California newts produce tetrodotoxin — the same neurotoxin found in pufferfish — as a defense against predators. Their bright orange undersides serve as a warning, while their rough brown backs help them blend into the leaf litter and streams of coastal California. I came across this one years ago in Point Reyes National Seashore north of San Francisco. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 800, f/3.5 at 1/160th of a second.
American bison are the largest land mammals in North America, with bulls weighing up to 2,000 pounds. Despite their size, they can run at speeds of nearly 35 miles per hour and have roamed the Great Plains for thousands of years, shaping the grassland ecosystem through their grazing and movement. I captured this image back in 2014 on a short trip to the Badlands of South Dakota. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 350mm) ISO 800, f/4.5 at 1/400th of a second.
Here’s another one from the camera trap a few years back. A female northern cardinal comes in for a landing on the fallen ash tree that I regularly capture raccoons and opossums traversing on their nightly rounds. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/160th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flash units.
We’ve seen quite a few bears in the yard this year, but so far they’ve been avoiding the camera traps. This one is from last year when they were taking a few more selfies. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 22mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/250th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flash units).
I captured this guy years ago in May, when bull elk are growing a new set of antlers, one of the fastest-growing tissues in the animal kingdom. At the same time, they’re shedding their thick winter coats, leaving them looking a bit ragged as they transition into summer and prepare for the fall rut months ahead. Despite the appearance, however, I think this guy was feeling pretty good about himself. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 102mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1320th of a second.
During the breeding season, male pronghorn establish and defend territories, while females carefully select mates and later raise their fawns in the open grasslands. A paired male and female offer a glimpse into the social dynamics of a species whose speed and endurance evolved to outrun predators long vanished from the American West. I took this photograph back in June of 2014 in Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 300mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/1000th of a second.
Red foxes are among the most adaptable mammals on Earth, living everywhere from Arctic tundra to forests, farms, and even major cities. I met this one while photographing coastal brown bears in Lake Clark National Park in Alaska. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm (at 210mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/250th of a second.
Moose cows in places like Baxter State Park in Maine often wade deep into ponds to feed on nutrient-rich aquatic vegetation growing along the bottom. These underwater plants are packed with sodium and minerals that are difficult to find in the forest. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 manual focus lens, ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/160th of a second.
Dall sheep are native to the rugged peaks of Alaska and northwestern Canada, easily recognized by their bright white coats and impressive curled horns (although not this adolescent). Built for steep terrain, they can scale rocky cliffs with incredible agility, using specialized hooves that grip narrow ledges with ease. I spotted this one along the Seward Highway outside of Anchorage, Alaska. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/320th of a second.
As spring returns, so too does the bright yellow and black of the American goldfinch. Males transition from their subdued winter plumage into their breeding colors. We’ve seen quite a few in our yard already, which is always a welcome sight. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 560, f/5.6 at 1/3200th of a second.