Denali National Park

I've been hidden away in my office for the last few months working on a book for the Ethiopian Wolf Project and it's finally off to the copy editor so I get to take a little break.  Today I got to drive up to Denali National Park.  I've never been able to visit late in the season before so it was a real treat to see the park wrapped in red and gold.

Tragedy in the Congo

Wildlife Conservation Network supports many conservation efforts around the world including my beloved Ethiopian wolves.  On June 24th one of their supported projects, the Okapi Conservation Project in the Congo was attacked by rebels, six people were killed as well as 13 resident Okapi.

The Congolese and UN armies have moved in and secured the area but the rebels stole all of the food and medical stores and burned down the projects buildings.  People are returning to their villages but without aid the prospects are grim.  You can read the full heart wrenching account by the OCP's Director John Lukas on the WCN website.

Please consider making a donation to the Okapi Conservation Project.  No amount is too small, they need all the help we can give them.

A Lesson in Stepping Back

Sandhill Crane portraits (L: Bosque del Apache, New Mexico R: Jensen Beach, Florida)

There is a natural progression to the life of a wildlife photographer.  When we start out we're just glad to have an animal in our frame.  As we grow we begin to watch the background, we change our angle, we get closer to our subject and then suddenly we discover the joy of a beautiful portrait.  It seems then that all we want are full frame portraits with stunning detail in the feathers and fur and soft, sweet backgrounds in beautiful golden hour light.  There is no doubt that an animal portrait when done right can make the viewer gasp in appreciation. 

Yet, how many portraits of the same animal do we really need?  What does a portrait tell us about that animal, it's environment or how it interacts with it's surroundings?  The next logical step is back. 

Sandhill Cranes waking from their night roost pre-dawn. Platte River, Nebraska

Sandhill Cranes take to the skies as the sun rises over the Platte River, Nebraska

Best of Green Readers Choice Awards

I arrived home from remote Midway Atoll to find out I've been nominated for a Readers Choice Award on TreeHugger.com - not only for Best Nature Photographer but also Best Conservation Project for the Ethiopian Wolf Project I am working on with Will Burrard-Lucas.  There are some amazing projects and photographers in the running and I'm honored to be included among them.

If you can spare a moment, please vote for me http://ow.ly/9Nqod Thank you!!