The dead of winter is full of life. Much of the local wildlife that we never see all year can be found in winter. Without trees for cover many animals like deer and coyotes suddenly appear. This image of a coyote I took a few years ago as it ran along Duxbury Bay early in the morning. I saw the coyote from a distance. Coyotes are very cautious, I tried to get in a position upwind of the animal in the hopes of getting a shot. I drove ahead and positioned myself in a spot that I though the animal would pass. Using a Nikon D1 and a 300mm lens, I waited. The coyote kept coming and I was able to get a few frames. I liked this one the best due to the composition and positions of all the legs.

 
 
 
 
 
Lots of other wildlife makes our area home for the winter, snowy owls along Duxbury Beach, seals can be found along the coast. Backyard bird feeders are good too. Try to position your feeder close to a window that you can shoot through. If you shoot through class, get your lens as close to the window as you can.. I get some very cool looking woodpeckers in the winter at my feeder. If you like birds take a look at   www.massbird.org for a list of local and rare visitors.
 
For seals I like Manomet Point near the Manomet Lobster Pound in Plymouth. The seals can be seen on sunny days at low tide soaking up the sun on rocks. You can get some shots from the beach with a long lens. Try to walk quietly as you move closer. I like to shoot a little move a little, this way I have at least an image or two. Someone told me that seals can’t see to well but have good hearing so be walk slowly.
 
The Mass Audubon Daniel Webster sanctuary has some great observation blinds to photograph winter waterfowl on a pond. It is also home to many birds of prey like barred owls and northern harriers. Worlds End in Hingham has resident deer and a family of great horned owls.
 

We have snow due this weekend and it looks like it may last on the ground for a while. I can’t wait.