Chris Kayler Photography

Here’s another one from atop Sandia Crest. This White-breasted Nuthatch would stage in this exact same spot on the tree trunk every time before going into the feeder to get a sunflower seed. In this image, I really like the hint of hoar-frost covered trees in the background.

To order this print or purchase stock rights please contact me. To view additional photos for sale please visit my website at www.chriskaylerphotography.com

Here’s another one from the top of Sandia Crest. As the day was winding down, this beautiful Steller’s Jay landed on this branch as the evening light shown upon it from behind. Using a little bit of fill flash, I managed to show some detail in the bird while still retaining the backlit feeling.

To order this print or purchase stock rights please contact me. To view additional photos for sale please visit my website at www.chriskaylerphotography.com

Towards the end of our trip, and just miles from the Albuquerque “Sunport” we ended our days atop Sandia Crest in Cibola National Forest. At 10,000+ ft, with cold temeratures, and winds whipping after a snow storm had moved out, it was a real test of clothing. Of course, the visitor’s center with it’s balmy 85F interior made it pretty easy. Our goal on the crest was simple - to photograph various high elevation birds, namely three different species of Rosy-finches coming to a feeder on the top.

In this image, my favorite of the three is shown, the Black Rosy-Finch. The backgrounds and light were difficult to work with, but I managed to come away with a few that I am happy with.

To order this print or purchase stock rights please contact me. To view additional photos for sale please visit my website at www.chriskaylerphotography.com

I’m a little on the fence with this image, but would like to hear others opinions on it. On one hand, I like the slightly cooler look and color in the sky, but on the other I wonder if it is a compelling enough image to hold someone’s attention, especially when compared to my first Shiprock image. Opinions definitely welcome!

To order this print or purchase stock rights please contact me. To view additional photos for sale please visit my website at www.chriskaylerphotography.com

Continuing, of course, with images from my trip out west, is an image that, oddly, was one of my most exciting to capture. Ever since seeing my first Abert’s Squirrel cross the road in front of me, I knew I had to get a decent photo of this large, goofy black squirrel. Luckily, on the last day, and on the way back to the airport, Alex and I found a group of rather tame squirrels in a campground full of Ponderosa Pine. After working with the squirrels for about an hour, this was the best image I was able to come away with.

To order this print or purchase stock rights please contact me. To view additional photos for sale please visit my website at www.chriskaylerphotography.com

Here’s another photo from my travels. On this morning we had planned to head into the Bisti Badlands again for sunrise, but upon arrival, with no moon, and no gps, found it a little too daunting. Instead, we made a quick trip over to Shiprock. This prominent formation is the core of an extinct volcano. Rising 1,800 ft. from the desert floor, it is the most prominent feature in the whole area. We lucked out with the light, as a sliver of strong sunlight hit the rock as the dark clouds of an incoming snow storm loomed in the background.

To order this print or purchase stock rights please contact me. To view additional photos for sale please visit my website at www.chriskaylerphotography.com

I’m back! What an amazing trip this was. Being my first trip “out west”, I was so amazed at all of the sights we encountered within just 5 days. Putting over 1,600 miles on our rental Ford Escape, we traveled all across the state, from Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, to the 4 corners area, to the cold and snowy San Juan mountains of Colorado and back again. I’m sure I’ll have new images to show for some time to come, but to start things off here is an image from the Bisti Badlands. An area of strange hoodoos and petrified wood, this place was really magical as it glowed brightly in the moonlight with crisp winter air filling my lungs. Easily one of my favorite moments of the trip.

To order this print or purchase stock rights please contact me. To view additional photos for sale please visit my website at www.chriskaylerphotography.com