Peak Reflections Photography

by Phil Johnsey

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  1. Animals

Wildlife

I enjoy animals so seeing them in their natural habitat is quite fun. Course, hearing the ticking of a rattlesnake that you didn't see is quite scary. Being out in nature is quite rewarding, but requires some caution as well.
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  • I spotted this iguana while walking into a small town in Costa Rica. As you can see, this is no little iguana and wasn't afraid of my presence.

    I spotted this iguana while walking into a small town in Costa Rica. As you can see, this is no little iguana and wasn't afraid of my presence.

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    gorillahandupdated

  • DCIM\100GOPRO

    DCIM\100GOPRO

  • DCIM\100GOPRO

    DCIM\100GOPRO

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  • Walking along the beach early one morning, I was taking photos of water among the rocks. I saw this starfish along the way. The first and only one I've seen at the beach.

    Walking along the beach early one morning, I was taking photos of water among the rocks. I saw this starfish along the way. The first and only one I've seen at the beach.

    starfish

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    goatsupdated

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    butterfly

  • We were sitting in our campsite enjoying a quiet morning, when off in the trees we spotted movement. A view through the binoculars showed two cute little raccoons playing in the tree. <br />
We watched their antics and then went about our business. A few minutes later they walked up and checked out everything, including the mountain bikes.<br />
It was cute to watch them explore together. Nothing like a good friend, especially if it is your brother or sister:)

    We were sitting in our campsite enjoying a quiet morning, when off in the trees we spotted movement. A view through the binoculars showed two cute little raccoons playing in the tree.
    We watched their antics and then went about our business. A few minutes later they walked up and checked out everything, including the mountain bikes.
    It was cute to watch them explore together. Nothing like a good friend, especially if it is your brother or sister:)

  • After spending time in the outdoors, your senses tune in and you see everything. Like this little dragonfly.

    After spending time in the outdoors, your senses tune in and you see everything. Like this little dragonfly.

    dragonfly

  • Remember the two babies in the previous picture? This is one of them before it wandered into our camp. The morning was cold and like me, they were enjoying the warmth of the morning sun.

    Remember the two babies in the previous picture? This is one of them before it wandered into our camp. The morning was cold and like me, they were enjoying the warmth of the morning sun.

    racoontree

  • I had walked onto a gazeebo over the water and this iguana had already claimed it. We played the usual dance of cat & mouse that photographers often do to capture an animal shot. <br />
<br />
Finally he stuck his head through the rail and I leaned over the top. <br />
At this moment we both saw each other for a few minutes and exchanged inquisitive looks. After checking me out, he jumped straight into the water and swam off. I stared in disbelief as I watched him swim to the bank. Climb, swim, run, these guys are the original tri-athletes.

    I had walked onto a gazeebo over the water and this iguana had already claimed it. We played the usual dance of cat & mouse that photographers often do to capture an animal shot.

    Finally he stuck his head through the rail and I leaned over the top.
    At this moment we both saw each other for a few minutes and exchanged inquisitive looks. After checking me out, he jumped straight into the water and swam off. I stared in disbelief as I watched him swim to the bank. Climb, swim, run, these guys are the original tri-athletes.

  • This little guy finally came out and stayed for a minute. They are tricky to photograph because peep out of their hole and promptly duck back in. They have a keen sense of everything, including birds overhead.

    This little guy finally came out and stayed for a minute. They are tricky to photograph because peep out of their hole and promptly duck back in. They have a keen sense of everything, including birds overhead.

    crab

  • Pictures can be everywhere & I found this one while biking through the woods. I like this photo because it conveys the alligators quiet power.

    Pictures can be everywhere & I found this one while biking through the woods. I like this photo because it conveys the alligators quiet power.

    alligatorreflection

  • I had heard stories about the white squirrels in Brevard N.C., and after a few attempts, finally caught a few photos.

    I had heard stories about the white squirrels in Brevard N.C., and after a few attempts, finally caught a few photos.

  • Waterfalls are enjoyed by all species.

    Waterfalls are enjoyed by all species.

  • This guy was hanging out behind one of the cabins at the campsite. He looked like he was just chillin. That or he was waiting for me to leave something behind on the picnic table.

    This guy was hanging out behind one of the cabins at the campsite. He looked like he was just chillin. That or he was waiting for me to leave something behind on the picnic table.

    racoontree

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  • A  Cotton Top Tamarin enjoying a banana. <br />
Critically endangered due to habitat loss.<br />
Fun fact: eats mosquitos.

    A Cotton Top Tamarin enjoying a banana.
    Critically endangered due to habitat loss.
    Fun fact: eats mosquitos.

    DSC09170001

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  • I believe this is a Horned frog. Colored to blend in with it's surroundings and about the size of a bullfrog. The non-descript expression on his face lends itself to interpretation: Is he bored, day dreaming, doesn't care......

    I believe this is a Horned frog. Colored to blend in with it's surroundings and about the size of a bullfrog. The non-descript expression on his face lends itself to interpretation: Is he bored, day dreaming, doesn't care......

  • There were about 50 of these butterflies huddled in the damp sand by the creek. Beautiful colors of black, blue and orange.

    There were about 50 of these butterflies huddled in the damp sand by the creek. Beautiful colors of black, blue and orange.

  • I spotted this lizard or Anole while looking at the flowers. It posed for a few minutes before moving on.

    I spotted this lizard or Anole while looking at the flowers. It posed for a few minutes before moving on.

    lizard

  • Can you hear me now?  This little guy hangs out, literally, on the wind chimes. Eventually he'll make his way up to his home in the hurricane shutters.

    Can you hear me now? This little guy hangs out, literally, on the wind chimes. Eventually he'll make his way up to his home in the hurricane shutters.

    froggychime

  • This beautiful coachwhip was across from our house. Coachwhip are named because their dark head & tan body look like a whip. They're non-venomous so they're safe to have around.<br />
Our cat cornered one, about 5 feet long, on the patio. The snake took off and went in the first place it could; the wide open front door!<br />
As you can imagine, a large snake in the house with 4 cats and a girlfriend was quite entertaining. Well, for me it was:)<br />
First I had to secure the cats. Then I could coax the coachwhip back to the open door and out into the patio. He hit the patio and was gone! The cats spent the next 1/2 hour combing the living room looking for the snake.

    This beautiful coachwhip was across from our house. Coachwhip are named because their dark head & tan body look like a whip. They're non-venomous so they're safe to have around.
    Our cat cornered one, about 5 feet long, on the patio. The snake took off and went in the first place it could; the wide open front door!
    As you can imagine, a large snake in the house with 4 cats and a girlfriend was quite entertaining. Well, for me it was:)
    First I had to secure the cats. Then I could coax the coachwhip back to the open door and out into the patio. He hit the patio and was gone! The cats spent the next 1/2 hour combing the living room looking for the snake.

  • Living in Fla, we have lizards everywhere! This is one of the largest ones around and has the unique pre-historic ridges. Here it's showing off his colors in hopes of attracting a mate. <br />
Often they attract one of our cats and it's the dinosaurs vs the felines. Usually the homo-sapien (me) intervenes and frees the lizard.

    Living in Fla, we have lizards everywhere! This is one of the largest ones around and has the unique pre-historic ridges. Here it's showing off his colors in hopes of attracting a mate.
    Often they attract one of our cats and it's the dinosaurs vs the felines. Usually the homo-sapien (me) intervenes and frees the lizard.

  • Most butterfly pictures are blurry as they don't sit still very long. This one (I don't know the species) sat here long enough for this shot. Enjoying the pollen of the flower for a midday snack.

    Most butterfly pictures are blurry as they don't sit still very long. This one (I don't know the species) sat here long enough for this shot. Enjoying the pollen of the flower for a midday snack.

  • Picture two in the moose series. You can really see the "moose like" features of the hump back, the ears, and the snout. The extra legs are the baby.

    Picture two in the moose series. You can really see the "moose like" features of the hump back, the ears, and the snout. The extra legs are the baby.

  • This harmless black racer frequents our bushes and surrounding native areas. Periodically you'll see a little head sticking out of the grass and you'll know he's there.

    This harmless black racer frequents our bushes and surrounding native areas. Periodically you'll see a little head sticking out of the grass and you'll know he's there.

  • While hiking in Northern Arizona, I saw this guy/gal along the trail. If looks could kill, this one has a good shot of winning. As curious as I am, I refrained from picking it up:)

    While hiking in Northern Arizona, I saw this guy/gal along the trail. If looks could kill, this one has a good shot of winning. As curious as I am, I refrained from picking it up:)

    hornedlizard

  • Hitching a ride.

    Hitching a ride.

    cicadia

  • What beautiful colors!!

    What beautiful colors!!

    beautifulflight2

  • This raccoon is navigating a flooded section of the state park. It's not that deep, just annoying if you're trying to stay dry.

    This raccoon is navigating a flooded section of the state park. It's not that deep, just annoying if you're trying to stay dry.

    racoonwater

  • I know its just a squirrel, but when's the last time you saw a squirrel just chillin. Usually they're running around crazy.

    I know its just a squirrel, but when's the last time you saw a squirrel just chillin. Usually they're running around crazy.

  • An early morning walk revealed this Screech Owl.

    An early morning walk revealed this Screech Owl.

    owlscreech owl

  • I saw this frog under my frig one evening and grabbed a quick photo before the cats found him. I'm not sure if he was looking to escape or was just tired of sitting on all fours.

    I saw this frog under my frig one evening and grabbed a quick photo before the cats found him. I'm not sure if he was looking to escape or was just tired of sitting on all fours.

    frogflorida frog

  • I wanted to test my 70-300mm lens so I tagged along with some friends at JDSP. We were looking at a pond that had a momma duck and baby when out of the brush this Coyote steps out and takes a drink. <br />
All of us just stopped and looked in awe.....To see that live first hand was unforgettable!! I've posted several pictures just because seeing them is so rare.

    I wanted to test my 70-300mm lens so I tagged along with some friends at JDSP. We were looking at a pond that had a momma duck and baby when out of the brush this Coyote steps out and takes a drink.
    All of us just stopped and looked in awe.....To see that live first hand was unforgettable!! I've posted several pictures just because seeing them is so rare.

    coyote

  • Tourists often inquire "is there gators in that water?".  If it's water and in Fla, yes......As this one shows, just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there.

    Tourists often inquire "is there gators in that water?". If it's water and in Fla, yes......As this one shows, just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there.

    gator

  • This little guy didn't move when I inched by on the trail. Just sat there eating berries. Did you see the X on the lower section by his hips?

    This little guy didn't move when I inched by on the trail. Just sat there eating berries. Did you see the X on the lower section by his hips?

  • On Imogene Pass, this large marmot peeked out to see the people go by.

    On Imogene Pass, this large marmot peeked out to see the people go by.

  • A Harris Hawk in flight.

    A Harris Hawk in flight.

    hawkflight

  • Bears always intrigue me because of their appearance of strength. Fortunately, I only use zoom lens to get close to them.

    Bears always intrigue me because of their appearance of strength. Fortunately, I only use zoom lens to get close to them.

  • Another photo of the butterflies gathered near the creek's edge getting a drink.

    Another photo of the butterflies gathered near the creek's edge getting a drink.

  • The various sea rays all move through the water with such grace.  Larger than the "basic" sting ray, the spotted eagle ray is always amazing to watch. Gliding effortlessly along, this one appears to be smiling.

    The various sea rays all move through the water with such grace. Larger than the "basic" sting ray, the spotted eagle ray is always amazing to watch. Gliding effortlessly along, this one appears to be smiling.

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