Sunday, August 28, 2011

Two Black Tailed Fawns Playing

This image of two Black-Tailed deer fawns are caught frolicking with one another on Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park in Washington state was taken by Mary Campbell, for which she was awarded the grand prize in the 2008 Northwest Exposure Photo Contest.

http://www.wta.org/trail-news/photo-contest/2008-contest-winners/grand_prize_campbell.jpg

Image Credit: Mary Campbell

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Giraffes In a Storm

This image of two giraffes facing an approaching storm was captured by Marina Cano while she vacationed in Africa. I am very impressed by her collection, which you can enjoy by clicking this picture.

Giraffe's in the Masai Mara in Kenya as bad weather approaches


Image Credit: Marina Cano

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Two Battling Blackbirds

This photo of blackbirds fighting was taken by David Slater, and brought him an award in the wildlife behavior category of the British Wildlife Photography Awards in it's inaugural year, 2009.


Image Credit: David Slater

Sunday, July 31, 2011

King Penguin Studies Footprints

 

King penguins, scientifically known as Aptenodytes patagonicus, are one of the largest and most recognizable penguin species in the world. These majestic birds are found primarily in the sub-Antarctic regions of the Southern Ocean, including the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the islands surrounding Antarctica.

Appearance

King penguins are striking in their appearance, with a distinctive orange-yellow patch on their throat, surrounded by white feathers that extend up to their cheeks. They have a black back and head, and their wings and underbelly are a contrasting white. These penguins are also known for their size, reaching up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) tall and weighing between 22 and 45 pounds (10-20 kg).

Behavior

King penguins are social birds and typically gather in large colonies of thousands of individuals. They are also known for their unique breeding habits, with males and females taking turns incubating their egg and caring for their chick. During the breeding season, both parents will fast for up to two months while incubating their egg.

In the water, king penguins are agile swimmers and can reach speeds of up to 12 miles (20 km) per hour. They primarily feed on small fish and squid, which they catch by diving to depths of up to 300 feet (100 meters).

Conservation Status

King penguins are currently listed as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, their populations are still vulnerable to threats such as climate change, overfishing, and pollution. In some areas, king penguin populations have declined by as much as 90% over the past century.

Efforts are being made to protect king penguins and their habitats. For example, the Falkland Islands have implemented a marine conservation area around the islands to protect the rich biodiversity of the area, including king penguins.

Tourism

King penguins are a popular tourist attraction in the sub-Antarctic regions where they live. However, it is important for tourists to remember to respect the natural habitat of these birds and not disturb them or their colonies. Visitors to these regions are also advised to follow strict biosecurity protocols to prevent the introduction of foreign organisms that could harm the local wildlife.

In conclusion, king penguins are a magnificent and unique species of penguin that are an important part of the Southern Ocean's ecosystem. While they are currently listed as a species of Least Concern, their populations are still vulnerable to threats such as climate change and human activity. It is crucial that we continue to take steps to protect these remarkable birds and their habitats for future generations to enjoy.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Polar Bear Clinging to Remnants of Iceberg

A polar bear clings to the remnants of an iceberg, reminding us of their dire circumstance.

http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/polarbearSWP_450x300.jpg


Unfortunately, I was unable to locate the credits for this image.

Windblown Lion



Image Credit: Nick Brandt 
 
 
Lions are social animals that live in groups called prides, consisting of a few males, several females, and their offspring. They communicate with each other using various vocalizations such as roars, grunts, and growls, and they have a unique way of marking their territory by scent marking with their urine and feces.


Lions are apex predators, meaning that they are at the top of the food chain in their ecosystems. They primarily hunt at night and have a wide range of prey, including wildebeest, zebras, buffalos, and even giraffes. They use their powerful jaws and sharp teeth to catch and kill their prey, which they often consume on the spot. Despite being fierce predators, lions are also vulnerable to habitat loss and poaching, which have significantly reduced their populations in the wild. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect these majestic animals and ensure their survival for future generations to come.

This fabulous image was photographed by English born Nick Brandt. His visionary techniques create stunning effects. Click the image to visit his site or if you would like to buy a print of one of his many masterpieces.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Indian Rhino

Award winning photographer Uri Golman won 2nd place for this amazing image of an Indian Rhino. It certainly captures the raw power and strength of rhinos. This photograph was taken in Northern India. The Indian rhino was on the verge of extinction with only about a few hundred left in the wild. Now it is on its way back and around 2500 of them exist today.

Click on the image to see the full size version (1600 x 1057)

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDafK9pjaq5ODdvdNEMyd0VC5GXlWd8g5qH2sMqOlVE2zzTYO3aTO9JcgUcXsmMJ0x-HR9APppjgaSVCzUstUmU0CVkXdBaISXhVwQ1mAIKp15yb5LjtxwdKRjpRQrqZqCZrr3m48S9_k/s1600/wildlife_uri_golman.jpg


Image Credit: Uri Golman

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Bull Elephant Splashing in a Waterhole

This dramatic image of a bull elephant was taken by Ben Osborne and is the winner of the Shell Wildlife Photographer of the year in 2007. This magnificent creature was captured on film as he kicked and sprayed mud in a waterhole in the Chobe National Park in Betswana.

http://static.guim.co.uk/Guardian/environment/gallery/2007/oct/24/wildlife.photography/GD5093828@Image-and-information-4726.jpg

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Eagles in Mid-Air Battle

Three eagles battle over a salmon in the sky above Homer, Alaska. This image was captured by Jose Hernandez and gained an Honorable Mention in the Nature Section of the National Geographic International Photography Contest 2008.

http://duncan.co/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/international-photograph-contest-2008-winners-national-geographic-magazine-large.jpg

Friday, May 20, 2011

White Tiger at Singapore Zoo

Photographer Birte Person captured this spectacular shot as this tiger did the closest thing possible to hunting at the Singapore Zoo. Many believe white tigers are albinos or a subspecies. This is not true. They are a "genetic hiccup", and occur naturally in one out of 10,000 tiger births.

A rare white tiger

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Northen Spotted Owl in California

A previously tagged northern spotted owl swoops toward a researcher’s lure in a young redwood forest. This photo was taken by Michael Nichols, National Geographic Humboldt County, California 2008

http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/12079/slide_12079_160844_huge.jpg?1304867279359

Friday, May 6, 2011

Baby Elephant Peeking Out

A lovely image!
It certainly demonstrates the close social ties elephants are known for....

http://naturesbestblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/indianelephants.jpg?w=468&h=314

Leopard and Reflection

Sadly, Leopards are in danger of becoming extinct. Not only are they victims of poaching, but their domain is shrinking due to the destruction of their natural habitats for the sake of construction and development.

http://i.imgur.com/ltURz.jpg

Newly Hatched Baby Chicks

This is an AMAZING image.
They are so very tiny and remind us that life is so very fragile.
Kudos to the person who rescued them!