Another free nature photography wallpaper. Just click on the image for the full sized version or use the link Free Nature Wallpaper – Fishing Boat at Sunset.
*If you are interested in purchasing any of the pictures displayed in this post, please check out my fine prints page for pricing.*
Some of you knew that I recently (well, already a couple months ago) went to Oman, for those of you that did not, it was for the first stage of shooting for a film about Arabian Leopards, their plight, and the Omani researchers that are studying them. Terra Mater, an Austrian production company is funding the film, as well as ARTE, and the crew is made up of of people from all over the world. It was a great experience and I return with many more friends than I when I left.
Ironically, though most definitely not a coincidence, we were filming only a few miles from the Hawf Protected Area in Yemen, where I spent three months looking for Arabian Leopards. This time, we were in Oman, just across the border. The political situation is of course much safer, though as I have stated before, I was never in any danger in Yemen, mainly because I was so far east from all the trouble zones. Arabian Leopards have also been studied for a longer period of time here. In fact, this is the birthplace of research on these majestic creatures. Hadi Al Hakmani is the principal researcher for leopards in Oman having studied them for over twelve years; it was a true honor meeting him. His love for the animals and his work was inspiring and truly genuine. The same goes for Khalid, who has also been dedicating his life towards ensuring and bettering the conservation efforts for these critically endangered animals. Having gotten to spend time with both of them, and counting them as friends, made the trip worthwhile by itself.
Since this was the first trip, I’ll fill you in on more of the details after completion of the project, but for now a couple of pictures.
The Habitat:
Wadi landscape, Oman — told you it looked like Yemen
The crew:
Ben Young – Sound/Camera
David Eden – Sound
Mike Birkhead – Director
Caroline Bridges and Mike Cuthbert – Both Camera
Zara McDonald (from Felidae Conservation Fund) – Presenter
What am I doing here again? (taken by Khalid who is quite the photographer)
Sebastian (Basti) Gruebl – Terra Mater
Khalid – Arabian Leopard Researcher
Hadi Al Hakmani – Arabian Leopard Researcher
Food:
We always ate really well, thanks to our cook, this was a feast of goat barbeque.
Wildlife:
Arabian Wolf – I kid you not, Khalid said he had a feeling we would see a wolf that day!
I saw this idea on my good friend Jeff Swanson’s blog and decided it was so great, I was going to rip it off and copy it (so go ver their, read his blog and download his landscape wallpapers). I’ll try to do this a monthly thing but all of you who know me, know that that means it will more likely be every other month. Anyways, the point is that the picture below is free for download to be used as a wallpaper on a personal computer.
Sandhill Crane Trio Silhouetted in Flight
Here is the direct link from which you can download it: Wallpaper – Silhouetted Sandhill Cranes in Flight
Please only use it as a wallpaper for a personal computer. Otherwise, I can only use really really really really boring pictures, or I have to stop all together.
*If you are interested in purchasing any of the pictures displayed in this post, please check out my fine prints page for pricing.*
As many of you know, I love to take pictures with digital SLR camera traps. I am still learning a ton about it and people are always getting new and exciting pictures. So I wanted to point out that the BBC released the winners for this years camera trap competition. There are amazing pictures in their gallery — I would highly recommend checking them out!
Two of my images made it as well, both as commended wildlife portraits. The Genet from Yemen.
Small-spotted Genet (Genetta genetta) at night, Hawf Protected Area, Yemen
and our local Bobcat from Aptos.
Bobcat (Lynx rufus) in forest, Aptos, Monterey Bay, California
As you can see, the other people in the group are amazing camera trappers, it is an honor to be commended and have my photos displayed alongside theirs.
Ps: My personal favorite is the snow leopard (what can I say, I am a sucker for cats!)
*If you are interested in purchasing any of the pictures displayed in this post, please check out my fine prints page for pricing.*
It’s been too long since I have posted some digital SLR camera trap shots so I figured I’d get my butt moving and show you what has been walking through the woods as of late.
I have had the first picture in my mind for years, I wanted to get a deer jumping over a big log. I set the camera up over a year ago but kept only getting deer butts instead of them jumping at the camera. Patience finally paid off as this buck jumped our way.
Mule Deer buck jumping over log, Santa Cruz, California
Some animals prefer to take the easier way apparently:
Juvenile Bobcat on log at night, Santa Cruz, California
A little bit further down the path I set up another camera trap set-up. The first thing to come by was the ever reliable Mule Deer (or Black-tailed Deer, which ever name you prefer):
Mule Deer buck in forest, Santa Cruz, California
…and then, my first Coyote image using camera traps. I know, I know, for my fellow camera trappers this is not a big deal, but when you can add another species to your camera trapping list you are jumping up and down, running down the street (it leads to some awkward and perplexed stares from the neighbors).
Coyote in forest, Santa Cruz, California
That’s it for now, but hopefully more coming soon!