Stan Tekiela

In the natural world, I admire the rule-breakers – the species of plant or animal that just don’t fit into the pigeon holes that people dig for them. I like the species that go against the preconceived ideas that humans set forth. Recently, while working in my large perennial flower garden (which is in my front yard, not backyard), I found a large orchid plant. I know all the plants in my garden, so when I saw this orchid, it stopped me in my tracks because I hadn’t planted it.

One of the most important parts of any forest ecosystem is the mighty oak tree. It is often a huge sprawling tree with thick heavy branches, large dark green leaves, and a trunk covered with thick bark. There are approximately 500 species of oak in the Northern Hemisphere. They grow from the cold, temperate regions down to the tropical latitudes. They occur in Eurasia, North Africa, and North America.

Standing in the open high plains of eastern Wyoming where there are few trees to stop the wind, I faced a constant breeze. The vast open area is perfect habitat for a special canid called the swift fox (Vulpes velox), North America’s smallest native member of the dog family. It is a tiny fox, weighing between 3 and 7 pounds.

Every now and then, I see a bird that piques my interest. The other day, I was intently watching a pair of rose-breasted grosbeaks. I saw the male carrying some nesting material high up into an oak tree, but then I lost him in the thick tangle of leaves. Shortly after that, I saw the female grosbeak doing the same thing. Again, I lost sight of her in the leaves. I vowed to find the nest, not just the general location.

There is a group of birds that a lot of people find interesting yet at the same time, frustrating: warblers.
The New World warblers, sometimes called wood warblers, are a fascinating group of small, brightly-colored birds that spend much of their time in tree tops. The bright colors are why many people find them interesting to observe, but their tree-top habitat makes them challenging to see and identify.

I’ve been leading photo tours to capture images of common loons (Gavia immer) for more than 10 years. Each time I take a group of photographers out, it feels like a new, fun adventure.