Portrait of four baby burrowing owls standing in the shade on a day when the temperature was over 106 degrees F. The owls have big yellow eyes and long legs.

Adorable burrowing owlet siblings seeking respite from the desert heat. 🪶🦉💕

#blueskybirds
#owls
#RockskipperPhotography

Female red fox patiently standing and nursing her 4 kits as well as a few more from another mom. Two of the kits are black and the others are various shades red fox.

#FoxyFriday - 🦊a nice distraction! This patient vixen was nursing her own four kits (about 8weeks old), and several from another mom. An ill advised neighbor across the road feeds them dog biscuits and hot dogs. 😢
#RedFoxes #wildlifephotography
#PacificNorthwes
#RockskipperPhotography
#NikonZ9

Tulip #scape - the beautiful Skagit Valley, WA tulip fields.

#tulips #fieldoftulips #landscapephotography #MagicSkagit #SkagitValleyTulipFestival #RockskipperPhotography #NikonZ9

Image of a polar bear sleeping on a rock with a receding glacier in the background.

Happy Earth Day! This image reminds me of the tragic loss of ice in the arctic and the species that are threatened, like this polar bear - who should be sleeping on ice, not rock😢.
#EarthDay #PolarBear #Svalbard #ArcticCircle #ClimateChange #NaturePhotography #RockskipperPhotography

This images shows a bright yellow tulip amongst a sea of magenta tulips.

Tulip Tuesday🌷
Tulip season is almost over for the season in Skagit Valley, WA. Enjoy this boost of colorful beauty - it lifts my spirits…

#TulipTuesday
#MagicSkagit #BloomScrolling #FlowersofBluesky #RockskipperPhotography

#Stunday beauty from the tulip fields of Skagit County, WA. The sweet Savannah Sparrows flit among the tulips singing the songs of love. 🪶🌷🐦‍⬛🎶

#SkagitValleyTulipFestival #SavannahSparrow #MagicSkagit #Tulips #BlueskyBirds #RockskipperPhotography #NikonZ9 #NikonPro

The image shows a large field of tulips with layers of color from brilliant red to red/white, to pink. A beautiful cloud formation overhead is lit by the setting sun, creating a dramatic image.

Dramatic clouds and tulips - what a wonderful combination! Images from Skagit Valley, Washington last week.

#flowersofbluesky #tulipfields #springvibes #dramaticskies #skagitvalleytulipfestival #skagitvalley #colorfulnature #landscapephotography #nikonZ #NikonPro #RockskipperPhotography

A green grassy field in the foreground with snow geese feeding on the ground and in flight, in front of some snow capped hills in the Skagit Valley region of Washington State.

The Skagit Valley, WA is a major stop in winter for migrating snow geese. I was lucky to find a field with thousands of birds this week -- simply amazing to watch and photograph! They will soon be heading N. 🪶

#SkagitValley #SkagitSnowGeese #SnowGeese #BlueSkyBirds #RockskipperPhotography #NikonUSA

A different composite of Blood Moon Total Eclipse March 13-14, 2025. Images are ~2min apart, clockwise from the bottom. Do you prefer the linear or circular composite?

#TotalLunarEclipse
#BloodMoonTotalEclipse #BloodMoon2025
#YakimaRiverCanyon
#astrophotography
#NikonPro
#RockskipperPhotography

For the Blood Moon Total Eclipse March 13-14, 2025, I sought out a location that had a good chance of clear skies for the entire eclipse, and decided on Ellensburg, WA. After a harrowing drive on Rt. 90 over the Snoqualmie Pass (heavy snow, ice, and accidents that closed the pass minutes after I got through), I arrived with little time to scout a location. Lucky for me, the hotel clerk suggested the nearby Yakima River Canyon - and I found a nice little secluded spot by the river and enjoyed the entire event to the sound of the river and coyotes yipping in the distance. It was magical! This is my initial attempt at a composite sequence, with individual images taken approximately 20 minutes apart.

Blood Moon Total Eclipse March 13-14, 2025, from the Yakima River Canyon near Ellensburg, WA.

#TotalLunarEclipse #LunarEclipse2025
#BloodMoonTotalEclipse #BloodMoon2025
#YakimaRiverCanyon #EllensburgWashington
#astrophotography #moonphotography
#NikonPro
#RockskipperPhotography

Pheasant flying at sunset - while waiting for owls. Such beautiful birds!🪶

#pheasant
#birdsofbluesky
#SkagitValley
#SamishFlats
#NikonZ9
#NikonPro
#RockskipperPhotography

Short eared owl perching on an overhead wire with the moon above. The owl is looking down at the camera with its beautiful yellow eyes.

Bird on a wire with moon at sunset. 🦉🪶🌙
#ShortEaredOwl
#birdsofbluesky
#SkagitValley
#NikonZ9
#RockskipperPhotography

Short eared owl in flight on her hunt for voles.

Enjoy another shot of my favorite Short Eared Owl on the wing!🦉🪶❤️
#ShortEaredOwl
#birdsofbluesky
#SkagitValley
#NikonZ9
#RockskipperPhotography

Image of a short eared owl with bright yellow eyes staring straight into the camera, and holding a vole in her beak.

Beautiful, fierce, short eared owl huntress with her breakfast vole. Bird photography = mental health break! 🪶
#ShortEaredOwl
#birdsofbluesky
#SkagitValley
#NikonZ9
#RockskipperPhotography

The Danse des Jongleurs (Dance of the Jugglers) performed by members of the Yacouba group in the Man region of Côte d’Ivoire was for me, very disquieting. The dance involves a man who throws little girls up into the air and then catches them, often while holding knives. The girls were maybe 5 or 6 years old, and did not appear at all happy to be a part of the spectacle. At times when the man would call them up, they literally dragged their feet and drooped their heads. The dance is said to highlight the strength, agility, and precision of the man, as well as the courage and trust of the young girls who participate. The male performers are often trained from a young age, and must possess strength, coordination, and confidence. The knives symbolize danger and the ability of master perilous situations, reinforcing the theme of bravery and control. This image shows one of the little girls in the air after having been tossed, with a man with knife pointed skyward ready to catch her.

The Dance of the Jugglers, performed in the Man region of Côte d’Ivoire was for me, very disquieting. Little girls are tossed into the air and caught by a man wielding knives.
#danceofthejugglers
#Côtedivoire #IvoryCoast
#WestAfrica
#VisualStoryTelling
#TravelPhotography
#RockskipperPhotography

Almost full “snow” moon rising over the Northern Cascades, Mt. Baker. #scape

#NorthernCascades #RisingMoon #MtBaker
#LandscapePhotography
#RockskipperPhotography

A gentoo penguin couple kissing on the beach. Half Moon Island, Antarctica.

In these tumultuous times, wishing everyone love on Valentine’s and Every Day - regardless of who or how you love!
#KissingGentooPenguins
#AntarcticPenguins
#LoveIsLove
#BirdsOfBluesky
#BirdPhotography
#NikonPro
#RockskipperPhotography

The Snow Full Moon rising over the North Cascades - from the San Juan Islands.
#SnowMoon
#FullMoonRising
#RockskipperPhotography
#NikonZ9

The two-ended, Janus-like Wambele masks are significant ceremonial masks of the Senufo people in northern Côte d’Ivoire, renowned for their intricate artistry and profound cultural and spiritual meanings. The masked performers act as intermediaries between the spiritual and physical worlds, channeling the protective energies of ancestral spirits. Wambele masks are typically wooden and carved and often feature stylized animal motifs, such as crocodiles, antelopes, or birds, which are associated with strength, wisdom, or spiritual power. Senufo artisans are highly respected for their skill in mask-making, and the creation of a Wambele mask is a spiritual act, requiring adherence to traditional methods and rituals.

Set in a typical forest setting, the Wambele Mask, worn by a Senufo man is red and black with teeth and snake motifs. The two-ended, Janus-like Wambele masks are significant ceremonial masks of the Senufo people in northern Côte d’Ivoire, renowned for their intricate artistry and profound cultural and spiritual meanings. The masked performers act as intermediaries between the spiritual and physical worlds, channeling the protective energies of ancestral spirits. Wambele masks are typically wooden and carved and often feature stylized animal motifs, such as crocodiles, antelopes, or birds, which are associated with strength, wisdom, or spiritual power. Senufo artisans are highly respected for their skill in mask-making, and the creation of a Wambele mask is a spiritual act, requiring adherence to traditional methods and rituals.

Wambele masks are ceremonial masks of the Senufo people in northern Côte d’Ivoire, renowned for their intricate artistry and profound cultural and spiritual meanings.
#WambeleMask
#Senufo
#CôteDIvoire
#IvoryCoast
#WestAfrica
#TribalPortraits
#TravelPhotography
#RockskipperPhotography
#NikonZ9

Two Dozo men in the forest. The Dozo are masters of the forest, using specialized hunting techniques to track and capture animals. They are also believed to possess mystical powers obtained through initiation rituals and spiritual discipline. They wear amulets, protective charms, and sacred tunics that are said to make them bulletproof or invisible to enemies.

Members of the Dozo brotherhood, traditional hunters in Côte d'Ivoire and West Africa, known for their exceptional hunting skills and also for their deep spiritual, medicinal, and warrior traditions.
#Dozo
#CotedIvoire #IvoryCoast
#TravelPhotography
#WestAfrica
#RockskipperPhotography
#NikonZ9

Zaouli Mask Dancer performing in front of the traditional drummers. The Zaouli dance is famous for its lightning-fast, intricate footwork, and reportedly takes 7 years of training. The dancer’s movements are fluid and perfectly synchronized with the rhythm of traditional drums, embodying the spirit world and showcasing incredible skill and stamina. No step is repeated more than once! The dance, inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017, symbolizes unity, joy, and the connection between the living and spirit worlds inspired by legends of the Guro people.

Another exciting photo experience in Côte d'Ivoire - the Zaouli Mask Dance. Mesmerizing lightning fast footwork sync'd to the rhythm of the drums embodies the spirit world and honors female beauty.
#RockskipperPhotography
#Cotedivoire #IvoryCoast
#ZaouliDance
#TravelPhotography
#NikonZ9
#NikonPro

Representing the strength, agility, and mysticism of the panther, and guided by the rhythm of drums, performers crouch low, leap, prowl, flip, and make sudden, dramatic movements, symbolizing the predator’s hunt and dominance. This image shows one of the dancers in front of the drummers.

Representing the strength, agility, and mysticism of the panther, and guided by the rhythm of drums, performers crouch low, leap, prowl, flip, and make sudden, dramatic movements, symbolizing the predator’s hunt and dominance. This images show a dancer doing a back flip to the beat of the drummers.

Representing the strength, agility, and mysticism of the panther, and guided by the rhythm of drums, performers crouch low, leap, prowl, flip, and make sudden, dramatic movements, symbolizing the predator’s hunt and dominance. This image shows a dancer after he's landed a flip, in front of the drummers.

It was wonderful to capture one of the most iconic dances in Côte d’Ivoire, the Panther Dance. Guided by the rhythm of drums, dancers crouch low, leap, prowl, flip, symbolizing the predator’s hunt and dominance.

#CotedIvoire
#TravelPhotography
#Photography
#NikonZ9
#RockskipperPhotography