NATURE has much to offer if you look closely. In Nature's Best Photographs we allow Mother Nature to take center stage and "strut her stuff". If you have an outstanding nature photograph and would like to share it, send a jpg to wildlife@windstar.org
Stunning!
This amazing picture by Bence Mate--called Death Squeeze--is one of the stunning photographic works in the International Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition sponsored by BBC Wildlife Magazine and the British Natural History Museum. .
Photojournalist Cathy Gilleland said this young swallow kept fluttering his wings, as if trying to remember how this whole flying thing worked. He was fed one more time by an indulgent adult, but then apparently realized that it was now or never, and off he flew with the others.
Jacques Giraud captured the beautiful colors of this Cedar Waxwing in exquisite detail.
This Scarlet Tanager was photographed by James Ownby. Males are brilliant red and black--females olive and white. They breed and nest in northeastern states and migrate to the tropics.
This albino doe fawn was a twin to a normally colored male fawn. They were born in a commercial deer farm. Photojournalist Tim Flanigan, Nature Exposures, says within one day of life, the yellowish tint left its hair leaving it a brilliant white.
This Brown Pelican, photographed by Marina Tidwell, cruises along rain swollen La Ballona Creek which flows into Santa Monica Bay. Note the beautiful lighting on the pelican.
What could be cuter than this line of baby Mallard Ducks following their Mother that was photographed by Leisa Royce!
A hummingbird flies into a Hibiscus plant to feed on the flower's nectar. See the details of this tiny bird captured in flight by Associated Press Photographer Joe Barrera.
Do you have any idea what species of spider this is? Lynn Howard captured the adorable insect (only 1/2 inch long) on a log at the Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Nature Center in Maryland.
As I walked along my favorite trail, I spotted a blur of motion in the treetops. It was a hawk. In the bird's attempt to make dinner of a Gray Squirrel sitting on one of the limbs, it apparently misjudged the target and slammed into the trunk of the tree. As it sat dizzily on the limb once occupied by the very fortunate squirrel, I watched a breast feather float lazily to the ground. It landed among some bloodroot plants at the base of the tree. Photo by Troy Ringley.
"The female cardinal might not be as glamorous as the male, but she's a pleasure to have nearby as I work in the garden," says Cathy Gilleland.
Leisa Royse is a natural nature photographer. Although she hasn't been taking photographs long, her sense of timing and composition are superior. You will be seeing many more of her photos in the future.
Nothing is more elegant than this photo made by Marina Tidwell. She describes the terns: "They arch their necks and bow their heads, preening the pale pink feathers on their chests. Pairs sidle up to each other, point their beaks to the sand then lift them to the sky. The long, soft plumes of their heads ruffle and stand up as they begin a quick, pattering tandem walk that ends with more head bowing and plume ruffling."
Do you remember when there were thousands of butterflies to photograph on your own property? Monarchs have been especially rare in recent years. Several say this is an American Painted Lady. What do you think it is?
Photo by Tom Patrick
Myersville, MD
No bird is more vocal or colorful around bird feeders than the Blue Jay. This one was part of a group containing six Blue Jays at the feeding station in WindStar Wildlife Institute's Demonstration Wildlife Habitat. Photo by Tom Patrick
Michael Smith's love for photographing Eastern Bluebirds doesn't stop with his famous "Mad Bluebird." He named this photo of baby bluebirds after their excited behavior. This photo and many others that Michael made over the years are available in WindStar's Nature Shop.
This Snowy Egret appears mesmorized with its reflection in the water while fishing. This creative photo was made by Marina Tidwell near her home.
This Raccoon is no stranger to this bird feeder. One thing you can count on when you feed birds--you will be feeding critters, too. Especially squirrels and Raccoons.
Photo by Leisa's Photos
This photo of the "Mad" Bluebird is one of the most commercially successful wildlife photographs ever made. Michael L. Smith used a remote-controlled Hasselblad to capture the spirit of this little, cold bird. More than 300,000 suncatchers and at least 150,000 prints have been made! If you go to WindStar's Nature Shop, you will find other products with this outstanding photo.
This beautiful and ususual photograph of a Goldfinch's wing among the flowering trees was made by Tim Flanigan, Nature Exposure, in his backyard.
Suet is a good choice for attracting insect-eating birds such as nuthatches, woodpeckers and Bushtits in photo by Lisa Schwab. Most suet is beef kidney fat, which is inexpensive and available at many meat counters. Suet also can be purchased as processed cake that includes seeds, berries, and other ingredients.
