Animals: Alyce Taylor Photography

Attack of the Dinosaurs

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 03:38:32 GMT

]]>A silhouette taken at the mini golf in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada makes it look as tho the dinosaurs are attacking the city.

~Snowshoe Hare~

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:16:54 GMT

]]>A snowshoe hare sits under the pine trees along the roadside in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

~Two Pair~

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:16:21 GMT

]]>A pair of Canadian geese stand on the ice looking at their reflections in the melting river while a male and female Barrow's Goldeneye go for a ice cold swim.

~Fight!~

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:15:50 GMT

]]>While at the park today, taking pics of prairie dogs playing in the sunshine, two prairie dogs decided to have a fight. Both of them were standing on their hind legs taking swipes at each other, all claws out like two cats. It was very interesting to watch as well as comical.

Taken at Park Lake Provincial Park in Southern Alberta.

African Lion and Lioness

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:54:01 GMT

]]>African lions are the second largest cat in the world, second only to tigers. Males are noticeably larger than females and have a large mane. These differences occur because of the different roles played by the sexes. Females have to be agile for hunting, and males have to be big and burly to protect their offspring.

Burrowing Owl

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:48:03 GMT

]]>Burrowing Owls have bright yellow eyes, yellow beaks, a brown back with white spotting, and a white belly with brown barring. It is about 25 cm in length with a 53 cm wingspan. Much of the length comes from the burrowing owl's long legs that it eternally stands on. Because of their habitats, burrowing owls are one of the most terrestrial owl species (if not the most).

Photo taken at the Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Snowy Owl

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:46:27 GMT

]]>These large owls have distinct white feathers.

This is the only owl species where the male and females can be distinguished by the colours of their feathers. Females have dark black mottling on their bodies while males appear almost completely white.

For warmth, their feathers are extremely thick even covering their entire legs, right to the talons on their feet.

They have a round head with no feather tufts, and bright yellow eyes.

Photo taken at the Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Equestrian

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:16:02 GMT

]]>A young equestrian rider out practicing circles in a freshly cut hay field.

Palomino in the Pasture

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:19:37 GMT

]]>A palomino mare stands looking longingly at the long green grass on the opposite side of the rope fence bordering her pasture.

Captured at Fort Whoop-Up, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

Singing for the Crowds

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:21:09 GMT

]]>A blue peafowl leans back and "sings" in his best voice to entertain the bystanders at the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Andean Condor

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:10 GMT

]]>The Andean Condor is the largest flying bird in the Western hemisphere, with a wingspan of 3 m and a weight of 9 - 12 kg. These large wings allow the condors to soar on rising thermals of air when looking for food, and the ruff of white feathers around their neck acts like a scarf to keep them warm when flying at such heights. Like many vultures, Andean condors have featherless heads to prevent parasites latching on from the carcasses they are feeding on. On top of that, males and females look very different. The males have a large, fleshy comb on their head and their eyes are brown whereas female's eyes are garnet red.

Photo taken at the Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta.

Hyacinthe Macaw

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:59:51 GMT

]]>Native to central and eastern South America, the Hyacinth Macaw is the largest macaw and the largest flying parrot species in the world, though the flightless Kakapo Zealand can outweigh it at up to 3.5 kg. In terms of length it is larger than any other species of parrot. Their popularity as pets has taken a heavy toll on their population in the wild.

Taken at the Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Western Lowland Gorillas

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:58:21 GMT

]]>Western lowland gorillas are typically lighter coloured than their Eastern relatives, and often have a reddish-brown forehead.

Females give birth about once every 4 years, starting at approximately 10 years old. Sadly, a high mortality rate means that surviving offspring are only produced once every 6 - 8 years. Young nurse for about 3 - 4 years; their mothers provide them with food, transportation, and socialization. Males don't interact much with young, but do protect them. Gorillas live in groups of 5 - 15 individuals, typically with one dominant male known as a silverback, because of his age-related greying hair.
Though they are the largest primates, gorillas are very peaceful. They seek to resolve confrontations with displays, rarely coming to blows. These displays often involve noise-making including chest beating, which is done with cupped hands (not fists) and bluff charges.

Photo taken at the Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Western Lowland Gorilla

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:57:46 GMT

]]>A western lowland gorilla looks deep in thought while he sits leaning up against a clay wall at the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Western Lowland Gorilla

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:57:24 GMT

Newborn Giraffe

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:53:26 GMT

]]>A newborn reticulated giraffe, taken at the Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Flamingo

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:52:57 GMT

]]>A close-up of a pink flamingo taken at the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Peacock

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:52:36 GMT

]]>A peacock standing proud at the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Male Mallard Duck

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:51:35 GMT

]]>Photo taken at Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Male Mallard Duck

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:50:59 GMT

]]>Photo taken at Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Male Mallard Duck

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:49:58 GMT

]]>A male mallard duck walks along the shore of the duck pond at the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Whooping Crane

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:49:13 GMT

]]>Adult whooping cranes are white with a red crown and a long, dark, pointed bill (immatures are brown in colour). They are the tallest birds native to North America with a height of 1.5 m, about half of which is legs which the cranes use to wade into deeper water to find food.

Photo taken at the Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Whooping Crane

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:48:50 GMT

Whooping Crane

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:48:21 GMT

Trumpeter Swan

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:47:43 GMT

]]>A trumpeter swan goes for a swim in the waters at the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Trumpeter Swan

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:47:11 GMT

]]>A trumpeter swan goes for a swim in the waters at the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Trumpeter Swan

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:46:54 GMT

]]>A trumpeter swan goes for a swim in the waters at the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Rocky Mountain Goats

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:46:10 GMT

]]>The mountain goat lives out most of its life on tiny windswept ledges, far above the treeline. This is an environment that would terrify most of us, but for the mountain goat it is a safe, predator-free home. The name of this animal is a misnomer as the species is more closely related to the antelope than it is to the goat.

Mountain goats are found only in western North America, including Alberta, British Columbia, Alaska and the Yukon.

Photo taken at Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Rocky Mountain Goat

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:45:43 GMT

Rocky Mountain Goats

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:45:20 GMT

Bighorn Sheep

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:44:57 GMT

]]>Bighorn sheep are named for their large, curved horns atop their heads that weigh around 14 kg on a male. Though both sexes have horns, the males are much larger, and are utilized in the headbutting battles for female's attention during mating season. These horns advertise to females a male's health and age since they continuously grow through his life. Their body also has double-layered skulls supported by struts and a huge tendon linking the head and spine to cushion the blows from their rival.

Photo taken at the Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Horses

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:17:59 GMT

]]>Two chestnut horses standing near the fence on a very frosty winter day.

Pulling the Sleigh

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:21:51 GMT

]]>Two draft horses draw a sleigh through deep snow beneath dark snow covered pine trees.

Captured at Lake Louise in Banff National Park, in Alberta, Canada.

Frosted Horses

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:17:17 GMT

]]>Two horses stand patiently in their harnesses with ice frosting their muzzles, waiting to draw sightseers on a sleigh ride through the snow.

Captured at Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Sleigh Horses

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:23:17 GMT

]]>A pair of shaggy work horses work together to pull a sleigh.

Captured at Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Posing for Apples

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:20:57 GMT

]]>A portrait of a pinto horse, who calmly waited for his snack of some apple slices while his photo was taken.

Captured on a ranch near Entrance, Alberta, Canada.

Looking for a Treat

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:18:53 GMT

]]>A pinto horse tosses it's head while leaning over a fence rail to beg for a treat.

Captured on a ranch near Entrance, Alberta, Canada.

Portrait of a Pinto

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:20:37 GMT

]]>A pinto horse poses for a portrait shot.

Captured on a ranch near Entrance, Alberta, Canada.

Old Blue Eyes

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:19:17 GMT

]]>An old pinto horse with bright blue eyes poses contently for the photographer.

Captured on a ranch near Entrance, Alberta, Canada.

Chestnut 2

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:14:51 GMT

]]>A beautiful chestnut mare with a white blaze looks over a wooden rail fence waiting for a treat.

Captured on a ranch near Entrance, Alberta, Canada.

Selective colouring done in PhotoShop CS4.

Chestnut

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:14:20 GMT

]]>A beautiful chestnut mare with a white blaze looks over a wooden rail fence waiting for a treat.

Captured on a ranch near Entrance, Alberta, Canada.

Under the Wire

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:24:08 GMT

]]>A gray horse shoulders its way under the wire on a fence bordering it's pasture to get a closer view.

Captured in Crowsnest pass, in Alberta, Canada.

Curious Horses

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:15:08 GMT

]]>A gray and a chestnut horse both lean over the wire fence at the edge of their pasture, surrounded by high mountains, to greet visitors. captured in Crowsnest Pass, just west of Coleman, Alberta, Canada.

Cheap Date

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:13:56 GMT

]]>A gray horse leans over a fence for a close-up portrait.

Relaxin'

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:22:33 GMT

]]>A chestnut horse relaxes in her pasture in rural Ontario, near Kirby, Ontario, Canada.

Enjoying the Sunshine

alycetaylor@live.com (Alyce Taylor Photography) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:15:27 GMT

]]>A chestnut horse relaxes in her pasture in rural Ontario, near Kirby, Ontario, Canada.