Shadowmeld Photography

Buffalo are almost synonymous with Yellowstone National Park in the United States, as the animal often associated first to the park due to abundance. Over four thousand American bison, split into two large herds, are a common sight throughout the area as the buffalo depend on Yellowstone's vast grasslands for survival. With the sheer number of bison around park roads, there are loads of opportunities for observation and candid photographs from a safe distance without interfering with natural behavior.

An opportunistic bird commonly found lurking about while visiting tourist areas in Florida, is the American White Ibis. Despite naturally foraging through the mud for small fish and crayfish with its long, curved orange beak for meals, the White Ibis has adopted scavenging behavior in locations with outdoor food courts and eating areas; exhibiting a type of gull behavior from unnatural feeding by handouts or finding scraps. Though it may not be on the endangered species list, changing eating behavior and quality threatens the bird's ability to survive in the wild and distribute nutrients like phosphorus across broad areas of travel.

Watching a Snowy Egret hunt in the wild lends new appreciation for a bird's ability to find marshy meals with patience and precision. A small white heron's plumage contrasts with the surrounding shallow water, which may seem like a disadvantage, yet unsuspecting prey might lose sight of the Egret depending on position; the bird could appear silhouetted like a reed to prey in the water if the heron hunts with its back to the sun as pictured here. As a heron with elegant feathers, the Snowy Egret once faced extinction from excessive hunting and populations have since recovered under protection.

As a mature and patient hunter, the Little Blue Heron spends quite a bit of time in shallow water stalking its prey. This small heron will run through marshy water quickly, without hesitation, to catch fish and frogs spotted from a distance; and a long and narrow beak enables the fishing bird to lunge into the water like a dart before prey have a chance to react. The photographs here demonstrate a Little Blue Heron's determination to find a meal while meticulously scanning the water for movement.

Although the American Coot appears to be a duck, it belongs to a different family of birds known as Rails, having digitigrade legs with Lobate feet designed for both walking and swimming. Further ways to identify this mud hen - look for black and dark grey feathers, red eyes, and a white beak with a black ring near the tip. American Coot birds are definitely exciting to see in the wild, with a presence that feels somewhat majestic in the moment, similar to spotting this Rail floating on a black water pond in Florida.

Smart, playful, and knows the way to your heart - a miniature Goldendoodle is a fun and friendly family dog that sincerely enjoys spending time with people and other dogs. The one pictured here, from a miniature Poodle father and Golden Retriever mother, displays physical characteristics of both breeds and has a jovial personality to match. She is well-behaved, learns quickly and is always looking for attention.

With a white blaze on the nose, insatiable curiosity, and a strategically impish attitude, a family Blue Mitted Ragdoll cat is sure to help de-stress at the end of a long day. A unique characteristic about Ragdoll cats, when compared to other breeds, is how they will lay down and stretch out flat on their back for attention or to relax.  The one pictured here loves yarn, feather toys, and sometimes playing with tennis balls. He lives in his own world for the most part, but when he seeks attention, a purring puff ball can be difficult to resist.

North America is home to a variety of different seagull species and each inhabit different areas of the continent. One of the most common seagulls is the Ring-billed gull, which has been spotted throughout most of the United States and Canada. Though many gulls feature similar characteristics, the Ring-billed gull is easily identified by a distinct black stripe near the end of their beak. They are opportunistic scavengers and are often found around areas frequented by human activity.

The greylag goose is an ancestor of one of the earliest known domesticated animals which played a significant role to several ancient cultures. Over thousands of years, and hybridization with other geese species, greylag spread around the globe with the help of natural species growth aided by human migration. In the west, North American greylag are sometimes spotted with goslings mingling near flocks of Canadian Geese. 

As an iconic bird known for its long black neck, white ribbon-beard, and distinct honking call, the Canada Goose signals the start and end of winter season in North America when a flock flies overhead in balanced V-Formation. Baby goslings are closely protected by adult geese and taught to swim and fish by example quickly after hatching. Viewing geese families in the wild is an entertaining experience where it's easy to spend hours taking photographs.