Carolyn Copper - Photographer, Copper Range LLC
Connecting you with nature
WELCOME TO THE BLOG! This is a solution-and-success-oriented blog focused on topics that are the foundation of all of my photography work -- wildlife rehabilitation and protection, land conservation, faith and environmental stewardship, and great places or opportunities to photograph wildlife and nature. Share your comments! As of November 2019 some blog posts are now recorded podcasts available on Buzzsprout, https://www.buzzsprout.com/711591.
p.s. Blog rule #1 is to learn something new and get inspired. Blog rule #2 is a little longer and covers what not to do if you comment on the blog. Blog posts will not contain any infringing, threatening, false, misleading, abusive, harassing, libelous, defamatory, obscene, inflammatory, pornographic, bullying, or profane content.
Talons Crossed: The Incredible Work of Rescuing Raptors
January 03, 2022
•
Leave a Comment
I first heard the phrase “talons crossed”, on an Instagram post from Nancy McDonald -- a raptor rescuer located in Maryland – who is sometimes called the “Osprey Lady.” Talons crossed – is a take on the expression “fingers crossed” -- something said when praying in our own way for a good outcome. Raptors – hawks – owls – eagles – and ospreys have t...
Read the Full Post »
Life is Better With Birds
December 15, 2021
•
Leave a Comment
It seems birds have always delighted people all over the world. They’re beautiful, powerful, engaging and make a lot of us very curious. Bird-watching or birding – the observing of birds either for fun, science applications, or other professional purposes, is an incredibly popular activity and it’s one of the fastest growing outdoor activities. It’...
Read the Full Post »
The Power to Make Humans Feel Human, In an Inhuman World
November 10, 2021
•
1 Comment
The power to make humans feel human, in an inhuman world. This Veteran’s Day I’m thinking about war, what war does to people, and how animals of almost every kind, and particularly horses, have helped many veterans, first responders, and others, manage the trauma and blunt emotion that often follows war.
Just last week in Washington DC, the...
Read the Full Post »
Spread Ideas That Work
October 31, 2021
•
Leave a Comment
I was delighted to be thinking about my career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during my latest podcast where I speak with Katie Butler. While I was there, Katie wore a number of hats at the EPA’s Office of Inspector General and was a skilled and effective leader. Post-EPA, Katie recently launched a new business -- The GeoLiteracy...
Read the Full Post »
It Takes All of Us
October 25, 2021
•
Leave a Comment
For me, one of the most difficult things about wildlife photography is probably not what you think. It’s not the technical skill, research required, strength, discipline, travel to many and varied places, or exhibiting and selling work that’s hardest. Of course, those things have challenges, and don’t come easy; but what I find most challenging is...
Read the Full Post »
If a butterfly lands on you it’s probably tasting you…. And more interesting truths.
August 04, 2021
•
Leave a Comment
I’ve never set out to intentionally photograph butterflies, but the places I travel to intentionally photograph other species and landscapes, at certain times of year, are often the same places I encounter amazing butterflies. Most of us learned something about butterflies during elementary school. We may even remember a bit about the astonishing l...
Read the Full Post »
Artist, Entrepreneur, Creator
June 17, 2021
•
Leave a Comment
When I first started doing art shows and festivals, I remember being struck by the sense of community and friendship among the artists, entrepreneurs, crafters and creators at these shows. In the few free minutes before, during, or after shows I try to meet as many of my artist neighbors as possible. They’re painters, wood and metal artists, fiber...
Read the Full Post »
What Goes Up Will Come Down – Know the Facts and Laws About Balloon Releases
May 22, 2021
•
Leave a Comment
There’s a place in Maryland where I sometimes go to photograph. It’s a stunning and large public garden, meticulously cared for, visited, and appreciated by many. Along with its beauty, I regularly see balloons and string caught up in the trees around this picture-perfect place. I was even surprised one day last spring when I witnessed a small grou...
Read the Full Post »
North American River Otter - Conservation Success Story
March 19, 2021
•
Leave a Comment
They’re cute, entertaining, charming, and smart. Beyond the species conservation mission, another reason many zoos may keep Otters is because they’re fun to watch and people flock to see them. I was very excited to have a few wild Otter encounters in 2020 and 2021 and wanted to know more about these charming, semi-aquatic mammals. For starters, lik...
Read the Full Post »
A New Brand Of Duck Hunter
February 12, 2021
•
Leave a Comment
In many parts of North America that experience cold winters, the wildlife landscape changes particularly when it comes to birdlife. Many birds migrate to and reside in warmer climates during fall and winter. However, depending on your location, ducks are one kind of bird that may be seen in greater numbers during winter. I live in an area that’s su...
Read the Full Post »
Our Responsibility to Work Toward A #betternormal - Taming the Monster in Our Closet
January 13, 2021
•
Leave a Comment
The pandemic of 2020 irrevocably changed our country and the world. It’s revealed ways we must change. The pandemic response laid bare the truth that we live in an unsustainable world. If nature was allowed to take its course during the pandemic; without shutdowns, closures, masks and social distancing, individuals, families, and health care system...
Read the Full Post »
American Robin - Eating Like A Bird
January 08, 2021
•
Leave a Comment
Eating Like A Bird in winter. Robins are one bird you won’t normally see on a seed feeder. In the warmer seasons, they’re primarily eating worms and insects. In the colder seasons, they’re primarily eating berries. Many of us are pretty familiar with Robins because they’re widespread in North America. They frequent urban areas, backyards, as well a...
Read the Full Post »
Raptors - Eating Like A Bird
January 05, 2021
•
Leave a Comment
It may not be pretty, but it’s ok, its baby food. The three raptors shown here all had young in the nest, or fledglings that just left the nest, and were delivering or feeding food to their young babies. The Eating Like A Bird series, now enters the apex of the bird world -- raptors! Raptors, including owls, hawks, and osprey are birds of prey that...
Read the Full Post »
Hummingbirds - Eating Like A Bird
January 02, 2021
•
Leave a Comment
A more relaxing approach to getting a meal. There are few birds more captivating than hummingbirds. Their speed, beauty, stamina, and survivability are just so impressive and magical. I also think their tiny feet are incredibly cute. Hummingbirds are the smallest bird species. Ruby-throated hummingbirds, like the one pictured, weigh about the equiv...
Read the Full Post »
Gray Catbird - Eating Like A Bird
January 02, 2021
•
Leave a Comment
Don’t underestimate Catbirds. Like many migratory bird species, if you have Catbirds in your area, and your habitat is good for them, they may loyally return year after year. Catbirds are seen in large parts of North America and coastal areas of Central America.This Catbird grabbed some insects in the grass from a driveway reflector used as a perch...
Read the Full Post »
© Copper Range
