American natural
189 creative works found
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Canon 20D – 17-40mm L – 17mm – 1s – f/11 Antelope Canyon is the most-visited and most-photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest. It is located on Navajo land near Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyon formed over the course of millions of years by erosion of the Navajo Sandstone, primarily due to flash flooding and secondarily due to wind erosion. Rainwater (especially during monsoon season) runs into the wash that Antelope Canyon is part of, picking up speed and sand as it rushes through the narrow passageways. Over time the passageways are eroded away, making the corridors wider and smoothing hard edges in such a way as to form characteristic ‘flowing’ shapes in the rock. Upper Antelope Canyon, called Tse bighanilini, “the place where water runs through rocks” by the Navajo, is the most frequently visited by tourists, due to two considerations. First, its entrance and entire length are at ground level, requiring no climbing. Second, beams (shafts of direct sunlight radiating down from openings in the top of the canyon) are much more common in Upper than in Lower. Beams occur most often in the summer months, as they require the sun to be high in the sky. / In the same series: / / /
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Wild American kestrel (Falco sparverius) in flight, stooping from left to right (Taken at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, 5 miles southwest of Columbia, Missouri). Perhaps the most colorful raptor in the world, the American Kestrel is the most common falcon in North America. It is found from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, and in towns as well as wild lands. Identifying marks inlcude small size, rufous back and tail, and two dark mustache marks on face. Male has blue-gray wings and a lightly spotted chest and belly. The larger female has rufous wings barred with black, and streaking on the chest. This particular bird is a female. Their call is a loud series of “klee-klee-klee” notes when excited. As with many other raptors in North America, their population n umbers dramatically declined in the 1950’s and 1960’s, but have increased greatly in recent decades with increasing deforestation of North America. They are aslo commonly called Sparrow hawk. Although hover-hunting is conspicuous, this foraging method actually is used rather infrequently. It is used most often when suitable perches are not available, or when winds are strong enough to create updrafts favorable to hovering. In winter in many southern parts of the range, female and male American Kestrels use different habitats. The female uses the preferred more open habitat, and the male uses areas with more trees. This situation appears to be the result of the females migrating south first and establishing winter territories. The males then are forced into the less preferred areas. Nestling kestrels back up, raise their tails, and squirt feces onto the walls of the nest cavity. The feces dry on the cavity walls and stay off the nestlings. The nest gets to be a smelly place, with feces on the walls and uneaten parts of small animals on the floor. Source used to construct this page: Smallwood, J. A., and D. M. Bird. 2002. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). In The Birds of North America, No. 602 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. MORE INFO ON Am. Kestrel HERE 100% of all proceeds from sales of this image will go to the HawkWatch International DONATE ONLINE
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Sun Beam entering Upper Antelope Canyon, Arizona, USA. Antelope Canyon is the most-visited and most-photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest. It is located on Navajo land near Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyon formed over the course of millions of years by erosion of the Navajo Sandstone, primarily due to flash flooding and secondarily due to wind erosion. Rainwater (especially during monsoon season) runs into the wash that Antelope Canyon is part of, picking up speed and sand as it rushes through the narrow passageways. Over time the passageways are eroded away, making the corridors wider and smoothing hard edges in such a way as to form characteristic ‘flowing’ shapes in the rock. Upper Antelope Canyon, called Tse bighanilini, “the place where water runs through rocks” by the Navajo, is the most frequently visited by tourists, due to two considerations. First, its entrance and entire length are at ground level, requiring no climbing. Second, beams (shafts of direct sunlight radiating down from openings in the top of the canyon) are much more common in Upper than in Lower. Beams occur most often in the summer months, as they require the sun to be high in the sky. / In the same series: / / /
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Also available in Sepia.
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My second close-up of a bird,an american Kestrel. /
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Watercolor on board, sold. / This painting was inspired by a medicine story from the Crow Nation. The story is about an actual event that taught the People about the importance of love, devotion, sacrifice, bravery and unity. A couple wanted to spend some time alone and as was customary, chose to go on an extended trip far from the band’s summer camp. Individuals often broke off from the band and traveled alone or in small groups to visit relatives, trade, gather plants for food and medicine, and hunting. Distances were vast, so they might be away significant amounts of time. By adolescence, most had knowledge of the band’s basic migration pattern and destinations. The general areas would be located using topographical landmarks, stars, weather and plant life. When a band moved on it wasn’t difficult for members to predict their direction. In this story, time passed and summer turned to fall. There was an early snowstorm and winter set in early. There was deep snow followed by a prolonged period of harsh cold. When mid-spring arrived the band initiated the annual trek to intercept the annual bison migration and replenish stores. Summer returned once again and by then it was obvious the pair had disappeared without a trace, as none of the other bands they encountered had met with the missing couple, nor had bodies been found. With the passage of time their families assumed the worst and mourned them for dead. Many years later the band came to a remote place in search of game, an area they rarely hunted in. There was evidence of abundant game, sweet springs and running waters, protection from the elements and hostile eyes. They decided to stay awhile and as women set about erecting lodges, children spread out to explore the area. Eventually some boys discovered the partially collapsed frame of a lodge, the once white hides that covered it now hanging in tatters. Looking at the cooking pot still sitting upon a long – cold fire circle and deteriorated satchels, they knew this was a hunter’s camp from which residents departed quickly. Inspecting the area they found nearby two weathered corpses, practically skeletons, curled in fetal positions and embracing one another. The garments were discolored and disintegrating, damaged by sun, rain, and melting snow of many seasons. Nature was reclaiming the area and absorbing the bodies back into her self, they were almost hidden by foliage. Nearby was the disintergrated form of a large grizzly and within the rib cage a hunter’s blade. The children called their elders, who knew after Inspecting the weapons and bits of jewelry that here were was the pair who’d gone missing so long ago. The bones were buried on the spot, embracing as they’d been found, and in the same place was buried the bear’s body. Periodically the people returned this way, and each time shared the history with the new generations. A seedling had sprouted over the grave, and eventually grew into a massive oak, two trunks issuing from a single, wide trunk. This tree stood for many decades and may still be there today. It was believed the oak held the spirits of the lovers and the bear.
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Watercolor, original available. / Turtles are important totems in both Native American and old Celtic traditions, symblizing wisdom, health, a good old age, women, fertility, maturity, discretion, and power. An Afghan friend’s mother told me that in her home village pregnant and nursing women sometimes ate a turtle heart for strength, and in Asia turtles are symbols of longevity. One day in early spring I was driving home and spotted an oddly shaped mound of weeds and mud piled in the middle of the street. As I approached the mound materialized into a giant snapping turtle with a mound of dripping silt and newly sprouted weeds upon its shell. The creature must have awakened from hibernation in the nearby riverbank and was migrating to a nearby retention pond. This is a high traffic area so I got out of my car and tried to help her cross, but the turtle leaned back on her left side, turned to gaze up into my eyes…and hissed. She easily measured the distance from my elbow to fingertip, with claws and eyes large and yellow, matching the dandelions on her shell. I followed at a respectful distance, holding cars at bay until the she reached the opposite curb safely. As she clambered up and over the curb, she paused to look at me once more, right in the eye. Her gaze was steadily and a bit weary as if to say “Oh. You’re STILL here?” She just stared at me, and I stared back. This went on for a moment or so, then without further ado she turned and continued on, toward the pond. Ive heard that turtles who migrate in my area are male, but this one had the air of a stately matriarch. I went home and painted, wanting to honor her beauty and strength before the memory and desire faded. That’s why the details may not be accurate, I painted what impressed me most, and the imagery as it appeared when focusing on recollection and experience only. In older traditions turtle carries the earth upon on her shell, just as she’d carried the dripping burden of river mud and plants earlier that day. If I were this turtle, here is the power song I’d sing: / / “A turtle mother, this big heart of mine is enduring, this heart is wise, this heart is strong, this heart is a drum. This old heart sounds a tattoo in harmony with the ancient heart of Earth herself. My ear close to the ground, I listen to our two hearts beating in tandem; ancient land, ancient turtle. I fulfill my purpose within the great hoop of season, tide, sun, moon and stars. I hear much, and say little. I live in a quiet manner, a sacred manner, a patient manner; I live in a dignified manner, my heart close to Earth.” Text copyright Helena Nelson – Reed. Please do not reproduce without permission.
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American kestrel (Falco sparverius) Taken at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Zoo located just outside Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. Taken in 2006. Perhaps the most colorful raptor in the world, the American Kestrel is the most common falcon in North America. It is found from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, and in towns as well as wild lands. Identifying marks inlcude small size, rufous back and tail, and two dark mustache marks on face. Male has blue-gray wings and a lightly spotted chest and belly. The larger female has rufous wings barred with black, and streaking on the chest. This particular bird is a female. Their call is a loud series of “klee-klee-klee” notes when excited. As with many other raptors in North America, their population n umbers dramatically declined in the 1950’s and 1960’s, but have increased greatly in recent decades with increasing deforestation of North America. They are aslo commonly called Sparrow hawk. Although hover-hunting is conspicuous, this foraging method actually is used rather infrequently. It is used most often when suitable perches are not available, or when winds are strong enough to create updrafts favorable to hovering. In winter in many southern parts of the range, female and male American Kestrels use different habitats. The female uses the preferred more open habitat, and the male uses areas with more trees. This situation appears to be the result of the females migrating south first and establishing winter territories. The males then are forced into the less preferred areas. Nestling kestrels back up, raise their tails, and squirt feces onto the walls of the nest cavity. The feces dry on the cavity walls and stay off the nestlings. The nest gets to be a smelly place, with feces on the walls and uneaten parts of small animals on the floor. Source used to construct this page: Smallwood, J. A., and D. M. Bird. 2002. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). In The Birds of North America, No. 602 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. MORE INFO ON Am. Kestrel HERE 100% of all proceeds from sales of this image will go to the HawkWatch International DONATE ONLINE
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9×12 Watercolor enhanced colored pencil. Original unavailable. / The American Paint Horse Association registers the offspring of horses with Paint, Quarter Horse, and Thoroughbred registration papers. Pintos and Paints are descendants of the Spanish horses brought to America in the 16th century. Until the 18th and 19 centuries, a part-colored strain was evident in Europe, in horses derived from Spanish blood. The name “Pinto” comes from the Spanish word “pintado”, meaning “painted”, and in the vernacular of the western cowboy this became Paint. Complete 2006
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On the eve of my 55th birthday, I am thinking about the world we live in…how it is….how it can be…. Our Native American Ancestors had a code for living….one that feels in balance to me….this was their way: ‘Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect. Remain close to the Great Spirit. Show great respect for your fellow beings. Work together for the benefit of all Mankind. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed. Do what you know to be right. Look after the well being of mind and body. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good. Be truthful and honest at all times. Take full responsibility for your actions.’ Seems to me this is a pathway to a peaceful existence….and that peace is my vision for this planet….for all of us. And so it is.
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A captive Bald Eagle from Bald Eagle Days in Rock Island, IL. The Eagle was from a bird center in St. Louis, MO. “A believer is a bird in a cage, a freethinker is an eagle parting the clouds with tireless wing”Robert Green Ingersoll Quote —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Picture / Make: SONY / Model: DSC-H2 / Date Picture Taken: Jan 12, 2008, 2:44:01 PM / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—— / All photographs and artworks in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Cassie Peters. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from myself is prohibited. All rights reserved —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—
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American mountain lion (Puma concolor). captive
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This is an original photograph of a swiss chard leaf taken in macro at a public garden in Morristown, New Jersey.
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Brown bear aka Grizzly bear (Ursus horribilis), captive zoo animal, digitally accented Wilderness lost The victims of human beings come in all shapes and sizes, from the largest to the small. Gone are the days of grizzlies roaming the prairies of North America for roots and wolf pack leftovers. Everything associated with the prairies is turned to dust, blown to the corners of the globe. One has to travel far to seek out the last truly wild places, those nooks of nature that only the sun and clouds visit with regularity. Someday they too will be but a destination on someone’s itinerary. The wandering, restless soul keeps wild places in their hearts, and when they venture forth into the wood they feel the ripples of time and days gone by flowing like the unstoppable river throughout the hollow skeleton of what once was a place of mystery and passion. The great bears have been pushed to the limit, needing protection even in their remaining strongholds, where man is still a visitor. Golden aspens and billowing birch trees, where the sky is the only rooftop and every direction provides a window. We seek so much to regain the things we destroy, in nature and in love, so why should we weep at the humbleness and sad truth of a mighty creature napping in a concrete jungle? Because one glimpse into its eyes reveals the genes forged from rivers and floods, mountains and valleys, winters of endless desolation and summers of famine and frivolity with cubs. Wilderness was a catch phrase, now it is but a ghost, and time marches on leaving the ramshackled remnants of a once great species. Mighty bear, the hunter, the spirit, symbol of what was and still should be American Wilderness. He, the gentile beast, should spend lazy days napping and berry picking and sratching in thickets of tender alders, pondering as only a wild bear ponders the cottonwood seeds. And yet this is not the way the story goes, this bear goes by the name of Bruce. “The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders.” / -Edward Abbey /
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Monument Valley – Arizona / Tobacco filter. Exposure. Saturation. All images© Copyright by Benjamin Charles Mitchell / They may not be used in any way without written consent.
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‘Akita mani yo’—These Lakota words touch my spirit….as we walk through this world, how much there is to observe…..tiny, beautiful forms of life right there in our path…...to see, to honor and to appreciate as an expression of the Divine in our world…. This beautiful little mushroom was peeking up from the grasses of Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado….pointed out to me by my observant friend, Shilohlin, as we walked together in nature. /
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I bring herein the wisdom of the Native Americans: / / “Humankind has not woven the web of life / We are but one thread within it / What ever we do to the web / We do to ourselves / All things are bound together / All things connect“ / / —Chief Seattle / / / My pretty Pony friend embellishes the precious meaning of the words. / / / ============================================================= / All proceeds from the sale of this piece of artwork and the rest of my equine photography in all my galleries will be donated in equal ways to the following equine charities: / / Equus Sanctuary Dedicated to saving the equine family and enriching their lives. / / Shiloh Horse Rescue Dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abused, neglected, injured, unwanted, and slaughter-bound horses of all types. / / Redwings Horse Sanctuary Care for and protect horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in dire need. / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- Carmen, creator of Art for Conservation / / /
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This tipi was made 10 years ago. It is still standing today. This is how some Native people of North America use to shelter themselves… I just love the traditional way… I find it beautiful.
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So this Eagle and his cute self, had just finished taking a bath, then he jumped out, fluffed his feathers to dry off…how cute is that to see!!!
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A mother American robin feeds a holly berry to her hungry little nestlings.
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Fallen Roof, Near the San Juan – Utah. / Tone Curve. All images© Copyright by Benjamin Charles Mitchell / They may not be used in any way without written consent.
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A Morning In The American West Every now and then you get a shot that just needs very little in the way of post processing. This is one of those shots. Captured in morning light looking west towards Red Rocks State Park outside Denver, Colorado…I had to get this along with a few others. Those are upcoming sometime. The light really communicated the overall mood and atmosphere, the color so vivid and alive…yes quite cool overtones with that blue and white, but visually….perfect scene! Minolta 5D| Minolta 18-200 DT Lens| Singh-Ray Circular Polarizer| Hoya UV Check out those clouds in the sky on the left by the hillside…almost like ribbons…I didn’t notice this ‘til after I developed the RAW file.
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