Nature and Wildlife: Wildlife and nature in general display the variety and majesty of Creation for us like nothing else can.
"The Odd Couple" - (Pelican and Cormorant) The Pelican appears to be looking at the Cormorant curiously as if to question this 'duck-birds' presence on his family perch! Thus the title “The Odd Couple”.
"Nature's Beauty" - This shelf fungus caught my attention while hiking in the mountains near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Two things in particular stood out: (1) the striking orange color, and (2) the perfect, undisturbed formation of each shelf. I couldn't resist!
"Speck to Spectacular" - Larvae (the black specks) are transformed into caterpillars right before our eyes! Careful observation reveals a continuum of development from larvae to full grown caterpillars.
"Old Man and the Sea" - The barnacles on this Humpback Whale's tail give a hint to his/her age! Humpbacks in and around the northern polar hemisphere migrate to the warmer Hawaiian waters in the Pacific each winter to prepare for their mating season in the early Spring.
"Osprey Takes Flight" - This bird of prey had just finished eating his morning catch as he was perched on the branch visible in the upper left of the photo.
"Stuck in the Mud" - This old bird seemed 'stuck in the mud' as I stood for several minutes on Mexico Beach in south Florida observing his stately appearance. Time seemed to be of no interest as he hunched looking at me as I captured him in this photo. You may recall that Mexico Beach was almost completely destroyed in Hurricane Michael.
"St. Francis of Assisi" - This bronze statue depiction of St. Francis can be found at the Ave Maria Grotto in Portland, Oregon. Long considered by many as Nature’s Friend, Francis actually considered Nature to be his friend. He is fondly remembered for referring to the sun and moon as “Brother Sun, Sister Moon”. This particular creation depicts Francis as God’s harbinger of peace. Notice the wolf, the lamb, and the pair of doves all rest peacefully together around Francis, a sign of God’s ultimate desire for all to live in peace as one family.