Moab, Utah

We gaze towards the north edge of a canyon carved by the Colorado River. Some small sandstone towers present themselves on the right. We ignore the much larger iconic formations behind us; that’s not this photo.

Tags:   Colorado Plateau Colorado River Fisher Towers USA United States Utah landscape spring

© All Rights Reserved

Looking through my photo collection this morning looking for something a little different than my usual posts, and I came across this shot taken in Custer State Park, South Dakota.

While hiking a short trail, I found this UFO growing between a couple of moss-covered boulders in a stream bed. It may appear that I was looking straight down for this shot. But it was growing from the side, just a few inches from the ground. So I was lying flat with elbows acting as bi-pod.

I suspect this plant won't be unidentified for long after some of my Flickr friends weigh in.

Tags:   flora nature conservation Custer State Park plants protect the environment protect public lands protect wildlife

© All Rights Reserved

MBY

© All Rights Reserved

This might have been the first time I noticed a tuskless elephant, but after her, I noticed several more on our safari.
What I read about tusklessness in elephants is that it occurs naturally in an African elephant, but is typically a rare genetic mutation usually found in female elephants. However, the numbers are increasing and it is suspected the reason is poaching. If a female elephant does not have tusks she will not be poached. Few male elephants have this genetic mutation. For a male elephant not to have tusks is fatal for them. I found it all so fascinating, yet sad that humans may be the reason behind the increase of this genetic mutation.
More info here: tsavotrust.org/elephant-poaching-has-shaped-the-evolution...

Tags:   Elephant cow elephant tuskless elephant tuskless tusklessness Tsavo tuskless elephant Jennifer Hall Jen Hall Jen Hall Photography Jen Hall Wildlife Photography PhotoJenics Photography Jenonsafari wildlife Photography Wildlife wild Nikon Nature Nature Photography Safari Kenya Safari Africa Safari African Safari Tsavo Tsavo Kenya Tsavo Africa Tsavo elephant Kenya Kenya wildlife Kenya Africa Africa African wildlife African African Photography African elephant

© All Rights Reserved

I've seen more of these than in any other year this spring....

Tags:   eastern phoebe eastern phoebe flycatcher Chisholm Creek Park Wichita Kansas

© All Rights Reserved