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National Parks

Cape Lookout National Seashore Portfolio

Cape Lookout National Seashore 2 Portfolio

Great Sand Dunes Portfolio

Yellowstone National Park Grand Prismatic

Great Sand Dunes National Park Colorado Sunset

Great Sand Dunes 2 Portfolio

Blue Ridge Parkway 2 Portfolio

Blue Ridge Parkway 4 Portfolio

Grand Teton National Park Vanlife

Glacier National Park Portfolio

Wildlife

Osprey Grand Teton National Park

Cascade Red Fox Whitefoot Vulpes Vulpes Cascadensis

Yellow Crowned Night Heron Portfolio

Wild Stallion Wyoming

Great Egret in Breeding Plumage

Yellow Headed Blackbird Colorado

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gretchenkaystuart

Swipe & volume up to hear the mating call of the m

Swipe & volume up to hear the mating call of the male Sooty Grouse (along with various other birds and waterfalls). This sound is probably my favorite thing about June in Mount Rainier. As low and subtle as his call is, it travels a surprisingly long distance and adds so beautifully to the enchantment of the forest. PS: look at that caboose!
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Camera: #Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6
Handheld
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#sootygrouse #grouse #mountrainier #mountrainiernationalpark #audubonsociety #conservationphotography #wildlifephotography #birdphotography #birdwatching #naturephotography #nanpapix #nationalparkgeek #ourfotoworld #shotoncanon #yourshotphotographer

Happy Nature Photography Day! To celebrate, here i

Happy Nature Photography Day! To celebrate, here is an adorable little Piping Plover that I photographed last winter on Hilton Head Island.
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The Piping Plover is threatened or endangered (depending on location), and human presence is quickly shrinking their habitat. The colored bands help researchers identify individuals and track their migration patterns. These sweet little birds sometimes travel in non-stop flight from breeding grounds in the Great Lakes to wintering grounds on the Gulf Coast. Pretty impressive!
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If you live near Piping Plover habitat, you can help conservation efforts by reporting sightings and band colors, as well as being cautious and keeping pets away from dunes and nesting areas.
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Image captured at 400mm and cropped. Please always give wildlife plenty of space, thanks!
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#naturephotographyday #NANPApix #NANPAtogether #pipingplover #plover #endangeredspecies #hiltonheadisland #wildlifeconservation #audubonsociety #wildlifephotography #birdphotography #birdwatching #naturephotography #conservationphotography #bbcwildlifepotd #earthcapture #ourfotoworld #shotoncanon #yourshotphotographer

Swipe for a few peaceful seconds of stream-side bi

Swipe for a few peaceful seconds of stream-side birdwatching with a female Sooty Grouse.
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Here in Mount Rainier, the subalpines are still heavily snow covered, but where you can find patches of grass you may also find the female Sooty Grouse foraging for greens and following the low, enchanting courtship calls of a male.
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Camera: #Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6
Handheld
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#sootygrouse #grouse #mountrainier #mountrainiernationalpark #audubonsociety #conservationphotography #wildlifephotography #birdphotography #birdwatching #naturephotography #nanpapix #nationalparkgeek #ourfotoworld #shotoncanon #yourshotphotographer

I’m so sad to hear that one of the subadult griz

I’m so sad to hear that one of the subadult grizzlies that I photographed last April in the Tetons has been euthanized. After separating from his mother and sibling, this young grizzly ended up foraging for food and birdseed in a nearby neighborhood. Relocation and hazing failed, and ultimately the grizzly was put down as a precaution for human safety.
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This news makes me want to reiterate my feelings expressed in my April 26th post. Perhaps if this bear hadn’t been so used to roads and people, he would have had a healthy fear and instinct to stay away from local homes. I don’t know where the balance of tourism in bear country lies, and not being a resident of Jackson, I don’t feel that it’s my place to have much of a say. But my heart breaks for these grizzlies and the locals who love them, and I deeply hope that some solutions will be enforced, for the sake of the bears.
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The euthanized grizzly was 610’s cub, grandson of the famous grizzly 399.
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*Photo captured from my van window with a long lens and heavily cropped. Please always give wildlife plenty of space.
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#grandtetonnationalpark #grandtetons #jacksonhole #grizzly #grizzly610 #grizzly399 #grizzlybear #conservationphotography #keepwildlifewild #wildlifephotography #wildlifeconservation #399 #610 #nationalparkgeek #nanpapix #ourfotoworld #shotoncanon #yourshotphotographer

The Cascade red fox is extremely rare and elusive,

The Cascade red fox is extremely rare and elusive, so you can imagine my excitement when I found a new individual last week! However, my excitement was mixed with sadness as I watched this skinny little rain-soaked cutie scavenge through trash that had been left behind in a ski resort parking area. This fox should be hunting voles that could put a little meat on the bones rather than chewing plastic baggies and banana peels.
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Please remember to be responsible with your trash when visiting wild places. Even fruit peels that seem natural and biodegradable aren’t safe to be left behind. Thanks for helping to keep wildlife wild!
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#cascademountains #cascades #cascaderedfox #endangeredspecies #conservationphotography #nanpapix #wildlifephotography #wildlifeconservation #naturephotography #keepwildlifewild #dontfeedthefox #leavenotrace #ourfotoworld #bbcwildlifepotd #earthcapture #shotoncanon #natgeowild #yourshotphotographer

Swipe to see the brilliant red eye of the Eared Gr

Swipe to see the brilliant red eye of the Eared Grebe. (Don’t these little guys just look so punk rock? 😎)
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Overcast weather with rain or snow are always my favorite conditions for photographing wildlife. I just love how colors pop against those gray skies!
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Camera: #Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6
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#earedgrebe #grebe #yellowstone #yellowstonenationalpark #audubonsociety #wildlifephotography #birdphotography #birdwatching #naturephotography #nanpapix #nationalparkgeek #ourfotoworld #shotoncanon #yourshotphotographer

The Cascade red fox is a threatened subspecies end

The Cascade red fox is a threatened subspecies endemic to Washington State, and the most genetically unique red fox species in the world.
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This fox is known by biologists as Whitefoot, and due to their small numbers, she is likely the only Cascade red fox most people will ever catch a glimpse of. With all the beautiful subalpine meadows Whitefoot has to roam in Mount Rainier, she instead spends her time next to the roads where she has learned that she can manipulate an easy meal from Park visitors. She has become very street smart over the years, but her kits have not been so lucky.
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Please remember to never feed wildlife. It contributes to their deaths by causing health issues, luring them to the road to be hit by cars, and puts them at risk of being euthanized due to approaching humans for food. Even just one feeding of a wild animal may result in their habituation. Thanks for helping to keep wildlife wild!
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#mountrainier #mountrainiernationalpark #cascaderedfox #conservationphotography #nanpapix #wildlifephotography #wildlifeconservation #naturephotography #keepwildlifewild #dontfeedthefox #leavenotrace #ourfotoworld #bbcwildlifepotd #earthcapture #nationalparkgeek #shotoncanon #natgeowild #yourshotphotographer

Behind the scenes of the mammalogy lab at the Burk

Behind the scenes of the mammalogy lab at the Burke Museum in Seattle.
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Last year I was invited to photograph a Cascade red fox car strike fatality being prepped for an exhibit as part of my ongoing conservation project. The kit was raised next to the road as a result of being fed and habituated by tourists visiting Mount Rainier National Park.
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The Cascade red fox is a threatened subspecies endemic to Washington State, and the most genetically unique red fox species in the world. There are less than 20 breeding females in existence.
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Please remember to never feed wildlife. It contributes to their deaths by causing health issues, luring them to the road to be hit by cars, and puts them at risk of being euthanized due to approaching humans for food.
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#burkemuseum #seattle #cascaderedfox #conservationphotography #nanpapix #wildlifephotography #wildlifeconservation #naturephotography #keepwildlifewild #dontfeedthefox #leavenotrace #mountrainier #mountrainiernationalpark #ourfotoworld #shotoncanon #yourshotphotographer

Swipe to see the reality of bear watching in the T

Swipe to see the reality of bear watching in the Tetons. I may get some hate for what I’m about to write, but I feel compelled to do so anyway...
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Seeing a wild grizzly is exhilarating and awe-inspiring... an experience I’m beyond grateful for, and wish for others. But like many wildlife issues, grizzly tourism is a double edged sword.
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THE GOOD: The presence of humans has helped mother grizzlies protect their cubs from adult males who avoid the roads and would kill young cubs given the chance. Awareness is raised for the importance of grizzlies and apex predators as a crucial part of maintaining a healthy ecosystem. And locals adore these bears, many devoting their lives to protecting them, educating crowds, and assisting Rangers to enforce rules.
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THE BAD: Although the Ranger assured me that the bears have grown up with tourism and still choose to take roadside routes, I know these grizzlies weren’t comfortable with the situation. It felt like celebrity paparazzi, and we know how that can drive humans to a breaking point. I’m not anthropomorphizing - I could see the frustration in momma bear’s eyes. I noticed how her two grown cubs jumped at the sound of engines igniting, and proceeded anxiously as they searched for grasses and roots to scrape together for a meal. Responsible viewing from a distance is fine, but when that grows into a mob, it’s simply not good for the bears. I’m not trying to be judgmental or claim innocence. I was there too. But the experience left me feeling really disturbed.
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It would only take ONE instance of a bear being pushed too far, losing its cool, injuring a human, and in turn losing its life to euthanasia. And that would just be so wrong.
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I think it’s important for people to experience bears. That’s how we grow to love them, learn about them, and protect them. However, if you come upon a scene like this, especially if you aren’t a first-timer or local, please consider moving along. That’s my plan. For the bear’s sake. 💗🐻💗
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#grandtetonnationalpark #grandtetons #grizzly #grizzly610 #grizzlybear #conservationphotography #wildlifephotography #wildlifeconservation #nationalparkgeek #nanpapix #ourfotoworld #yourshotphotographer

Swipe for bison baby cuteness! A new momma nudges

Swipe for bison baby cuteness! A new momma nudges her 2 day old calf, waking it up to feed.
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Images captured with a #Canon zoom lens. Please always give wildlife plenty of space.
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#bison #babybison #reddog #yellowstone #yellowstonenationalpark #wildlifephotography #wildlifeconservation #conservationphotography #naturephotography #keepwildlifewild #leavenotrace #nationalparkgeek #nanpapix #bbcwildlifepotd #earthcapture #shotoncanon #ourfotoworld #yourshotphotographer

Happy Earth Day from the Grand Tetons and Grizzly

Happy Earth Day from the Grand Tetons and Grizzly 610!
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One of my greatest hopes for the future of our planet is that more protections are put in place for apex predators, such as grizzlies, who are imperative in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
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Image captured safely from my van window with a #Canon zoom lens and cropped. Please always give wildlife plenty of space.
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#grandtetonnationalpark #grandtetons #earthday #grizzly #grizzly610 #610 #grizzlybear #conservationphotography #wildlifephotography #wildlifeconservation #naturephotography #keepwildlifewild #leavenotrace #nationalparkgeek #nanpapix #bbcwildlifepotd #earthcapture #shotoncanon #ourfotoworld #yourshotphotographer

Living in my van full-time usually means heading S

Living in my van full-time usually means heading South for the winter. What’s the best thing about Southern states? BIRDS!
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This Snowy Egret was captured while exploring Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge last January.
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Camera: #Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6
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#snowyegret #egret #merrittislandnationalwildliferefuge #audubonsociety #wildlifephotography #birdphotography #birdwatching #naturephotography #nanpapix #shotoncanon #ourfotoworld #bbcwildlifepotd #earthcapture #yourshotphotographer

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