Lens Artists Photo Challenge #342 – Going Wild

Let’s take a walk on the wild side with Egidio’s challenge “Going Wild”. I love being in wilderness areas and photographing the landscapes, wildlife, wildflowers, and birds I see there. For this challenge I chose images from my three favorite wilderness areas.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is closer to my home than any of my other favorite wilderness areas. We have been there many times and always enjoy the wildlife and birds we see there. The butterflies on wild thistle in the header image was taken in the Okefenokee.

Young alligator in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Great Egret in the Okefenokee Swamp

Everglades National Park, Florida

We have visited Everglades National Park in Florida many times through the years. There are several entrances to the park with Flamingo being the most remote area. The Everglades is a bird lovers dream with many varieties all throughout the park. No matter where you go in the Everglades you are likely to see alligators.

Egrets and Spoonbills gathering in a pond near the Flamingo Campground in Everglades National Park
This alligator ignores the human invaders of his territory at Shark Valley in Everglades National Park

Denali National Park, Alaska

Denali National Park is the most remote wilderness area I have ever visited. I loved the feeling of being miles away from civilization while we were there. The scenery is breathtaking and the wildlife abundant. Most of the wildlife we saw was too far away for a good photo even with my telephoto lens.

Polychrome Overlook, Denali National Park, Alaska
Moose in the Denali Wilderness

Celebrating 12 Years of Wandering Dawgs

I started the Wandering Dawgs blog in March, 2013 as a way to document our 4 month RV journey from Georgia to Alaska and back. In the beginning, the only people who read my posts were friends and family. Today, I have blogging friends from all around the world! I recently celebrated the 12th anniversary of Wandering Dawgs! Many thanks to everyone who reads my posts and leaves me comments.

Many thanks to Egidio for this challenge Lens-Artists #341 – It’s a Wild Life

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #340- Portraits

Ritva’s challenge is Portraits. She says “Whether you choose to ask a stranger, do a self-portrait, take the portrait of a friend, family member, or acquaintance, or photograph animals and birds, the goal is to connect with another person or subject and tell their story through your image.”

I enjoy nature and wildlife photography and am not comfortable asking strangers if I can take their picture. I didn’t have to ask this young man to pose for a portrait. I was holding up my phone taking pictures of a Junkanoo Band from the Bahamas performing as part of a St. Patrick’s weekend celebration when he walked over to me and posed. He liked having his picture made!

I’m much more comfortable capturing bird and other animal portraits.

This bear and the female elk seemed to pose for me.

I will end with my favorite portrait of Blondie, our beloved Yellow Lab who was part of our lives for many years. She’s been gone since 2017. I still miss her every day.

Many thanks to Ritva for this challenge Lens-Artists #340 – Portraits

Rosy Red Roseate Spoonbills

The color rosy red makes me think of Roseate Spoonbills. A few years ago I captured these beauties when we visited the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Wading Bird Rookery. During nesting season wading birds come to nest in the trees there. These nesting birds are wild and can come and go as they please.

Shared Terri’s Sunday Stills color challenge Rosy Reds

Winter Birds in Coastal Georgia

Feeding and watching the birds is a favorite pastime of mine. I have many bird pictures in my archives but I chose a few recent ones for Terri’s Sunday Stills challenge.

Great Egret
House Sparrow at the feeder

Northern Cardinal

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Snowy Egret, Cormorant, and Seagull

Many thanks to Terri for her Sunday Stills challenge Feeding and watching the birds

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #330 – Favorite Images of 2024

All of the Lens-Artists hosts once again have challenged us to show our favorite images of 2024.

My Favorite Flowers

My header image of Dogwood blooms in the spring is one of my favorites from last year. The camellias brought bright color to my winter garden last year. This one was blooming in January.

My Favorite People Image

These two cooks were working hard grilling lobsters on the Viking Sea during our February West Indies cruise. I love the smile on the face of the cook in the middle.The lobsters were as delicious as they look.

My Favorite Bird image

While at the Savannah Scottish Games we stopped to see a presentation of Birds of Prey from the Oatland Island Wildlife Center. Wassaw, a rescued American Bald Eagle, seemed to pose for me.

My Favorite Wildlife Image

This iguana ignored the people in their beach chairs on the beach at our hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

My Favorite Sunrise and Sunset

I watched some beautiful sunrises and sunsets last year. This sunrise in coastal Georgia and sunset on our West Indies cruise are my favorites.

My Favorite Landscape Image

The famous Pitons in St. Lucia are a beautiful sight to see from the water.

Two Random Favorites

The Tybee Island Lighthouse went through a major renovation last year. Even though the old paint had been removed the lighthouse proudly flew the American Flag on Memorial Day.

I loved the yellow umbrellas on the beach in Tortola.

Many thanks to all of our Lens-Artists hosts for this challenge and for all the challenges from 2024. I’m looking forward to seeing what we are challenged with in 2025.

JohnBo Journeys with JohnBo Lens-Artists #330 – Favorites of 2024

Tina Travels and Trifles Lens-Artists #330 – Favorite Images of 2024

Egidio Through Brazilian Eyes Lens-Artists #330 – Favorite Photos of 2024

Ritva Ritva Silllanmaki Photography Lens-Artists #330 – Favorite images of 2024

Sofia Photographias Lens-Artists #330 – Favorite Images of 2024

Ann-Christine Leya Lens-Artists #330 – Favorite images of 2024

Anne Slow Shutter Speed Lens-Artists #330 Favorite Images of 2024

Patti Pilot Fish Blog Lens-Artists #330 – Favorites Images of 2024