Landscape, Nature And Travel Photography

Photography By Jim M. Goldstein

Interview with Camilla Fox of Project Coyote

Coyote Canis Latrans III - Running Coyote

One of the great things about blogging and Social Media is that it facilitates connecting people and organizations who share similar interests so easily. A couple months ago I was contacted regarding a photo of mine (Coyote Running) that struck a chord with a non-profit working in the area of wildlife conservation, specifically as it relates to Coyotes. After an email exchange or two I granted use of my image in a new presentation used for community outreach and education. I attended their presentation here in San Francisco and was so impressed I wanted to share more about the organization with those that read my blog. Camilla Fox, the executive director of Project Coyote, was kind enough to take part in the following email interview:

1. What is Project Coyote and what motivated you to found the organization?
I founded Project Coyote in 2008 to foster a new approach in the way coyotes and other predators are viewed and “managed” in the United States. We are a coalition of wildlife scientists and educators providing a voice for native carnivores in wildlife management policy and practice and promoting compassionate conservation and coexistence. We champion progressive management policies that reduce human coyote/predator conflict, support and contribute to innovative scientific research, and help foster respect for and understanding of North America’s native Song Dog.

Prior to founding Project Coyote, I worked in the fields of animal and environmental protection for the last twenty years serving as Executive Director for the Fur-Bearer Defenders and in various leadership positions with the Rainforest Action Network and the Animal Protection Institute.  I saw a need to bridge these two movements and focus on predator protection – with coyotes as the iconic species that can help foster this collaborative bridge building. My father also studied and wrote extensively about wild canid ethology so I was surrounded by coyotes, foxes, wolves, and dogs growing up and have always had a deep love and appreciation for all things canid (the cats in my life also remind me that I am a felid lover as well!).

Coyotes, wolves, and other native carnivores are often the targets of unrelenting persecution- from traps, snares, poisons and other cruel and indiscriminate devices. As both species expand their range and urban sprawl encroaches into wildlife habitat, human-carnivore interactions are on the rise. Communities are often ill equipped to deal with the presence of native carnivores and conflicts arise when uninformed people intentionally or unintentionally feed wildlife. Moreover, wildlife agencies and local community governments are often cash and staff strapped, so that human-wildlife conflict resolution and public outreach are not priorities. Far too often the solution to carnivore conflicts — whether in agricultural or urban areas  — is lethal and indiscriminate killing. Traditional control practices include trapping, snaring, poisoning, aerial shooting, and denning (killing of pups in the den).

Why Coyotes? The coyote (Canis latrans) is the most persecuted native carnivore in North America. It’s estimated that a half a million coyotes are killed every year in the U.S —one per minute—by federal, state and local governments and by private individuals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program kills approximately 90,000 coyotes each year. Most of this killing is carried out in the name of “livestock protection” as a taxpayer subsidy for private sheep and cattle ranchers. Despite scientific evidence suggesting that this approach is misguided and ultimately ineffective, the emphasis on lethal coyote control persists. Coyotes are also killed for their fur, for “sport,” and in “body-count” contests where prizes are awarded for killing the most and/or largest coyotes. Most states set no limit on the number of coyotes that may be killed, nor do they regulate the killing method.

2.  What do people need to know about coyotes and the role they play in both urban and rural ecosystems?
While scientific research is bringing traditional coyote management into question, research is also revealing the ecological importance of coyotes. Studies conducted in the fragmented habitats of coastal southern California showed that the absence of coyotes and/or their removal allowed smaller predators such as foxes and feral cats to proliferate, leading to a sharp reduction in the number and diversity of native ground-nesting birds. Similar findings have found that coyote removal can negatively affect songbird and waterfowl diversity. Coyotes also help control Canada goose populations and white-tailed deer populations on the east coast. Hence, in areas where coyotes are the apex predator, their removal can precipitate an ecological chain reaction that leads to profound degradation of the health, integrity, and diversity of the ecosystem. Read more…

Friday Freebie: iPad Wallpaper – Anemones & Pebbles

This Weeks Friday Freebie iPad Wallpaper: Anemones & Pebbles
Friday Freebie features an image to liven up your iPad display with images from my travels… all for free.

If you’re into macro photography there are few things that beat exploring a tide-pool. Some time ago I posted the original version of Anemone & Pebbles just after I picked up my Canon 1Ds Mark III. The detail in the photo blew me away. This weeks Friday Freebie is a tighter crop of a sister photo and it’ll certainly enhance your iPad experience. Enjoy.
Click here to download your free iPad wallpaper. Have a great weekend!

Note: This image is distributed for personal use only and all rights are reserved. If interested in using this photograph commercially please contact me.

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Great Wildlife Footage + Comedy

If you’re in the mood for a laugh then I highly recommend watching this comedic over-dub to some great BBC wildlife footage. It’s short, funny and I dare you to watch it just once.

I’ve been watching this video as of late to lift my spirits, for reasons I’ll explain in another post.

Blue Heron in Snow Storm – Yosemite National Park

I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.
-William Hazlitt

Blue Heron in Snowstorm - Yosemite National Park
Click to Enlarge

Blue Heron in Snowstorm - Yosemite National Park

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Sea Otters: See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

Few would argue that one of the cutest sea mammals around are Sea Otters. Whether they’re grooming, using tools to crack open shellfish to eat or just warming themselves in the sun Sea Otters seem to have an eternally cute appearance. As Sea Otters rest in rafts you never know what pose they might take. The rare combination is the “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” pose between neighboring otters. I happened to get luck one morning witnessing and seeing this classic pose. I do wonder if I’ll catch this pose again… I hope so.

In the news: Sea otter numbers take a turn for the worse

Raft of Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) - Monterey, California

Raft of Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) - Monterey, California

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Getting the Shot: 3 Critical Steps to Battle Increased Traffic & Limited Space

Recently I had a horrible experience getting a much needed photo for an assignment due to increased traffic and limited space. Here are 3 critical steps I learned to overcome these obstacles.

#1: Arrive Early & Be Assertive
I make it a habit to always arrive early to the location of my shoot. This enables me to find the best location to work, scope out different shots, set up shop, locate new & old friends as I wait and ward off others who might intrude on my working space. It’s very important that if others are intruding on your space that you be assertive by give them a clear message as to where your working space begins and ends.

Photographer Turf Battle
Click to Enlarge

#2: Defend Your Space, Never Give An Inch
If others are not getting the message stand your ground. The minute you give an inch is the moment you lose the respect of those around you. This can be incredibly difficult and even tiring if enough traffic is present interfering with your shoot, but it is worth it in the end. Gaining the respect of those around you will ensure that you can work effectively to get the shot you’re after.

Photographer Turf Battle
Click to Enlarge

#3: Never Miss An Opportunity to Turn Lemons into Lemonade
While it may seem unorthodox that you have to be assertive and defend your space it is quite normal. In time it’s important to always reconnect with those you’ve had troubling encounters with to reestablish a professional relationship. While awkward at first it’s important to take the high road as you never know how or when word of mouth may impact your ability to get work published or obtain future assignments.

Photographer Turf Battle
Click to Enlarge

Photo details here

Have other tips that I’ve missed?
Add a comment and let me know how you cope with such circumstances.

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Special thanks to John Frisch for use of his original image.

California Sea Otter Eating a Clam

Fast food has an altogether different meaning for Sea Otters. Voracious they’re almost always hunting and clams are among their favorite quick meals. This photo was captured shortly after the clam was pounded with a rock… a common sight to see. Sea Otters make fast work of shellfish, so shortly after this the hunt was on for another meal. In all the time I’ve been photographing Sea Otters this was one of the bigger clams I’ve seen eaten.

I’m due to head back out on Saturday January 23rd to photograph Sea Otters and a variety of shorebirds on my next Sea Otter photo tour. There’s still availability if you’re interested. For those who enjoy Sea Otters, but won’t be able to join me enjoy my growing Sea Otter photo portfolio.

California Sea Otter Eating a Clam - Elkhorn Slough, California

California Sea Otter Eating a Clam - Elkhorn Slough, California

Canon 1Ds Mark III, 1/640 sec, f/8, 840mm (600mm + 1.4x)

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JMG-Galleries Best Photos of 2009

In 2009 I was very fortunate to have had some incredible photo opportunities. Selecting my best photos from this past year was much more difficult than choosing my best photos of 2008 and 2007. After taking the time to review the best of the tens of thousands of photos I took this year I narrowed my choices down to the best 50, then best 25 and finally down to these 10 best photos. To view higher resolution versions of these and my other favorite photos of 2009 less the heavy watermark check out the video at the end of this post.

Honorable Mentions:

Sea Otter Portrait (Enhydra lutris) photo by Jim M. Goldstein Honorable Mention #4:
Clark’s Grebe and Fish (Aechmophorus clarckii)
This was one of many wildlife photos taken during my Sea Otter Photo Tour trips this year. While Sea Otters are plentiful one cannot ignore the amazing variety of bird life in this area as well.
Sinopah Mountain Reflected in Two Medicine Lake at Sunrise - Glacier National Park Honorable Mention #3:
Sinopah Mountain Reflected in Two Medicine Lake at Sunrise – Glacier National Park
In early June I was fortunate to arrive in Glacier National Park after a late snow storm. With in the next few days I was graced with amazing scenery and light.
Yosemite Valley Chapel in Snow Storm photo by Jim M. Goldstein Honorable Mention #5:
Yosemite Valley Chapel in Snow Storm
The highlight of the later part of this year was to be present for 11 inches of snowfall in  Yosemite valley. It was an incredible experience capturing the essence of winter and the holidays while photographing Yosemite Valley Chapel.
Illumination - photo by Jim M. Goldstein Honorable Mention #1
Illumination
The Sierra foothills are an amazing place and I was quite fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to photograph an Oak tree under an amazing sunset sky.

My Top 10 Favorite Photos of 2009:

#10: Sea Otter and Sleeping Pup (Enhydra lutris)

Sea Otter and Sleeping Pup (Enhydra lutris)

The highlight of every Sea Otter Photo Tour is being able to photograph Sea Otter pups with their mothers. This was one of my favorites.

#9: Vine Snake (Oxybelis fulgidus)

Vine Snake (Oxybelis fulgidus)

While in Costa Rica I was very fortunate to see a master of camouflage, the Vine Snake (Oxybelis fulgidus). Their intensely green scales and leaf shaped head make them incredibly challenging to find.

#8: Racetrack Textures – Death Valley National Park

Racetrack Textures - Death Valley National Park

One of my favorite landscape abstracts taken at the Racetrack in Death Valley National Park during one of my many photo tours this year.

#7: Mount Grinell Reflected in Swiftcurrent Lake at Sunrise – Glacier National Park, Montana

Mount Grinell Reflected in Swiftcurrent Lake at Sunrise - Glacier National Park, Montana

An early morning view of Mount Grinell reflected in Swiftcurrent Lake just before fog obscured the view.

#6: Zabriskie Point Sunrise, Death Valley National Park, California

Zabriskie Point Sunrise, Death Valley National Park, California

Remnants of a storm that swept through the Sierra Nevada mountains added to an already amazing view of Zabriskie Point at sunrise. This was one of the many great landscape opportunities to be had during my Death Valley photo tour.

#5: A Brown-throated Sloth and Her Baby Eat Leafs – Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

A Brown-throated Sloth and Her Baby Eat Leafs - Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Wildlife in Costa Rica is plentiful and this special moment of a Brown-throated Sloth and her baby feeding on leafs was one of the many highlights of my trip. My wife was dismayed that this wasn’t my top choice for 2009 as it was her favorite of the year.

#4: Star Trail Abstract

This ultra long exposure of the Milky Way over silhouetted mountains is among my top favorites this year.

#3: Racetrack Light Lasso – Death Valley National Park, California

Racetrack Light Lasso - Death Valley National Park, California

Never satisfied with the status quo I had a blast experimenting with some light painting on my Death Valley photo tour. After hours of experimentation I came away with 5 excellent photos similar to this, but this is my favorite.

#2: Pattern Abstract I

Pattern Abstract I - photo by Jim M. Goldstein

In 2009 I was working on numerous photo projects, many of which are still under wraps for the moment. One photo that inspired me to start yet another project was this nature abstract. Stay tuned as there’s more to follow for this project.

#1: Mobius Arch Star Trails

Mobius Arch Star Trails

7 hours in the field and numerous more in post-production, this photo of Mobius Arch with star trails in the background came out exactly as I had envisioned. Extremely fond of this location I’m always striving to capture something new when I visit.

Bonus: Best Photo Not Taken By Me…

Baby G

Normally I highlight photos that I’ve taken through out the year, but this is my favorite photo taken by someone else. Baby G should arrive in early June and if my wife and I are lucky we’ll know the sex tomorrow.

Best Photos of 2009 video


Music “Comfort Zone” courtesy of General Fuzz
Thanks a ton General Fuzz your music makes the video!
Check out more of General Fuzz’s great music at http://www.generalfuzz.net

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