Hoary marmots, often called “whistle pigs” for their high-pitched alarm calls, are a common sight among the alpine meadows and rocky slopes of Mount Rainier in Washington State. These large ground squirrels spend the short summer season feeding and basking in the sun to build fat reserves for their long hibernation, which can last up to eight months. Social and vocal, they often perch on rocks to watch for predators. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/8 at 1/500th of a second.

When a prairie dog stretches up and throws its arms wide like this, it’s often performing what’s called a “jump-yip” — a dramatic social behavior that can serve as both a territory call and a kind of group alert or check-in. The sudden, exaggerated pose is usually followed by a high-pitched bark, and if others respond, it can ripple through the colony like a wave. It’s a quirky but effective way for prairie dogs to maintain group cohesion and assess their surroundings in open grasslands. Photographed years ago in the Badlands of South Dakota. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 600mm manual focus lens, ISO 500, f/11 at 1/320th of a second.

Once nearly wiped out in Indiana due to habitat loss and unregulated trapping, North American river otters were reintroduced to the state in the 1990s through a successful restoration program. Thanks to protected wetlands and careful management, their population has rebounded, and otters are now found in over 80 Indiana counties. These two were captured in the southern part of the state where they are a symbol of conservation success, thriving again in rivers and marshes where they hadn’t been seen for decades. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (with 1.4 teleconverter for 550mm) ISO 1600, f/8 at 1/500th of a second.

Common snapping turtles are a prehistoric-looking reptiles known for powerful jaws, a spiked tail, and a tough, ridged shell. They live in freshwater habitats across most of North America, and spend most of their time buried in mud or lurking just beneath the surface with only eyes and nostrils exposed. They can live for decades and they play an important role in their ecosystem by scavenging and keeping aquatic environments clean. I photographed this one in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/5 at 1/500th of a second.

Last week I posted a coyote walking perpendicular to my camera trap. That’s what they usually do and I get the same side profile. But the other night I had one coming toward camera for a better angle. The coyotes found in Connecticut belong to the Eastern coyote subspecies. They are larger than their western cousins. Genetic studies show they’re a hybrid mix of western coyote, eastern wolf, and domestic dog, which explains their larger size, broader skulls, and more varied behavior. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 24mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/200th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and two remote flash units.

Here’s an old classic from back in 2009. But it didn’t make the cut for the 2026 mothers with offspring themed calendar. Still time to pick one or two up before the holidays at www.specieslimited.com. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 300mm) ISO 400, f/7.1 at 1/800th of a second.

Perfectly adapted to its swampy world, the top of an alligator’s head is flat, armored, and built for stealth. Its eyes, ears, and nostrils are all positioned on top, allowing the gator to see, hear, and breathe while the rest of its body remains hidden just below the water’s surface. The skin is rough and ridged, dotted with bony plates that offer protection and help regulate body temperature. Tiny pits near the snout detect vibrations and movement in the water, giving the alligator an almost sixth sense for approaching prey. In this image, I went very tight on the head and eyes from directly above the gator. Shot in Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/400th of a second.