Portfolio
Green Herons in my area are challenging to photograph in the open. They are often silently slipping into cover within reeds when they sense anything approaching. I was ecstatic one morning when I came around a corner in a kayak and found a comfortable Green Heron in plain view, fishing from the shore. The heron hopped around on the rocks, not bothered by my presence as I captured shots for several minutes.
Santa Margarita Lake, California
Three majestic brown pelicans stand in the shallows of the Morro Bay estuary.
Morro Bay, California
A sea otter glances towards shore while another holds its young. I love this shot because it shows their environment; the sand spit and the hills in the background give depth to the photograph. An endangered species, Morro Bay offers a calm and protected area to raise young. I was at 400mm to not disturb these animals, this spy hopping behavior happened frequently regardless of where in the bay the otter families positioned themselves or if there were people near them.
Morro Bay, California
On an early morning excursion, we found this frosty Bull Bison pushing aside snow with his big head for a chance at the grasses underneath. After about an hour, he revealed his full majesty to us as he moved off.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
I live in a place with an abundance of Great Blue Herons but it never gets very cold. I was amazed when I found this GBH in Yellowstone during January. I did not know that Great Blue Herons would live in places that received feet upon feet of snow and sub-zero temperatures!
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The Coyote is my favorite animal. I believe that they are one of the greatest conservation stories of all time. That statement might come as a surprise because almost nobody cared for coyotes. There was no plan to save them, no plan to set aside space for them. However, in a remarkable feat of animal endurance, they saved themselves. The United States government, with the encouragement of the livestock industry, spent over a half century trying to exterminate coyotes. They used bullets, traps, helicopters, and poison laced carcasses. But due to the coyote's amazing adaptations, the Coyote persisted, and colonized every major US city in the process.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
This coyote glances up from its wander in the interior of Yellowstone. Due to its full looking belly, I believe that it just finished gorging itself on a nearby carcass.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
This otter was a thrill to watch. We were lucky enough to spend two hours at this location where this otter was very cooperative, and continued going about its natural fishing behavior. Every once in a while the otter would look at us, but for the most part it was very content to fish as if we weren't even there.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Every once in a while this otter would look at us, but for the most part it was very content to catch fish and eat them as if we weren't even there.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
This bison calf, also called a red dog, basks in the golden light of the setting sun. The golden hour light is such a thrill to photograph, especially when a little bison standing in it.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Trumpeter Swans spend a lot of time not flying. When they do fly, it makes all the waiting worth it.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Coyote's trail has led many places, gone through some tough spots, but luckily that trail continues today.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
I love Coyotes because they have an ancient air about them, they have eyes that are full of wisdom, and they are always curious.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
One evening a bunch of yearling bison were running around, and their moms even joined in on the fun!
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
This mountain goat yearling was stuck in the bottom of this canyon after its mother was killed by wolves. It had been stuck for a couple of months when I took this image, so it might make it until springtime.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
This was my first photographic encounter with a Long-tailed Weasel. They are incredibly fast! This was the only photo that was in focus when it ran near me becuase trying to keep a little weasel in the frame when using a 600mm lens is extremely hard.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
This Long-tailed Weasel popped his head out of this hole for a split second before dashing away.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Long-tailed Weasel carrying a fresh meal.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
American Dippers are fun to watch. They are the only aquatic north american songbird. It is fascinating that they can swin in nearly freezing mountain streams.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
An Otter plays on the bank of a river for a half a second before returning to the water.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Ravens one of my favorite birds. They are incredibly inquisitive and curious. The wisdom in their eyes is unlike any other animal.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
I was photographing this Red-shouldered Hawk at a frequent perch in my backyard when this Northern Mockingbird came along and started harassing the hawk. My backyard is nothing particularly special; I encourage you to go outisde your house and look around for what is truly living there.
My Backyard, California
Just as the first light hits the top of the Teton range, casting a glow of pale pink, the full moon nears the horizon. This shot was challenging to capture because I had to research and determine exactly where the moon would set in relationship to Tetons, and I'm very delighted with the result!
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Just as the first light hits the top of the Teton range, casting a glow of pale pink, the full moon nears the horizon. This shot was challenging to capture because I had to research and determine exactly where the moon would set in relationship to Tetons, and I'm very delighted with the result!
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
During an early morning excursion in Grand Teton National Park, I found this pronghorn standing alert but relaxed in the soft morning light. Pronghorn are the fastest land animal in North America; they can reach speeds of more than 50 miles per hour!
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Predawn light blankets the landscape as a cow and calf moose gaze out across the sea of sagebrush.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
This Bull Moose posed perfectly for the camera.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Water drips from a bull moose as he lifts his head after taking a drink out of a pond in Grand Teton National Park.
Grand Teton National Park, None
In the fall, the trees at Oxbow bend turn brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges. It is truly magnificent.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
In the fall, the trees at Oxbow bend turn brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges. It is truly magnificent. I love panoramas because they give us a more realistic view of a landscape.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
A sleepy Great Howned Owl takes a midday rest on a branch in an aspen grove near Grand Teton National Park.
Jackson, Wyoming
This photo is one of my favorites. It's not the best photo technically, but it has a tremendous story behind it. I was my birthday, and I had just finished assisting a week-long class with Cindy Goeddel. Early in the morning we had stopped and talked to the wold watchers of Lamar Valley. They had the three wolves of the Lamar Canyon pack on a carcass about a mile out. We continued on, seeking wildlife within a reasonable distance. We came back to the wolves about 6 hours later. While we were gone, something had spooked the wolves, one had fled east, while the other two went west. The eastbound wolf had crossed the road, and was about 150 yards up a hill, howling. The other two were in the trees a mile across the valley, out of sight. The howling wolf on the hill is 926F, the female alpha of the pack. She continues howling consistently for over an hour. Then she heads up the hill, away from the road, and out of sight. We drove around, trying to spot her. We do, and she is coming towards us, back down to the road, but she looks nervous. We leave the area, to give her a free chance to cross. She crosses and heads out to meet the other two, who in meantime have emerged from the trees, and begun approaching her. They meet up and continue east. My intention is to always place the well being of the creature above a photo opportunity. This situation was one that put my ethics into practice, and I didn't get a good photo, but it feels so good to know you didn't (as much as you could) disturb an animal.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
On a serene morning in Lamar Valley, a trotting coyote silently leaves its tracks in the fresh snow. This photo was captured on my first winter trip to Yellowstone National Park. I had finished assisting with a photography class and had a day on my own to explore the snowy wonderland. It was my 17th birthday, and I was lucky enough to capture this shot of my favorite animal in my favorite place. Birthdays don't get any better than that. Coyotes have thrived despite decades of persecution in the form of numerous and extremely toxic predicides, traps, bait stations, and aerial gunning. This assault came primarily from the United States government in an attempt to protect livestock. Coyotes have many unique adaptations that helped them to endure the onslaught, such as fission-fusion that allows them to hunt as individuals, in pairs, or in a pack. I believe that the coyote story is one of the greatest wildlife success stories of the 20th century because not only did they survive this attempted annihilation, but they spread geographically and colonized every major US city in the process.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
This bison struggles against the powerful wind as it leads a herd up a snowy hill on a wind-swept landscape in Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone is the only place where Bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times and considering that there were only 25 Bison in Yellowstone in 1901, we are incredibly lucky that Bison are still among us today.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
As a herd of bison breaks trail up a snowy hill, this female was in the lead, stopping every few steps to catch her breath.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Female Pronghorn on the outskirts of Yellowstone.
Gardiner, Montana
After waiting three hours for this red fox to wake up, he took this big stretch and ambled away. A yawn and scratch after a long nap in the snow.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
After waiting three hours for this red fox to wake up, he took this big stretch and ambled away.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Driving away after an unsuccessful search, our driver saw this otter pop up the mirror. We quickly turned around, parked, set up, and waited. Our wait wasn't long, in a only few minutes the otter appeared and climbed up on the ice to take a look at us. On a class with Cindy Goeddel.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
On a class with Cindy Goeddel, we set up down stream from two moose eating, and eventually, they came down, we got some shots, and got out of their way without interfering. I love the feeling of getting a good shot without disrupting the enviroment or animal.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
During a hike in an oak forest near my home, I saw thousands of these Convergence Ladybugs in one spot. It turns out they converge at a specific place every year to mate. It is especially incredible because the ladybugs only live to witness one gathering.
San Luis Obispo County, California
Near dusk on a mid-July day, my family and I drove out Wolf Creek road in Grand Teton National Park, hoping to find and photograph some wolves. Instead, we came across a few hundred Bison grazing, sleeping, and playfully fighting. On one side of our car, two bulls were tussling behind some vegetation. I waited in my car for the right moment when one would step into this opening, while also being very aware of their distance to make sure I wasn’t too close. Finally, one of the bulls moved into a clearing and revealed his magnificent head with a frame of wildflowers. I enjoy going out to look for one animal and then stumbling upon a completely different animal. Whenever this happens, I realize that no matter what, observing wildlife in its natural habitat is always an amazing experience.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
We were lucky enough to watch and photograph this coyote for a half hour. This is his final hurrah as he heads for the hills.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
This Bison had just rolled around (which is often territorial), and was standing near the road. The bulls are nearing rut (mating reason), and they're getting very aggressive!
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
There are many bison in Yellowstone. The hard part is finding an interesting shot. It was a sunny, mid-summers day, and we were about to get back in our van, but I saw potential in this bison due to its location. I stayed back for a few seconds, and sure enough, it walked into the flowers. I had to act quickly to get the shot. Following your intuition is very satisfying, and when it leads to great images, it’s even better. I hope my images invoke a sense of wonder to inspire you to visit and protect our wild places and the animals who depend on them.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Pika at a secret spot, where he always shows up. Very dependable little guy!
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
This Grizzly Bear - nicknamed by locals "Raspberry" - is a oft seen sow with cub (Snow, next photo). We spent a few hours looking for her, and we were rewarded!
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
During a lunch break at a picnic area, this little guy was running around (probably looking for handouts, sorry little guy).
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
During a stroll in search of Bison, we came across this White Pelican, and stopped to watch. After a few minutes, it took off, and flew by us.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
During an early morning Slough Creek drive in Yellowstone National Park, we spotted this Pronghorn lying down in the grass. We walked out, keeping a respectful distance, to get a better photography. After about an hour, this pronghorn got up and curiously walked towards us before veering off. I always place the well-being of my subjects first, and this was no exception.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
I captured this image during a Yellowstone photography class led by Cindy Goeddel. Pronghorn are the fastest land animals in North America, their incredible speed developed thousands of years ago, when they had to escape from faster, now extinct predators. Due to this unnatural advantage over current predators, pronghorn are very relaxed. We saw this Pronghorn lying down; chewing his cud. We set up and ventured into the field slowly, stopping when he ceased chewing and continuing when he resumed. Once we reached a respectful distance, we took some shots and waited. This photo means so much to me because it was the first time I had approached my subject with a plan, and it worked so well. After about a half hour, he stood up with a look of pure curiosity and walked towards us, before veering off. Cindy also allowed me to use her 500mm, which I will remember forever. I hope my images invoke a sense of wonder to inspire you to visit and protect our wild places and the animals who depend on them. I also hope next time you see an animal, you think about and notice how your presence is effecting its behavior.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
This Coyote paused to look at us before returning to his wander.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
I missed a good fox shot because of this photo. I had the camera on 1/20th of a second and a 10 second delay, because I was shooting flowers! Then the Red Fox runs by, and I only got a few super blurry shots. Oh well...enjoy!
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
A mama black bear pauses in a field of wildflowers while trying to keep up with her two cubs. Slough Creek road in Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Black Bear cub peaks over a hill, with it's mama and a sibling close behind.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Two Marmots on a fallen log, basking in the early morning sunshine.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
A young Bison comforts another young Bison near a busy road in Yellowstone National Park. Baby Bison are also called Red Dogs, a name they get from their orange-red coats that they wear for the first few months before growing their adult coats. Yellowstone is the only place where Bison have lived since continuously lived since prehistoric times and considering that there were only 25 Bison in Yellowstone in 1901, we are incredibly lucky that Bison are still among us today.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Two bison bulls playfight in spring in Round Prairie, Yellowstone.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
After a few hours on the boardwalks of the Upper Geyser Basin, near Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, I saw a raven perched on a post while we were walking by it. The challenge with this shot is it was brief. I only had a few moments to photograph before I had to move along. I was drawn by the evening light shimmering on its feathers and the Firehole River creating a colorful out-of-focus background. I was also very struck by the fact that this raven simply sat on a post, despite a lot of hustle and bustle around it. And even though the outside energy was chaotic, it’s energy was calm.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
During one of our numerous late afternoon loops on Pilgrim Creek road last summer, we found a marmot family. On this segment of the road, they live in a multitude of fallen logs. This shot was challenging due to the spontaneity and quickness of this particular marmot. This marmot rarely stopped moving, and there were several marmots. Once I looked at the other one, the first one would do something interesting, and I would miss it. However, this marmot finally poked its head out to keep an eye on what was happening around its log, and I was ready. I hope my images invoke a sense of wonder to inspire you to visit and protect our wild places and the animals who depend on them.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
This Red Fox was wandering around a residential area. It is sure an unusual (at least for now) sight to see a fox sitting on somebody's lawn.
Moose, Wyoming
There are a ton of Elk in the Tetons this time of year (Fall), and mostly we just drive by then, looking for Bears. This one was pretty close, so we stopped and photographed it.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
A small water pipe coming out of a water tank near our cabin.
Lake Tahoe, California
Young Bighorn peacefully eating while the males fight across the road.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Moulton Barn covered in snow on one of the last days we we're in Jackson.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
This Red Fox was running around right off the road, let's just say I seized the moment.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
This Young Moose was standing in the middle of a creek. I kept waiting for it to move, but it just stood there, so I shot it anyway.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
This is THE Moulton Barn, arguably the most photographed barn in the world. I figured nothing is too famous to photograph, so I give it a "shot".
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
One of the Moulton Barns on a partly cloudy day.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
There are many classic shots in Grand Teton National Park, including Schwabacher Landing. While I try to get unique images, sometimes it is worth trying "the shot" for the fun of it.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
The sky is lit a brilliant pink behind the Moulton Barn.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
This waterfall was taken on the paradise loop road.
Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington
This Frog rests on gravel near a road.
Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington