Colorado! Bison
American Bison: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, Colorado, USA, July 2024 — The Bison herd is, of course, what draws folks to RMANWR. I have seen Bison roaming outside the Bison area of the refuge, most appear to be in the confined area…what you might call the Bison Farm, and are easy to see from the road…too often through the obstructing fencing. Still, there is no such thing as a tame Bison. 🙂 Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Animal subject recognition. Processed in Photomator and TouchRetouch (to remove elements of out of focus fencing).
Colorado! Swainson’s (for the moment)
Swainson’s Hawk: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, Colorado, USA, July 2024 — This was taken out the window of an idling car so not as sharp as might be, but still, such a majestic hawk. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Bird subject detection. Processed in Photomator.
Colorado! fawn
White-tailed Deer (fawn): Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, Colorado, USA, July 2024. We were gifted a doe and fawn White-tailed Deer feeding in the angle between a well-used cycle trail the walking trail into a pond at the RMANWR when we visited. They calmly continued to feed as we walked slowly toward them, not bothered by us or the even closer passing cyclists. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Animal subject detection. Processed in Photomator.
Colorado! Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, Colorado, USA, July 2024 — I did not see a lot of birds at RMANWR yesterday, but enough. Three Kingbirds posed in a dead and downed snag at the Gun Club Pond. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Colorado! Handsome and he knows it…
Mule Deer: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, Colorado, USA, July 2024 — We took the granddaughters to RMANWR yesterday to see the Bison, and whatever else we could see. This handsome Mule Deer Buck was bedded down for the heat of the day in the shade of a cottonwood right beside the road. This is a shot from the passenger seat through the open driver’s window. Notice the antlers are still in velvet. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 172mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Animal subject recognition. Processed in Photomator.
Colorado! Finch in the linden
House Finch: Centennial, Colorado, USA, July 2024 — The tribe of House Finches in Centennial seem to be doing well. This female is enjoying a linden berry from one of the ornamental trees in my daughter’s culdesac. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Bird subject detection. Processed in Photomator.
Colorado! Centennial Hare
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit: Centennial, Colorado, USA, July 2024 — Centennial is home to a variable population of Eastern Cottontail…despite my fanciful title. Last year at this time they were everywhere…on lawns, in parks around schools, in the medians of suburban streets. This year we have seen only two, but this one was right in the little lawn patches of the culdesac where my daughter lives in the late afternoon. My granddaughter came running to find me because it was actually in the front yard patch of her house, but it had moved a yard over by the time I got there with my camera. Still, a very cooperative rabbit. She wanted to get it a carrot, but grandpa said no. It deserved a carrot, but that is the way bad habits are formed…both in rabbits and granddaughters. 🙂 Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving birds and wildlife modifications. Animal subject detection. Processed in Photomator.
New Mexico! Looking at me
Rock Squirrel: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. July 2024 — Clearly a nursing mother Rock Squirrel out for a snack and a break from nursing. She was very aware of me but not all that concerned. She evidently has dealt with photographers before. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Animal subject recognition. Processed in Photomator.
New Mexico! light and shadow
Pine Siskin: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, July 2024 — The Pine Siskins were active this year at Randall Davey when I visited. This pair posed nicely on a cut-off limb in the dappled shade at the center of the garden. I am impressed by how naturally these scenes were rendered by the camera, considering the challenging light situation. They received no special treatment in post processing. In the first they are apparently having a serious conversation, and the second looks like a “dare you jump” scenario…but then that is just me projecting. 🙂 Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Colorado! Pearly
Pearly Crescent: Centennial, Colorado, July 2024 — I am not seeing many birds in the suburban Denver neighborhood where my daughter and her family live, but the butterflies have been interesting. There are lots of little flower plots in yards and as part of the landscaping of the developments, so there is lots to attract butterflies. This is a Pearly Crescent. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving birds and wildlife modifications. Insect subject recognition. Processed in Photomator.