Davefpix

Today is UN (https://wildlifeday.org), and in honor of this day I have chosen to post this single image of a North American Black Bear.

This black bear has a tag on its ear, 65, indicating it has been captured and release by NewMexico GameandFish. We want to keep bears, and all wildlife, "wild." Please don't feed any wild animal. And remember a fed bear is a dead bear.

Note this Black Bear's color, almost blonde. Black Bears come in more colors than any other North American mammal. They can be black, brown, cinnamon, blonde, blue-gray, or white. East of the Great Plains, nearly all are black. These were the first bears early settlers saw, hence the name.

This image was taken outside of Red River, NM, at about 9,400 feet in elevation in June of 2021.

Photographing small birds is one of my favorite photography activities, but due to their small size, quick movements, and tendency to be in dense tress or bushes it can be a challenge. This little Bewick's Wren gave me an opportunity to photography it.

Images taken at Ladd S Gordon Waterfowl Complex, Bernardo, NM, https://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas/ladd-s-gordon-waterfowl-complex.

The Coyote is a classic symbol of the southwest and can be seen anywhere in NM. At Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge they are often seen hunting in field and along ditch banks.

These images' were taken on the afternoon of Jan 3, 2022, on one of the north fields that have been open on the north extended driving loop available this winter season.