Lens-Artist Photo Challenge: Wildlife Close to Home

I have been extremely fortunate to live in places where wildlife habitat was nearby and protected. For four years, I lived on land trust property, 56 acres of preserved land. Now I live on property that is on a forested mountain ridge; a creek runs down the valley. Black bears, mountain lions, wild turkeys, elk, deer, bobcats, skunks, raccoons, opossums, moles, rabbits, owls, bald eagles, and various other rodents and birds as well as a host of others make their homes here. I rarely catch them on camera, though, as the more exotic ones prefer to stay hidden and the common ones don’t compel me to run and get my camera. I admire wildlife photographers who have the patience to set up and wait for an encounter. I also imagine a zoom lens would make it more rewarding to try to photograph wildlife when I venture out.

That said, here’s a gallery of wildlife found living close to my homes in Wisconsin and Oregon:

Thanks to Anne Sandler for hosting this week’s challenge.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: A Special Place

My special spot is a parcel of land measuring about 56 acres, including woodland, wetland, and prairie habitats. I rented a house here from my employer, the Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation. During my stay, it was opened to the public as the Joan M. Pick Nature Preserve. 

I was extremely fortunate to have called this place my home for nearly four years. I have missed its many facets and familiar charms…but not the super cold winters! Here is a gallery of photos that I’ve taken of this property. 

Special thanks to our guest host for this week’s challenge, who shares delightful photos of Ireland (click here for Murtagh’s Meadow), and — full disclosure: this is a repost of a challenge from 2020 because…reasons.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Special Spot Shots

This week, Ann-Christine gives us a tour of Diocletian’s Palace in Croatia and invites us to share our own Special Spot Shots. 

My special spot is not an exotic location far away. What makes it special is that I wake up to it every day, in every season, in all kinds of weather. It is a parcel of land measuring about 56 acres, including woodland, wetland, and prairie habitats. I rent a house here from my employer, the Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation. Recently, it was opened to the public as the Joan M. Pick Nature Preserve. 

I have been extremely fortunate to have called this place my home for 3 years. I am planning to leave in another 6 months, and I know that I will miss its many facets and familiar charms. Here is a gallery of photos that I’ve taken of this property.