Male Purple-Throated Mountain Gem, one of Costa Rica’s many hummingbirds. Click to view a larger, uncropped version.
My interest in photographing nature has taken me from the waterways of western Washington (where I frequently kayak) to the high cloud forests of Costa Rica.
This is the male Purple-throated Mountain Gem, one of over 50 species of hummingbirds found in Costa Rica. This shot was taken with the Canon 5D Mark II Digital SLR, a 100-400mm zoom lens, and flash.
A Green Heron waits for a fish. Seattle, Washington. Click for larger, uncropped version.
The normally shy Green Heron can sometimes be approached better by kayak than on foot. That’s how I was able to get this shot. The heron was waiting, stone-still, for a fish to come by. This photo is featured in Second Nature: Tales from the Montlake Fill, by Constance Sidles.
Pacific Chorus Frog on wild rose. Click for larger, uncropped version.
The diminutive Pacific Chorus Frog is native to the Pacific Northwest where I live. But it’s rare to find it sitting placidly on a magenta-colored wild rose—an irresistible image.
Side-striped Palm Viper. Click for larger, uncropped version.
Like many snakes, the Side-striped Palm Viper relies on camouflage, waiting for its prey to come within striking distance. This individual was pointed out to me by a fellow North American in Costa Rica. And yes, it is deadly.
Melastome Tree. Click for larger, uncropped version.
This is a tiny Melastome Tree in the cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica. Microclimates are so distinct that some trees cannot grow if planted 100 feet too high or low. This very young tree has a lovely symmetry and has been a favorite seller among my nature cards.
White-faced Monkey, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica. Click for larger, uncropped version.
A White-faced Monkey (“Capuchin”) nibbles leaves high up in the cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica.
Bobcat, Redmond, Washington. Click for larger, uncropped version.
One of two young Bobcats my wife and I discovered during a walk at a busy local park. Common but rarely seen, this cat and its companion were sunning about 12 feet up a tree following a long cold snap, and clearly were not going to budge.