Category: Nature Photography

Scenes from the Grand Canyon

by Earthwatcher, posted in Birds, Colorado River, Earthwatcher, Fujifilm Cameras, Grand Canyon, landscape, landscape photos, lightning, nature, Nature Photography, Photography
Let Me Take You on a Tour
Juvenile California Condor; Mather Point, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park; AUG 2019

I have a friend, Gary Hart, who leads some of the best photography workshops you will ever find. Two of m favorites were to the Grand Canyon. One was to raft the Colorado River and the other to photograph lightening from the rim. Here are some images from those trips.

Note: Please click on caption to see images at higher resolution.

Ancient Walls
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ; MAY 2016
Sunset Over Grand Canyon
Rim Trail, South Rim, Grand Canyon National; Park; AUG 2019
Kanab Creek Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ; MAY 2016
Lightning Over Grand Canyon
Mojave Point, South Rim, Grand Canyon National; Park; AUG 2019
Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park, MAY 2016
Rainbow Over Grand Canyon
Point Imperial, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ; JUL 2019
Sunrise From Point Imperial
Point Imperial, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ; AUG 2019
Through the Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ; MAY 2016
Sunrise From Point Imperial
Point Imperial, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ; AUG 2019

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Special Trees

by Earthwatcher, posted in California, Earthwatcher, Eastern Sierra, Great Basin National Park, landscape, landscape images, landscape photos, nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Seirra Nevada, sequoia, Sequoia National Park, Uncategorized
The Steadfast Bristlecone Pine
Great Basin National Park, NV; OCT 2015

Today I am featuring some special trees: The The Great Basin Brisltecone Pine (Pinus longevea), the Coastal Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and the Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum). Most of the images are from California but one comes from Great Basin National Park in Nevada.

There are only 8 groves of the Giant Sequoia in the world. They are all located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. These wonders grow more than 300 feet tall with diameters that exceed 50 feet. The branches on these trees are often bigger than the trunks of trees I see every day.

The Coastal Redwood is found only along the coasts of Northern California with just a slight incursion into Oregon. These trees are the tallest in the world, reaching heights in excess of 375 feet and diameters in excess of 30 feet. Many of these trees are over 600 years old with the oldest known tree 2,200 years old.

The Bristlecone pines are small, gnarled, ancient trees some of which have lived more than 5,000 years. They grow at high altitudes and like poor soil conditions. They are tough old buggers.

Note: Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution

Among the Elders
Sequoia National Park, OCT 2014
Early Morning Among the Coastal Redwoods
Jedediah Smith State Redwoods Park, CA, JAN 2013
A Path Through the Forest
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Schullman Grove, CA JUL 2013
Sequoia Giganteum
Calaveras Big Trees State Park, CA, DEC 2013
Bristlecone Pine in Spring
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Schullman Grove, CA, JUL 2014
Sun Awakening A Family of Redwoods
Jedediah Smith State Redwoods Park, CA, JAN 2013
A Testament to Time
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Schullman Grove, CA; JUL 2013
Guardian of the Valley
Schullman Grove, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, CA; MAY 2016

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Snowy Egret

by Earthwatcher, posted in bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Florida, Fujifilm Cameras, nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) on Mangrove
J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge; FEB 2020

The Snowy Egret is an elegant bird with bright white plumage, black beak and legs and bright yellow feet. When it displays its long, curved plumage, it is gorgeous. They can be found, year around, along the coastal waters of the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean. But its migration and breeding periods takes it into much of the interior of the US.

Like other egrets and herons, they nest high in trees, in colonies, with other similar birds. They forage on frogs, worms, crustaceans, and insects. I find watching Egrets and Herons stalk fascinating.

The Snowy Egret is noticeably smaller than its cousin the great egret; the one that is tall and has a yellow beak. When you see an egret, look closely; it might be a Snowy or, it might be a Great.

In this set, I mixed a few pictures from our recent trip to Florida as well as some I have taken locally.

Note: Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; MAR 2020
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) with Prey
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; SEP 2019
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Sanibel Island, FL; FEB 2020
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Sanibel Island, FL; FEB 2020
Snowy Egret (egretta thula)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael, CA; MAR 2019

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

California Seascapes

by Earthwatcher, posted in California, Earthwatcher, Fujifilm Cameras, landscape, nature, Nature Photography, Seascape, Travel
Ultima Luz
Sunset Over Bodega Bay, CA, JUN 2013

Today I am sharing a few seascapes from various California beaches.

Note: Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Black Sands Beach
Bonita Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County; CA, FEB 2015
Sun Setting at the Marin Headlands
Marin Headlands, San Francisco, CA; SEP 2013
Firey Calm
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA; OCT 2012
Sunrise at Fort Bragg, CA
Fort Bragg, CA; SEP 2013
Gull Wing and Tempest
Marina State Beach, Marina, CA. OCT 2012
O Solo Mio
Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)
Piedra Blancas Rookery, San Simeon, CA; FEB 2014
El Morro Veiled
The rock at Morro Bay, CA shrouded in rain and fog. The ocean teems with activity despite the weather conditions. If you look closely, you’ll see a sea lion with his head jutting out of the water and a surfer swimming his board out into the waves.
Parasailing in San Diego
Black’s Beach, San Diego, CA; MAR 2016

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Yosemite – The Vistas

by Earthwatcher, posted in Black & White Photography, Earthwatcher, Eastern Sierra, Fujifilm Cameras, landscape, landscape photos, nature, Nature Photography, Yosemite, Yosemite National Park
Primera Lúz
First light over Yosemite, July 2014

Today I am wrapping up my Yosemite posts by presenting some of the big, expansive vistas of the park.

There are some interesting stories behind some of these images.

Primera Lúz or First Light, was for me, a difficult shot. I wanted the image of the sun rising over El Capitan. I did my research to figure out when I might get that shot. That date was fortuitous because it coincided with the visit of my niece and nephew who had never visited Yosemite. I set up early and was treated to this magnificent view.

I was wandering Yosemite Valley in mid-morning when I caught the view of Bridal Veil Falls in the black and white image. There was a sense of familiarity in the scene, but I couldn’t place it. When I got home and looked at it, I realized I saw a scene that was reminiscent of images I saw in Look and Life magazines when I was a child. As an homage to what I remembered, I decided black and white would give me the retro presentation my memory asked for.

Upper Yosemite Falls at sunrise was taken on a trip to see the snow, but for which we were too late. As I researched for the trip, I realized that there should be some nice sunrise light on Yosemite Falls. But, I didn’t expect what I found.  There had been some rain the night before and it was cold. As the sun rose. some holes opened in the clouds and bathed the chasm of Yosemite falls with beautiful golden light.

I love Yosemite very much. Its been a great blessing to be able to photograph it. Hopefully, I will be able to do more and do them better.

Note: Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Dappling Gold
Early Evening Light Breaking Through Rain Clouds Over Yosemite Valley
Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2015
Upper Yosemite Falls at Sunrise
Yosemite National Park; MAR 2019
Bridal Viel Falls
Yosemite National Park, May 2016
Focusing Attention
Sunlight Streaming Through Breaks in the Clouds Play Across the Cliffs and Through the Valleys
Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park, MAY 2015
North Dome at Sunrise
The early morning sun highlights the face of North Dome as it rises over Yosemite Valley
Yosemite National Park, CA; MAY 2017

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Royal Terns and Friends

by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, Florida, Fujifilm Cameras, nature, Nature Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island, FL; FEB 2020

Terns are seabirds, i.e. birds that feed in the oceans outside the surf/tidal zones. On our recent trip to Florida, we visited a beach on Sanibel Island that had a small flock of Royal Terns along with a few Forster’s Terns and Sandwich Terns. I really enjoyed seeing them, but I did chuckle a bit when I saw the Royal Tern. They reminded me of a long nosed, old. bald guy. Mostly, they were just hanging out on the beach until something disturbed them. Then, they all took off, circled around and came back down to hang out.

Most of the Terns in these images are the Royal Tern. One of the images includes a Forster’s Tern and another shows a Sandwich Tern softly blurred in the background. They are noted in the individual image.

Note: Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Royal Terns
Note: The tern in the background on the left is a Sandwich Tern.
Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island, FL; FEB 2020
Royal Tern
Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island, FL; FEB 2020
Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri), Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
The smaller tern with black beak and orange legs is the Forster’s Tern.
Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island, FL; FEB 2020
Royal Tern
Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island, FL; FEB 2020

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Yosemite – Small Vignettes of Spring and Summer

by Earthwatcher, posted in California, Earthwatcher, landscape, landscape photos, nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Seirra Nevada, Yosemite, Yosemite National Park
Reflections in a Pond
Glacier Point Road, Yosemite National Park, CA; MAY 2017

Following with my small vignettes of Yosemite, here are a few from the spring and summer seasons.

Note: Please click on caption to see images at higher resolution.

Cascade on Yosemite Creek
Yosemite National Park; APR 2016
A Spirit Within the Mountain
El Capitan, El Capitan Meadow, Yosemite National Park, JAN 2018
A Deceiving Role
Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park; APR 2016
View from the Merced River Near El Capitan Bridge
Yosemite National Park, CA; FEB 2018
Tioga Pass Road
Yosemite National Park; May 2013
Tree at Base of Cascade Falls
Yosemite National Park; MAR 2019
Roiling and Thundering
Tioga Pass Road, Yosemite National Park, APR 2016

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Yosemite – Small Vignettes of Autumn and Winter

by Earthwatcher, posted in California, Eastern Sierra, landscape, landscape images, landscape photos, nature, Nature Photography, Photography
Gentle Flume
Yosemite National Park, OCT 2014

There is a request floating around Facebook asking people to share landscapes. So, I decided to gather my favorite images from places we visited and share them.

Yosemite is full of amazing vistas. I am in awe struck every time I see them. But for this post, I thought I’d share some of the small vignettes that are easily missed on the way to see and enjoy those amazing icons of nature.

Note: Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Ice Crystals on the Merced River
Yosemite National Park, Dec 2013
It’s Reflection Disturbed
Yosemite National Park, Merced River. OCT 2014
A Quiet Pool
Yosemite National Park, Merced River. OCT 2014
Ice Crystals on the Merced River
Yosemite National Park, Dec 2013
An Autumn Vignette
Yosemite National Park, CA; OCT 2014

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Sanderlings and a Ruddy Turnstone

by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, Earthwatcher, Florida, Fujifilm Cameras, nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Sanibel Island, FL; FEB 2020

The Sanderling is the little white bird we see along the coast. It scurries after the receding surf collecting small invertebrates or probing the sand for small crabs, worms and mollusks. As the surf returns, they scurry back to dry shores. I think they are both interesting and amusing to watch.

In the US, we get to see Sanderlings along the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts outside the breeding season. They breed in far, northern Canadian islands and peninsulas. Interestingly, the use the “broken wing” behavior to lure predators from the nest similar to Kildeer.

I’ve included a Ruddy Turnstone in this post. It too is a bird that we can see along coastal waters but breeds in the far north. They hunt by flipping over rocks, shells and seaweed; they eat insects, small crustaceans and bird eggs.

This Ruddy Turnstone is perched atop an interesting feature; a large, naturally formed pile of sea shells that continually replenishes itself. Homo sapiens can often be found foraging in this pile for decorative objects.

Info from Cornell Labs All About Birds: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sanderling/overview and https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/ruddy_turnstone.

Note: Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Sanderling
Sanibel Island, FL; FEB 2020
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Blind Pass Beach, Sanibel Island, FL; FEB 2020
Sanderling
Sanibel Island, FL; FEB 2020

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Two Raptors

by Earthwatcher, posted in American River Parkway, Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, nature, Nature Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) on Nest
It is possible there are chicks in the nest. I watched the adult and saw it bent over with food in its mouth. I can’t be certain. I didn’t see tiny heads.
Rollingwood Bluffs, American River Parkway, Orangevale, CA; MAR 2020

Today, I am going to take a short break from sharing the amazing birds I saw in Florida so that I can share 2 images I took this past week. I am sharing these 2 beautiful raptors.

The eagle is on a nest. I suspect that at least one of its chicks has hatched. I did not see any tiny heads. But I did see the adult, bent over, with food in its mouth. I did not see it eat that food.  So, I think it is possible there is a chick in the nest.

The Red-shouldered hawk had just leapt from its perch to fly away.

Note: Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo virginianus)
Image captured as hawk left its perch in the tree.
Mississippi Bar, American River Parkway, Orangevale, CA; MAR 2020

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.