Wildlife Posts

Last week, the intrusion of another snowfall; but this is light and we have not nearly approached the accumulation of cities in the mid-Atlantic where family has reported 75+ inches. Perhaps winter will soon take its last gasp; meanwhile, creatures are looking for food. The snow removal ‘person’ had not been through here yet, but this bird seems to be snuggling in atop the snow-laden bird ba...

Elk – a beautiful, deer-like animal that belongs to the scientific group called ungulates, Latin for ‘hoof’.  Indeed, this was a beautiful, healthy looking ‘harem’, with an ideal habitat in the alpine meadows of Arkansas.  Our tour tram made a stop at this juncture, previously part of the ranch estate of the founder of Bass Pro shops.  We were not permitted to disembark from the tra...

The Snowy Owl lives most of the year on open tundra in Alaska and Canada.  This beautiful bird nests on the ground.  It preys mostly on lemmings, a type of rodent.  Every winter, snowy owls follow the lemmings southward into the northern United States.  It can survive up to ten years in the wild open grasslands of the Arctic or up to 35 – 45 years in captivity, as this one ma...

It was thrilling to get in such close proximity to these animals.  No engagement of optical zoom features needed at this feeding ground.  I thought the first shot was ‘picture-setting' perfect.  This fellow gazed as if he were posing for a restoration photo on the old Buffalo Nickel.  Within a few steps I could have touched him, but because of liability restricti...

This one's NOT for Thanksgiving Dinner It’s a pity that the ‘netting’ detracts from this handsomely dressed tom, but it lives among other birds protected and cared for at the World Bird Sanctuary. (Refer to Birds of Prey).  The Royal Palm Turkey is bred for ornamental feathers and not usually for meat.  These turkeys are rare and are on our critical domestic species list.  T...

Red-tailed HawkThe Red-tailed hawk is the most common hawk species in North America.  Its plumage varies from light to dark brown.  The rust tail and brown ‘belly band’ on a pale front identifies this species.  ‘Chicken Hawk’ is a common nickname although it preys primarily on rodents and other small mammals.  This hawk is passive by nature, and other hawks, owls and even crows...

As we like to cover a little history whenever we travel, Pea Ridge National Military Park gave us opportunity to mix fall foliage with some battlefield knowledge about the Civil War.  Pea Ridge is only one of over 390 parks in the National Park System. On a self-guided, auto tour through the park, we had several sightings of white-tailed deer, common in the park’s environment.  These de...

While leisurely strolling around this pond area at dawn, I heard a smack in the water.  Seeing this small brown head slightly above the water and swimming downstream, I decided to follow, camera engaged.  The not-too-great views prompted me to ask myself if all I had captured on film was a rat versus the beaver I was fancying.  More and more it resembled the former. ...

    "As the hart panteth after the  water brooks, so panteth my  soul after thee, O God."   Psalm 42:1    

There's nothing more awe-inspiring than watching a video clip of a soaring bald eagle. We all know that the bald eagle  is not actually bald.  It's presumed the name originated because of the stark contrast in color between the dark brown body and the white head.  Interestingly, the eagle does not acquire its white head and tail until 4-5 years of age.    The eyes o...