Nature and Wildlife

Where My Camera Goes When I’m Not Photographing Pets

From wolves in the snow to polar bears at play, owls in flight, and sweeping mountain views, I feel incredibly lucky to witness and photograph moments like these. These images show not only my deep love of nature but the thrill of experiencing it firsthand.

Love what you see? I do sell prints—just reach out if one of these speaks to you.

Wolves and Bears

Definitely my favorite animals to photograph (other than pets!). They’re not only beautiful and powerful, but also incredibly expressive. The bonds within a wolf pack or the tenderness of a mother bear with her cubs touch my heart so deeply.

Wolf pack interacting in the snow in Manitoba, Canada.

Wolf pack walking in the snow in Manitoba, Canada.

Wolf pack walking through the snow in Manitoba, Canada.

Lone wolf howling in the snow in Manitoba, Canada.

Wolf standing on the top of a snow mound at sunset looking directly at the camera in Manitoba, Canada.

Three wolves playing in the snow in Manitoba, Canada.

Two young polar bear cubs playing in the snow in Manitoba, Canada.

Two polar bear cubs with their mother walking in the snow on the Hudson Bay in Canada.

Two polar bear cubs with their mother in the snow in Manitoba, Canada.

Two polar bears playing in the snow while waiting for the ice to freeze on the Hudson Bay.

Three very young coastal brown bear cubs on the beach with their mother in Lake Clark, AK.

Two coastal brown bear cubs playing on the beach in Lake Clark, AK.

Coastal brown bear running through the water looking directly at the camera in Lake Clark, AK.

Coastal brown bear cub playing with a water pump in Lake Clark, AK.

Coastal brown bear standing with arms crossed over chest in Lake Clark, AK.

Coastal brown bear running down a stream trying to catch a salmon in Katmai, Alaska.

Other Wildlife

From foxes and owls to elk and eagles, I’ve had the chance to photograph a wide variety of animals in the wild. Every one of them has a story, and I love capturing those moments.

Two snow monkeys sitting together on a branch.

Fox standing with groundhog in her mouth in Loudoun County, VA.

Fox standing with possum in her mouth in Northern VA.

Fox parent "yelling" at its kit in Northern VA.

Three sea otters in Katmai National Park, AK.

Two sea otters floating in the water in Katmai Bay, AK.

Heron flying with one wing tip dipped in the water at Huntley Meadows.

Eagle about to take off from a piece of driftwood in Lake Clark, AK.

Two cattle herons in flight in South Carolina.

Barred owl eating a lizard while sitting in a tree in the Outer Banks, NC.

Roseate spoonbill crane standing on a branch with a beautiful sky behind him.

Seven sandhill cranes flying with a beautiful sky in Wisconsin.

Harrier flying with wings spread in the Outer Banks, NC.

Three colorful jellyfish in the Baltimore Aquarium.

Wolverine descending a tree in the snow in Manitoba. Canada.

Landscapes and Nature

I definitely prefer photographing wildlife, but I also appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. Here are some of my favorite photos that don’t include animals.

Photo of Lodgepole Pine Trees in Yellowstone Park by photographer Ellen Zangla

Landscape photographed from above after a fire in Jasper, Canada.

Rocks reflecting in the water at Great Falls, MD.

The Natural Beauty of Our World

While most of my work focuses on pet photography, I’ve always been drawn to wildlife and nature. There’s something awe-inspiring about seeing animals in their element—whether they’re playing, resting, hunting, or simply existing—and having the chance to photograph those moments. The natural beauty of our world, from sweeping landscapes to quiet, intimate scenes, never ceases to amaze me.

Most of these photos were taken during my travels, but others were captured close to home. From wolves in Canada to fox kits in Virginia, each image reflects a moment of connection with the natural world.

I have a number of these images printed and hanging in my home. If any of them speaks to you, just reach out. I’d love to talk to you about creating a print for your home.

Incredible Wildlife Moments I’ll Never Forget

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to witness some especially unforgettable wildlife encounters—like discovering a fox den with five kits just down the road from my house, watching three-month-old polar bear cubs play for hours, observing the dynamic interactions of a wolf pack out on the ice, and seeing a wolverine get treed multiple times by four persistent wolves. If you’re curious about what some of those experiences were like, you can read more in these blog posts:

• My Close Encounter with Wolves
• What Happens When a Wolverine Meets Four Wolves