The Indian Leopard has larger rosettes than other subspecies, with a paler coat in desert habitats, a greyer coat in colder climes, and a more ochre coat in rainforest habitats. Like other leopard subspecies, Indian Leopards are solitary predators that remain well camouflaged at night but come down from trees to hunt during the day.
Salivating Leopard
The short, thick-necked Western Cattle Egret spends most of its time in fields rather than streams. It forages at the feet of grazing cattle, bobbing its head with each step, or rides on their backs to pick at ticks. Originally from Africa, it reached North America in 1953 and quickly spread across the continent.
Western Cattle Egret
Photographed from afar with a phone camera, this American Black Bear is sitting and looking at you at Grandfather Mountain Zoo in North Carolina
American Black Bear Sitting
Here is a portrait of a racing horse looking at you at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
Racing Horse in a Barn
The Toco Toucan is the largest and most recognizable toucan species, famous for its massive, colorful orange-yellow bill. The toucan’s beak looks heavy but is actually light. It is hollow, made of the protein keratin with thin rods of bone for support, and is similar in consistency to a hard sponge.
Photographed this bird at Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck, North Carolina, which features an astonishing variety of birds from around the world.
Toco Toucan Sideways
Lemurs are generally the most social strepsirrhine primates, living in groups called troops.
This lemur in a cage was photographed at the Duke Lemur Center in Durham, North Carolina, which houses nearly 250 lemurs and bush babies across 12 species—the most diverse lemur population on Earth outside their native Madagascar.
Caged Lemur
A rhinoceros is a large, thick-skinned, hoofed mammal with one or two prominent horns on its snout. Rhino and rhinoceros are used interchangeably because “rhino” is the short, everyday nickname for the Rhinoceros family.
The white rhinoceros here, photographed at the North Carolina Zoo, is the largest living rhinoceros species and the second-largest land mammal after the elephant.
Rhino
A bird is actually a type of animal, as all birds belong to the biological kingdom Animalia. Thus, we will post pictures of birds in animal portraits.
Scarlet macaws have very vibrant plumage. Their coloring is suited to life in Central and South American rainforests, with their green canopies and colorful fruits and flowers. The birds boast large, powerful beaks that easily crack nuts and seeds, while their dry, scaly tongues have a bone inside them that makes them an effective tool for tapping into fruits.
Macaw
American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America and is the continent’s smallest and most widely distributed bear species.
Shot (not as well) this one at Grandfather Mountain Zoo, North Carolina.
American Black Bear
Giraffes are the tallest living land mammals on Earth, reaching heights up to 19 feet and native to the savannas and open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa.
While I have seen many in East Africa, this one is looking at you at the North Carolina Zoo.
Giraffe
The Cremello is a unique horse and may look similar to an albino, given its blue eyes, pink nose, and light coat. Many people characterize them as albinos because of their light-colored pelage. However, albino horses have no color at all and are pure white with a white mane, while Cremello horses are cream with a pink undertone. The Cremello horse is not a breed. It is simply the result of genetics.
This one was shot at Churchill Downs in Lexington, Kentucky.
Unique Eye of a Horse
Chimpanzees are great apes that live in Africa’s tropical rainforests, from Sudan and Tanzania in the East to Senegal and Angola in the West. Democratic Republic of the Congo has the largest population, although chimpanzees have become extinct in some areas.
Here is one shot of a chimpanzee sleeping at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro.
A baby elephant is called a calf. Here is one from Africa.
Baby Elephant Portrait
An African elephant posing to show off its tusks
Elephant Portrait
Photographers shoot portraits of people. Something unusual for us: converting images of animals into portraits.
My favorite animal is an elephant. The Eye of the Elephant is “part adventure story, part wildlife tale,” recounting the struggle to save these innocent animals from decimation, a journey to cultivate support around the globe for the protection of elephants
Eye of the Elephant
Well said about elephants ….
Odysseus by Chad Attie
Along the Watauga River at Grandfather Vineyard & Winery, we saw a dog enjoying the clear water and looking towards the photographer.
Dog in the River
Grandfather Vineyard and Winery produces a variety of wines in a relaxing setting beside the Watauga River near the base of Grandfather Mountain. Adirondack chairs line the Watauga River that runs alongside the property.
The vineyard grows Vitis vinifera grapes, which thrive on the terraced land with warm days and cool nights.
Wine by the River
Ready to be Picked
Mast Store
Mast Store Front
Bears are occasionally spotted on Sugar Mountain, even though they are most active at night. Here is a bear sculpture to remind us that bears are in the area.
Bear in the Mountains
A bench to view the scenic mountains near Sugar Mountain, North Carolina
Bench to View the Mountains