KaVe Photography

09/05/2026

Vulture Awareness Day!!
The ecological services vultures provide are unmatched and irreplaceable. Worldwide, these birds clean up and recycle the larger and more potentially harmful masses of organic matter. Some think they're ugly, but I urge you to look again. They have featherless heads (not all vultures are bald btw) so feathers don't collect parasites and harmful microorganisms while eating. The huge nostrils (especially on the turkey vulture) allow them to smell a meal a long distance away. These birds are valuable, precious, and downright fascinating!
The majority of vulture species in Europe, Asia, and Africa are listed as endangered (or some variation thereof) and we must take great care to protect these vitally important animals. To learn more, visit vultureday.org

NANPA International Vulture Awareness Day - IVAD

08/23/2026

07/15/2026

I have two water snakes (non-venomous) for you today! Before you get all grossed out, let me remind you this is a wildlife appreciation page and we don't hate any critters here.
The first is a Graham's Crayfish Snake. These snakes have a unique dietary preference: molting crayfish. They'll eat other things like tadpoles but a soft, freshly molted crayfish is their favorite dish.
The second is a Northern Diamond-backed Watersnake and, as the name suggests, it is primarily associated with aquatic habitats like lakes and ponds. They feast on fish and larger tadpoles. I found this one hunting along the shore of Lake Hefner.
Make a little time for snake appreciation today- they are part of the overall system and help to keep prolific species from overpopulating an environment.

07/10/2026

07/08/2026

A painted bunting! Only breeding males have this plumage: red body, blue head, yellow scapulars (what you might call his shoulder), and green flight feathers. Females and juveniles are a pale yellowish-green color and, I think, much harder to spot. Even with this bird's loud song and vibrant colors, it takes some serious patience to get close enough for a photo.

04/15/2026

A few more shots from my Charleston trip- More brown pelicans, double-crested cormorants, and a surprise guest dolphin. Seeing that it was my first opportunity/attempt to photograph dolphins, I'm happy I snagged one pic with a face out of the water- it's tricky!