Just before sunset I waited in the meadow, I go back to often.  A precious project has been studying the Great Blue herons (Ardea Herodias) around Shelby Farms Nature Conservancy for several years.  Right as the sunlit was nearly at the horizon, a heron flew into the meadow. They have been known to hunt small mammals. 

So I waited quietly and with a rustle of the tall grass the heron took off in low flight over the meadow!  The lighting caught the amazing deep blue grey colors in it’s feathers and it was an unforgettable moment!  I knew Heron did not solely hunt in water, yet sometimes in fields and what a beautiful opportunity this was to witness.

The Great Blue heron vibrancy was such a contrast with the tall golden grass!

This quiet Barn owl (Tyto Alba) followed my every move as I photographing from various angles.  On a photoshoot at the Mid-South Raptor Center for a photoessay for the Tennessee Conservationist -  I was lucky to watch these barn owls grow from 8 weeks old!

This moment was a closeup after being tagged and getting ready for a release later that day.

Later on a dreamt of this stellar beauty flying gracefully out from the mist behind woodsy evergreen trees, hovering in front of me and radiating a sense of peace! I think humanity’s connection to nature is not lost, just right beneath surface waiting to be jolted awake!

A Great Blue Heron flying high in the sky lands on an icy lake right in front of my eyes! I was observing quietly from the frozen lake’s edge and astonished at the landing.

The heron was very agile and precise, while adapting to the new frozen lake’s surface. It was a world of solitude, beauty, and grace! A moment between a human and wild nature.

This winter meadow holds many native grasses and wildflowers.

As I watched the changing light waiting for a heron, a family of deer slow emerged.  Camouflaged by the tall foliage, a fawn gently foraged for dinner at twilight.  In this magical light the meadow took on hues of soft lavenders, oranges, greens - creating a symphony of winter color and texture!

Nature’s Vibrant Wings”

A proud male mallard duck raises up out of the water and flares it’s wings in a vibrant display.

Mesmerized by the colorful rich plumage in shade of indigo to emerald green.  Was beautiful to hear the flapping of wings on the water and to see the water beads on the mallard’s face.

A splendid golden winter sunset in January on Hyde Lake, Shelby Farms Park Conservancy.  Watching this group of ducks in the afternoon chasing the shimmering light.

At the last moment of sunlight, the trio turned and were silhouetted as they chased the sunlight.

Colors in winter can be warm and bright, and being near water brings a sense of calm!

Kings of snow ice bison

The Buffalo herd had remained in the protection of the forest during the winter storms and polar temps. For nearly a decade I have waited and planned for the opportunity to observe and photograph the herd in the snow.

During this moment - the Buffalo emerged with sun shinning overhead, they traveled down the hill from the protection of the trees and out into the field to graze on native grasses. 

The Bison swept their heads from side to side brushing away the snow and foraging on plants, lichen and woody stems. Ice and bits of snow hung from their noses, which did not slow this magnificent herd down.

Arctic Wolf “Axel” rests in repose among a little snow shower.  A sanctuary of trees created peace and framed him in such a beautiful way.

Axel looks off in meditation as the trees envelope him in graceful togetherness.  Photographed at the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN.

Wolf pac sibling Cash, a Timber Wolf, peers into the grass studying small insects. While taking a break from play, this young wolf looks down in deep concentration.

Striking coloration, fur texture, and markings make Cash a beautiful wolf to photograph and study!

Over joyed to photograph this timber wolf pup pack at the Memphis Zoo over a year long period. This delightful wolf pup pack had just been running and romping around their habitat  - exhausted from play suddenly lay down in a pile and relaxed in the cool grass.

Siblings Atlas, Blaze, and Dotty reveled in the sunshine and basked in the moment of togetherness!

Axel rests sublimely on a mound, watching snowflakes float gently down.

His textured white fur contrasts with the wintery trees behind him and seems to almost glow.

I feel connected to this moment, which was one of the most special wolves I have ever had the opportunity to photograph.  International Wolf Center in Ely, MN.

A frozen winter wonderland awaited my discovery at Shelby Farms.  Hiking into the park my footsteps crunched in the snow, and the sound was amplified in the crisp, clear air. A deep freeze with arctic air, had frozen most of the lake. 

I followed along a winding nature path and stepped to the path near the lake’s edge, I paused to take in the lake’s expanse!

At that moment I heard large wings flapping, turned around and saw an enormous Heron flying out of the dried brush dusted with snow and land on the lake.

I held my breath and watched the Heron in silence, as it quietly eyed me and began fishing.  Wind whipped around my face and the heron faced into the wind with feathers blowing like wind socks.