California

Wood Duck

Aix sponsa One of the most stunning of the North American waterfowl, the Wood Duck can be found in California all year around. Like the Hooded Merganser, it is a tree cavity nester that prefers wooded ponds and lakes. Once young Wood Ducks hatch, they jump out of the their nest high up in the tree cavity and make their way to the water. Wood ducklings have been known to leap out of nests nearly 300ft off the ground and land without injury. In this image, the setting sun has lit up the cattails on the far side of the water. The result is a fiery reflection that gives the water an appealing "liquid gold" quality. Santa Cruz, California

Southern Sea Otter

Enhydra lutris nereis Sea otters are not only keystone predators in kelp forests, but also in estuaries, where they are at the top of a 4-level trophic cascade. By keeping the crab populations in check, meso-grazing invertebrates are allowed to keep sea grass blades clean and free of fouling organisms, allowing the sea grass to photosynthensize and create healthy sea grass beds. Elkhorn Slough, California

Feeding Humpback Whales

Megaptera novaeangliae A large group of humpback whales feeding cooperatively in Monterey Bay. In this single image, 10 adult whale can been seen lunge feeding together, maximizing their feeding success as they explode through the middle of a school of anchovies. Monterey Bay, California

California Red-sided Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis The garter snakes of the Western U.S. are a spectacular group of snakes. In a group full of colorful individuals, it's tough to beat the electric blues and deep reds of infernalis. Marin Co., California

Bufflhead

Bucephala albeola These small diving ducks are winter visitors to California. The males (pictured here) represent a very difficult exposure challenge for photographers. Trying to properly expose for the detail in the dark shadows of the black feathers, while not overexposing the bright whites, is no easy task. If done well, you also have a change to capture the incredible iridescence of the head feathers on these stunning little ducks. San Francisco, California

Painted Ensatina

Ensatina eschscholtzii picta Whoever said amphibians couldn't be charismatic has never met an Ensatina. Del Norte Co., California

White-tailed Kite

Half Moon Bay, California

Bobcat

Lynx rufus The most common, but still rarely seen, wild cat in the United States. The Bobcat is a gorgeous, athletic and stealthy feline. I sit and watch these magnificent cats every chance I get. Santa Cruz, California

California Mountain Kingsnake

Lampropeltis zonata

Hooded Merganser

Lophodytes cucullatus A remarkable and beautiful species of diving duck, the Hooded Merganser is a winter visitor to California. It's the smallest species of merganser in North America and can be found in wooded ponds foraging for fish. This merganser has just surfaced from a dive with his prize, a stickleback. San Francisco, California

Channel Islands Fox

Urocyon littoralis dickeyi Island foxes are endemic to California's Channel Islands and resemble house cat-sized versions of the Gray Foxes on the California mainland. Standing at only 12 inches high and 4-5 lbs, the Island Fox is a prime example of insular dwarfism; a phenomenon where relatively large animals undergo evolution in a isolated environment (like an island), resulting in a miniaturized version of its former species. When you're stuck on an island with limited space and resources, it pays to be small! Channel Islands, California

Santa Cruz Black Salamander

Aneides flavipunctatus niger Not always easy to find, but a great treat when this jet black ambystomid salamander, endemic to the Santa Cruz Mountains, turns up during a field outing. Santa Cruz Mountains, California

Pacific Dogwood flowering along the Merced River

Cornus nuttallii These flowers were the very first of the spring dogwood blooms in Yosemite. Yosemite National Park, California

Southern Sea Otter

Enhydra lutris nereis Moss Landing, California

Desert Rosy Boa

Lichanura orcutti The prettier of California's two small boa species can be a challenge to find without substantial knowledge of the habitat preferences and behavior of this gentle, docile snake. Mojave Desert, California

California Sea Lions

Zalophus californianus The most prolific Pinniped in California, these charismatic mammals can be found everywhere along the West Coast, from open ocean to crowded harbors. In Spanish, sea lions are known as "Lobos Del Mar" or "Sea Wolves." Monterey, California

California Condor

Gymnogyps californianus Another critically endangered species, the California Condor was actually extinct in the wild due to lead and DDT poisoning. Through captive breeding, these majestic birds have been successfully reintroduced to certain carefully selected locations in California. With a wingspan of up to 9ft, the California Condor is easily the largest bird in North America. Big Sur, California

American Avocet

Recurvirostra americana The rusty orange head on this American Avocet is indicative of breeding plumage. Avocets will violently defend their nest, and this individual was in the process of chasing away some Black-necked Stilts that approached a little too close. Avocet chicks are remarkably independent. They're able to walk, swim, and even dive as little as one day old. San Francisco Peninsula, California

California Tiger Salamander

Ambystoma californiense California's second largest salamander is a member of the Mole Salamander (Amybstomids) family. Despite their large size and conspicuous markings, most people will never seen one. They spend most of the year aestivating in underground burrows. When the winter rains begin to fall, these secretive salamanders use the cover of nightfall to migrate from their upland burrows to low lying vernal pools, where they'll mate, lay eggs, and return to their subterranean lairs. Tiger salamanders are a sensitive species and are threatened by habitat loss.

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus The Black-neck Stilt can be found year-round in shallow lagoons and wetlands throughout California. They are easily recognizable thanks to their extremely long legs. In fact, the only bird with a longer leg length to body ratio is the Flamingo. Orange County, California

Southern Sea Otter

Enhydra lutris nereis This adult male sea otter poses nicely in the soft evening light of sunset. The Southern Sea Otter is a threatened species that has bounced back from the brink of extinction. In the 1930's only a handful of otters remained in California, their populations decimated by the fur trade. Today, more than 2,500 otters inhabit the Central California coast, but after a long period of slowly increasing numbers, population growth has come to a halt, and has actually declined in some areas within the past 5 years. Scientists are working around the clock to save the sea otter, which, as a keystone species, ultimately affects the health of entire nearshore marine ecosystems on the West Coast of North America. Monterey Bay, California

Crab Spider

Misumena vatia A well adapted little arachnid, this crab spider has taken up residence in a California Poppy. He's done more than just settled in here though. He's transformed his pigmentation to match that of the orange poppy. Lying in wait with outstreched arms and perfect camouflage, the crab spider will grab a visiting pollinator, like a fly or bee, before they even know he's there. Big Sur, California