I always enjoy catching (photographically) diving ducks in the process of diving.  I usually start a new season of diving duck photography during our long winter.  The divers like to use our Lake Michigan harbors until winter’s cruelty freezes them out.  Every year my first pictures show nothing but a water circle where my feathered friend had once been.  Then come a few feathers sticking out of the water. Then half of a body.  Eventually I get good at catching (again, photographically) the duck at almost any position I want.   I liked the pose below of a female Greater Scaup. 

As much as I appreciate the art of nature photography the story telling photojournalist side is even more important.  That includes the more gruesome side of nature.  For every predator there will be prey.  This female American Kestrel is enjoying an afternoon snack of mouse meat.  I have digitally removed two branches from this photo so the viewer can have a better view.

Herbaceous animals have to eat too.  This young Eastern Cottontail Rabbit is pictured in mid-chew.  Below that is another of the same species making eye contact with you, the viewer.

This winter of 2010 image, was made shortly after sunrise and is of a Snowy Owl.  She was having a good time fluffing and preening.  The second shot was made an hour or so later.

From two images of a bird that is high on a perch, to my preferred method for wildlife.  This Dunlin is more at eye level which I do believe makes for a more powerful picture.

Male Ring-necked Pheasant on the run. 

Do Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels pray?

A couple of posts back I showed a series of images of the Sharp-tailed Grouse during their courtship dance.  You will find another below.  Beneath that you will see the close cousin to the Sharp-tail, the Greater Prairie Chicken (also grouse) doing its similiar dance.  This is an old, old image but I thought it might make for a good comparison hot.

I thank you and “ya all come back now”,

Wayne