Fine Art Prints

A Beautiful Dragonfly

The Sonoran Desert may not imply a great place to see dragonflies, but interestingly enough, it is! Find one healthy wetland ecosystem, and it tends to be loaded with them! Tucson, AZ.

A Broad-Billed Portrait

Behold: The intricate detail of a broad-billed hummingbird! These magical little forest fairies are exclusive to the western hemisphere. The tropics of Africa and Asia have insects and small birds which satisfy comparable ecological roles, but nothing quite like hummingbirds! Madera Canyon, AZ.

A Fly’s Eyes

When zooming in extremely close to an insect’s face, one can see the kaleidoscope of panels that make up it’s compound eyes. This wonderful subject is gold-backed snipe fly. Photo taken near Danville, PA, USA.

A Fly’s Eyes

When zooming in extremely close to an insect’s face, one can see the kaleidoscope of panels that make up it’s compound eyes. This wonderful subject is gold-backed snipe fly. Photo taken near Danville, PA, USA.

A Grizzled Profile

A young grizzly shows off it’s massive profile. Look closely and take note of the porcupine quills covering it’s snout. Lesson hard-learned. Grand Teton NP, Wyoming.

A Lizard’s Lair

The stunning Eastern Collared Lizard surrounded by his beautiful home. Tonto National Forest, AZ.

A Magnificent Profile

This Rivoli’s hummingbird (formerly known as the magnificent hummingbird) was kind enough to allow a few seconds for his head shot. Photo taken at Madera Canyon, AZ, USA.

A Ridged Profile

Meet Arizona’s state reptile, the ridge-nosed rattlesnake. These small mountain-dwellers have truly striking features!

Abert’s Squirrel

A denizen of Arizona’s coniferous forests, the Albert’s Squirrel is a welcomed campground visitor. Mount Lemmon, AZ, USA.

Acorn Woodpecker

Acorn woodpeckers will form tribes which defend territory and cache sometimes thousands of acorns, each contained within it’s own tiny, perfectly-shaped hole of a dead tree. These food stores often sate them through lean times, such as winter. Madera Canyon, AZ.

Alien Encounter

It wasn’t the X-files that convinced me aliens exist….it was this Chinese Praying Mantis. She’s in the process of cleaning her pedipalps (claws), while perched on flowering Russian Sage. Photographed near Selinsgrove, PA, USA.

Alien Face

The two eyes are easy to see, but gaze for another moment and you may notice a smiling face. Tucson Botanical Gardens, AZ, USA.

Ambush Bug

This unusual insect is a common, yet rarely-seen inhabitant of American gardens. Ambush bugs are tiny predators that, true to their name, sit atop flowers, awaiting tiny flying insects. Photo taken in Winfield, PA, USA.

American Avocets

Just before sunset and with the combined dramatic light from an approaching storm, these avocets cut a remarkable scene!

American Bittern

An American Bittern takes off from it’s perch among the cattails. These birds have mastered the camouflage of their vegetated homes. Tucson, AZ.

American Snout

American snout butterfly, certainly an extremely bizarre/interesting subject. It’s name couldn’t be better suited! Photographed in Winfield, PA.

An Elk’s Home

This beautiful elk was proudly displaying his fresh velvet right along the roadway. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO.

Ancient Tree

An old, dead evergreen tree, which I came upon along a hiking trail at Aguirre Springs Recreation Area, NM, USA.

Anna in Flight

A male Anna’s hummingbird, occupied by the never-ending search for nectar. Photo taken at Madera Canyon, AZ.

Anna’s Profile

The beautiful array of colors on the gorget of an Anna’s Hummingbird. These hummingbirds are often considered “pink,” but an overcast day highlights so much more. Tucson, AZ.

Arizona Woodpecker

This lovely lady was very busy pecking away at the wildflower stalks. Much easier to excavate than a tree, I would imagine! Chiricahua Nat Monument, AZ.

Arrow-Shaped Micrathena

A nice, close look at the underside of a tiny Arrow-Shaped Micrathena spider. These lovely orb weavers are denizens of Northeastern US woodlands, where they build rather unique webs. Photo taken in Bald Eagle State Forest, PA, USA.

Atlantis Fritillary

Despite being an extremely numerous butterfly in the upper half of Arizona, I had never encountered one prior to a drive along to Mongollon Rim.

Avocets Mirrors

What a beautiful reflection! These American Avocets were so perfectly reflected in the early morning stillness. Willcox, AZ.

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Banded Gecko

An extremely common, yet (due to their small size and nocturnal habits) rarely encountered lizard, the banded is Arizona’s only native gecko. Picture Rocks, AZ, USA.

Beautiful Box Turtle

Meet the most colorful ornate box turtle I’ve met. He was sitting right on the edge of a small clearing, making for a perfect photo-op! Willcox, AZ.

Bee Take-off

Having finished his/her thistle flower pit stop, this busy honeybee takes off for the next blossom. Photo taken near Hartleton, PA, USA.

Bee Take-Off

Having finished his/her thistle flower pit stop, this busy honeybee takes off for the next blossom. Photo taken near Hartleton, PA, USA.

Big Sur

When cruising the Pacific Coastal Hwy, one can hardly help but periodically gasp in awe at the marvelous sights.
South of Big Sur, CA.

Bioluminescence

There are a number of mushroom species that actually glow in the dark. These appear to be one of them. Bald Eagle Forest, PA.

Bison Breath

On this chilly late-May morning, many of the bison were covered in frost and their breath was quite visible in the cold air. One can only imagine what they endure just to survive the frigid winters and feet of snow which blanket the ground. Yellowstone Nat Park, WY.

Bison Bulls

Early in the morning, a powerful bison bull leads his companions to the open grasslands for food. Yellowstone Nat Park, WY.

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Blacklit Scorpion

Due to the chemical composition of their exoskeletons, most (if not all) scorpions glow blue when viewed at night, using a black light. Arizona Bark Scorpion photographed near Tucson, AZ, USA.

Blister Beetle Take-Off

Despite their potential to secrete a nasty irritant, blister beetles tend to be quite lovely. Southeast Arizona.

Blue Fungus Beetle

Hence the name, the blue fungus beetle sports his aptly-named attire and seems to feeds exclusively on fungus. Madera Canyon, AZ.

Bolts of Lightning

Few weather spectacles are quite as spectacular as a lightning storm in the wide, open desert.
Saguaro National Park West, AZ, USA.

Butterfly Tongue

This is what it looks like when a butterfly sticks it’s tongue out at you. Featured is a tiny skipper, enjoying the nectar of the invasive crown vetch plant. Photo taken near Hartleton, PA, USA.

Buzzing Bees

You may or may not be aware, but the vast majority of all Arizona honey bees are Africanized (killer bees). They have a rightfully-deserved fearsome reputation, but there are a lot of great things about these bees. For starters, they are wonderful pollinators and have shown a stronger resistance to neonicotinoids (the stuff found in many insecticides that kills bees) than many other bee species. They also only attack when you’re close to a hive and provide warnings before attacking. Several bees will actually fly into any creatures they deem as beeing too close, so if you ever have bees flying into you, best turn around. After a number of headbutts and the continued approach of a trespasser, the killer bee hive may then mobilize their troops and attack, earning their “killer” reputation.  Africanized bees can be kind of scary, but they rarely cause death and at least they warn us. The toxic outdoor chemicals we use (insecticides, roundup, etc) just cause instant death to our tiny friends, and slow, cancerous deaths to us. Please just stop using any type of outdoor chemical that ends in “cide”

Cactus and Flowers

An array of wildflowers surround this once majestic saguaro. Globe mallow, lupine, and owl clover can all be seen if you look closely enough. Saguaro National Park East, AZ.

Cactus Eyes

“What lovely eyes you have, Mr. Cactus!” Photographed in Tucson, AZ, USA.

Carolina Wolf Spider

A Carolina Wolf Spider, briefly interrupted from it’s search for food. For this shot, I had to lay on the ground, less than a foot from my subject. Photographed near Tucson, AZ, USA.

Cattail Droplets

The subtle beauty of water droplets on a cattail plant that had recently gone to seed. Photographed in Hartleton, PA, USA.

Charming Chanterelles

Although I didn’t taste-test, this probable chanterelle cluster was a beautiful contrast against the otherwise green forest. Bald Eagle Forest, PA.

Click Beetles

An emerald click beetle occupies the foreground while a number of other insects enjoy the riches of this yellow-eyed susan. Madera Canyon, AZ.

Coral Fungus

The aptly-named coral fungus stands proudly amidst a sea of sphagnum. Bald Eagle Forest, PA.

Cottonwood Mask

On this windy day, the colorful cottonwood leaves kept blowing in front of the owl’s face. This fearsome great-horned owl sat only 10 or so feet above the ground at a city park.

Cottonwood Stag

A stunning cottonwood stag beetle as seen from above. Portal, AZ.

Crab Spider

A tiny northern crab spider awaits prey from a stalk of the aforementioned goldenrod plant. Photo taken in Winfield, PA, USA.

Cracked Mud

These seasonal wetlands become dry and barren during the spring and early summer. Willcox, AZ.

Dapper Drake

Well, aren’t you a dapper drake, Mr Merganser! When living in PA, I can’t even venture a guess at the number of hours I spent in the freezing cold, sitting in bird blinds at Montour Preserve just as the ice was beginning to thaw. I saw many stunning hooded mergansers but these spectacular ducks always kept their distance. They really are one of, if not my all time favorite species! With that in mind, ya’ll can imagine the excitement when this handsome fellow shows up at a beautiful park just outside of Tucson! He was entirely unphased by humans and put on a number of wonderful shows during my 3 visits. Thank you so very much, Mr Merganser! Tucson, AZ

Desert Blooms

The generous monsoons of 2021 inspired the emergence of untold numbers of wildflowers! Chiricahua Monument, AZ.

Desert King

The desert kingsnake won’t hesitate to eat rodents, lizards, small birds, and even rattlesnakes. This truly is the desert king! Catalina Foothills, AZ.

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Desert Spiny Lizard

Not unlike humans, the male gender of many lizard species are rather territorial. One of the many ways that some lizards (such as this Desert Spiny Lizard) show their bravado is by performing territorial “push-ups.” This fellow’s brazen masculinity (combined with the palo verde flowers) made for an excellent photo op! Tucson, AZ, USA.

Desert Storm

As the storm builds, bolts of lightning pierce the sky. This spectacle unifies with the hint of sunset struggling to show itself through the thick cloud cover. Saguaro National Park West, AZ.

Dew Droplets

This “super-macro” photograph depicts tiny dew drops covering a small spider web. The silk of the web was so fine that, even at this level of magnification, it can’t be seen. Photo taken in Loyalsock State Forest, PA, USA.

Dramatic Dragon

This dragonfly chose a perch with a beautiful background of duckweed, resulting in the stunning deep green. Tucson, AZ.

Dreamy Eyes

A Chinese Praying Mantis, possibly day-dreaming about what it’s like to be a butterfly or some other creature? Who’s to say. Photographed in Sunbury, PA, USA.

Dusky Grouse

While exploring Arizona’s White Mountains, I nearly stepped on this dusky grouse hen. Taking several steps backward and sitting down, she soon resumed sauntering along. Greer, AZ.

Eastern Bluebird

A fan favorite, this shot was taken at the edge of a cow pasture, in late autumn. I love the color scheme, as well as the old wire, meeting the new. Photographed in Winfield, PA, USA.

Eft in the Forest

Red efts are the larval stage to the eastern newt. This image attempts to capture the essence of a beautiful eft in it’s forest home. Rickett’s Glen State Park, PA.

Elk Face

Nearly too close to photography, this beautiful elk stag shows off his velvety antlers. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO.

Ephemeral Rapids

These raging torrents, powerful though they are, will only be a short-term luxury in this arid land. Saguaro National Park, AZ.

Eye of the Gecko

Mediterranean House Gecko found in my backyard, a bit far from home. These tiny geckos have successfully established themselves in Phoenix, Tucson, and a number of other metropolitan areas in warmer parts of America. Interestingly enough, this area’s climate is pretty similar to that of their home range, making for an ideal match. Despite their success, this species doesn’t appear to be having a negative impact on native species. This may be largely due to their presence strictly in/around cities, as well as their arboreal / nocturnal niche, one that seems to be largely unoccupied by local species of lizards. Picture Rocks, AZ.

Fairy Swamp

Such beautiful carnivorous plants, pitchers supplement with insects in order to compensate for the nutritionally poor soil in which they thrive. The swamp looked so magical…..I could just imagine a fairy darting across the scene. Tannersville, PA, USA

Fancy Fly

An simply stunning fly pollinates a wild mallow flower amidst the early-morning dew drops. Catalina Mountains, AZ.

Fighting Flickers

While traipsing through a grassy meadow, I noticed these two flickers behaving quite strangely. They would repeatedly hop around this isolated rock, occasionally bobbing heads at each other. Every so often one would chase the other a few feet away before going right back at it. Apache National Forest, AZ.

Fighting Whiptails

These tiger whiptails were having a heated territorial dispute when I happened upon them. Tucson, AZ, USA.

Finches in the Thistle Patch

Goldfinches, dispersed amongst the pasture thistles. They seemed to be quite fond of the seeds! Photographed in Michaux State Forest, PA, USA.

Flowers on a Barrel

Presenting one of my favorite succulent flower displays, the barrel cactus comes in yellow, orange, and red. Photographed near Picture Rocks, AZ.

Flying Cranes

A trio of sandhill cranes fly across the beautiful background of the Chiricahua Mountains. Willcox, AZ.

Flying Fish

Victorious, this juvenile bald eagle flies away to devour her fresh catch. Conowingo Dam, MD, USA.

Fox in the Forest

Before dawn had broken, I encountered this fox trotting along the road with a ground squirrel in her jaws. Soon veering into the forest, she briefly paused to turn around before vanishing amidst the trees. Yellowstone National Park, WY.

Foxy Yawn

A beautiful red fox yawns after waking from a midday nap. Grand Teton NP, WY.

Fungus in the Forest

A young yellow patches mushroom, surrounded by it’s mysterious forest environment. Photographed at Bald Eagle State Forest, PA, USA.

Gadwall

In black and white, a gadwall furiously beats his wings. Tucson, AZ.

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Gambel’s Quail

Despite their abundance, gambel’s quail are such beautiful birds. Their whimsical calls are beyond adorable! Tucson, AZ.

Gloomy Hummingbird

More heavily edited than my usual style, this broad-billed hummingbird makes a fantastic gloomy subject. Madera Canyon, AZ.

Glorious Goldeneyes

The barrow’s goldeneye, a first time sighting for this fellow, looked to magnificent in the early morning light. Yellowstone National Park, WY.

Golden Scales

When viewed extremely close, one can see the overlap, contrast, and captivating iridescence of the black-tailed rattlesnake’s scales. Southeastern AZ.

Gopher Tortoise Profile

Gopher tortoises are an extremely important part of the sandy, upland habitats in Central Florida. These diggers will excavate large dens, which provide refuge to a wide variety of creatures. Photo taken at Lake Louisa State Park, FL, USA.

Grasshopper and the Robber

A robber fly captures and kills smaller insects. Incidentally, this grasshopper was a bit too large and had to be abandoned. Mt Lemmon, AZ.

Great Blue Heron

Relaxing peacefully at the edge of a frozen pond, this great blue heron made the perfect photography subject! Photographed in Lewisburg, PA, USA.

Great Blue Heron

Relaxing peacefully at the edge of a frozen pond, this great blue heron made the perfect photography subject! Photographed in Lewisburg, PA, USA.

Greater Earless Lizard

Greater Earless Lizard, striking the perfect pose to have his picture taken. Photo taken at Rockhound State Park, NM, USA.

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Greater Short-Horn

While sitting atop this small log, awaiting portrait time, an ant decided to traipse by. Without hesitation, the horned lizard gobbled it and immediately returned to being invisible. Oracle, AZ

Guardian of the Trail

In order to pass, this beautiful, green mantis demanded the toll of laying on the ground and snapping some flattering images of her maternity attire! Catalina Mountains, AZ.

Harbor Seals

A group of harbor seals lounging about, enjoying the surf. Shelter Cove, CA.

Heron of the Night

In addition to unique patterning, juvenile black-crowned night herons can be distinguished from adults by their stunning orange eyes. Adult’s are red. Tucson, AZ.

Home Flight

Hence their name, Cactus wrens choose the most sinister, yet well-protected nesting sites imaginable. The cactus spines provide an incredible defense from predators! Photographed at Rockhound State Park, NM, USA.

Horse Lubber

These enormous grasshoppers can reach several inches long and move very slowly.  Chiricahua Mountains, AZ.

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House Wren

A house wren proudly shows off his/her freshly-captured moth. Madera Canyon, AZ.

Hummingbird Flight

A male broad-billed hummingbird briefly pauses to tout his brilliant colors! Madera Canyon, AZ.

Hunting Quail

The intent of many photographers is to snap a picture that tells a story. As far as stories go, this pic may tell a better one than any I’ve ever taken. Look closely and you may be able to guess this story. Tucson, AZ.

Ice Crystals

A close-up shot of some delicate ice crystals. Although I did marginally increase the contrast, the blue coloration was an entirely natural part of the scene that I encountered. Photographed near Lewisburg, PA, USA.

Indian Blanket Flower

An Indian Blanket Flower, covered in water droplets and delicately accentuated by the morning sun. Photographed near Hartleton, PA, USA.

Jelly Caps

Green jelly caps are extremely small and easy to miss while hiking. Bald Eagle Forest, PA.

June Beetle

A beautiful june beetle catches the early-morning sun glimmering of his/her shell. Willcox, AZ.

King Range

Located in Northern California, this remote and beautiful section of coast is a wildlife mecca.

Light on the Water

The the light disappears, it’s last remaining essence bathes the water in surreal light. Willcox, AZ.

Little Leafhopper

A scarlet and green leafhopper (whew, that’s a mouthful!) rests for a few moments. Winfield, PA.

Little Owl, Big Meal

A female northern pygmy owl shows off the remaining half of her lizard lunch. Madera Canyon, AZ.

Lovely Ladybug

A little, tiny ladybug scaling some wildflowers. Butterfly Peak Natural Area, AZ.

Lovely Ladybug

A little, tiny ladybug scaling some wildflowers. Butterfly Peak Natural Area, AZ.

Lunar Eclipse

Relatively early in the 2019 lunar eclipse. Photo taken in Tucson, AZ

Lynx Spider

The beautifully-colored green lynx spider shows off it’s superb camouflage. Photo taken at Mt. Lemmon, AZ.

Lynx Spider

The beautifully-colored green lynx spider shows off it’s superb camouflage. Photo taken at Mt. Lemmon, AZ.

Mallard Flight

As this mallard duck drake flies toward me, his beautiful head coloration and the subtle water droplets on it’s chest are vividly displayed. Photographed in Lewisburg, PA, USA.

Mexican Hognose

Cute as can be, a little baby Mexican hognose snake uses his / her tail as a decoy.

Microcosm

A jumping spider, a beetle, and who knows what else just acting out their little lives on this shriveled-up leaf. Mt. Lemmon, AZ, USA.

Milkweed Bugs

A pair of milkweed bugs (not to be confused with milkweed beetles), caught in mid-coitus, atop the flowers of a Common Milkweed. Photo taken in Winfield, PA, USA.

Millipede Jungle

A pair of cherry-foot millipedes getting a bit frisky on the forest floor. Tall Timbers State Park, PA, USA.

Monarch Caterpillar

A monarch butterfly caterpillar, bathed in the beautiful light of sunrise. Notice any (more subtle) details in the picture? Photographed at Montour Preserve Wildlife Refuge, PA, USA.

Monster Mouth

A large gila monster peers out from a desert bush. Photographed exactly where found in SE Arizona.

Monster Tongue

Like snakes, gila monsters frequently flick their tongues to “taste the air.” This helps them to avoid danger, find and water. SE Arizona.

Moose Mug

Despite their impressive stature, moose really do have the silliest, most adorable faces! Rocky Mountain Nat Park, CO.

Morning Swim with the Family

A mother wood duck guides her family away from the shore, and perceived danger of my camera. This made for an adorable black/white shot! Photographed at John Heintz NWR, PA, USA.

Mountain Goat

A stunning mountain goat crosses a snow drift before disappearing down the sheer side of a mountain face. What a magical creature!
Mt. Evans, CO.

Orange Barrel

Presenting one of my favorite succulent flower displays, the barrel cactus comes in yellow, orange, and red. Photographed near Picture Rocks, AZ.

Outer Mongolia

Primarily a rock-climbing area, the Outer Mongolia area was scenically incredible. Following hours of climbing on these rock faces, partial cloudiness and interesting light further enhanced the photo-ops! Joshua Tree National Park, CA.

Oystercatcher and the Egret

An American Oystercatcher traipses by while the snowy egret hunts in the shallow tide pool. Puerto Penasco, MX.

Painted Lady

Painted Lady, aka “American Lady” butterfly, sipping the nectar from a dwarf sunflower. Photo taken near Hartleton, PA, USA.

Phainopepla

Female phainopepla spreading her tail feathers. These interesting birds will actually lay two clutches a year; once in the higher elevations, and once in the lower. Picture Rocks, AZ.

Pied Grebe

When exhibiting the right facial expression, these adorable little divers can actually look quite sinister. Pied grebe photographed in Tucson, AZ, USA.

Pincushion Flowers

The tiny pincushion cactus isn’t so easily overlooked when showing off a full bouquet of flowers! Saguaro National Park West, AZ.

Pretty Pronghorn

What a beautiful, elegant creature! This power pronghorn paused atop a hill just above me. Yellowstone National Park, WY.

Purple Russula

How often do you see purple mushrooms?!?! This purple-bloom russula is relatively common on well-drained slopes of healthy Pennsylvania forests. Bald Eagle Forest, PA.

Pygmy Blue

Meet the world’s smallest butterfly (as far as we know)! This is the western pygmy blue. With a total wingspan of only 0.5″, the name is no surprise! They were all over the place on a recent adventure!

Raccoon

Adorned in the finest Zorro mask, this charming trash panda was perched atop the tree trunk when I encountered him/her. The raccoon seemed to be nibbling on something indistinguishable while up there, but soon turned it’s attention to a thorough cleaning (sorry, no salvageable pictures) before descending and disappearing into the cattails. Tucson, AZ.

Rainbow Grasshopper

This stunner was the very first painted grasshopper I’ve seen and he/she was riding atop the back of a large gopher snake! Chiricahua Mountains, AZ.

Ram on the Run

This young ram chases a ewe that he took an interest in. After a time, he gave up and made a pass at another sheep. Yellowstone Nat Park, WY.

Red Barrel

Presenting one of my favorite succulent flower displays, the barrel cactus comes in yellow, orange, and red. Photographed near Picture Rocks, AZ.

Red-Naped Sapsucker

Pausing between beakfuls of pyracantha berries, this sapsucker assesses his surroundings.

Red-Spotted Toad

Eye-level perspective of a red-spotted toad. Despite their name, the red spots are often not so conspicuous! Chiricahua Nat Monument, AZ.

Regal Stag

Nearing the end of a 5-mile hike, this beautiful stag leapt onto the trail, dead ahead. Exchange, PA.

Ring of Flowers

The tiny pincushion cactus isn’t so easily overlooked when showing off a full bouquet of flowers! Saguaro National Park West, AZ.

Rivendell

Hiking deep into a popular rock-climbing area is the mystical land known as Rivendell. Ironically, there is often little water, but a very wet monsoon has changed the game! Tucson, AZ.

Ruffed Grouse

A ruffed grouse takes a break drumming on his log. During courtship, in early spring, male ruffed grouse will choose a log often next to a forest clearing. They will repeatedly drum on the log with their powerful feet. This process goes on for hours, days, sometimes weeks until a mate is attracted. Bald Eagle State Forest, PA.

Running Fox

This extremely silver-colored “red” trotting straight toward the camera. Grand Tetons, WY

Saguaro Flowers

Springtime in the desert is a stunning scene! As temperatures soar into the 90’s, the poppies and lupine of early spring are quickly replaced by flowering cacti. Among these cacti are the massive saguaros, the icon of our beautiful Sonoran Desert. Their thick bodies offer refuge to a number of birds, following the oh-so-common excavations of gila woodpeckers. The flowers offer nectar and pollen to untold numbers of birds and insects. The fruit feeds many more creatures, especially after falling to the ground where it’s within reach of javelina, coyotes, and rodents. Even in death, the mighty saguaro holds moisture which contains entire ecosystems, while reptiles hide underneath to escape the intense daytime heat. Saguaro Nat Park, AZ.

Salty Stallions

If you’ve never before seen horses fight, it is a vicious ordeal. They bite, kick, and chase each-other, becoming completely oblivious to many of their surroundings. Spectators must be extremely careful around them when this is transpiring as it’s quite easy to get trampled. These two stallions are engaged in a savage dispute.

Sapsucker Profile

This red-naped sapsucker was a very gracious photo subject. He/she hopped around for quite some time. It began by plucking berries off a pyracantha bush, eventually migrating to a sycamore tree right next to me which it spent some time closely inspecting.

Scaled Quail

Can you venture a guess at why it’s called a scaled quail? This beautiful fellow and his mate walked right by my camping site, presenting this excellent photo op! Photographed at Rockhound State Park, NM, USA.

Scaly Contrast

Behold the scale patterns of the most beautiful gopher I’ve met. Willcox, AZ.

Screaming Swallow

These common, yet beautiful birds are the bane of many a barn or shed owner, owing to their unusual habit gluing mud nests to the sides of support beams. Photo taken at John Heinz National Widlife Refuge, PA, USA.

Sea Otter

While watching a group of sea otters just offshore, an elderly woman informed me it was the best show this location had seen in years! What a wonderful experience! Morro Bay, CA.

Sharp-Tailed Grouse

A sharp-tailed grouse briefly poses before bursting toward cover. Medicine Lake, MT.

Sheep Tongue

Have you ever had a sheep stick her tongue out at you? This was a first for me! Mt Evans, CO.

Short-Horned Lizard

A greater short-horned lizard “basking” on a chilly day at a very high elevation. Mt. Lemmon, AZ.

Simplicity

Goldfinch on a millet stalk. They love to forage the seeds. I’m quite taken by the simplistic appearance of this shot. Photographed in Michaux State Forest, PA, USA.

Simplicity

Goldfinch on a millet stalk. They love to forage the seeds. I’m quite taken by the simplistic appearance of this shot. Photographed in Michaux State Forest, PA, USA.

Sleepy Otter

While watching a group of sea otters just offshore, an elderly woman informed me it was the best show this location had seen in years! What a wonderful experience! Morro Bay, CA.

Snapping Turtle

Common snapping turtles rarely venture far from water. Unfortunately, however, when the time of year comes for laying eggs, females don’t have much choice but to venture onto dry land. This girl was seeking a cozy place to lay her eggs. Photographed at John Heintz NWR, PA, USA.

Snapping Turtle, Snapping

While snapping pictures of this Common Snapping Turtle, I may have been at risk of getting snapped, myself. John Heintz NWR, PA, USA.

Snowy Egret

The easiest way to distinguish snowy from great egrets is to look at their feet! Great egrets have black feet. Tucson, AZ.

Solfugid Profile

The Solfugid is an arachnid, but is neither scorpion or spider. These terrestrial hunters prowl the desert floor in search of pretty much anything they can overpower and eat. They are non-venomous and, therefore, entirely harmless, but pack a pretty painful bite! The largest species, affectionately known as camel spiders, are well-known by soldiers stationed in the Middle East, as they have a tendency to chase shadows in search of a shady refuge. This behavior is often mistaken for aggression. Saguaro NP West, AZ.

Sonoran Spring

When certain conditions are met, the desert will briefly become engulfed by poppy flowers. This scene offers a nice look at the poppies, cloaked in the golden hour’s spectacular light! Saguaro National Park West.

Sora

One of the strangest birds you may encounter, meet the Sora. This unusual water bird looks like a cross between a duck and a chicken, and will readily masquerade as either. Photo taken in Tucson, AZ, USA.

Sphinx Cat

This fat, juicy caterpillar is the larval stage of the gregarious white-lined sphinx moth. Catalina Mountains, AZ.

Spicebush Swallowtail

The lovely spicebush swallowtail butterfly sips the nectar from an equally lovely pasture thistle flower. Photo taken in Bald Eagle State Forest, PA, USA.

Spicebush Swallowtail

The lovely spicebush swallowtail butterfly sips the nectar from an equally lovely thistle flower. Photo taken in Bald Eagle State Forest, PA, USA.

Spotted Sandpiper

While observing the eared grebes from my rocky outpost and between visits from the marbled godwit, I had the pleasure to this sandpiper picking off insects from the rocks. Medicine Lake Wildlife Refuge, MT.

Stallion and the Saguaro

This is one of the healthiest-looking saguaros I’ve seen! One of the wild stallions was kind enough to walk in front of it soon before daylight had vanished.

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Stargazer Lily

The stargazer lily is a lovely oriental hybrid, quite popular among gardeners in the Eastern US. Photographed in Winfield, PA, USA.

Summer Saguaro

Following the 3rd wettest monsoon season in human records, this mighty saguaro looks rather foreign amidst the lush vegetation. Saguaro NP East, AZ.

Sundews – Up Close and Personal

Laying down in the marshy ground allowed for a better perspective on these tiny, carnivorous plants. Photographed in Loyalsock State Forest, PA, USA.

Sunlit Iridescence

When bathed in bright sunlight, a broad-billed hummingbird’s beautiful spectrum of colors are hard to overlook. Madera Canyon, AZ.

Swallow Profile

A close-up “profile” shot of the beautiful American Tree Swallow. Already a lovely bird, the bright sunshine really helped to intensify his gorgeous coloration. Photo taken at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, PA, USA.

Swampy Slider

A red-eared slider nestled among a patch of reeds and immersed with duckweed. Photo taken in Tucson, AZ, USA.

Swimming Seal

While watching the harbor seals, this adorable fellow was just as interested in watching my companion and I. Shelter Cove, CA.

The Big Splash

Harbor seals rear their heads away from the incoming wave as a mighty sea lion relaxes in the background. Shelter Cove, CA.

The Call of a Meadowlark

These beautiful denizens of the grasslands have one of the most beautiful songs as well. Medicine Lake Wildlife Refuge, MT.

The Eclipsing Moon

Just before the moon had fully eclipsed, the glow from the remaining sliver overwhelmed the rest of it. Tucson, AZ

The Emperor

The beautiful hackberry emperor collecting some nectar. Saguaro NP West, AZ, USA.

The Flower of Passion

A more appropriate name there could not be for the gorgeous Passion Flower. This beauty was sitting all by herelf, so lonely and radiant in the middle of a pine forest. Photo taken at Lake Louisa State Park, FL, USA.

The Grey

What happens when a frozen river is hit with an unprecedented 65-degree day? Lots of fog! This shot features a railroad bridge that crosses the Susquehanna River, and was shot from the island between Northumberland and Sunbury, PA, USA.

The Queen

This royal relative to the famous monarch butterfly is a well known Southwestern inhabitant. Saguaro NP West, AZ.

The Squirrel and the Rock

This ground squirrel went from standing atop the rock, offering a great vantage point, to directly in front. Yellowstone National Park, WY.

The Story of a Stag

What a life this majestic stag must have lead, meandering through this rugged landscape of the Sonoran Desert! What did him in? Perhaps drought, or even a lucky mountain lion? We will never know! This skull was definitely not photographed exactly as encountered, but left right where it was found and belongs, continuing it’s return to the earth. Catalina Mountains, AZ.

The Very Horny Caterpillar

When feeling threatened, black swallowtail caterpillars will sometimes extend “horns,” in an attempt to ward off a would-be predator. Photographed in Winfield, PA, USA.

Thirsty Moose

After descending the hillside from shelter, this bull moose takes a big swig of water. Rocky Mountain Nat Park, CO

Three-Toed Woodpecker

Right at the trailhead to to Quandary Peak, in Breckenridge, CO, this three-toed woodpecker was drilling away without a care in the world.

Tiger Profile

Despite potent venom, the tiger rattlesnake is considered low-risk (for a rattlesnake). Small fangs, reluctance to bite, and tiny venom glands are all to thank. Photo taken in Saguaro NP West, AZ.

Tortoise and the Desert

A Sonoran Desert Tortoise proudly poses in front of it’s desert home. Photo taken in Saguaro NP West, Tucson, AZ.

Towering Trees

Monstrous sequoias towering above their forest floor.

Translucent Scorpion

Backlighting from the late-afternoon sun offered a translucent effect to this large devil scorpion. Picture Rocks, AZ, USA.

Water Dog

When striking certain poses, it’s amazing what an uncanny resemblance harbor seals share with puppies. Shelter Cove, CA.

Welcome to Yellowstone

One of the most iconic scenes in Yellowstone National Park, this powerful bison forages amidst his beautiful home.

Western Diamondback

A western diamondback rattlesnake “tastes” the air with it’s tongue. Saguaro National Park, AZ.

White Weevil

This weevil was much larger than any I’ve previously met. He/she posed beautifully amidst the acacia leaves. Portal, AZ.

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White-Lined Sphinx

This large, beautiful moth is a key pollinator in the Sonoran Desert, especially amidst generous monsoons. Catalina Mountains, AZ.

Wild Turkeys

To find food, turkeys often kick up piles of leaves and dirt, pecking at the yummy insects left exposed. Madera Canyon, AZ.

Wing Waving

America’s quintessential duck, the mallard can be seen just about anywhere with a body of water. This fellow seems to be conducting an orchestra. Photographed near Lewisburg, PA, USA.

Wing Waving

America’s quintessential duck, the mallard can be seen just about anywhere with a body of water. This fellow seemed to be conducting an orchestra. Photographed near Lewisburg, PA, USA.

Wood Frog

A young wood frog, well camouflaged in his/her woodland habitat. Photographed in Bald Eagle State Forest, PA, USA

Woodpecker and the Squirrel

While on a hike the other day, I heard an unmistakable ruckus ahead. It was a group of acorn woodpeckers. These charismatic birds are funny both in appearance and behavior. They will form tribes which defend territory and cache sometimes thousands of acorns, each contained within it’s own tiny, perfectly-shaped hole of a dead tree. These food stores often sate them through lean times, such as winter. This particular family was in trouble, as a squirrel had discovered their larders. Every time the squirrel would attempt to pluck an acorn from it’s hole, he / she would get dive-bombed by alternating woodpeckers defending their food. The squirrel would sprint for an acorn and rush for cover (the crook of two tree limbs), attempting to evade the relentless birds. This went on for over 10 minutes before the squirrel, content and no doubt eager for stress reduction moved along and the woodpeckers inspected their losses.

Yarrow’s Spiny Lizard

The profile of a beautiful Yarrow’s Spiny Lizard. These common high-elevation lizards change their colors to absorb more/less heat and for camouflage. As the sky quickly became overcast, I watched this particular lizard immediately darken. Madera Canyon, AZ.

Yellow Dragon

This yellow dragonfly is one of the most striking I have yet to see. Tucson, AZ.

Yellow Dragon

This yellow dragonfly is one of the most striking I have yet to see. Tucson, AZ.

Yellow-Bellied Marmot

Allowing me to get absurdly close, this mama marmot must have really, really enjoyed having her pic taken! Grand Teton NP, Wyoming.