ANIMALS

MYSTIC MORNING

At first mystic light, horses are intrigues by what they see.

Just off the Continental Divide I was scouting through the deep willows close to Mt. Bierstadt late last fall. I was chest deep and not paying attention to my surroundings. As I came out of the willows I looked up and there he was, fixated on me, eyes locked and I'm sure his smell and hearing was also locked in on me. At first I was frightened. I was too close in the wild, he could easily out run me. Moose can run up to 35 miles per hour. I had nothing to lose but to slowly raise my camera and fire away. My barrage of shutter clicks resonated with me and I'm sure him as well. I then slowly moved diagonally from him and never looked back. Once I was a long ways from him, I caught my first breath. I just had my first lesson in wildlife photography. Stay cool and remember to focus.

ELK ON THE BEACH

Leaving the Fern Canyon in Redwood N.P., northern California, I caught a glimpse of movement along the beach. While I have seen elk in many states in all kinds of geography, NEVER ON THE BEACH of the Pacific Ocean. It was a real treat for me.

OWL

Curious owl in an Aspen Grove near Kebler Pass, Colorado.

THE FLOATING FEATHER

Each year over 500,000 Sandhill Cranes roost on the Platte River in Nebraska, feeding on the near by corn fields. This is the oldest bird migration known to man. I had a chance to capture them on this early foggy morning.

YOUNG GRIZZLY

This young grizzly, maybe a three year old, came out of the forest and was back lit by late afternoon sun. He never looked at me and silently drifted back into the forest.

WATCHING YOU

Two Mustangs pull focus on me as if saying "Kevin, take your shot for you only have this moment."

THE TAKE OFF

Nothing is more spectacular than a Canadian Goose taking off.

WILD BURROS in NEVADA

Burros grow to be about half the size of a horse. Males are called jacks, and females are called jennies. The differences between horses and burros are easy to see and hear. Burros have longer ears and shorter manes and tails and they bray instead of whinny. Most burros, regardless of coat color, will have dorsal stripes and shoulder crosses, dark ear marks, as well as light points of white muzzle and eye rings, and white belly and inner legs.

BULL ELK ... with a harem of 8 cows along the Snake River, Wy. I would imagine in a few weeks he will have quite the herd of cows. Big headgear is a product of genetics, age and nutrition provided by great habitat. This bull seemed to be completely satisfied and was not bothered by me approaching him. A 6x6 with beautiful coat, he moved with grace, superiority and domination.