The center of the moth orchid flower. Orchid flowers contain both male and female parts, but depend on insects such as bees and wasps for pollination. Orchids attract these insects through a combination of shapes, fragrance and nectar. I wanted to highlight complex shapes and patterns within the bloom.
An elephant seal pup snarls as it rests at Point Reyes National Seashore. I was visiting the area with family and came across a small group of the seals by the trail. It gave me some opportunities to photograph them at close range. The pup's relaxed demeanor suggested this was indulging in posturing and playful mock aggression.
Curious Black Howler Youngster
A curious black howler monkey youngster examines my camera at the Baboon sanctuary in central Belize. The monkeys at the sanctuary are somewhat acclimatized to human presence and can be viewed close by. Photographing them, though is more difficult, given their high level of activity and the low light in the forest.
A moth orchid plant photographed in natural light. Orchids are predominantly tropical plants with very intricate structures. They have symbiotic relationships with various other species, mainly insects on whom they depend for pollination, and even a type of fungi which helps them process nutrients. In this image, I have tried to capture the structure of the plant.
Male Green Iguana in Breeding Colors
A magnificent green iguana in its breeding colors rests on the bank of the New River in central Belize. These grow to over five feet which posed a problem for me to frame it standing on a rocky boat.
The Sun Sets on the Kaveri River
Sunset on the Kaveri river. A storied river, it sustained South Indian culture and kingdoms for several hundred years. Now, due to a combination of political squabbles, thoughtless usage and a prolonged drought/climate change, the river is dry for most of the year.
Western Spotted Orb Weaver Feeding on a Green Darner
A female western spotted orb weaver spider feeds on a green darner dragonfly caught in its web. My wife and I saw this dragonfly getting stuck in the web and the spider was on it in an instant. It moved away as I set up my camera, but came back in a few seconds once it realized I was not a threat. Spiders use different kinds of web materials for different parts of the web as well as tying up its prey as seen here.
A trio of American white pelicans arrive at their feeding area These large birds nest inland but close to water bodies. They fish in small to moderately sized groups, often diving in unison. Here, I saw them arrive in small numbers to feed on carp trapped by a small check dam. I was captivated by the lighting, synchronous head angles and colors.
Sandhill Cranes Takeoff Abstract
A group of sandhill cranes take off past sundown to their roosting spot at the Bosque del Apache NWR. I was shooting long exposure panning shots and liked the combination of the cranes against the cornfield they were feeding on, especially in the evening light.