B N Sullivan Photography

Ms Elk enjoys a snack

2016-10-05T12:32:00.000-06:00

I came upon this pretty female elk grazing in a meadow in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. As I focused the camera, she looked right at me and smacked. Then, almost as if she realized I had captured her in an inelegant moment, she quickly struck a more serious pose -- protruding grass stems and all.

Scenes from Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

2014-08-25T12:20:00.001-06:00

Snake River, looking toward Mount Moran, in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Here are a couple of snapshots from the area around Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The first, taken from the banks of the Snake River, shows Mount Moran, elevation 12, 605 feet (3,842 meters). The mountain is located in Grand Teton National Park.

The second photo, below, shows Jenny Lake, situated at the base of Grand Teton National Park's Cascade Canyon. There is a nice seven-mile hiking trail around the perimeter of the lake.

Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Western Mountain Ash Berries

2014-08-01T12:28:00.000-06:00

Berries on a Western Mountain-ash shrub

The Western Mountain Ash (Sorbus scopulina) is a shrub that grows wild in the Rocky Mountains. The plant is a member of the Rose family (Rosaceae), and despite the common name, it is not related to Ash trees. In spring the shrub bears clusters of white flowers that mature in late summer to bright red-orange berries. The berries are eaten by birds and a number of mammals, including deer, elk and moose.

I photographed this example in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

A Family of Bighorn Sheep in Badlands National Park

2014-07-20T14:44:00.000-06:00

Pair of Bighorn Sheep, Badlands National Park, South Dakota

While driving through Badlands National Park in South Dakota we came upon what appeared to be a nuclear family of Bighorn Sheep: a young ram, his apparent mate, and a small lamb. In the mountains near our house in Colorado, we are accustomed to seeing Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) in herds. Occasionally we see a lone ram. But in our experience, a threesome such as this is an unusual sight.

Now, there may have been more sheep nearby that we did not see. These three individuals were quite near to the road, so perhaps the rest of the herd was just over the ridge that rose up behind them. But that day we saw only these two young adults, a male and a female, and the little lamb. The lamb was young enough that the vestige of its umbilical cord was still visible on its belly!

Below are some close-up photos of each of the individual sheep.

Bighorn Sheep ram

Bighorn Sheep ewe

Bighorn Sheep lamb

Yellow Cinquefoil in Rocky Mountain National Park

2014-07-11T11:59:00.001-06:00

Close-up of a yellow Cinquefoil flower

It is wildflower season in the mountains of Colorado. Flowers of every color imagineable are scattered in meadows, on mountain slopes, beside streams, and along hiking trails. I spotted this pretty yellow Cinquefoil (Potentilla sp.) at an elevation of nearly 8,700 feet, beside a trail near Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Cinquefoils belong to the Rose family (Rosaceae). The Cinquefoil in these photos -- exact species uncertain -- grows low to the ground. Other species have stems that may be more than a foot tall. In some areas Cinquefoils are considered to be noxious weeds, invading gardens and agricultural fields. To hikers in the high Rockies, these Cinquefoils are seen simply as delightful yellow wildflowers.

Yellow Cinquefoil growing in Rocky Mountain National Park

Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)

2014-06-30T11:03:00.000-06:00

Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) - adult female

I photographed this Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) near the edge of a forest in a mountainous area of Larimer County, Colorado. This individual is an adult female. The markings of the male of the species are very similar, but the male has a red patch at the back of its head.

The diet of the Hairy Woodpecker consists mainly of insects, although they also will eat seeds and fruits. They are known to eat the larvae of the bark beetles that infest Ponderosa Pines in Colorado, so these birds are a welcome sight.

Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) - adult female

Ground Squirrel Says: "I Haz a Cornz"

2014-06-25T11:26:00.001-06:00

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)

I had been out photographing wildflowers, and on the way home I stopped at a scenic overlook near the edge of the town of Estes Park, Colorado. I saw a man sprinkle an assortment of seeds and nuts on the ground for the squirrels and chipmunks known to hang out there. A dozen or so critters showed up in a flash and began picking through the scattered bits searching for their favorites.

While most of the animals scampered about, stuffing their cheek pouches with as much as they could, this one little guy, a Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, picked up a single item at a time and daintily nibbled at it. By a stroke of luck, my trusty macro lens was already mounted on my camera, so I was able to snap a couple of close-up shots of the corn-eating squirrel.

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel eating corn

Butterfly: Milbert's Tortoiseshell

2014-05-07T14:27:00.000-06:00

Milbert's Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Aglais milberti)

Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

On an early Spring day, we walked the trail around the perimeter of Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. At a point where a boardwalk section of the trail crosses over a marshy area, we paused to take in the view. Fortunately I looked down just in time to see this pretty butterfly land on some vegetation just below the boardwalk. It is a Milbert's Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti), a member of the Nymphalidae family.

Banks Peninsula, South Island, New Zealand

2014-03-03T15:56:00.000-07:00

New Zealand sheep farm

Among the things New Zealand is known for are sheep farms, rugged coastlines and spectacular scenery. This photo encompasses all three of those features. I happened on this scene while driving on a mountain road en route from Christchurch to the town of Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula of New Zealand's South Island. When I stopped on the roadside to take this photo, I had to wonder if the sheep appreciated this wonderful view.

Mophead Hydrangea

2014-01-31T17:17:00.000-07:00

Hydrangea

There are two forms of Hydrangea flower clusters: round, flat flower heads called lacecaps; and round, mounded flower heads called mopheads. This is an example of a mophead Hydrangea.

The blossom in the photo is from a Hydrangea that flourishes in front of my house in Colorado. It blooms all summer, and requires very little care beyond making sure it has enough water.

Portrait of a Red Dorking Hen

2013-12-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

Red Dorking hen at 'Plimoth Plantation' in Massachusetts

Meet the Red Dorking -- an ancient but now-rare breed of chicken. I photographed this good-looking individual at the Plimoth Plantation, the "living history museum" near Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Red Dorking chicken is one of the rare breeds of animals raised there today.

Plimoth Plantation re-creates the village life of the English immigrants who arrived in Massachusetts in the 17th century and established the Plymouth Colony. The most well-known of those colonists were the Pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower.

If you would like to learn more about this five-toed chicken breed, here is a detailed article published a few years ago by Mother Earth News:

Dorking Chickens: Heritage Poultry Breeds

Buster in the doorway

2013-12-17T10:30:00.001-07:00

Buster the cat, by the front door

It's been quite awhile since I posted a picture of our cat, Buster. Here he is, sitting next to the open front door, seemingly lost in thought. Maybe he is silently reflecting on his long and active life.

Buster had his 17th birthday this past summer, but as you can see, he is in quite good shape for a senior kitty. He is very alert and healthy, save for some arthritis. So, he sometimes goes down the stairs one at a time first thing in the morning, and he no longer leaps and jumps -- but he will still chase a toy across the floor.

Good kitty!

Ecstasy Hibiscus Macro

2013-12-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

Ecstasy Hibiscus - photographed in Hawaii

This is a macro photo of 'Ecstasy' -- one of my favorite Hibiscus varieties. Here are some earlier photos of the Ecstasy Hibiscus:

Drowsy Elk with an Itch

2013-11-20T12:42:00.001-07:00

We were driving through a residential area in the mountain town of Estes Park, Colorado. We came upon a bull elk who had decided to take his afternoon rest in a patch of sunlight right beside the road. Not wanting to startle the drowsy animal, we eased off to the side of the road and stopped. As quietly as possible, I stepped outside the car to take a few photos.

Elk resting by the roadside in Estes Park, Colorado

The elk stirred a bit, but did not get up. As he turned his head toward me I was able to get a shot of his huge antlers.

Male Elk with beautiful antlers

Then he did something surprising. He leaned his head back and began to scratch his back with his antlers.

Elk scratching his back with his antlers

He moved his head back and forth, rubbing his antlers across his back for about a half minute.

Elk scratching his back with his antlers

Judging from the expression of pure bliss on his face, he must have found just the right spot. If he could have spoken, I think he would have said, "Ahhhh."

Elk says, "Ahhh - that's the spot!"

Itchy spot relieved, he resumed his nap. We watched the big elk for a few more minutes, then slowly drove past him and went on our way. He never stirred.

Male Elk at rest - Estes Park, Colorado

Orange Spring Mound at Yellowstone's Mammoth Hot Springs

2013-11-19T12:23:00.000-07:00

Orange Spring Mound, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

This photo shows the Orange Spring Mound, one of many curious features in the Mammoth Hot Springs area of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

The National Park Service tells us:

Bacteria and algae create the streaks of color on Orange Spring Mound. It is noticeably different from many of the other terrace formations nearby. Its large mounded shape is the result of very slow water flow and mineral deposition.

You can learn more about Yellowstone's Mammoth Hot Springs and see photos of many of the geologic formations there by visiting the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces Tour.

White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata)

2013-09-06T12:09:00.000-06:00

White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata)

This nice-looking moth species is the White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata). It is a member of the Sphinx Moth (Sphingidae) family. I photographed this individual in a residential area of Westminster, Colorado, on the side of a building next to a small flower garden.

The species entry on Butterflies and Moths of North America, an authoritative Web site about Lepidoptera, says that the adult White-lined Sphinx Moths feed on the nectar of flowers. Among the flowers listed were columbine and honeysuckle -- two of the flowers that were growing in the garden that was just a meter away from where the moth was resting.

Here is an earlier post with a photo of an Oleander Hawk Moth, also a member of the Sphingidae family.

White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata)

Cool Wind tropical hibiscus

2013-08-21T11:45:00.000-06:00

'Cool Wind' tropical hibiscus variety

Location: Kohala Coast, Hawaii

This hibiscus variety is called Cool Wind. The blossoms are relatively large -- about five inches across. This is a tropical hibiscus variety that does not tolerate frost. However, in cooler climates the Cool Wind hibiscus can be grown indoors.

Critters blending in with their habitat

2013-08-17T12:20:00.000-06:00

Blending in with the habitat is a survival advantage for creatures in the wild. It is harder for predators to spot a critter who blends in well with its surroundings. Wildlife photographers aren't exactly predators (we hope!), but sometimes we, too, have some difficulty spotting critters that blend well with their habitat.

Consider the photos series below. In the first pair of photos an American Pika is perched on a rock. The color of its fur is so similar to that of the surrounding rocks that in the longer shot, the little animal almost could go unnoticed.

American Pika (Ochotona princeps)

American Pika - Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

In the next pair of photos, a Yellow-bellied Marmot sits in repose. This animal's larger size and golden color usually make it easier to spot amid the rocky background than the Pika . In this instance, though, the critter just happened to stop next to a rock of a color similar to the animal's coat. I do not know whether this was by intention or by chance, but it did make it tougher to get a photo in which the animal stood out from the background.

Yellow-bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris)

Yellow-bellied Marmot - Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Both of these mountain-dwelling species prefer high-elevation habitats. I photographed these two individuals in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park near the base of the Tundra Communities Trail, at an elevation of around 12,000 feet (3,700 meters).

Here are some earlier posts on this blog with photos and more information about these two animals:

Clouds Forming Over the Badlands

2013-08-07T14:51:00.000-06:00

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Badlands National Park in southwestern South Dakota is one of those places that defies description. The park itself covers more than 240,000 acres, much of which is characterized by erosion-carved buttes, pinnacles and other geologic formations. The vastness of these features cannot be adequately captured in a photograph, and the wide open sky above adds to the feeling of limitless space.

Scattered along the roadsides through the park are overlook points that afford the visitor breathtaking views. They also are excellent spots for weather-watching, offering unobstructed views across the surrounding prairies that seem to go on forever.

On the morning this photo was taken the sky was as clear a blue as can be imagined. By midday this picture-perfect fleet of clouds had accumulated and the first of several passing rain squalls appeared over the buttes.

A very cooperative Black-billed Magpie

2013-07-30T15:25:00.000-06:00

Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)

Head Shot: Black-billed Magpie

Anyone who regularly photographs birds -- or tries to -- will tell you that it is not an easy thing to do well. It is difficult because birds tend to move about a lot. They may land briefly, but as often as not they fly away before you can set up the shot. And when they do perch somewhere for awhile, it is often at a distance greater than the photographer would like.

I photographed this Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) in a parking lot at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. As we unloaded some gear from the car, this individual flew down to the pavement from a nearby tree and landed right next to us. It seemed unafraid of people, and my hunch is that this bird had a history of being fed by tourists.

I wouldn't go so far as to say the bird was "tame" but it certainly was an unusually cooperative model. This afforded me a nice opportunity to get some great close-up photos of the Magpie, including the one below, in which you can actually see my reflection in the bird's eye!

Morning Glory Hibiscus

2013-07-24T13:12:00.000-06:00

'Morning Glory' tropical hibiscus variety

Location: Kohala Coast, Hawaii

This hibiscus variety is known as Morning Glory. The shrub produces large, showy blossoms with ruffled edges. A tropical variety, the Morning Glory hibiscus does well in Hawaii, bearing blossoms year-round.

Mug Shot: Bull Elk with a Broken Antler

2013-07-13T11:41:00.000-06:00

Bull Elk in profile

Bull Elk portrait

Location: Estes Park, Colorado

This Rocky Mountain Elk was drinking water at the edge of Estes Lake in Estes Park, Colorado. He lifted his head as I approached to photograph him. Looking through my camera's viewfinder I was happy to be able to get a nice profile shot, although I thought to myself that his antlers looked a little sparse. Then he turned to face me and I realized that his antlers had been broken. Poor guy must have had a rough winter!

Tawas Point Lighthouse, Lake Huron, Michigan

2013-05-27T16:36:00.003-06:00

Tawas Point Lighthouse on the western shore of Lake Huron

This picturesque Great Lakes lighthouse has been in operation since 1876. It is situated on the western shore of Lake Huron at East Tawas, Michigan. The lighthouse tower is 70 feet tall.

According to information from the Michigan Historical Center, the light shines with two colors, white and red. The white light can be seen from 16 miles offshore in Lake Huron. The red light marks the entrance to Tawas Bay and can bee seen from 12 miles away.

Those interested in learning more about this lighthouse and its history should visit the Tawas Lighthouse page on Terry Pepper's informative site, Seeing the Light.

Common Raven (Corvus corax)

2013-04-03T14:11:00.000-06:00

Common Raven (Corvus corax)

Location: Sprague Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

When we first spotted this Raven, he was squabbling with another of his species. We stopped to watch their quarrel, trying to figure out what the problem was. Perhaps it was a territorial boundary that was in dispute. This individual eventually chased the other bird into the nearby pine forest, then returned to perch on the top rail of a fence. He stayed still just long enough for me to take his picture before resuming his patrol of the area.

Flaming Wind Tropical Hibiscus

2013-03-22T13:32:00.000-06:00

'Flaming Wind' Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii

This hibiscus cultivar is called Flaming Wind. The hardy shrub has smooth green leaves and it bears velvety scarlet blossoms year-round. Each blossoms lasts only for a day or so, but new ones pop out continually. Flaming Wind's brilliant color makes it a real eye-catcher in the garden.