Black bear stare

This male black bear would take a dip in a pocosin canal to try to rid himself of horseflies. The 'bathing bear' was photographed at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in Columbia, NC

Barred owl morning

This barred owl was photographed at Mason Farm Biological Preserve in Chapel Hill, NC soon after sunrise.

Haw River eagle catch

On June morning, I stumbled across two bald eagles fishing from the mid-stream rocks just below the Haw River dam in Bynum, NC. It wakes great skill to fish from the rocks!

Black bear on the mating prowl

I photographed this black bear doing a 'John Wayne' walk to fend off a competing male. Soon after this photo, he mated with the nearby female. Alligator River NWR Columbia, NC

Ruby crowned kinglet

The ruby-crowned kinglet is a hyper little bird, quickly moving from branch to branch...this male pauses every so briefly for a photo. Chapel Hill, NC

Marsh rabbit

Fox kit in thicket

A female fox with 3 kits took up a brief residence behind my parent's house in Four Oaks, NC. This kit blends in very well with the surrounding thicket...making it difficult to spot.

Hawk eats hawk

This scene truly shocked me--a red-tailed hawk preying upon a red-shouldered hawk. Over the course of 4 hours, I watched this hawk completely defeather and devour its prey, paying no mind to the light rain which fell. Mason Farm Biological Preserve, Chapel Hill, NC

Mama barred owl

I photographed this female barred owl near her nesting cavity along the banks of Bolin Creek in Chapel Hill, NC

Fleadling barred owl and crayfish

The fledgling barred owl would call repeatedly in a high pitched for its parent to bring food. It was rewarded with a crayfish, which the youngster had a little difficulty figuring out how best to devour...but it did and then promptly began calling for more! Alligator River NWR, Columbia NC

Haw River eagle landing

A bald eagle comes in for a landing along the banks of the Haw River near Bynum, NC

Black bear snarle

A male black bear lets other males know his position during mating season. Alligator River NWR

Bald eagle with fish

This bald eagle caught a fish in the Haw River near Bynum, NC

Owlet

I took this photograph of a baby barred owl soon after it fledged from the nest. I though how big the world must appear seeing it for the first time! Bolin Creek, Chapel Hill, NC

Ruby throated hummingbird

A female ruby throated hummingbird. Hard to believe these tiny birds fly thousands of miles to and from North Carolina each year.

Great blue heron

A great blue heron catches a fish in the Haw River, North Carolina

Barred owl perch

I saw this barred owl on a very low branch early one morning. We starred into each other's eyes for a moment before she flew to a high branch for a daytime roost. Carolina North Forest, Carrboro, NC

Wet barred owl

I came upon this barred owl drying out after a heavy rain. Owl feathers are not waterproof, making it difficult to hunt when it rains. Bolin Creek, Chapel Hill, NC

Carolina Wren

This lovely little wren catches the morning sunlight just right.

Barred owl siblings

These young two barred owl fledgling wait for mom and dad to bring food. Alligator River NWR, Columbia, NC

Barred owl at sunset

This barred owl at Alligator River NWR Columbia NC is wet from catching crayfish in a pocosin canal near sunset.