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  • A full-sized skeleton diorama of the Agate waterhole 20 million years ago shows two entelodont mammals and a small beardog scavenging a chalicothere carcass (related to horse and rhino), at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Harrison, Nebraska, USA. The entelodont (Dinohyus hollandi) was a hoofed mammal 6-8 feet tall at the shoulder, with powerful jaws and teeth for eating both carrion and plants. The smaller skeleton in the foreground  is a beardog (Daphoenodon superbus, the most common carnivore at the Agate waterhole site), which preyed upon juvenile rhinos, camels, and oreodonts. The chalicothere (Moropus elatus) was related to the horse and rhino, standing 6 feet tall at the shoulder and having 3-toed, claw-like hooves. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument boasts some of the most well-preserved Miocene fossils in the world. The park is near Harrison, Nebraska, USA. Agate’s grass-covered plains and flat-top buttes represent 20 million years of natural history. This valley of the Niobrara River contains important fossils found on Carnegie Hill and University Hill.
    2109NE-69.jpg
  • A Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) is shown at Bonorong Wildlife Park, Briggs Road, Brighton, Tasmania, Australia. Wombats are burrowing grass eaters, and can be thought of as the marsupial ecological equivalent of a bear. Wombats are found in forested, mountainous, and heathland areas of southeast Australia including Tasmania, plus an isolated group in Epping Forest National Park in central Queensland. The three living species of wombats are marsupial mammals in the Vombatidae family. They dig extensive burrow systems with rodent-like front teeth and powerful claws. Their unusual backwards-facing pouch avoids gathering dirt onto its young. Although mainly crepuscular and nocturnal, wombats also venture out to feed on cool or overcast days. Wombats are herbivores, mostly eating grasses, sedges, herbs, bark and roots.
    04AUS-30203_Wombat_Bonorong-WP.jpg
  • A captive koala rests in a tree at Bonorong Wildlife Park, Briggs Road, Brighton, Tasmania, Australia. The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, and the only surviving member of the family Phascolarctidae. The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula, extending inland where enough moisture supports suitable woodlands. The koalas of South Australia were mostly exterminated during the early 1900s, but have been repopulated with Victorian stock. The koala is not found in Tasmania or Western Australia. The koala is one of the few mammals (other than primates) that has fingerprints. It is generally silent, but males have a very loud advertising call that can be heard from almost a kilometer away during the breeding season. The koala requires large areas of healthy, connected forest and will travel long distances along tree corridors in search of new territory and mates. Human encroachment cuts these corridors with agricultural and residential development, forestry, and road-building, marooning koala colonies in decreasing areas of bush.
    04AUS-30157_Koala-Bonorong-WP.jpg
  • A koala climbs a tree at Koala Conservation Centre, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, and the only surviving member of the family Phascolarctidae. The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula, extending inland where enough moisture supports suitable woodlands. The koalas of South Australia were mostly exterminated during the early 1900s, but have been repopulated with Victorian stock. The koala is not found in Tasmania or Western Australia. The koala is one of the few mammals (other than primates) that has fingerprints. It is generally silent, but males have a very loud advertising call that can be heard from almost a kilometer away during the breeding season. The koala requires large areas of healthy, connected forest and will travel long distances along tree corridors in search of new territory and mates. Human encroachment cuts these corridors with agricultural and residential development, forestry, and road-building, marooning koala colonies in decreasing areas of bush.
    04AUS-20058_Koala-Conservation-Centr...jpg
  • A koala rests in a tree at Koala Conservation Centre, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, and the only surviving member of the family Phascolarctidae. The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula, extending inland where enough moisture supports suitable woodlands. The koalas of South Australia were mostly exterminated during the early 1900s, but have been repopulated with Victorian stock. The koala is not found in Tasmania or Western Australia. The koala is one of the few mammals (other than primates) that has fingerprints. It is generally silent, but males have a very loud advertising call that can be heard from almost a kilometer away during the breeding season. The koala requires large areas of healthy, connected forest and will travel long distances along tree corridors in search of new territory and mates. Human encroachment cuts these corridors with agricultural and residential development, forestry, and road-building, marooning koala colonies in decreasing areas of bush.
    04AUS-20053_Koala-Conservation-Centr...jpg
  • A Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) is shown at Bonorong Wildlife Park, Briggs Road, Brighton, Tasmania, Australia. Wombats are burrowing grass eaters, and can be thought of as the marsupial ecological equivalent of a bear. Wombats are found in forested, mountainous, and heathland areas of southeast Australia including Tasmania, plus an isolated group in Epping Forest National Park in central Queensland. The three living species of wombats are marsupial mammals in the Vombatidae family. They dig extensive burrow systems with rodent-like front teeth and powerful claws. Their unusual backwards-facing pouch avoids gathering dirt onto its young. Although mainly crepuscular and nocturnal, wombats also venture out to feed on cool or overcast days. Wombats are herbivores, mostly eating grasses, sedges, herbs, bark and roots. Published on Australian geocaching coin 2010, displayed in support of Wilder Foundation 2009, 2010, and exhibited at Oceanario de Lisboa, Portugal 2007. Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010.
    04AUS-30201_Wombat_Bonorong-WP.jpg
  • The elk, or wapiti (Cervus canadensis), is one of the largest species of deer in the world and one of the largest mammals in North America. This bugling bull elk with multi point antler rack is in Banff National Park, Alberta, in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
    10CAN-2167_bull-wapiti-elk-antlers.jpg
  • Native to Australia and the largest of the possums, the Common Brushtail Possum is a nocturnal, semi-arboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae. Fur color patterns tend to be silver-gray, brown, black, red, or cream. The bushy tail has a hairless patch underneath and a prehensile tip for gripping branches. It is nocturnal like most possums, and in the wild mainly eats eucalyptus leaves but has been known to eat small mammals such as rats. It is the Australian marsupial most often seen thriving in cities, where they like fruit trees, vegetable gardens, and kitchens. It is a major agricultural and conservation pest in New Zealand where it was introduced in the 1800s. Its scientific name Trichosurus vulpecula is from the Greek for "furry tailed" and the Latin for "little fox", also known as Phalangista vulpine. Photo is in Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
    04AUS-20280_Common-Brushtail-Possum.jpg
  • Koalas rest in a tree at Koala Conservation Centre, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, and the only surviving member of the family Phascolarctidae. The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula, extending inland where enough moisture supports suitable woodlands. The koalas of South Australia were mostly exterminated during the early 1900s, but have been repopulated with Victorian stock. The koala is not found in Tasmania or Western Australia. The koala is one of the few mammals (other than primates) that has fingerprints. It is generally silent, but males have a very loud advertising call that can be heard from almost a kilometer away during the breeding season. The koala requires large areas of healthy, connected forest and will travel long distances along tree corridors in search of new territory and mates. Human encroachment cuts these corridors with agricultural and residential development, forestry, and road-building, marooning koala colonies in decreasing areas of bush.
    04AUS-20052_Koala-Conservation-Centr...jpg
  • A grizzly bear sow and cub (Ursus arctos horribilis, a subspecies of brown bear) forage in a field of Bear grass and other alpine plants. Grinnell Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. The species Ursus arctos is found across northern Eurasia (including Russia and Scandinavia) and North America and is an omnivorous mammal of the order Carnivora.
    10GLA-3080.jpg
  • The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus, or Rocky Mountain Goat) is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. This even-toed ungulate is in the family Bovidae, in subfamily Caprinae (goat-antelopes) in the Oreamnos genus (but is NOT a true "goat"–Capra genus). Sperry Campground, Gunsight Pass Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
    2209RV-0709.jpg
  • The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus, or Rocky Mountain Goat) is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. This even-toed ungulate is in the family Bovidae, in subfamily Caprinae (goat-antelopes) in the Oreamnos genus (but is NOT a true "goat"–Capra genus). Sperry Campground, Gunsight Pass Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
    2209RV-0692.jpg
  • The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus, or Rocky Mountain Goat) is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. This even-toed ungulate is in the family Bovidae, in subfamily Caprinae (goat-antelopes) in the Oreamnos genus (but is NOT a true "goat"–Capra genus). Photographed along Sperry Glacier Trail, a side trip from Gunsight Pass Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
    2209RV-0544.jpg
  • The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus, or Rocky Mountain Goat) is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. This even-toed ungulate is in the family Bovidae, in subfamily Caprinae (goat-antelopes) in the Oreamnos genus (but is NOT a true "goat"–Capra genus). Photographed along Sperry Glacier Trail, a side trip from Gunsight Pass Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
    2209RV-0590.jpg
  • A juvenile mountain goat crosses the road in Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota, USA. The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus, or Rocky Mountain Goat) is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. It is an even-toed ungulate in the family Bovidae, in subfamily Caprinae (goat-antelopes), in the Oreamnos genus, but is NOT a true "goat."
    20.10US1-0921.jpg
  • Crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophaga) rest on an ice floe in Antarctica. Ecotourists in a Zodiac boat cruise nearby. Crabeater seals are the most numerous large species of mammal on Earth, after humans and cattle. Contrary to their name, Crabeater seals primarily eat krill, using  finely-lobed teeth adapted to filtering their tiny crustacean prey. Published in Wilderness Travel Antarctica Brochure 2009, 2010.
    05ANT-11053_Crabeater-seals.jpg
  • A mountain goat shares the Exit Glacier Trail in the Kenai Mountains of Alaska, USA. The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus, or Rocky Mountain Goat) is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. It is an even-toed ungulate in the family Bovidae, in subfamily Caprinae (goat-antelopes), in the Oreamnos genus, but is NOT a true "goat." The only road into Kenai Fjords National Park is a spur of the Seward Highway to Exit Glacier, one of the most visited glaciers in Alaska. It was named after the exit of the first recorded crossing of Harding Icefield in 1968. Hike trails to the glacier terminus or up to Harding Icefield.
    06AK_7049-mountain-goat_Kenai-FNP.jpg
  • Kangaroo Island Kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus) roam freely near the Visitor Centre and campground in Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Upon landing in 1802, famous explorer Captain Matthew Flinders shot the first Kangaroo Island Kangaroo. Not until the 1990s did taxonomists clarify that it was a subspecies of the Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus, a large brown marsupial mammal species in the Macropod family, Macropodidae), which lives across the southern part of Australia, from just south of Shark Bay to coastal South Australia, western Victoria, and the entire Murray-Darling Basin in New South Wales and Queensland. It breeds year round with a peak during summer months. Be cautious of kangaroos when driving roads at night. For licensing options, please inquire.
    04AUS-20216_Kangaroo-joey.jpg
  • Galápagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) play on the sandy beach of Gardner Bay, a wet landing location on Española (Hood) Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America. This mammal in the Otariidae family breeds exclusively on the Galápagos Islands and in smaller numbers on Isla de la Plata, Ecuador. Being fairly social, and one of the most numerous species in the Galápagos archipelago, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups or gliding gracefully through the surf. They have a loud “bark”, playful nature, and graceful agility in water. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos Sea Lions range from 150 to 250 cm in length and weigh between 50 to 400 kg, with the males averaging larger than females. Sea lions have external ear-like pinnae flaps which distinguish them from their close relative with whom they are often confused, the seal. When wet, sea lions are a shade of dark brown, but once dry, their color varies greatly. The females tend to be a lighter shade than the males and the pups a chestnut brown. In 1959, Ecuador declared 97% of the land area of the Galápagos Islands to be Galápagos National Park, which UNESCO registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. Ecuador created the Galápagos Marine Reserve in 1998, which UNESCO appended in 2001.
    09ECU-5458_Galapagos.jpg
  • The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus, or Rocky Mountain Goat) is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. It is an even-toed ungulate in the family Bovidae, in subfamily Caprinae (goat-antelopes), in the Oreamnos genus (but is NOT a true "goat" or Capra genus). Keystone, Black Hills, South Dakota, USA.
    1709US1-2957.jpg
  • A grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis, a subspecies of brown bear) with radio collar and tag explores the Visitor Centre parking lot of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada. The species Ursus arctos is found across northern Eurasia (including Russia and Scandinavia) and North America and is an omnivorous mammal of the order Carnivora. Kananaskis Country is a spectacular park system in the Canadian Rockies west of Calgary.
    1509CAN-2245_Ursus-arctos-horribilis.jpg
  • A sea otter rests on its back with feet in the air. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Photographed in the Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6G 3E2 CANADA.
    1402VAN-286.jpg
  • The pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is a mammal indigenous to interior western and central North America. The pronghorn is often incorrectly called an antelope (which is native only to Eurasia and Africa). The pronghorn species is the only surviving member of the family Antilocapridae, which is part of the Artiodactyla Order (even-toed ungulates; ungulates are hoofed animals). Some close relatives of the pronghorn (several other species in the Antilocapridae family) failed to survive after humans entered North America 15,000 years ago. Visit the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) on the Plains of San Agustin fifty miles west of Socorro, between the towns of Magdalena and Datil, in New Mexico, USA.
    1404NM-6113_pronghorn.jpg
  • The pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is a mammal indigenous to interior western and central North America. The pronghorn is often incorrectly called an antelope (which is native only to Eurasia and Africa). The pronghorn species is the only surviving member of the family Antilocapridae, which is part of the Artiodactyla Order (even-toed ungulates; ungulates are hoofed animals). Some close relatives of the pronghorn (several other species in the Antilocapridae family) failed to survive after humans entered North America 15,000 years ago. Visit the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) on the Plains of San Agustin fifty miles west of Socorro, between the towns of Magdalena and Datil, in New Mexico, USA.
    1403SWC-306_pronghorn.jpg
  • A mountain goat shares the Exit Glacier Trail in the Kenai Mountains of Alaska, USA. The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus, or Rocky Mountain Goat) is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. It is an even-toed ungulate in the family Bovidae, in subfamily Caprinae (goat-antelopes), in the Oreamnos genus, but is NOT a true "goat." The only road into Kenai Fjords National Park is a spur of the Seward Highway to Exit Glacier, one of the most visited glaciers in Alaska. It was named after the exit of the first recorded crossing of Harding Icefield in 1968. Hike trails to the glacier terminus or up to Harding Icefield.
    06AK_7050-mountain-goat_Kenai-FNP.jpg
  • A mountain goat and kid share the Exit Glacier Trail in the Kenai Mountains of Alaska, USA. The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus, or Rocky Mountain Goat) is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. It is an even-toed ungulate in the family Bovidae, in subfamily Caprinae (goat-antelopes), in the Oreamnos genus, but is NOT a true "goat." The only road into Kenai Fjords National Park is a spur of the Seward Highway to Exit Glacier, one of the most visited glaciers in Alaska. It was named after the exit of the first recorded crossing of Harding Icefield in 1968. Hike trails to the glacier terminus or up to Harding Icefield.
    06AK_7046-mountain-goat_Kenai-FNP.jpg
  • Kangaroo Island Kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus) roam freely near the Visitor Centre and campground in Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Upon landing in 1802, famous explorer Captain Matthew Flinders shot the first Kangaroo Island Kangaroo. Not until the 1990s did taxonomists clarify that it was a subspecies of the Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus, a large brown marsupial mammal species in the Macropod family, Macropodidae), which lives across the southern part of Australia, from just south of Shark Bay to coastal South Australia, western Victoria, and the entire Murray-Darling Basin in New South Wales and Queensland. It breeds year round with a peak during summer months. Be cautious of kangaroos when driving roads at night.
    04AUS-20222_Kangaroo-joey.jpg
  • Kangaroo Island Kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus) roam freely near the Visitor Centre and campground in Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Upon landing in 1802, famous explorer Captain Matthew Flinders shot the first Kangaroo Island Kangaroo. Not until the 1990s did taxonomists clarify that it was a subspecies of the Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus, a large brown marsupial mammal species in the Macropod family, Macropodidae), which lives across the southern part of Australia, from just south of Shark Bay to coastal South Australia, western Victoria, and the entire Murray-Darling Basin in New South Wales and Queensland. It breeds year round with a peak during summer months. Be cautious of kangaroos when driving roads at night.
    04AUS-20215_Kangaroo-joey.jpg
  • Kangaroo Island Kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus) roam freely near the Visitor Centre and campground in Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Upon landing in 1802, famous explorer Captain Matthew Flinders shot the first Kangaroo Island Kangaroo. Not until the 1990s did taxonomists clarify that it was a subspecies of the Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus, a large brown marsupial mammal species in the Macropod family, Macropodidae), which lives across the southern part of Australia, from just south of Shark Bay to coastal South Australia, western Victoria, and the entire Murray-Darling Basin in New South Wales and Queensland. It breeds year round with a peak during summer months. Be cautious of kangaroos when driving roads at night.
    04AUS-20214_Kangaroo-campervan.jpg
  • Beach sand clings to a baby Galápagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) on Gardner Bay, a wet landing location on Española (Hood) Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America. This mammal in the Otariidae family breeds exclusively on the Galápagos Islands and in smaller numbers on Isla de la Plata, Ecuador. Being fairly social, and one of the most numerous species in the Galápagos archipelago, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups or gliding gracefully through the surf. They have a loud “bark”, playful nature, and graceful agility in water. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos Sea Lions range from 150 to 250 cm in length and weigh between 50 to 400 kg, with the males averaging larger than females. Sea lions have external ear-like pinnae flaps which distinguish them from their close relative with whom they are often confused, the seal. When wet, sea lions are a shade of dark brown, but once dry, their color varies greatly. The females tend to be a lighter shade than the males and the pups a chestnut brown. In 1959, Ecuador declared 97% of the land area of the Galápagos Islands to be Galápagos National Park, which UNESCO registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. Ecuador created the Galápagos Marine Reserve in 1998, which UNESCO appended in 2001. Published in Sport Diver magazine Nov/Dec 2014, "World's Best: Seals & Sea Lions" article, publisher BONNIER CORPORATION DIVE GROUP.
    09ECU-5511_Galapagos.jpg
  • Galápagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) bark and bask on the sandy beach of Gardner Bay, a wet landing location on Española (Hood) Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America. This mammal in the Otariidae family breeds exclusively on the Galápagos Islands and in smaller numbers on Isla de la Plata, Ecuador. Being fairly social, and one of the most numerous species in the Galápagos archipelago, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups or gliding gracefully through the surf. They have a loud “bark”, playful nature, and graceful agility in water. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos Sea Lions range from 150 to 250 cm in length and weigh between 50 to 400 kg, with the males averaging larger than females. Sea lions have external ear-like pinnae flaps which distinguish them from their close relative with whom they are often confused, the seal. When wet, sea lions are a shade of dark brown, but once dry, their color varies greatly. The females tend to be a lighter shade than the males and the pups a chestnut brown. In 1959, Ecuador declared 97% of the land area of the Galápagos Islands to be Galápagos National Park, which UNESCO registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. Ecuador created the Galápagos Marine Reserve in 1998, which UNESCO appended in 2001.
    09ECU-5485_Galapagos.jpg
  • Galápagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) bask near snorkelers on the sandy beach of Gardner Bay, a wet landing location on Española (Hood) Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America. This mammal in the Otariidae family breeds exclusively on the Galápagos Islands and in smaller numbers on Isla de la Plata, Ecuador. Being fairly social, and one of the most numerous species in the Galápagos archipelago, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups or gliding gracefully through the surf. They have a loud “bark”, playful nature, and graceful agility in water. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos Sea Lions range from 150 to 250 cm in length and weigh between 50 to 400 kg, with the males averaging larger than females. Sea lions have external ear-like pinnae flaps which distinguish them from their close relative with whom they are often confused, the seal. When wet, sea lions are a shade of dark brown, but once dry, their color varies greatly. The females tend to be a lighter shade than the males and the pups a chestnut brown. In 1959, Ecuador declared 97% of the land area of the Galápagos Islands to be Galápagos National Park, which UNESCO registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. Ecuador created the Galápagos Marine Reserve in 1998, which UNESCO appended in 2001.
    09ECU-5471_Galapagos.jpg
  • Galápagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) bask on the sandy beach of Gardner Bay, a wet landing location on Española (Hood) Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America. This mammal in the Otariidae family breeds exclusively on the Galápagos Islands and in smaller numbers on Isla de la Plata, Ecuador. Being fairly social, and one of the most numerous species in the Galápagos archipelago, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups or gliding gracefully through the surf. They have a loud “bark”, playful nature, and graceful agility in water. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos Sea Lions range from 150 to 250 cm in length and weigh between 50 to 400 kg, with the males averaging larger than females. Sea lions have external ear-like pinnae flaps which distinguish them from their close relative with whom they are often confused, the seal. When wet, sea lions are a shade of dark brown, but once dry, their color varies greatly. The females tend to be a lighter shade than the males and the pups a chestnut brown. In 1959, Ecuador declared 97% of the land area of the Galápagos Islands to be Galápagos National Park, which UNESCO registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. Ecuador created the Galápagos Marine Reserve in 1998, which UNESCO appended in 2001.
    09ECU-5466_Galapagos.jpg
  • Galápagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) bask near snorkelers on the sandy beach of Gardner Bay, a wet landing location on Española (Hood) Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America. This mammal in the Otariidae family breeds exclusively on the Galápagos Islands and in smaller numbers on Isla de la Plata, Ecuador. Being fairly social, and one of the most numerous species in the Galápagos archipelago, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups or gliding gracefully through the surf. They have a loud “bark”, playful nature, and graceful agility in water. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos Sea Lions range from 150 to 250 cm in length and weigh between 50 to 400 kg, with the males averaging larger than females. Sea lions have external ear-like pinnae flaps which distinguish them from their close relative with whom they are often confused, the seal. When wet, sea lions are a shade of dark brown, but once dry, their color varies greatly. The females tend to be a lighter shade than the males and the pups a chestnut brown. In 1959, Ecuador declared 97% of the land area of the Galápagos Islands to be Galápagos National Park, which UNESCO registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. Ecuador created the Galápagos Marine Reserve in 1998, which UNESCO appended in 2001.
    09ECU-5445_Galapagos.jpg
  • Galápagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) bask and ignore people on the sandy beach of Gardner Bay, a wet landing location on Española (Hood) Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America. This mammal in the Otariidae family breeds exclusively on the Galápagos Islands and in smaller numbers on Isla de la Plata, Ecuador. Being fairly social, and one of the most numerous species in the Galápagos archipelago, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups or gliding gracefully through the surf. They have a loud “bark”, playful nature, and graceful agility in water. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos Sea Lions range from 150 to 250 cm in length and weigh between 50 to 400 kg, with the males averaging larger than females. Sea lions have external ear-like pinnae flaps which distinguish them from their close relative with whom they are often confused, the seal. When wet, sea lions are a shade of dark brown, but once dry, their color varies greatly. The females tend to be a lighter shade than the males and the pups a chestnut brown. In 1959, Ecuador declared 97% of the land area of the Galápagos Islands to be Galápagos National Park, which UNESCO registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. Ecuador created the Galápagos Marine Reserve in 1998, which UNESCO appended in 2001.
    09ECU-5421_Galapagos.jpg
  • A Galápagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) watches waves break on North Seymour Island in the Galápagos archipelago, a province of Ecuador, located 972 km west of the continent of South America. This mammal in the Otariidae family breeds exclusively on the Galápagos Islands and in smaller numbers on Isla de la Plata, Ecuador. Being fairly social, and one of the most numerous species in the Galápagos archipelago, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups or gliding gracefully through the surf. They have a loud “bark”, playful nature, and graceful agility in water. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos Sea Lions range from 150 to 250 cm in length and weigh between 50 to 400 kg, with the males averaging larger than females. Sea lions have external ear-like pinnae flaps which distinguish them from their close relative with whom they are often confused, the seal. When wet, sea lions are a shade of dark brown, but once dry, their color varies greatly. The females tend to be a lighter shade than the males and the pups a chestnut brown. In 1959, Ecuador declared 97% of the land area of the Galápagos Islands to be Galápagos National Park, which UNESCO registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. Ecuador created the Galápagos Marine Reserve in 1998, which UNESCO appended in 2001.
    09ECU-4578_Galapagos.jpg
  • The Galápagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) is seen on Isla Genovesa (or Tower Island), Ecuador, South America. This mammal in the Otariidae family breeds exclusively on the Galápagos Islands and in smaller numbers on Isla de la Plata, Ecuador. Being fairly social, and one of the most numerous species in the Galápagos archipelago, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups or gliding gracefully through the surf. They have a loud “bark”, playful nature, and graceful agility in water. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos Sea Lions range from 150 to 250 cm in length and weigh between 50 to 400 kg, with the males averaging larger than females. Sea lions have external ear-like pinnae flaps which distinguish them from their close relative with whom they are often confused, the seal. When wet, sea lions are a shade of dark brown, but once dry, their color varies greatly. The females tend to be a lighter shade than the males and the pups a chestnut brown. In 1959, Ecuador declared 97% of the land area of the Galápagos Islands to be Galápagos National Park, which UNESCO registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. Ecuador created the Galápagos Marine Reserve in 1998, which UNESCO appended in 2001.
    09ECU-3217_Galapagos.jpg
  • A Galápagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) barks on Isla Genovesa (or Tower Island), Ecuador, South America. This mammal in the Otariidae family breeds exclusively on the Galápagos Islands and in smaller numbers on Isla de la Plata, Ecuador. Being fairly social, and one of the most numerous species in the Galápagos archipelago, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups or gliding gracefully through the surf. They have a loud “bark”, playful nature, and graceful agility in water. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos Sea Lions range from 150 to 250 cm in length and weigh between 50 to 400 kg, with the males averaging larger than females. Sea lions have external ear-like pinnae flaps which distinguish them from their close relative with whom they are often confused, the seal. When wet, sea lions are a shade of dark brown, but once dry, their color varies greatly. The females tend to be a lighter shade than the males and the pups a chestnut brown. In 1959, Ecuador declared 97% of the land area of the Galápagos Islands to be Galápagos National Park, which UNESCO registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. Ecuador created the Galápagos Marine Reserve in 1998, which UNESCO appended in 2001.
    09ECU-3215_Galapagos.jpg
  • A mountain goat rests at Hidden Lake by Bearhat Mountain in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus, or Rocky Mountain Goat) is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. It is an even-toed ungulate in the family Bovidae, in subfamily Caprinae (goat-antelopes), in the Oreamnos genus, but is NOT a true "goat" (or Capra genus). Since 1932, Canada and USA have shared Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, which UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site (1995) containing two Biosphere Reserves (1976). Rocks in the park are primarily sedimentary layers deposited in shallow seas over 1.6 billion to 800 million years ago. During the tectonic formation of the Rocky Mountains 170 million years ago, the Lewis Overthrust displaced these old rocks over newer Cretaceous age rocks. Glaciers carved spectacular U-shaped valleys and pyramidal peaks as recently as the Last Glacial Maximum (the last "Ice Age" 25,000 to 13,000 years ago). Of the 150 glaciers existing in the mid 1800s, only 25 active glaciers remain in the park as of 2010, and all may disappear as soon as 2020, say climate scientists.
    02GLA-06-26_Mountain-goat_Hidden-Lak...jpg
  • A hippopotamus or hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius scientific name; from the Greek hippopotamos, hippos meaning horse and potamus meaning river), is a large, mostly plant-eating African mammal, one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae (the other being the Pygmy Hippopotamus). The hippo is semi-aquatic, inhabiting rivers and lakes in sub-Saharan Africa in groups of 5-30 hippos. During the day they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river. They emerge at dusk to graze on grass. While hippos rest near each other in territories in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land. Despite their physical resemblance to pigs and other terrestrial even-toed ungulates, their closest living relatives are cetaceans (whales, porpoise, etc.). The common ancestor of whales and hippos split from other even-toed ungulates around 60 million years ago. The earliest known hippopotamus fossils, belonging to the genus Kenyapotamus in Africa, date to around 16 million years ago. The hippopotamus is recognizable for its barrel-shaped torso, enormous mouth and teeth, hairless body, stubby legs and tremendous size. Hippos have been clocked at 30 mph (48 km/h) while running short distances, faster than an Olympic sprinter. The hippopotamus is one of the most aggressive animals in the world, and are often regarded as the most dangerous animal in Africa. There are an estimated 125,000 to 150,000 hippos remaining throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, of which Zambia (40,000) and Tanzania (20,000-30,000) have the largest populations. They are still threatened by poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth, and by habitat loss. Photographed in the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, Washington.
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  • A brown bear (called a grizzly in the Lower 48) strides over a log in the Alaska Zoo, Anchorage, Alaska, USA. The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is an omnivorous mammal of the order Carnivora, found across northern Eurasia (including Russia and Scandinavia) and North America. The easiest place to see brown bears in the wild is by taking the bus on the Denali National Park Road in Alaska.
    06AK_8031-Brown-bear_grizzly_Alaska-...jpg
  • Red sand coats the back of a Galápagos Sea Lion pup (Zalophus wollebaeki) on Rábida Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America. This mammal in the Otariidae family breeds exclusively on the Galápagos Islands and in smaller numbers on Isla de la Plata, Ecuador. Being fairly social, and one of the most numerous species in the Galápagos archipelago, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups or gliding gracefully through the surf. They have a loud “bark”, playful nature, and graceful agility in water. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos Sea Lions range from 150 to 250 cm in length and weigh between 50 to 400 kg, with the males averaging larger than females. Sea lions have external ear-like pinnae flaps which distinguish them from their close relative with whom they are often confused, the seal. When wet, sea lions are a shade of dark brown, but once dry, their color varies greatly. The females tend to be a lighter shade than the males and the pups a chestnut brown. In 1959, Ecuador declared 97% of the land area of the Galápagos Islands to be Galápagos National Park, which UNESCO registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. Ecuador created the Galápagos Marine Reserve in 1998, which UNESCO appended in 2001.
    94GAL-15-14_sea-lion-pup_Red-Sand_Ra...jpg
  • Beach sand clings to a Galápagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) on Gardner Bay, a wet landing location on Española (Hood) Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America. This mammal in the Otariidae family breeds exclusively on the Galápagos Islands and in smaller numbers on Isla de la Plata, Ecuador. Being fairly social, and one of the most numerous species in the Galápagos archipelago, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups or gliding gracefully through the surf. They have a loud “bark”, playful nature, and graceful agility in water. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos Sea Lions range from 150 to 250 cm in length and weigh between 50 to 400 kg, with the males averaging larger than females. Sea lions have external ear-like pinnae flaps which distinguish them from their close relative with whom they are often confused, the seal. When wet, sea lions are a shade of dark brown, but once dry, their color varies greatly. The females tend to be a lighter shade than the males and the pups a chestnut brown. In 1959, Ecuador declared 97% of the land area of the Galápagos Islands to be Galápagos National Park, which UNESCO registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. Ecuador created the Galápagos Marine Reserve in 1998, which UNESCO appended in 2001.
    09ECU-5496_Galapagos.jpg
  • Galápagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on Isla San Cristóbal (Chatham Island), the easternmost island in the Galápagos archipelago, Ecuador. This mammal in the Otariidae family breeds exclusively on the Galápagos Islands and in smaller numbers on Isla de la Plata, Ecuador. Being fairly social, and one of the most numerous species in the Galápagos archipelago, they are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or rock groups or gliding gracefully through the surf. They have a loud “bark”, playful nature, and graceful agility in water. Slightly smaller than their Californian relatives, Galápagos Sea Lions range from 150 to 250 cm in length and weigh between 50 to 400 kg, with the males averaging larger than females. Sea lions have external ear-like pinnae flaps which distinguish them from their close relative with whom they are often confused, the seal. When wet, sea lions are a shade of dark brown, but once dry, their color varies greatly. The females tend to be a lighter shade than the males and the pups a chestnut brown. Isla San Cristóbal (Chatham Island) is the easternmost island in the Galápagos archipelago, and one of the oldest geologically. Its Spanish (and most commonly used) name "San Cristóbal" comes from the Patron Saint of seafarers, "St. Christopher." In 1959, Ecuador declared 97% of the land area of the Galápagos Islands to be Galápagos National Park, which UNESCO registered as a World Heritage Site in 1978. Ecuador created the Galápagos Marine Reserve in 1998, which UNESCO appended in 2001.
    09ECU-3110_Galapagos.jpg
  • Female Lion. The lion (Panthera leo) is a member of the family Felidae and one of four big cats in the genus Panthera. It is the second-largest living cat after the tiger. Wild lions currently exist in Sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia with a critically endangered remnant population in northwest India, having disappeared from North Africa, the Middle East, and Western Asia in historic times. Until the late Pleistocene (about 10,000 years ago), the lion was the most widespread large land mammal beside humans. They were found in most of Africa, much of Eurasia from western Europe to India and, in the Americas, from the Yukon to Peru. Photographed in the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, Washington, USA.
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  • The Red Panda, Firefox, Fire Cat, or Lesser Panda, or Ailurus fulgens ("shining cat"), is a mostly herbivorous mammal, specialized as a bamboo feeder. The most recent molecular-systematic DNA research places the Red Panda into its own independent family Ailuridae. Ailuridae are in turn part of a trichotomy within the broad superfamily Musteloidea (Flynn et al., 2001) that also includes the Mephitidae (skunks) and the Procyonidae (raccoons) + Mustelidae (weasels). Unlike the Giant Panda, it is not a bear (Ursidae). The Red Panda is slightly larger than a domestic cat (40 - 60 cm long, 3 - 6 kg weight), and is endemic to the Himalayas in Bhutan, southern China, India, Laos, Nepal, and Burma. Red Panda is the state animal in the Indian state of Sikkim, and also the mascot of the Darjeeling international festivals. There is an estimated population of fewer than 2,500 mature individuals. Their population continues to decline due to habitat fragmentation. Photographed in the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, Washington.
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  • The endangered African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus, derived from the Greek for "painted wolf") is a carnivorous mammal of the Canidae family, found only in Africa, especially in scrub savanna and other lightly wooded areas. It is also called the African Hunting Dog, the Cape Hunting Dog, the Spotted Dog, or the Painted Wolf in English, Wildehond in Afrikaans, and Mbwa mwitu in Swahili. It is the only species in the genus Lycaon. The African Wild Dog has a pelage (coat, or hair) with an irregular pattern of black, yellow, and white, distinctive for each individual. It is the only canid species to lack dewclaws on the forelimbs. Photographed in the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, Washington, USA.
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  • A line of three Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) cruise the highway in Waterton Park townsite, Alberta, Canada. Wild sheep crossed the Bering land bridge from Siberia during the Pleistocene (about 750,000 years ago) and spread across western North America as far south as Baja California and northwestern Mexico. Genetic divergence from their closest Asian ancestor (snow sheep) occurred about 600,000 years ago.
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  • The Valais Blackneck goat is bred for long hair as protection from harsh Alpine conditions. From Berghotel Faulhorn, we hiked the spectacular trail to Schynige Platte (6.9 miles, 400 feet ascent, 2660 ft descent) in Switzerland, Europe. Then we took the scenic Schynige Platte cog train down to Wilderswil, where a train took us to Lauterbrunnen Bahnhof and adjacent Hotel Silberhorn. Berghotel Faulhorn was built in 1830, one of the oldest mountain hotels in the Alps. Earplugs are recommended for sleeping, as the old walls are thin. Perched on a remote precipice with great views especially at sunset and sunrise, Berghotel Faulhorn has flush toilets, but no drinking-water supply, nor guest showers. To save money, carry extra liters of drinking water from Grindelwald. In 2022, Berghotel Faulhorn charged 4 CHF per liter for hikers' tea, and 12 CHF per 1.5-liter bottle of drinking water. The hut's roof-gathered water is undrinkable (and our squeeze-filter didn't remove the bad taste). For personal hygiene, cold water is provided in the dormitory washroom, and the private rooms have nostalgic water jugs and bowls.
    22ALP-11109.jpg
  • Stäubifall (aka Stäuben or Staublifall) at the hamlet of Äsch, near Unterschachen village, in Uri canton, Switzerland, Europe. Swiss Via Alpina (National Route 1), Day 4: From Hotel Klausenpass, we hiked to Unterschachen (6.25 miles, 115 feet up, 3070 ft down). From Unterschachen, we rode the Postbus to Bürglen, where we walked from the William Tell Museum to Hotel Höfli in Altdorf (1.1 miles, 280 ft down).
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  • Calf with sharp anti-suckling nose ring for weaning from mother's milk. Swiss Via Alpina 1, Day 2: ascending Foopass from Wiesstannen in Switzerland, Europe. Swiss Via Alpina (National Route 1), Day 2: From Hotel Gemse in Wiesstannen, we arranged a taxi to save 4.2 miles of walking to Alp Walabutz, from where we hiked over Foopass to Elm (9.1 miles, 2840 feet up, 4100 ft down). From Elm, we rode a Postbus to Schwanden then train to Linthal Braunwaldbahn Talstation, to catch the funicular to Braunwald, where we walked 0.6 mile with 340 ft ascent to Alexander´s Tödiblick hotel.
    22ALP-07421.jpg
  • Sheep seen near Les Chapieux, below Col de la Seigne, France, Europe. Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) trek Day 3: hike from Les Chapieux in France via Col de la Seigne to Elisabetta Refuge in Val Veny, Italy (8.8 miles miles with 3450 feet ascent, 1440 ft descent).
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  • Donkeys lick salt at Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme, France, Europe. Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) trek Day 2: hike from Les Contamines-Montjoie via Col du Bonhomme to Les Chambres du Soleil in Les Chapieux hamlet, in Bourg-Saint-Maurice commune, France (11.4 miles with 4200 feet ascent, 3000 ft descent).
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  • The Wetterhorn or "Weather Peak" (12,143 feet) rises above a cow pasture at Kleine Scheidegg in the Berner Oberland, Switzerland, the Alps, Europe. A hiker pets a large cow. The Bernese Highlands are the upper part of Bern Canton. In 2001, UNESCO honored Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn as a World Heritage Area. UNESCO lists “Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch” as a World Heritage Area (2001, 2007). Published in Wilderness Travel 2013 Catalog.
    05ALP_0028-Cow-Wetterhorn.jpg
  • A line of three Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) cruise the highway in Waterton Park townsite, Alberta, Canada. Wild sheep crossed the Bering land bridge from Siberia during the Pleistocene (about 750,000 years ago) and spread across western North America as far south as Baja California and northwestern Mexico. Genetic divergence from their closest Asian ancestor (snow sheep) occurred about 600,000 years ago.
    2209RV-1436.jpg
  • Horse drawn carriage ride. Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum, near Brienz, Canton of Bern, Switzerland, Europe. Founded in 1978, Ballenberg displays traditional buildings and architecture from all over the country, making it a Swiss heritage site of national significance. Over 100 original buildings have been transported from their original sites. Some of the industrial and crafting buildings give demonstrations of traditional rural crafts, techniques and cheesemaking, and farmyard animals are raised.
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  • Horse drawn carriage ride. Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum, near Brienz, Canton of Bern, Switzerland, Europe. Founded in 1978, Ballenberg displays traditional buildings and architecture from all over the country, making it a Swiss heritage site of national significance. Over 100 original buildings have been transported from their original sites. Over 100 original buildings have been transported from their original sites. Over 100 original buildings have been transported from their original sites. Farmyard animals are raised, and some of the  buildings give live demonstrations of traditional rural crafts, techniques, and cheesemaking.
    22ALP-12264.jpg
  • Cow at Bachalpsee. From Grindelwald, we took the First gondola to Bort, then hiked via First to Berghotel Faulhorn (6 miles with 3650 feet ascent, 130 ft descent) to stay for an impressive sunset and sunrise, in Switzerland, Europe. (Or save effort by starting at First instead of Bort.) Berghotel Faulhorn was built in 1830, one of the oldest mountain hotels in the Alps. Earplugs are recommended for sleeping, as the old walls are thin. Perched on a remote precipice, Berghotel Faulhorn has flush toilets, but no drinking-water supply, nor guest showers. To save money, carry extra liters of drinking water from Grindelwald. In 2022, Berghotel Faulhorn charged 4 CHF per liter for hikers' tea, and 12 CHF per 1.5-liter bottle of drinking water. The hut's roof-gathered water is undrinkable (and our squeeze-filter didn't remove the bad taste). For personal hygiene, cold water is provided in the dormitory washroom, and the private rooms have nostalgic water jugs and bowls.
    22ALP-10418.jpg
  • Capra ibex / steinbock / bouquetin at Glecksteinhütte above Grindelwald, in Switzerland, Europe. The ibex, a species of wild goat in the European Alps, was hunted to near extinction in the 1800s but was successfully reintroduced and protected. Gleckstein Hut (German: Glecksteinhütte) is a steep hike (6 miles round trip, 3000 feet gain and loss) high above Grindelwald in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. Run by the Swiss Alpine Club, the hut is at 2,317 meters elevation, above the Upper Grindelwald Glacier in the Bernese Alps. It's a popular goal for hikers, and climbers use it as a base for the ascent of the Wetterhorn and the Schreckhorn. From Grindelwald, take the PostBus to Abzweigung Gleckstein stop at 1557 m elevation, halfway between Hotel Wetterhorn and Grosse Scheidegg pass. (Hiking from Hotel Wetterhorn trailhead at 1275 meters elevation will add 900 feet of climb for 3900 ft total gain.)
    22ALP-09819.jpg
  • Capra ibex / steinbock / bouquetin at Glecksteinhütte above Grindelwald, in Switzerland, Europe. The ibex, a species of wild goat in the European Alps, was hunted to near extinction in the 1800s but was successfully reintroduced and protected. Gleckstein Hut (German: Glecksteinhütte) is a steep hike (6 miles round trip, 3000 feet gain and loss) high above Grindelwald in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. Run by the Swiss Alpine Club, the hut is at 2,317 meters elevation, above the Upper Grindelwald Glacier in the Bernese Alps. It's a popular goal for hikers, and climbers use it as a base for the ascent of the Wetterhorn and the Schreckhorn. From Grindelwald, take the PostBus to Abzweigung Gleckstein stop at 1557 m elevation, halfway between Hotel Wetterhorn and Grosse Scheidegg pass. (Hiking from Hotel Wetterhorn trailhead at 1275 meters elevation will add 900 feet of climb for 3900 ft total gain.)
    22ALP-09812.jpg
  • Capra ibex / steinbock / bouquetin at Glecksteinhütte above Grindelwald, in Switzerland, Europe. The ibex, a species of wild goat in the European Alps, was hunted to near extinction in the 1800s but was successfully reintroduced and protected. Gleckstein Hut (German: Glecksteinhütte) is a steep hike (6 miles round trip, 3000 feet gain and loss) high above Grindelwald in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. Run by the Swiss Alpine Club, the hut is at 2,317 meters elevation, above the Upper Grindelwald Glacier in the Bernese Alps. It's a popular goal for hikers, and climbers use it as a base for the ascent of the Wetterhorn and the Schreckhorn. From Grindelwald, take the PostBus to Abzweigung Gleckstein stop at 1557 m elevation, halfway between Hotel Wetterhorn and Grosse Scheidegg pass. (Hiking from Hotel Wetterhorn trailhead at 1275 meters elevation will add 900 feet of climb for 3900 ft total gain.)
    22ALP-09809.jpg
  • Swiss Via Alpina 1: a cow with a large bell at Trübsee, near Engelberg, in Switzerland, Europe. In Engelberg, we rode the Titlis lift, the world's first rotating cable car. The Titlis cable car system connects Engelberg (996 m or 3,268 ft) to the summit of Klein Titlis (3,028 m or 9,934 ft) via stations at Trübsee and Stand. At Klein Titlis, we visited the illuminated Glacier Cave and Titlis Cliff Walk, the highest elevation suspension bridge in Europe, opened in December 2012, giving views across the Alps. We enjoyed walking 2 miles around scenic Trübsee, a circuit where six play stations for kids make an ideal family excursion, suitable for strollers. Scheduling 3 nights in Engelberg provided a well-needed rest break in the middle of hiking the first ten stages of the Swiss Via Alpina (National Route 1).
    22ALP-08787.jpg
  • Swiss Via Alpina (National Route 1), Day 3: From Alexander´s Tödiblick hotel in Braunwald, we walked to Urnerboden (8 miles, 1080 feet up, 1000 ft down) in Switzerland, Europe. From Urnerboden, we rode the Postbus up to Hotel Klausenpass (saving 6 miles of walking).
    22ALP-07707.jpg
  • Cows by a barn in fog. Swiss Via Alpina 1, Day 2: ascending Foopass from Wiesstannen in Switzerland, Europe. Swiss Via Alpina (National Route 1), Day 2: From Hotel Gemse in Wiesstannen, we arranged a taxi to save 4.2 miles of walking to Alp Walabutz, from where we hiked over Foopass to Elm (9.1 miles, 2840 feet up, 4100 ft down). From Elm, we rode a Postbus to Schwanden then train to Linthal Braunwaldbahn Talstation, to catch the funicular to Braunwald, where we walked 0.6 mile with 340 ft ascent to Alexander´s Tödiblick hotel.
    22ALP-07420.jpg
  • Sheep seen while hiking Gspon Hohenweg (9 miles, 2650 feet ascent, 1063 ft descent). Tips: Start with the earliest bus from Saas-Fee to Stalden-Saas bus stop. Buy a one-way ticket to the top of the Stalden- Gspon Luftseilbahn (Cable Car). The hike ends by taking Kreuzboden gondola down to Saas Grund, where a bus ascends to Saas-Fee. Saas-Fee is the main village in the Saastal, (Saas Valley), in the district of Visp, canton of Valais, in Switzerland, Europe. The village perches on a high mountain plateau at 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) elevation, surrounded by 13 peaks above 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). This classic ski resort features a car-free city center and well-preserved Swiss wood architecture.
    22ALP-06814.jpg
  • Capra ibex / steinbock / bouquetin near Lac de Chéserys, Chamonix, France, Europe. The ibex, a species of wild goat in the European Alps, was hunted to near extinction in the 1800s but was successfully reintroduced and protected. We hiked a loop to Lac Blanc and Lac de Chéserys, starting from atop the lift, "Télécabine Flégère–Les Praz" (5.8 miles with 1930 feet ascent and descent). This rewarding circuit covers the most scenic parts of Stage 10 (Étape 10) of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), but with less effort than starting from Tré-le-Champ. This hike on the Tour du Mont Blanc is also part of the Walker’s Haute Route (from Chamonix to Zermatt).
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  • California ground squirrel. Leffingwell Landing Park, part of Hearst San Simeon State Park, Cambria, California, USA
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  • Cows graze an alpine pasture in Sefinental across from Jungfrau mountain (13,600 feet) and the Lauterbrunnen Wall in Berner Oberland, Switzerland, the Alps, Europe. UNESCO lists “Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch” as a World Heritage Area (2001, 2007). Published in Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures "Inn to Inn Alpine Hiking Adventures" Catalog 2007-2009, 2011, 2012, 2013.
    05ALP_0235pan1$4-cows-Jungfrau.jpg
  • Capra ibex / steinbock / bouquetin at Glecksteinhütte above Grindelwald, in Switzerland, Europe. The ibex, a species of wild goat in the European Alps, was hunted to near extinction in the 1800s but was successfully reintroduced and protected. Gleckstein Hut (German: Glecksteinhütte) is a steep hike (6 miles round trip, 3000 feet gain and loss) high above Grindelwald in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. Run by the Swiss Alpine Club, the hut is at 2,317 meters elevation, above the Upper Grindelwald Glacier in the Bernese Alps. It's a popular goal for hikers, and climbers use it as a base for the ascent of the Wetterhorn and the Schreckhorn. From Grindelwald, take the PostBus to Abzweigung Gleckstein stop at 1557 m elevation, halfway between Hotel Wetterhorn and Grosse Scheidegg pass. (Hiking from Hotel Wetterhorn trailhead at 1275 meters elevation will add 900 feet of climb for 3900 ft total gain.)
    22ALP-09813.jpg
  • Hikers walk by cows below Mt Titlis (10,623 ft), near Fürenalp, Engelberg, Switzerland, Europe. Swiss Via Alpina (National Route 1), Day 5: From Altdorf, we rode the PostBus to Attinghausen Seilbahn, a cable car which ascends to Brüsti, from where we hiked over Surenenpass to Fürenalp cable car (8.8 miles, 3360 feet up, 2340 ft down), which we rode plus PostBus to reach Hotel Sonnwendhof in Engelberg.
    22ALP-08419.jpg
  • A cow licks its nose near Les Contamines-Montjoie, in. France, Europe. Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) trek Day 2: hike from Les Contamines-Montjoie via Col du Bonhomme to Les Chambres du Soleil in Les Chapieux hamlet, in Bourg-Saint-Maurice commune, France (11.4 miles with 4200 feet ascent, 3000 ft descent).
    22ALP-02843.jpg
  • A packer on horseback leads mules up Pine Creek Pass Trail in Inyo National Forest, California, USA. We backpacked to Honeymoon Lake and Granite Park. Day 1: backpack 6.2 miles with 2900 feet gain to Honeymoon Lake. Day 2: backpack 3.1 miles with 1300 ft gain to Granite Park. Day 3: backpack 2.7 miles with 1300 ft descent to Honeymoon Lake to set up tents; then day hike 4.4 miles round trip with 900 ft gain to Pine Creek Pass. Day 4: backpack 6.2 miles with 2900 ft descent to the trailhead.
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  • Refugio Chileno offers horse transportation, and supplies tents fully equipped with pads and sleeping bags. From Refugio Chileno, we hiked to Mirador Base Las Torres (9.5 km or 5.9 miles round trip with 600 m or 1980 ft gain) to view the namesake towers of Torres del Paine National Park, in Ultima Esperanza Province, Chile, Patagonia, South America. The salmon dinner & dessert served at Refugio Chileno was our tastiest meal along the W Route! UNESCO honors the Park as a World Biosphere Reserve.
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  • A sign implores drivers to slow for huemules and prevent forest fires on RP23, near Lago del Desierto, in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, Patagonia, South America. The south Andean deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus), also known as the southern guemal, Chilean huemul or güemul, is an endangered deer species native to the mountains of Argentina and Chile. The huemul is part of Chile's national coat of arms and is a National Natural Monument.
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  • Mountain lion sculpture. Canyons Of The Ancients Visitor Center & Museum (formerly known as the Anasazi Heritage Center), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), near Cortez, Colorado, USA. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument preserves the largest concentration of archaeological sites (6000+) in the United States, primarily Ancestral Puebloan ruins. The term "Ancestral Puebloans" is now more appropriate than the previous term, "Anasazi," which means "ancient enemies" or "enemy ancestors" in Navajo. "Anasazi" is objectionable to the diverse Pueblo peoples who are modern-day descendants of the Ancestral Puebloans. By 750 CE, the Ancestral Puebloans had developed from the Basketmaker culture, whereas the Athabaskan ancestors of the Navajo and Apache entered the Southwest much later, around 1400 CE. After first being applied to ruins of Mesa Verde in the 1880s, the word Anasazi was established in archaeological terminology through the Pecos Classification system in 1927. Contemporary Hopi prefer the word Hisatsinom for their ancient ancestors, but that word isn't used by other Puebloan cultural groups such as the Zuni, Acoma, and others.
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  • The Beaver Sculpture by Alex Lojczyc arrived at Beaverlodge in 2004, on Highway 43, County of Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. This statue is of a North American beaver (Castor canadensis). [By the way, the now-extinct Giant Beaver (Castoroides ohioensis) was the largest rodent ever in North America. It lived from 130,000-10,000 years ago, in the Pleistocene Epoch. Skeletal remains of this extinct rodent were first discovered in 1837. Castoroides ohioensis measured up to 8 feet long, weighing 480 pounds, and differed in appearance from the modern sculpture pictured here.]
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  • The moose (Alces alces) is the largest species of the deer family. Denali National Park, Alaska, USA.
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  • The American Scimitar Cat (Homotherium serum) lived in the Yukon and Beringia 80,000–20,000 years ago, and other areas on earth from 4 million–12,000 years ago. (The Scimitar Cat's fangs, or maxillary canine teeth, are shorter than those of the head shown below of a Sabre-toothed Cat, a close relative which has never been found in Beringia.) Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, in Whitehorse, capital and largest city of the Yukon, Canada. During the ice ages, Beringia's climate alternated between warm interglacial and cold glacial periods. During glacial periods, sea levels dropped 120 meters, exposing a land bridge that was up to 1000 kilometers (620 miles) wide. Beringia, like most of Siberia and all of North and Northeast China, was a grassland steppe. Fossils found on both sides of the Bering Land Bridge show that since the time of the dinosaurs, it was a major route for the exchange of plants and animals between Asia and North America. Swedish botanist Eric Hultén coined the term Beringia in 1937. Beringia is the land and ocean area bounded on the west by the Lena River in Russia; on the east by the Mackenzie River in Canada; on the north by 72 degrees north latitude in the Chukchi Sea; and on the south by the tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula. It includes the Chukchi Sea, the Bering Sea, the Bering Strait, the Chukchi and Kamchatka Peninsulas in Russia plus Alaska in the United States.
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  • Funny sheep, curly wool. Hike along the River Swale from Reeth to Marske, in Yorkshire Dales National Park, England, United Kingdom, Europe. England Coast to Coast hike day 9 of 14. Overnight at Kings Head Hotel in Richmond, North Yorkshire county. [This image, commissioned by Wilderness Travel, is not available to any other agency providing group travel in the UK, but may otherwise be licensable from Tom Dempsey – please inquire at PhotoSeek.com.]
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  • Sheep seen at Wasdale Head in Lake District NP, United Kingdom, Europe. England Coast to Coast hike with Wilderness Travel, day 3 of 14: from Wasdale Head to Seathwaite. From Wasdale Head, we climbed to 1637-foot Styhead Pass, then descended via Styhead Tarn to the valley of Borrowdale. Overnight at Keswick Country House, in Cumbria county. [This image, commissioned by Wilderness Travel, is not available to any other agency providing group travel in the UK, but may otherwise be licensable from Tom Dempsey – please inquire at PhotoSeek.com.]
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  • Stuffed heads of invasive feral goats, pigs, and deer educate visitors at Kokee Natural History Museum, Kauai, Hawaii, USA. The scenic Koke'e State Park is in northwestern Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands, USA. Perched on a plateau between 3200 and 4200 feet, the park gets temperatures at least 15 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than at sea level. Koke'e receives 50-100 inches of rain per year, mostly from October to May. Its forests are dominated by Acacia koa and ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees.
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  • Within 15 minutes walk from Stellisee lake, relax at Bergrestaurant Fluhalp at the heart of the Sunnegga-Blauherd-Rothorn hiking & ski region, in Zermatt, the Pennine/Valais Alps, Switzerland, Europe. Experience Stellisee best at sunrise with great reflections of the Matterhorn, after overnight stay at Fluhalp (half board meals, coin showers, private rooms & dormitory), 40 minutes walk from Blauherd lift. The best parts of the Five Lakes Trail / 5-Seenweg loop are the old wood buildings in upper Findeln, and the reflecting lakes of Grindjisee and Stellisee.
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  • From Zermatt, hike the scenic Höhbalmen Höhenweg loop via Bergrestaurant Edelweiss, Trift Hut and Zmutt, in the Pennine Alps, Switzerland, Europe. With delightful views of the Matterhorn plus other peaks and glaciers, this strenuous walk went up and down 1200 meters over 21.6 km (13.4 miles).
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  • Alpine ibex males carry big horns above Lake Louvie, near Verbier, in the Pennine/Valais Alps, Switzerland, Europe. The Alpine ibex or steinbock (Capra ibex, in the Bovidae family) is a wild goat native to the European Alps. After being eliminated from most of the European Alps by the 1800s, the ibex was successfully reintroduced. Four distinct social groups tend to form: adult male groups (shown here), female-offspring groups, groups of young individuals, and mixed sex groups; but Adult males and females segregate for most of the year, coming together only to mate.
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  • Hike the dramatic Sentier des Chamois from Verbier, in Switzerland, the Alps, Europe. The Chamois Path starts at La Chaux ski lift and ends at Fionnay PostBus. Cross Col Termin (2648m/8688 ft) in Haut Val de Bagnes nature reserve and descend to Lake Louvie via 1800s stone barns to the north, then to Fionnay (640 m up, 1415 m down in 8.5 hours). Along the way, we admired a group fighting of Hérens cows, ibex with huge horns, and the glaciers of Grand Combins. Optionally stay overnight in dorms Cabane de Louvie.
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  • Ride the PostBus from Meiringen, over Grimsel Pass to Oberwald, in the Bernese Alps, Switzerland, Europe. An extensive system of hydro-electric dams built in the 1920s and 1950s dominates the scenery of Grimselpass. Some aging hotels cling to the pass.
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  • Bachalpsee reflects peaks above Grindelwald, in Bern canton, Switzerland, the Alps, Europe. Hike a very spectacular trail from Eigeralp farm at upper Bussalp, around Faulhorn to Bachalpsee, finishing at the gondola lift station at First, which descends to Grindelwald BGF. Along this hike on a clear day, admire breathtaking array of peaks: Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, Finsteraarhorn (highest mountain in the Bernese Alps, at 4274 m or 14,022 ft), Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Eigeralp.ch offers a wonderful traditional breakfast and farm stays, and can be reached as follows: ride the private GrindelwaldBus.ch to the last stop in Bussalp, then ascend 40 minutes on foot. The Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch region is honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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  • Eat a special dinner with a top Swiss sommelier (wine steward) at Hotel Alpenblick, Wilderswil, Switzerland, the Alps, Europe.
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  • Above the beautiful lake of Oeschinensee, easily reached by lift from Kandersteg, is a challenging hike traversing steeply up over Hohtürli Pass then down to Griesalp in the remote valley of Kiental, Switzerland, Europe. Ascend 1120 meters and descend 1380 m in 13 km, which feels much longer due to steep, exposed rocky & gravelly slopes. Stairs and ladders assist your footing. Optionally stay overnight in Blüemlisalp hut at Hohtürli Pass.
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  • Sheep graze a patch of snow in the alpine meadows (alps) of Lötschental above Lauchernalp gondola lift station in canton Valais/Wallis, Switzerland, Europe. Kandersteg is a great base for hiking: an epic hike from Selden in Bern canton traverses Lötsch glacier and Lötschenpass (Lötschepass) to neighboring Lötschental in Valais canton; hiking poles are recommended for snow and rocks. The walk starts with a reserved Postbus ride from Kandersteg to Selden (in Gasterntal / Gasteretal / Gasterental), climbs 1350 meters, descends 925 m, and ends 13 km later at Lauchernalp lift station, which descends to Wiler in Lötschental, to reach Goppenstein via Postbus, back to Kandersteg via train. You can also reverse the route or stay overnight in dorms at Lötschepass hut.
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  • Sheep graze in the alpine meadows (alps) of Lötschental above Lauchernalp gondola lift station in canton Valais/Wallis, Switzerland, Europe. Kandersteg is a great base for hiking: an epic hike from Selden in Bern canton traverses Lötsch glacier and Lötschenpass (Lötschepass) to neighboring Lötschental in Valais canton; hiking poles are recommended for snow and rocks. The walk starts with a reserved Postbus ride from Kandersteg to Selden (in Gasterntal / Gasteretal / Gasterental), climbs 1350 meters, descends 925 m, and ends 13 km later at Lauchernalp lift station, which descends to Wiler in Lötschental, to reach Goppenstein via Postbus, back to Kandersteg via train. You can also reverse the route or stay overnight in dorms at Lötschepass hut.
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  • Walk through the deeply glaciated valley of Gasterntal (or Gasteretal or Gasterental) to explore the headwaters of the Kander River. A nice 7 km walk with 390 m gain up to Selden starts from the bus stop for Luftseilbahn Kandersteg-Sunnbüel. From Selden, take Postbus back (reservations required) to Kandersteg hauptbahnhof. Gasterntal is in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, Europe.
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  • Kandersteg, in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, Europe.
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  • Young ibex on steep snow slope. Alpine ibex gather at Rotsteinpass (2120 m) in the Alpstein limestone mountain range, Appenzell Alps, Switzerland, Europe. The Alpine ibex or steinbock (Capra ibex, in the Bovidae family) is a wild goat of the European Alps. Four distinct social groups tend to form: adult male groups, female-offspring groups, groups of young individuals, and mixed sex groups; but Adult males and females segregate for most of the year, coming together only to mate. After being eliminated from most of the European Alps by the 1800s, the ibex was successfully reintroduced. Appenzell Innerrhoden is Switzerland's most traditional and smallest-population canton (second smallest by area).
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  • Alpine ibex gather at Rotsteinpass (2120 m) in the Alpstein limestone mountain range, Appenzell Alps, Switzerland, Europe. The Alpine ibex or steinbock (Capra ibex, in the Bovidae family) is a wild goat of the European Alps. Four distinct social groups tend to form: adult male groups, female-offspring groups, groups of young individuals, and mixed sex groups; but Adult males and females segregate for most of the year, coming together only to mate. After being eliminated from most of the European Alps by the 1800s, the ibex was successfully reintroduced. Appenzell Innerrhoden is Switzerland's most traditional and smallest-population canton (second smallest by area).
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  • Horns of Alpine ibex are displayed in the dining room of Berggasthaus Rotsteinpass (2120 m) in the Alpstein limestone mountain range, Appenzell Alps, Switzerland, Europe. The Alpine ibex or steinbock (Capra ibex, in the Bovidae family) is a wild goat of the European Alps. The larger males carry big curved horns. Alpine ibex tend to live in steep, rough terrain above the snow line. Four distinct social groups tend to form: adult male groups, female-offspring groups, groups of young individuals, and mixed sex groups; but Adult males and females segregate for most of the year, coming together only to mate. After being eliminated from most areas by the 1800s, the ibex was successfully reintroduced. Appenzell Innerrhoden is Switzerland's most traditional and smallest-population canton (second smallest by area).
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  • Dairy cows at sunrise. Berggasthaus Meglisalp can only be reached on foot in the spectacular heart of the Alpstein mountain chain in the Appenzell Alps, Switzerland, Europe. This authentic mountain hostelry, owned by the same family for five generations, dates from 1897. Meglisalp is a working dairy farm, restaurant and guest house surrounded by majestic peaks above green pastures.
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  • Domesticated goats at Widderalp farm, in the Alpstein limestone range, Appenzell Alps, Switzerland, Europe. Below Bötzel pass, Widderalp comforts hikers with a homey restaurant and dormitory style (Matratzenlager) lodging. Appenzell Innerrhoden is Switzerland's most traditional and smallest-population canton (second smallest by area).
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  • Cattle graze at Bollenwees alp, at scenic Fälensee lake in the Alpstein range, Appenzell Alps, Switzerland, Europe. Berggasthaus Bollenwees, founded in 1903, is a wonderful place to stay overnight in private double ensuite or dormitory rooms. A spectacular multi-day ridge walk covered in wildflower gardens starts at Hoher Kasten, reached via cable car from Brülisau, just 10 minutes bus ride from Appenzell village. Hike a scenic ridge via Staubern to beautiful Bollenwees and onwards to more wonders. Appenzell Innerrhoden is Switzerland's most traditional and smallest-population canton (second smallest by area).
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  • The flag (Coat of Arms) of Appenzell is based on that of the Abbot of St. Gallen, who was the feudal lord until 1403. (The flag of the abbey showed a bear on a yellow field, and the independent territory Appenzell changed the field to white for its own flag.) The canton of Appenzell divided itself into an "inner" and "outer" half (Rhoden) as a consequence of the Reformation in Switzerland in 1597: Appenzell Innerrhoden (Catholic) and Appenzell Ausserrhoden (Protestant). Appenzell Museum, which is in the town hall, shows a cross section of the Swiss Canton's history and culture (1400s flags and banners, embroidery, folk art, and even historic torture instruments). Appenzell village is in Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland's most traditional and smallest-population canton (second smallest by area).
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