We don't have to go deep into the woods to see undomesticated animals all around us. We just have to look closer at our surroundings.
A paddleboarder makes her way across the Colorado River as Mexican Free-tailed Bats head out for their evening feeding. (Austin, TX)
A manatee comes up for a breath. (Fort De Soto State Park, FL)
Turtle smooch. (Bradenton, FL)
A River Otter sleuths through water lilies and swamp grass in search of a meal. (Bradenton, FL)
A River Otter takes in the scenery. (Bradenton, FL)
A Ghost Crab, carrying another Ghost Crab, startles a Laughing Gull that had been chasing it by charging the bird. (Lido Beach, FL)
A Florida Softshell Turtle pops up for a look around the pond. (Bradenton, FL)
Sibling armadillos forage for a meal. (Bradenton, FL)
A pair of River Otters hit the water. (Bradenton, FL)
A River Otter tête-à-tête. (Bradenton, FL)
A Brown Anole shows off. (Bradenton, FL)
A little tiny fry goes over the top of another breaching baby fish. (Bradenton, FL)
A River Otter munches on a crawfish. (Bradenton, FL)
An American Alligator enjoys some float therapy. (Myakka River State Park, FL)
Toadally chill Gray Tree Frog. (Alexandria, VA)
Someone ate every bud off my camellia bush just before they were about to open up! This guy has been showing up in my neighbor’s yard two steps over the fence from the bush. Hmmm… (Springfield, VA)
First rate romance, low rent rendezvous, beaver style. While dawn still cast its long shadows across the pond, they came together. First nose to nose, then cheek to cheek. While cheek to cheek they execute a slow, 720 degree spin, reminiscent of the June Taylor Dancers. Then, as suddenly and awkwardly as it began, they drifted apart and swam off separately, leaving nothing behind but a lone witness to wonder aloud, “Wtf?!” Yes friends, the mysteries of beaver love are confounding. (Alexandria, VA)
A Ribbon Snake climbs through a wild raspberry bush. (Alexandria, VA)
Not really a friend of mine, just another bullfrog. (Alexandria, VA)
Muskrat dining. (Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, MD)
Common Water Snakes intertwine as they swim, frolic, and chase minnows in a very small pond. (Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, MD)
A minnow jumps over the head of a Common Water Snake that is in hot pursuit. (Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, MD)
Odd little beaver--Beavering throughout the day--I’m glad I’m not you. (Alexandria, VA)
Wild ponies graze around the marshes of Assateague Island. (Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, VA)
A female Sika Deer grazes on small leaves and grass shoots. Sika are actually small elk (this adult female probably weighs between 60-70 lbs). Native to Japan and other Asian countries, the Sika is an invasive species that was brought into several states early in the 20th century. (Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, VA)
Was it Journey that sang, “Don’t stop...beav-er-ing”,? Yeah, sure, it’s a muskrat, but, I mean, really. Look at the thing. Sooo beavery. (Alexandria, VA)
A young Red Fox comes to visit in my backyard. (Springfield, VA)
Two sibling kit Red Foxes spar playfully. (Springfield, VA)
Southeastern Crowned Snake (Springfield, VA)
Red Fox relaxing in the grass. (Springfield, VA)
An American Bullfrog giving zero effs. (Alexandria, VA)
Common Snapping Turtle (Alexandria, VA)
An Eastern Rat Snake lounges on a tree branch. (Nokesville, VA)
The skeletal remains of a former Red Fox. (Springfield, VA)
Alert White Tail Deer. (Springfield, VA)
A young Gray Tree Frog resting on a leaf. (Springfield, VA)
A Common Snapping Turtle bellies up to the salad bar. (Alexandria, VA)
A (Garter) Snake in the grass. (Springfield, VA)
A Red Fox kit learns from its mother, out of the photo, how to hunt birds. The mother was unsuccessful on this lesson. (Springfield, VA)
A White Tail Deer fawn forages in the marsh. (Alexandria, VA)
A young Five-lined Skink shows off a budding new tail
A baby Common Snapping Turtle is either very amazed or very tired. (Alexandria, VA)
A Northern Fence Lizard works on getting a wood chip unstuck from its mouth. (Lost River State Park, WV)
A beaver beavering... (Alexandria, VA)
Third rate romance, low rent rendezvous, Common Snapping Turtle style. (Alexandria, VA)
Check out the little spikes on the doe that's nursing a fawn. (Lost River State Park, WV)
...still beavering... (Alexandria, VA)
A Red Box Turtle is...red. (Springfield, VA)
