In honor of Superbowl Sunday! Go owls!! #Super Bowl

At the start of the flood tide, single fish start floating to the surface. Hundreds of hungry eagles wait for this celebrated moment to happen. Their shrill whistles of excitement while they hold their heads up high and release their jubilant cackle are evident of this, but what happens when 2 massive winged beasts decide to go for the same fish? They collide and must learn about personal space while they float in the icy drink below. I love how they seem to give each other space by lifting their wings while they stare at each other. If they could talk, what do you think they would be saying?

@MandyLSimard Thanks

@JustonBrazda Eagles are all over the place. Try a different approach if you’d like information.

Rain, I love it. Being a Floridian, I’ve spent a fair amount of time playing, dancing, and dodging it when the sky cries, and I’ve always welcomed it. I love the sound, the smell, and the mood it creates. I’m a true pluviofile. Someone who loves rain. But photography in the rain takes on a whole new level of awesomeness. It sets such a wonderful mood for the scene. The soft light gets filtered through the clouds, giving the landscape and everything in it a Tim Burton-like color palette, and seeing the wildlife navigate their way through the rain is always exciting. Birds’ feathers take on an entirely different appearance. They have a different texture that starts to resemble something more like hair, and most seem to actually enjoy it on some level. Ahhh, bring me some rain, and I’ll happily sit out in it with my camera, looking for something to capture.

Groups of birds have interesting names. Crows are a murder. Grackles are a plague. A group of pelicans has a few names. Pod, gulp, scoop, pouch, and a squadron. Short of the peg leg and eye patch. They look like pillaging pirates to me. The thieving these birds attempt is actually rare. Brown pelicans do catch their own food and are incredible animals in their own right, but look at that big, flappy pouch. 😬 Not today, pelican. Not today.

The Dalmatian Pelican is certainly a looker, and this bird knows how to work the poses like no other bird I’ve been fortunate enough to photograph. Those piercing pale blue eyes under a mop of tousled, silver hair. The wings and shoulders up but a little tense. The slightly bent neck that signals just a touch of attitude laced with a subtle disdain. Another edition to the suave Dalmatian Pelican collection.

The sound of rain drops on my jacket hood set the pace for the morning “flood.” A name aptly given to the massive amount of water predicted for the incoming tide. A literal wall of water was well on its way, and with it, hundreds of Hake fish making the most treacherous journey of their lives. If they can ride the tide safely, they will be rewarded with furthering their species, but the possible perils are great and deadly. One surge of water is all it takes to trap these fish in aquatic turbulence so strong that their swimming skills become useless. Once trapped in the flood, they risk being rushed to the surface so quickly that the gases inside their bodies expand, sending them to the surface like party balloons. I don’t use the word party lightly, and it’s definitely not a party for the poor fish who are destined to die, but the skies are filled with celebratory eagles who have come to take part in the party. A literal feast where giant winged beasts descend from the rain-filled skies, plucking helpless Hake fish from the surface and gobble them down like snacks. Being in the middle of the party, dodging massive whirlpools in a boat while listening to the rain drop’s pitter-patter rhythm is surreal to say the least.

@baker271974 My pleasure

At my favorite place to photograph ospreys, poles were placed on the bridge to prevent cars from hitting the birds, and it’s a huge success. There is always one bird who chooses to sit on one of these poles and yell at any other osprey who gets close. I’ve always wondered how this bird managed to sit perfectly on this tiny pole. This close-up shot explains it all. Simply fascinating!!!

@1Paccc Awesome

Imagine being a fish just swimming along your merry way when suddenly a rush of water pushes you hundreds of feet up in seconds. All the air inside your body expanding, and the next thing you know, you are stuck painfully floating on the surface where some massive winged beast swoops down, picks you up, and whisks you off into another dimension. Glad I’m not a fish! The eagle in this shot though. Such a beauty. I love when it looks back at its catch almost questionably. Did you see the size of that fish??!!!

One of the most common questions I get asked is, “What camera and lens do you use?” Forget camera models, lenses, settings, etc. Study your subject. Learn what they eat, where they sleep, where they travel, and why. Become a silent stalker, watching their every move from a safe distance. Study their food and its food and its food and its food, etc. Spend as much time with them in the wild as you can, and you will be greatly rewarded with wisdom you won’t find in any book. Sit with them through their celebrated triumphs, necessary failures, and personal losses. You will quickly see that they are all emotional beings, and when you become emotionally invested in them, a new world will present itself to you and your camera. I can’t stress this enough. This is the single most important thing you can do to improve your experiences with the wild world and your camera of choice.

Decorated with alternating shades of brown, gray, and white, this young bald eagle demonstrates an excellent example of its aerodynamic prowess. It has already mastered the skills it needs to survive the many challenges it will face on its journey towards adulthood, and there will be many more to come. Being a bird isn’t easy. Being a large bird of prey is even harder. Being a fish? Glad I’m not one.

Back in the late 60s, the rock band “The Pelicans” were well ahead of their time. They set the standard for the classic “rock group shot” complete with style, attitude, and mystery. Despite their amazing music and punk rock attitude, they managed to escape the perils of huge success and thrive as an underground band for many years. With classic hits like “Shove it in my pouch,” “Two Wings Up,” and the iconic track “Can’t? We are the PeliCans!,” it’s no wonder they are still filling small music venues around the globe. Word has it they will be touring in 2026. Keep your eyes out for the announcement! I’ll definitely be attending.

@Teramis lol