ELK, BUFFALO, ALLIGATORS, WATER BIRDS

Val Vlazny

  The following photographs were taken in National Parks.  The geese and Blue Heron which were taken on the on the southern leg of the Riverwalk before Hillside Road, Naperville Illinois.  The elk in Estes Park in October were everywhere.   In town, the herd occupied a golf course.  In Rocky Mountain National  Park, herds could be found by listening for the bugling.  In Shark Valley of the Everglades National Park, where you can rent bikes or bring your own or ride a tram to ride on the paved Tram Road Trail which is a loop.  The distance is 15 miles.  Be sure arrive early so that you do not have to walk in.  Over a 100 alligators and all types of water birds were seen on the ride.  Most alligators were within 15 feet  the road.  The antelope were along the road southwest of Raton, NM.

ELK IN ESTES PARK AND ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

In town on the golf course.
In town on the golf course.
In the national park.
In the national park.
In the national park.
Behind the herd in the national park.
The boss of the herd in the national park.
Getting to know each other in the national park.
A cow alone.
Is this a calf or a spike?
Seeking cover in the national park.
Just grazing in the national park.
The bull showing his antlers in the national park.
Some aspens in the background in the national park.
A family observing the herd from the trail in the national park.
 
Hiking is the way to get around in Rocky Mountain National Park when you exit your vehicle.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Elk even walk along the road from the South Entrance to Yellowstone. Do have to hike into the background.

BISON

Bison are visible in national and state parks in Wyoming and South Dakota. In Yellowstone the bison are up close and personal when they cross roads.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Entering Yellowstone by the East Entrance from Cody this bull or another bull was a greeter as he walked east on the highway in two different visits to Yellowstone.
Leaving Canyon Village to the south. Busy road.
The road is open sort of.
Oops more cross traffic.
Better to see off road in natural surroundings.
Along the road driving south from Mammoth Hot Springs, bison graze,
Closer view.

BISON IN CUSTER STATE PARK

Just north of a parking lot.
The road is just to the left.

BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

Just after sunrise this herd was moving.
Moving across the road.

Alligators and birds in Shark Valley in Everglades National Park.

 

A alligator in water along road.
Note closeness of birds.
Another alligator resting near the road.
Does this look like an alligator trail?
An alligator taking a sunbath.
The guard for the bicycles is napping.

At the apex of the road is a tower.  This a view from the top of the tower looking south.
Birds next to the road.  Can stay on road to view.
Cormorant along road.
Blue Heron fishing near road.
Stork clearly visible from the road.
Drying my wings.
Better do the other side of my head
Lots of egrets are along the road.
Turtles are sunny themselves.
This heron illustrates how close they are standing to the road.
One of three pictures of a blue heron.
The second view.
The final view.

Oasis Visitor Center

    Driving back to Naples on the Tamiami Trail (Route 41), there are two visitor centers.  There is canal in front of the Oasis Visitor Center are all kinds of wildlife.  These are a few pictures to illustrate.

 

 

Miscellaneous images of wildlife.

Blue Heron in Naperville, Illinois

The West Branch of the DuPage River runs through the heart of Naperville. The citizens of Naperville including the author contributed to the construction of a river walk through the business district. The photographs were taken at the southern end of the river walk. Because of heavy rains the river rose onto the river walk. On the paved bricks the Great Blue Heron decided to go fishing.

 

Looking for a meal.
Are there fish out there?
Does making shade help?
The search was worth the wait.
Now to swallow.
Be careful.
Are there more fish?
Off to the nest.
Good-bye.

MORE BIRDS

Bluejay in Yosemite National Park.
The Blue Jay taking in the view from the trail up to the top of the falls.
Crow in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Hairy woodpecker on Yucca stalk.
Female Cardinal
Male Cardinal
Finch
Gold Finch at feeder.

Another visitor to bird feeders.

Opossums are marsupials and live in North America. Opossums live in Australia and are more closely related to Kangaroos.
Departing with skin only tail.

Sand Hill Cranes

Sand Hill Cranes looking for a thermal.
Closer view.
Crane in parking lot of golf course in May. A crane call be almost four feet tall.

 

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5 Thoughts to “ELK, BUFFALO, ALLIGATORS, WATER BIRDS”

  1. life
    May 3, 2020 at 6:43 am

    I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one these days.

    Reply
    1. Val Vlazny
      May 5, 2020 at 9:45 pm

      Thank you for your kind words.

      Val

      Reply
  2. John Kost
    May 15, 2020 at 1:08 pm

    Beautiful pictures, Val! Very professional!

    I enjoyed them very much. Thanks for telling me about them.

    Reply
    1. Val Vlazny
      May 22, 2020 at 9:32 pm

      John, thank you for looking.
      I will send a draft soon.

      Val

      Reply
  3. David
    August 21, 2024 at 6:30 pm

    Happy Birthday Val.

    Reply

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