A beautiful morning on the Forth and Clyde Canal... and only a mile from home!! 

For #AfricanTuesday , Kute Kids theme curated by  +Johan Swanepoel and +Morkel Erasmus
Spotted hyena cub
Masai Mara, Kenya

Spotted hyenas are organized into territorial clans of related individuals that defend their home ranges against intruding clans. The center of clan activity is the den, where the cubs are raised and individuals meet. The den is usually situated on high ground in the central part of the territory. Its above-ground entrances are connected to a series of underground tunnels. They are social animals that communicate with one other through specific calls, postures and signals. They quickly make their various intentions known to other members of the clan, or to outsiders. 
While hyenas are known as scavengers, they also possess great intelligence and skill on the hunt. One strategy is for a single hyena to cause confusion in the herd, while the others in the pack pick off an older or weaker member and chase the rest away.
Hyenas consume animals of various types and sizes (including domestic stock and even other hyenas), carrion, bones, vegetable matter and other animals' droppings. The powerful jaws and digestive tract of the hyena allow it to process and obtain nutrients from skin and bones. The only parts of prey not fully digested are hair, horns and hooves; these are regurgitated in the form of pellets. As hyenas hunt mostly at night and devour all parts, little evidence remains of their actual meals. Although they eat a lot of dry bones, they need little water.

#WholeWildlifeWeek  
#WildKenya  by +Guy Dekelver
 

Mom's Watchful Gaze

I managed to catch this at sunset a few hours ago.
The rain falling from the cloud which reached over the coast and out to sea, while I was on the edge of it witnessing the colourful sunset light reflecting off the falling rain.
One of natures subtle moments of beauty..
...and one of those moments when 16mm isn't quite wide enough (and no tripod to attempt a pano stitch).

"First Light Over Yellowstone"

I took this photo in February, when it was freezing cold outside. This was taken about 30 minutes before sunrise. (If you look closely, back behind the mountains in the lower left, you can see a slight glow beginning as the sun begins to rise.)
#yellowstone  

Man, Boy & Dog

#creative366project  
211/366 August 7th, 2012

#peopleandlife  +Serein Lee +Dani Andersen +Elena Konstantinova 

"Attitude"
African Lion Cub
Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Greater Kruger Park, South Africa

Thanks to everyone for contributing to our #AfricanTuesday  theme of _"Kute Kids_" yesterday. I had to assist in caring for my own new kute kid (and the older kuter kid) so I wasn't online much, so here's another kute kid to make up for it!

This is also to announce Wildlife Wednesday curated by myself and +Mike Spinak. Be sure to tag both of us in your wildlife photos and also add #WildlifeWednesday  in your post.

This young lion had plenty of attitude, just look at this menacing stance! The sandy riverbed ensured that no grass or other foliage came in the way to distract the view. Unfortunately, I learned later that this cub did not survive. Lion populations are under severe strain all over Africa. See www.causeanuproar.org for more details.

Photo taken with: Nikon D3s, Nikkor 200-400mm f4 VR

www.morkelerasmus.com

Submission for:
1. #plusphotoextract  curated by +Jarek Klimek
2. #wholewildlifeweek  
3. #simba  curated by +Uwe Skrzypczak 
4. #whateverwednesday  (+Whatever Wednesday!!!) by +Cicely Robin Laing 
5. #breakfastclub  (+Breakfast Club) by +Gemma Costa & +Andrea Martinez 
6. #hqsppromotion  (+HQSPPromotion) by +Tammy Boldt +Thierry Raemaekers +Mukundh B +Syuzanna Avetisyan +Rinus Bakker +Marina Versaci 
7. #nikonshooters  (+Nikon Shooters)

#lions   #PassionforAfrica   #krugernationalpark  +Kruger National Park +Kruger Park +Kruger Park Travel +Getaway Magazine +Africa Geographic +Safari 

Sunrise at Black Canyon of the Gunnison

In the past few weeks I've been to Great Sands National Park, the Bisti Badlands wilderness, White Sands National Monument, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Valley of Fire State Park, Grand Canyon National Park (Toroweap and the North Rim), Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park.

I also moved from Seattle to Denver (so now the Southwest is an easy 5-12 hour drive away!).

I haven't had much time to process new photos as a result, but here's one from Black Canyon of the Gunnison, an incredibly scenic area that receives relatively few photographers (it's only a 3 hour drive from Moab in western Colorado).

Tuscany

#landscapephotography   #landscape   #Italy   #Tuscany   #colourphotography  

Just a sunflower:-)