Reconnecting with nature through hiking, camping, and paddling
Photos of animals in their natural habitat and a few photos of wild animals in captivity
The first few years I had a bluebird box in the yard it remained empty. Then, just as I was thinking of taking it down, a pair of Eastern Bluebirds nested in it. Since then we’ve had bluebirds nest in the box every year, producing multiple broods. The female pictured here is feeding one of the juveniles from the first brood of this season. If the past is any indication we should get at least another two broods this summer.
People often assume this bird is a Red Headed Woodpecker. The confusion is understandable as the Red Bellied Woodpecker’s head is red on the top and back. By comparison the Red Headed Woodpecker’s head is red on the top, back, sides, and front. If you happen to catch a glimpse of this bird’s stomach you’ll see the red patch for which it is named.
A Junco rests on a snowy branch while out foraging in the snow. How such a small creature survives the winter never ceases to amaze me. Does it wake on such a morning wishing it could sleep a little longer, rationalizing that later the snow will melt and its burdens will be just a little lighter?
Several Anhingas rest on an old wooden structure in the middle of the James River, near Richmond, VA. The hard winter light created a silhouette effect.
My Grandmother used to call these brown anoles “tiny dinosaurs”. It’s easy to see why. I photographed this one on the side of a tree in Florida last winter.
This Rat Snake had no problem making its way through the trees when I encountered it on a hike in Central Virginia.
This brown anole was basking in the sun on the rocks. There was a large gap in the rocks, a cave relative to the size of the lizard. It never strayed too far from the safety of its hideout there.
