Just before sunset I waited in the meadow, I go back to often.  A precious project has been studying the Great Blue herons (Ardea Herodias) around Shelby Farms Nature Conservancy for several years. 

Right as the sunlight was nearly at the horizon, a heron flew into the meadow. They have been known to hunt small mammals.  So I waited quietly and with a sudden rustle of the tall grass the heron took off in low flight over the meadow!  The lighting caught the amazing deep blue to grey colors in its feathers and it was an unforgettable moment!

I knew Heron did not solely hunt in water, yet sometimes in fields and what a beautiful opportunity this was to witness. The Great Blue heron’s vibrancy was such a contrast with the tall golden grass!

So I waited quietly and with a rustle of the tall grass the heron took off in low flight over the meadow! The lighting caught the amazing deep blue grey colors in it’s feathers and it was an unforgettable moment! I knew Heron did not solely hunt in water, yet sometimes in fields and what a beautiful opportunity this was to witness.

The Great Blue heron vibrancy was such a contrast with the tall golden grass!

This quiet Barn owl (Tyto Alba) followed my every move as I photographing from various angles. On a photoshoot at the Mid-South Raptor Center for a photoessay for the Tennessee Conservationist -  I was lucky to watch these barn owls grow from 8 weeks old!

This moment was a closeup after being tagged and getting ready for a release into the wild later that day.

Later on a dreamt of this stellar beauty flying gracefully out from the mist behind woodsy evergreen trees, hovering in front of me and radiating a sense of peace! I think humanity’s connection to nature is not lost, just right beneath surface waiting to be jolted awake!

A Great Blue Heron flying high in the sky lands on an icy lake right in front of my eyes! I was observing quietly from the frozen lake’s edge and astonished at the landing.

The heron was very agile and precise, while adapting to the new frozen lake’s surface. It was a world of solitude, beauty, and grace! A moment between a human and wild nature.

Photographed at Shelby Farms Park Conservancy

A frozen winter wonderland awaited my discovery at Shelby Farms Park Conservancy.  Hiking into the park my footsteps crunched in the snow, and the sound was amplified in the crisp, clear air. 

A deep freeze cold front with arctic air, had frozen most of the lake. I followed along a winding nature path and stepped to the path near the lake’s edge, I paused to take in the lake’s expanse!

At that moment I heard large wings flapping, turned around and saw an enormous Heron flying out of the dried brush dusted with snow and land on the lake. I held my breath and watched the Heron in silence, as it quietly eyed me and began fishing. Wind whipped around my face and the heron faced into the wind with feathers blowing like wind socks.

Going to this spot for several times a week over the past several years - I was moved beyond words to experience what happened before my eyes after setting up the shot.  While walking the dogs here, after a heavy period of rain - noticed a large deer foot print in mud. While setting up my tripod and camera for a landscape shot, I was contemplating the colors that were changing with the light on the water, suddenly out of the corner of my eye, I saw the largest buck I have seen in the area with another buck, gently and quietly eyeing me. The deer began to cross the wetland slowly one at a time and proudly in front of me with regal antlers- was a moment that held me breathless. Nature is truly profound and Wild!

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy

The Great Egret Migration -

Photographed during blue hour, right after sunset. I was stopped in my tracks by the beauty, rhythm of flight, and sounds - observing the event for about 30 minutes and shot over 500 images as this large gathering of Great Egret (Egret Ardea alba) at a slough in Shelby Farms Park last Fall season.  The egrets a type of heron, were very talkative with multiple croaking sounds! They are “staging” and gathering in various large groups to fly north for breeding!

A moment at the phenomenal International Wolf Center in Ely, MN. A wolf's introspective gaze, where time seemed to be suspended after playing in the pond. I observed this quiet moment and the wolf’s soaking wet fur . Blown away by the dynamic wolf pack each time and moved by their spirit!

Arctic Wolf “Axel” rests in repose among a little snow shower.  A sanctuary of trees created peace and framed him in such a beautiful way as the snow flakes fall.

Axel looks off in meditation as the trees envelope him in graceful togetherness. 

Photographed at the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN.

Over joyed to photograph this timber wolf pup pack at the Memphis Zoo over a year long period. This delightful wolf pup pack had just been running and romping around their habitat  - exhausted from play suddenly collapsed down in a pile and relaxed in the cool grass.

Siblings Atlas, Blaze, and Dotty reveled in the sunshine and basked in the moment of togetherness!

Wolf pack sibling Cash, a Timber Wolf, peers into the grass studying small insects. While taking a break from play, this young wolf looks down in deep concentration.

Striking coloration, fur texture, and markings make Cash a beautiful wolf to photograph and observe!

Photographed at the Memphis Zoo’s Teton Trek.

This winter meadow holds many native grasses and wildflowers.

As I watched the changing light waiting for a heron, a family of deer slowly emerged.  Camouflaged by the tall foliage, a fawn gently foraged for dinner at twilight.

In this magical light the meadow took on hues of soft lavenders, oranges, greens - creating a symphony of winter color and texture!

Location of Deer Photo: Shelby Farms Park

Photographed at Shelby Farms Park Conservancy.

A proud male mallard duck raises up out of the water and flares it’s wings in a vibrant display.

Mesmerized by the colorful rich plumage in shades of indigo to emerald green.  Flapping its wings on the water, created water beads on the mallard’s face.

January on Hyde Lake at Shelby Farms Park Conservancy is an active time for overwintering birds.

A splendid golden winter sunset in January on Hyde Lake, Shelby Farms Park Conservancy.  Watching this group of ducks in the afternoon chasing the shimmering light.

At the last moment of sunlight, the trio turned and were silhouetted as they chased the sunlight.

Colors in winter can be warm and bright, and being near the water brings a sense of calm!

[Bison bison sp.], the common name is Buffalo. The Buffalo herd remained in the protection of the forest during the winter storms here during polar temps. For nearly a decade I have waited for the opportunity to observe and photograph the herd in the snow. The Buffalo emerged from the forest with sun shinning overhead, they traveled down the hill from the protection of the trees and out into the field to graze on native grasses. The Bison have adapted to survive droughts and harsh winter conditions. Frosted noses and snow did not slow this herd down. The dense fur around their face helps them withstand blizzard conditions.

Bison were brought to Shelby Farms Park in 1989 to help with conservation efforts in the United States. The Native Americans were deeply and spiritually connected to the land and lived harmoniously with the Buffalo, prior to European arrival. The Buffalo is a symbol of strength, freedom and abundance to American Indian Nations and viewed as sacred.

Bison are the largest terrestrial land mammal in North.

As the sun came out from behind the clouds, the Bison herd traveled down the hill to the native grassland. They swept their heads from side to side - brushing away the snow and foraging on plants, lichen and woody stems. Ice and bits of snow hung from their noses, which did not slow this magnificent herd down.