Marty Essen's Blog, page 277

Animals A to Z. The Letter F

Marty’s photo of the day #2617: It’s “Animals A thru Z Month.” Each day in August, I will post an animal I’ve photographed—somewhere in the world—in alphabetical order.

F is for Fox. I photographed this red fox in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Deb and I were canoeing toward the Arctic Ocean when we spotted this fox far in the distance. We watched with binoculars, as she zigzagged across the tundra, hunting for rodents. She was headed our way—getting closer and closer. Didn’t she see us? Soon she was right in front of us. We froze as she loped by, cut across a shallow channel, and disappeared over a hill. At no time did she acknowledge our presence.

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Nobody expects the Religious Liberty Task Force!

Last night, Martyman was just relaxing with a drink, reading his favorite book, when Jeff Sessions and the Republican Jesus burst through the door and put an end to the sinful debauchery.

Nobody expects the Religious Liberty Task Force!

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Animals A to Z. The Letter E

Marty’s photo of the day #2616: It’s “Animals A thru Z Month.” Each day in August, I will post an animal I’ve photographed—somewhere in the world—in alphabetical order.

E is for Elephant. Did you know that elephants can’t climb? I was in Zimbabwe, standing atop a high riverbank, when a herd of elephants passed below me on the dry riverbed. While using a hand-held camera to photograph the herd, I accidentally knocked over my tripod. The elephant in this photo charged me, but couldn’t climb up the riverbank to reach me—making for a very dramatic photograph.

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Animals A to Z. The Letter D

Marty’s photo of the day #2615: It’s “Animals A thru Z Month.” Each day in August, I will post an animal I’ve photographed—somewhere in the world—in alphabetical order.

D is for Dragonfly. Borneo has one of the most exotic, under-explored rainforests in the world. There are so many creatures there that have evolved differently than creatures elsewhere. Some look like they came from another planet. If dragonflies weren’t common sights in the United States, you’d think you were looking at one of those creatures from another planet now. So even though I photographed this dragonfly in Borneo, it looks just like the dragonflies that buzz past my house in Montana.

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Did someone expect the Religious Liberty Task Force?

“Dad! Dad! The Republican Jesus is here, representing the Religious Liberty Task Force. He claims that the Happy Hunting Grounds don’t exist, and that if I don’t believe exactly as he does I will be thrown into a kennel and burn in hell. Can I eat him?”

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Animals A to Z. The Letter C

Marty’s photo of the day #2614: It’s “Animals A thru Z Month.” Each day in August, I will post an animal I’ve photographed—somewhere in the world—in alphabetical order.

C is for Cape Buffalo. What is the most dangerous animal in the African bush? Some people say lions, but nature guides say Cape buffalo. As one guide told me, “When lions charge, they’re usually bluffing. Cape buffalo, on the other hand, will run right over you. Buffalo, and to a lesser extent elephants, are the most dangerous animals we’ll encounter.”

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Animals A to Z. The Letter B

Marty’s photo of the day #2613: It’s “Animals A thru Z Month.” Each day in August, I will post an animal I’ve photographed—somewhere in the world—in alphabetical order.

B is for Boyd’s Forest Dragon. If Boyd’s forest dragons could sing, every punk rock band would want one for its lead singer. I photographed this lizard in northeastern Queensland. In fact, that’s the only place in the world you can find these stunning creatures. From tail to snout, they reach 18 inches in length.

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Animals A to Z. The Letter A

Marty’s photo of the day #2612: It’s “Animals A thru Z Month.” Each day in August, I will post an animal I’ve photographed—somewhere in the world—in alphabetical order. The name of every animal must start with the letter, and no letters will be skipped. Yes, I have photographed an animal with a name that begins with an X and all of the other tough letters.

A is for American Crocodile. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), American crocodiles are a “vulnerable species.” I photographed this beauty on the Turneffe Islands of Belize, where the species still has a stronghold.

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Animals A to Z!

Marty’s photo of the day #2612: It’s “Animals A thru Z Month.” Each day in August, I will post an animal I’ve photographed—somewhere in the world—in alphabetical order. The name of every animal must start with the letter, and no letters will be skipped. Yes, I have photographed an animal with a name that begins with an X and all of the other tough letters.

A is for American Crocodile. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), American crocodiles are a “vulnerable species.” I photographed this beauty on the Turneffe Islands of Belize, where the species still has a stronghold.

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Sunset in France

Marty’s photo of the day #2611: Sunset in Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, located in Southern France.

 

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