Wild

Crane Impressionism
This is a tight crop from an out-of-focus background from a much larger image. It was a frustrating day because of excessive heat radiation, which made even properly focused pictures appear soft due to atmospheric distortion, you know, the heat waves you sometimes see when looking into the distance? So, what to do? Embrace the look and turn lemons to lemonade!
Cranes sandhill cranes impressionism
On Watch
An advantage in winter is the easier spotting of birds of prey as they perch in leafless trees, on power poles, etc., looking for their next meal. While driving from Hastings to Blue Hill, I spotted this eagle (noticed him out of the corner of my eye as a large black silhouette in the tree) about a mile north of where Highway 281 crosses the Little Blue River in south-central Nebraska. He stayed long enough to allow me to turn around, find an advantageous spot to park, get my camera and long lens out and fire off a number of shots through my drivers side window. It was a dull, cold, grey day, but I'm still happy with the end result.
Eagle
I See You
A kingfisher stopped on the line long enough for me to get a shot. Image was captured by the Republican River just south of Red Cloud, Nebraska.
Kingfisher Nebraska Republican River Red Cloud
Black Hills Black Hills Vacation Rapid City Vacation Valentine Valentine Vacation
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Black Hills Black Hills Vacation Rapid City Vacation Valentine Valentine Vacation
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Lumbering Bull Buffalo
Badlands Badlands National Park South Dakota Wild Buffalo Animal Nature Bull
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Bull Buffalo
Badlands Badlands National Park South Dakota Wild Buffalo Animal Nature Bull
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Where Next Mama?
Near the summit of Black Elk Peak, a nice hike by the way, this mountain nanny goat and her kid came by, obviously looking for a drink of water. Unfortunately, there were people (not us) at the pool of water who wouldn't move. Such are the tribulations of life if you're a goat, I guess.
Black Hills Rapid City South Dakota Animal Nature Wild Mountain Goat Black Elk Wilderness Area Black Elk Peak Goat Goats Nanny Doe Kid
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Pronghorn Animal Nature Prairie Wild Custer State Park South Dakota Antelope
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Pronghorn Animal Nature Prairie Wild Custer State Park South Dakota Antelope
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Home on the Range
Animal Buffalo Nature Prairie Wild Custer State Park South Dakota
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Peaceful Prairie Coexistence (Extra Wide Panorama)
This is composed of three shots stitched together side-by-side.
Animal Buffalo Prairie Dog Prairie Dog Town Nature Prairie Wild Custer State Park South Dakota
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Peaceful Prairie Coexistence (Wide Panorama)
This is composed of two shots stitched together side-by-side.
Animal Buffalo Prairie Dog Prairie Dog Town Nature Prairie Wild Custer State Park South Dakota
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Peaceful Prairie Coexistence
Prairie dog town foreground, buffalo herd background = Peace on the prairie.
Animal Buffalo Prairie Dog Prairie Dog Town Nature Prairie Wild Custer State Park South Dakota
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
The Grazing Pronghorn
Animal Nature Prairie Pronghorn Wild Antelope Custer State Park South Dakota
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Youthful Curiousity
I think this was a youngster based on the proportionately thinner neck, but I could be wrong...
Animal Nebraska Prairie Dog Rural Wild Valentine Nature Prairie
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Prairie Pair
Animal Nebraska Prairie Dog Rural Wild Valentine Nature Prairie
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Pair of Dogs
Animal Nebraska Prairie Dog Rural Wild Valentine Nature Prairie
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Still There?
Animal Nebraska Prairie Dog Rural Wild Valentine Nature Prairie
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
On Lookout
Doin' what prairie dogs do...
Animal Nebraska Prairie Dog Rural Wild Valentine Nature Prairie
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Suspicious
Near Valentine, Nebraska, my wife and I came upon a large prairie dog town. They were keeping a wary eye on us! All of these prairie dog photos were taken out of the open window of the car, engine off, long lens.
Animal Nebraska Prairie Dog Rural Wild Valentine Nature Prairie
From 2016 Nebraska and South Dakota Fall Excursion
Formation 4
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Spooked
I was watching these birds from a good distance away (parked alongside the road) when all of a sudden they all seemed to panic. Initially I thought I may have somehow spooked them, but soon realized there was an eagle flying overhead that surely was the culprit. I was able to get a picture of the eagle, but it was quite far away and not worthy of posting here.
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Double Watch
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Solo Watch
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Living in the Modern World
Even though a distraction, I like the center pivot irrigation system and the context it adds. Several similar shots follow for the same reason.
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Still Coming at You
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Coming at You
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Swarm's Leading Edge
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Formation 3 (Vertical)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Formation 2
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Formation 1
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)
Final Approach
Crane sandhill cranes
From Sandhill Crane Watch (2016)