks, parents must also “keep house” by making certain that twigs and sticks that make up their nests stay in place. They also take out the trash, cleaning out waste left behind by the young. This glossy ibis was quite busy tending to her hungry brood of 3.

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Duckweed and Mud C7A1736 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Unexpected inhabitants were encountered this week when photographing birds in South Florida. I had come across an otter at this location once before but never a mother with pups. Covered in duckweed and mud, the trio clambered along the edges of the pond, intermittently climbing out and stopping for a glimpse of me and the surroundings. As is usually the case with otters, their activities were playful and boisterous. I hope to run into them again.

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The Physics of Light. 6U8A8815 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: I generally prefer photographing wading birds at the waterline, but there are few advantages of shooting from an elevated platform. Depending upon your location, you won’t have to worry about the hidden alligator lurking beneath the surface just inches from your face. In addition, the physics of light can be an added pleasure. In still waters reflections become an important part of the image. Add a stunning bird and the photo captures attention.

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Simply Impervious 6U8A1403 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Howling winds and blowing snow made it uncomfortable enough to keep most of the park fauna bedded down in their dens. Only a few, desperate or simply impervious, could be found out in the open. Such was the case for this coyote who seemed unphased, pointing his muzzle into the oncoming tempest, and making its way to a destination that must have been worthy. We step out into the environment for minutes or hours. It is difficult to imagine surviving in such extremes.

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Share the Road 6U8A1078 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Meandering along a creek bed, a coyote makes its way toward the road. Deep snow blankets the Lamar valley and finding easier passage from place to place is a good way of saving valuable energy during the frigid months of winter. Places like these, where snow does not accumulate, make excellent passageways that many wild animals use on a daily basis. Roads made for human transportation, that are maintained and plowed, are common routes, especially during winter. Remember to drive slowly and carefully and share the road.

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Hunting Gaze6U8A0563 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: My first successful encounter with a pygmy owl was incredible, yet flawed. Twenty feet off the road and at shoulder height, the owl stood atop the branch of an old snag. It was hunting in a snowstorm. I wasn’t the only visitor to stop. A dozen other passers-by were mesmerized at the flurry of activity so close to the road. It might have been the best morning of a hundred visits to the park but for the fact that I had not driven alone. For on this occasion I had come with a coach and there was no place for the driver to park. A ranger showed up quickly, angrily threatening to ticket everyone involved. The hunting gaze of the owl made me feel twice as threatened. It was a great few moments and dozen snaps but I can’t help thinking of the opportunity lost.

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Ethereal Grace C7A4009 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Delicate flakes of frozen water decorate the woodland in a frosty, wintery scene. Bison that usually graze the open fields, find it easier to browse the forest floor where snowfall has been partially impeded by the canopy. It’s a wondrous mix of beast, brawn, and ethereal grace.

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At Home 6U8A3447 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Common folklore suggests that the red fox was an introduced species in North America, but red foxes existed in the boreal forests and western montane long before any introduction of Eurasian red foxes by European settlers. Studies of mitochondrial DNA in 2012 showed that foxes that came to populate the east and southeast were actually derived from those from Canada. There are pockets of foxes sharing Eurasian lineage in western Washington and California that likely derived from crossbreeding between native and introduced species. In short, the red fox is more at home in North America than most humans.

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Evermore C7A6637 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: As I grow older, my affinity for warmer places diminishes and I find myself gravitating to colder climates. I am certain that many experts can offer abundant reasons to explain the change but I think it is simply my acquisition of raven intellect. These are some of the smartest birds on the planet. They choose frigid temperatures over what would be a relatively quick flight to bask in the sunny southern temperature. They aren’t just smart, but also extremely adaptable. They eat almost anything and many don’t mind cozying up for a snack left behind by a two-legged flightless creature. In short, they are survivors… extirpated regionally only by humans, they have proven their ability to survive in some of the harshest environments…evermore.

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Calling Home 6U8A3136 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Snow blows across Lamar Valley in almost white-out condition. A coyote, cunning enough to understand that hunting in these conditions is nearly futile, rests on an old fallen snag that straddles a tributary. When her mates call from far across the valley, she stands and calls out in response. She’s letting them know that she is still fine and nearby. When the storm lets up, she will wind her way across the snowy landscape to rejoin them. Calling home remains important but takes on a different meaning when you live in the wild.

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Stylish Accoutrements C7A4114 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Snow fell heavily throughout portions of Yellowstone and the park’s most frequently seen inhabitants were no worse for the worry. Their dense, coarse fur gives them extraordinary protection against the elements and frigidly cold temperatures. Ever wonder why there are so many frosty bison photos? Well, the bison’s fur is so dense that it not only protects the animal from cold, but does so by limiting the escape of heat from the bison’s body. Snow and ice that fall on their fur, therefore, generally doesn’t melt. That layer of snow on their fur also adds additional protection from harsh winds. So, bison with icin’ is a natural phenomenon that has benefits beyond providing them with stylish accoutrements.

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Bling C7A5893 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: He arises from the great expanse of land known as Lamar Valley. Trudging through deep snow and winding through tortuous creek beds, he makes his way to the southern edge of the valley to join his kin. The winter weather has adorned him with a frosty bling… flakes of crystalline snow gather on his thick coat and coalesce and mingle on his muzzle as if attending a private social gathering. He will soon cross the road, built by humans but repurposed by our four-legged friend to aid in his weary winter travels. At the moment, he is the handsomest coyote to walk the valley.

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Waiting Patiently 3I6735 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Most are likely familiar with images of these birds in their nonbreeding plumage, their brownish feather tips worn away by purposely rubbing them off. The change helps them blend in with the winter landscape. The brown colors help them blend in during nesting season. They gather together in flocks and are quite skittish when approached. I find that my best photographs occur then I choose a place and wait patiently for the flock to land nearby.

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Chilling Experience C7A1906 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: One of the things I enjoyed most about photographing penguins was their relative lack of fear. Considering the havoc and devastation that humans have incurred on their civilization it’s somewhat astounding. Joining them at the water’s edge is fun. I do hope that I have the opportunity to join them again. If so, would like to join them in the water. It’s likely to be a chilling experience.

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Enjoying Life AF3I4118 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: I don’t always get to see otters on my visits to Yellowstone. Sometimes they move to areas far out of reach during the winter season. These playful animals truly seem to enjoy life rather than simply trying to survive. Well adapted to their environments, they are wide spread in rivers, streams, and lakes across North America. That being said, I have only encountered them twice in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. On the first occasion I recall being both startled and ecstatic to have them show up unexpectedly while I was photographing a Northern Waterthrush in a small cedar creek in the Pines.