This week has been declared National Wildlife Week in the US, by the National Wildlife Federation.
Since National Wildlife Week in Canada isn’t until next month, it means I get to do two ‘wild week’ posts, with this one focusing only on animals I’ve photographed in the USA.
Taking a quick count, it seems I’ve been to around 30 different American states. As far as wildlife goes I enjoyed Utah, Wyoming and Florida the most. From Yellowstone to the Everglades, here are seven wildlife photos in honour of National Wildlife Week, enjoy!
Elk Photographed in Cataloochee Valley, North Carolina
An Alligator walking past Vultures near the Anhinga Trail in the Everglades, Florida
Coyote photographed east of Mammoth, Wyoming
Harbor Seal lounging around at La Jolla Cove, California
Moose wading in a Watering Hole, near Jackson Hole, Wyoming
A Thirsty Bison, photographed in Yellowstone National Park
Mule Deer outside of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah
In Canada, it seems that everyone has their own way way to convince themselves that winter has ended and spring is on the way.
One such belief at home is that when the Robins return, spring must be just around the corner. While they are year-round residents in many parts of the US, the American Robin migrates north and south from the colder climates in Canada and Alaska.
Enjoying the sun down in Mexico, they return to Canada for breeding and are usually among the first migratory birds spotted in late-winter.
This particular puffy Robin was photographed in the middle of summer, while camping in Ontario.
Leopard protecting a Killed Gazelle in the Serengeti, Tanzania
The smallest of the ‘Big Cats’, the Leopard is known to be a stealthy, successful hunter.
Unfortunately their great prowess at hunting doesn’t always mean an easy meal, as they are often chased from their kills by hyenas or lions.
The trick most African Leopards have to their advantage is great agility. They use their agility to escape from competing predators by sleeping, eating and staying in trees. After making a kill, one of the first things a Leopard tries to do is bring their kill to safety, as this one has done with their gazelle.
This photo of a Leopard with a gazelle in a tree was taken in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Brown Pelican - Taking a Break from Fishing in the Galapagos
Pelicans are fascinating birds to watch when they are feeding. Especially the Brown Pelican, which is unique from all the other, larger Pelican species.
Brown Pelican - Looking for a Meal in the Galapagos
While the other seven Pelican species usually feed by pushing schools of fish into shallows waters and scooping them up, the Brown Pelican dives for fish, similar to other birds in the Galapagos, such as the Blue-Footed Booby.
Brown Pelican - Diving for Fish in the Galapagos, a Unique trait to this Species
Watching them hunt for their meals a real treat and I was lucky enough to snap these photos of a Brown Pelican that was diving for fish underwater off the coast of Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.
A Midland Painted Turtle Basking in the Sun at Point Pelee National Park, Canada
Hello turtle! This painted turtle is known as the Midland Painted Turtle subspecies. It can be found throughout the southern parts of Ontario and Quebec in Canada, as well as many states in the US, ranging as far south as Tennessee.
There are four subspecies of painted turtles and these are the most subtle when it comes to coloured markings or being able to identify them. The ‘painted’ name comes from their red/orange or yellow markings on their shells.
This is a freshwater turtle that likes quiet, calm waters. This particular Midland Painted Turtle was photographed at Point Pelee National Park in Ontario, the southernmost part of Canada.
