Although the Western Meadowlark is the state bird of Wyoming, it is certainly abundant here in South Dakota. Its yellow chest feathering shines brightly against the green grasslands and its crisp sweet song carries across the sweeping fields. Photographed in The Badlands National Park, South Dakota. June 2021 www.shootingnomadsphotography.com
Western Meadowlark Lifting Up In Song
Greetings! This photo has been two weeks in the making. The desert lands of Thompson Springs are blessed with beautiful Western Meadowlark however coming close enough for a photograph has been quite a challenge. This beauty was in the mood to grace my morning in song and presence. Photographed in Thompson Springs, Utah. www.shootingnomads.com
Bison at Yellowstone National Park-Wyoming-October-2017. This mighty bison brought up the read of a stampeding herd across the grasslands at Yellowstone. He clearly made certain that all herd members, young and old had safely moved forward before he continued onward. His essence was of terrific presence and strength.
Flirting Around The Cypress (830)
A quiet serene view in the cypress swamps of the bayou. Here a great blue heron is weaving about the cypress trunks while flirting with another nearby heron. The other heron flies off down the river and this heron quickly follows close behind. Photographed October 2020 in Caddo Lake State Park, Texas. www.shootingnomadsphotography.com
Where the Bison Roam Exploring the Badlands of South Dakota has many unexpected surprises. At a trailhead stop, all that could be seen were surrounding grasslands and canyons. Upon taking a few steps up a small hill, this Bison was immediately in full presentation just a short distance away. Note the lookback in the bison's eye to see the people gathering at the ridge line. A quick photo and then gave room to the Bison to continue its grazing. Amazing beauty but a force that you wouldn't want to happen upon in too close of proximity in the wild. Photographed in the Badlands National Park of South Dakota. June 2021 www.shootingnomadsphotography.com ILCE-7RM4 FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS 430mm, ƒ/7.1, 1/1250s, ISO 320
This young fellow was with a small young herd of about 10 Big Horn Sheep. They were photographed in Jasper National Park along the Maligne Road. The first snow of the season had fallen and the sheep were coming down to the road to lick the salt left from the snow maintenance trucks. September, 2018 www.shootingnomads.com
Great Egret Quiet Elegance (857)
In a quiet moment of calm, this lovely egret gave a serene moment of pause. Quiet in the moment and unconcerned with the activity around. Its focus calm and quiet.....not hurried. Photographed in Santee, California Feb. 2021. www.shootingnomadsphotography.com ILCE-7RM4 FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS 600mm, ƒ/6.3, 1/1600s, ISO 100
May God's Blessings Be With You
Greetings. Sharing with you a photo of an adorable Prairie Dog family in the desert lands of Thompson Springs, Utah. They usually sound an alarm and scurry off upon my presence being noted, however on this particular day they seemed more comfortable with me and allowed for a few intimate photos. 👉www.shootingnomads.com
Love to see the Big Horn Sheep traversing across the grasslands and mountain ridges in Badlands National Park. The young ones stay close to the mom as they learn to explore and climb along the rocky canyon ridges. Photographed in Badlands National Park, South Dakota. July 2021. www.shootingnomadsphotography.com
Okay! Please Don't Use The Mom Voice
Nothing cuter than watching prairie dog families! They play, wrestle, tickle and clearly work great together in family units out in the wild. When danger is sensed or the mom wants the little ones to come home, she starts to give a yelp. This little one reached up to silence the mom as if to say, "please mom, you dont have to use the mom voice! I am right here" Photographed in the Badlands National Park area of South Dakota. June 2021. www.shootingnomadsphotography.com
Snowy Egret of St. Mary's Parish
Snowy Egret of St. Mary's Parish in Louisiana. Photo taken early morning of this gorgeous egret foraging around in search of a little breakfast from the bayou water ways. November 2020. www.shootingnomadsphotography.com ILCE-7RM4 FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS 600mm ƒ/6.3 1/1250s ISO 250
An amazing Big Horn presenting in the early morning hours as it quietly grazed along the grasslands. An impressive scene which quickly unfolded as we rounded a curve along the winding canyon roads at Badlands National Park. Elegant force and might quietly owning the lands. Badlands National Park, South Dakota USA
This bison is clearly the ruler of his domain. His magnificence is undeniable and he clearly loves to flaunt it with great might and show of strength. He forced others to move out so that he could enjoy and relish in his mud roll and leave his scent in the wallow. All other nearby bison gave him every bit of space that he demanded. After the wallow he gave a few powerful shakes to spread it far and near. All part of the bison rut display of dominance. October, 2018. Yellowstone National Park. www.shootingnomads.com
A Starling's Hidden Treasure (831)
This old rustic barn in Virginia was just the perfect location for starling parents to raise their babies. The starlings would fly to the nearby grass fields in search of grasshoppers, spiders and worms and bring them here to the barn. They worked throughout the day back and forth with great earnest in bringing home some food. For inside that raised corner was their pride and joy of a young family tucked safely away in their nest. This starling has just fed the babies and is getting ready to head back out to the fields. The colors of the starling are in full light as the sun is setting and shows off the gorgeous feathering of this beautiful bird. Photographed in Fort Chiswell, Virginia. 2020