Polar Bear
(Ursus maritimus)
The Svalbard Archipeligo, across the Barent Sea from the northern Norwegan coastline, affords very favorable habitat for polar bears. I photographed this sub-adult individual eating a Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus). The kill has attracted 2 Ivory Gulls (Pagophila eburnea).

Walrus
(Odobenus rosmarus)
Both sexes have tusks; approachable when hauled out as they have poor vision. These individuals were lounging on a pebble beach.

Gentoo Penguin
(Pygoscelis papua)
These penguins breed in relatively small colonies throughout the sub-Antarctic region. This family is in a newly established colony on South Georgia Island.

Rubythroated Hummingbird
(Archilochus colibri)
The only eastern U.S. breeding hummingbird species. I photographed this young male from a kitchen window at our home in Southern Pines, N.C.

Laysan Albatross
(Diomedea immutabilis)
These birds are soaring on the favorable winds of the "Rusty Bucket", a seaside landmark on Sand Island, Midway Atoll. The dark line across the top of the scene is the coral atoll.

Purple Pitcher Plant
(Sarracenia purpurea)
Growing in my backyard! Insects are attracted to pitcher plants by odor, and once inside the urn-shaped portion (usually water-filled) are unable to crawl out past the inward angle of the hairs lining the orifice. The protein portions of the insects are absorbed by the plant.

Thick-billed Murres
(Uria lomvia)
This large breeding colony is located at Alkefjellet, on the northeastern shore of the Lomford Peninsula, Svalbard. One of our Zodiacs is cruising up close to the base of the cliffs.

Canada Thistle
Photographed on Bluff Mountain, Ashe County, NC. This site is owned by The Nature Conservancy.

Great Smoky Mountain
Nat'l Park Stream
After a hard rain in mid April in the North Carolina mountains, hillside runoff resembles a permanently flowing mountain stream.