Animals

My telephoto is my favorite lens for most wildlife. It allows me to zoom in for detail while maintaining a respectful distance from animals. My curiosity about and understanding of animal behavior has grown exponentially through observing a squirrel pulling up mushrooms and nibbling around their caps in the same way I might approach a peanut butter cup, a hawk taking down a pigeon then plucking it’s feather with its beak, or a sea otter wrapping itself in strands of seaweed to anchor itself as it sleeps.

I deliberately start my walks early in the morning whenever possible to improve my chances of spotting wildlife or free ranging domestic animals. I’m most successful when I walk alone because I’m quieter, more intent on my environment and less concerned about destination. I frequently end up revising a planned walk in favor of watching a California newt vigilantly guarding her eggs or marveling at a cavorting fluffle of cottontails.