My friend and former boss, Jim Gillespie, is an amazing observer and photographer of wildlife. He has graciously given me permission to display some of his work here. I hope you enjoy his photographs as much as I do.
First, the man himself. This is Jim by the Pacific Ocean, a continent away from New York City.
After nearly 30 years with the Wildlife Conservation Society, Jim relocated his headquarters to sunny Florida, home of those Florida Alligators.
Jim is basically a bird guy - after 27 years in the Bronx Zoo's bird house of course he's a bird guy - but he has an appreciation for all critters. Even a non-feathered guy like this Anole here.
Is it a reptile? Is it a mammal? Well, it's an Armadillo, so I guess mammal wins on a technicality!
These are called Avocets. I think they're a type of sea gull.
Two Black Vultures cruise along on their Black Vulture errands. I've noticed that as I've gotten older the vultures I encounter seem to hover in my vicinity more. I am not amused.
Did I mention that Jim likes car vacations? He found this Burrowing Owl way out in the Old West.
I'm kind of phobic about insects, but butterflies - post caterpillar stage - are ok. These, in fact, are beautiful.
When I was a kid I called them 'flutterbys'. The name makes much more sense, if you think about it.
They really are very stunning, aren't they?
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This is a Caracara, coming in for a landing...
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Doubtless to hang with his Caracara buddy.
This is a Caracara in full flight. I'm guessing they're a type of hawk. (Yes, I know. For a former Zoo Babe my knowledge of species is definitely lacking.)
On the other hand, I can say for sure that this fellow is a Cardinal. Not only that, but I'll go out on a limb and say it is male. So there!
Who knows what this one is? Ohhhh, I do, I do! A Chipmonk! (If this was taken at Zion Canyon, then Jim ignored the "Please don't feed the Chipmonks!" sign. That's ok, I did, too.)
Nemo! This is a Clown Fish, and Jim took this shot at an aquarium.
It's a Push-Me-Pull-You bird! Or maybe just a pair of Cranes caught at the perfect moment. I love this shot.
When you watch Cranes on the ground, they seem impossibly clumsy and awkward. When they take to the air, though, they be stunning. Yes indeedy.
There's something about the way birds on wires look that I love. Don't ask me what, don't ask me why. Here a pair of Doves obligingly perch for our viewing pleasure.
Oh dear, we are back to the bugs. Though some types of Dragonfly are bigger than birds, and just as gorgeous.
Another bird-on-a-wire shot. I love this picture, with the little Eastern Kingbird perched on the barbed wire.
At the zoo we had a good-sized flock of Cattle Egrets. They're splendid birds, aren't they?
Here is another Egret, gazing out over his territory. Doubtless looking for a bison or two to hang with.
I love this shot, featuring a beautiful white Egret in flight. It's a completely perfect picture!