A Canada Goose gosling marches along with its two siblings as mom and dad stand guard. I was so close to them I could not fit the three of them in the frame - one of the disadvantages of a prime lens. I am also surprised I was tolerated the way I was by the parents but I think it was because I was seated on the ground before they came towards me and I made no attempt to move closer. They started in shadow and as they walked along they moved into the light which made for a really nice dark background. If you view large you can see a spider with a midge in its clutches in the lower left part of the frame - not sure how I caught that!
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© 2017 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.
Tags: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Canada Goose Gosling Bird Avian Nature Wildlife NGC coth5 NPC
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A bald eagle about to land on the top of a dead tree. It was amazing to watch as it seemed to float in, talons and wings extended to make the perfect grab. Note the small feather drifting downward.
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© 2016 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.
Tags: Bald Eagle Bird Avian Animal Wildlife Nature Green dead tree Yellowstone NP Wings Nikon D500
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Not all is blissful in the life of the sea otters as this image will attest. About 90 seconds after my last image was taken these two female sea otters engaged in a ferocious fight. The otter with her head raised (scar nose) must have ventured too close to another female and her pup. The second mother swam over and the two immediately began to fight. I am assuming the fight was more protective than territorial. Scar nose's pup was somewhat caught in the battle and could be heard crying out as the fight ensued (part of its head can be seen between the two females). The fight lasted for about a minute with scar nose and her pup swimming away from the area. No one seemed hurt and the area quickly returned to its previous calm.
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© 2016 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.
Tags: Sea Otter Mother Pup Fight Mammal Moss Landing Monterey Peninsula Water Wildlife Nature Nikon D750 850mm 1.4 Extender
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Part 2 of the avocet and eared grebe altercation. Here the female avocet has the poor little grebe by the throat with her curved bill. That's gotta hurt! Best viewed large.
Thanks for your views and comments - they are much appreciated!
© 2017 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.
Tags: American Avocet (recurvirostra americana) Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve 2017 Bird Avian Eared Grebe Nature Wildlife Fight Nikon D500
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It was so interesting to observe and photograph least terns as they went about bringing forth a new generation. Since there is not much of a nest building process (least terns lay their eggs in shallow depressions in the sand), they get right down to the business of courting. A big part of the courtship rituals is the male offering a small fish or minnow to the female. If she shows interest (by not flying away), she will crouch down and he proceeds to move closer, all the while wagging his head back and forth. This can go on for several minutes with her either accepting the fish and his advances or flying away, leaving a disappointed male to try again later. More to follow!
Taken at Gulf Islands National Seashore.
My sincere thanks to all who spend the time to view, like or comment on my photos. It is much appreciated!
© 2023 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.
Tags: Florida 2023 least tern bird nature wild wildlife animal beach courtship fish sand nikon z9 nikon z 9 800pf
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