Happy Camper

Hiker who loves to camp, and explore the wilderness, and God's natural Cathedrals! - Follower of Christ! ✝️

[Happy Camper @HappyCamperAz]

So when I went outside to water the garden, I spotted this little girl nibbling on some lettuce leaves. Ran back inside the house to get my camera so I could get a shot of her. Didn't see Mama, but she must have been close! So exciting! #WildlifeWednesday #Nature

[Mountain Cabins @cabinsmountain]

Your grandparents didn't need a gym membership because they had land to work. They didn't need therapy because they had purpose every morning. They didn't need delivery apps because they grew their own food. We called it the old way. Maybe it was just the right way.

[peaklass @peaklass1]

The more time you spend in Nature, the more she rewards you, I'm sure of it. Tiny riches beyond measure are slowly, quietly, revealed: the scent of grasses, a glimpse of a fledgeling thrush in a hedge, the colours of foxgloves and daisies spilling through gates. And winding paths that lead into the sunshine and the evening hills, all waiting for you.

📍 Peak District, England

[Happy Camper @HappyCamperAz]

@RockyyBowBoa Too cute!

[Happy Camper @HappyCamperAz]

Next to Cheetahs, Clouded Leopards are one of my Favorites. So much energy! Mama is going to have her hands full! #Wildlife

[Nashville Zoo @NashvilleZoo]

Paws for a sweet moment with Mayuree and mom, Niran 💕

📹 Keeper Elizabeth

[Happy Camper @HappyCamperAz]

I remember totally enjoying the long carriage ride to our B&B on the opposite side of the island a few years back. Great place to go on vacation in the spring! Supposedly they ship most of the horses off the island during the harsh winters.

[Massimo @Rainmaker1973]

Mackinac Island in Michigan has been car-free since 1898, banning “horseless carriages” to protect horses and residents.

Today, the island’s only transportation? Foot, bike, or horse-drawn carriage 🐎

[Happy Camper @HappyCamperAz]

I hadn't seen her for a couple of days, but shes back again! Spotted a doe the other day, but have no idea if that was her mother. Lots of deer in our area so you never know. Hope she hangs around for the summer. #WildlifeWednesday

[The Wild North @TheWildNorthTV]

To those who celebrate: Happy lupine season! (A beautiful-but-invasive flower on the North Shore)

[Happy Camper @HappyCamperAz]

Love the colorful eye rings of White-winged Doves! #Twosday #Birdwatching

[Happy Camper @HappyCamperAz]

I love Cherry tomatoes! So sweet! They rarely make it into the house, because I eat them straight off the vine like candy! #Gardening

[Traces of Texas @TracesofTexas]

Speaking of jackrabbits, which I've become fixated on because I saw one on my walk earlier today, they are pretty interesting creatures. Here are some facts about jackrabbits, which are found everywhere in Texas except the deep piney woods.

It was Mark Twain who gave the jackrabbit the name "jackrabbit." In his 1872 western memoir, "Roughing It," Twain famously mocked the animal's outsized ears, longer legs, and incredible speed, noting it had the "most preposterous ears that ever were mounted on any creature but the jackass" The name caught on. I'll post the entire quote at the end of this article.

As you might suspect, a jackrabbit's hearing is incredibly keen, acting as a highly advanced early-warning system. Their signature giant ears can measure up to 8 inches long and act like rotating satellite dishes. They can detect faint sounds—like an approaching predator's footsteps—from over a mile away.

The mechanics and functions of a jackrabbit's hearing include:

360-Degree Sweep: Jackrabbits can swivel each ear independently in different directions, allowing them to scan for danger in two places at once.

Exceptional Range: Similar to wild rabbits, their hearing spans a massive frequency range, peaking at extremely high-pitched sounds up to 42,000 Hz.

Dual-Purpose Ears: Because they are a primary food source for many desert predators, their ears constantly twitch to map out their environment. Beyond hearing, this large surface area is heavily webbed with blood vessels and serves as a natural radiator to shed excess body heat.

Finally, jackrabbits are not actually rabbits at all, but hares. Rabbits and hares are different species in the same family (Leporidae).

Here's what Mark Twain said about jackrabbits in "Roughing It." "He is well named. He is just like any other rabbit, except that he is from one-third to twice as large, has longer legs in proportion to his size, and has the most preposterous ears that ever were mounted on any creature but the jackass. When he is sitting quiet, thinking about his sins, or is absent-minded, his majestic ears project him conspicuously; but the breaking of a twig will scare him nearly to death, and then he tilts his ears back gently and starts for home. But one must shoot at this creature once, if he wishes to see him throw his heart into his heels, and do the best he knows how, he lays his long ears down on his back, straightens himself out like a yard-stick every spring he makes, and scatters miles behind him with an easy indifference that is enchanting. The Secretary started him with a shot from the Colt He dropped his ears, set up his tail, and left for San Francisco at a speed which can only be described as a flash and a vanish. Long after he was out of sight we could hear him whiz."

[Salt River Wild Horse Management Group @srwhmg]

11 million views and 585k likes? If that doesn't tell you how people feel about Salt River wild horses, then we dont know anymore! These people found themselves in the horses normal river crossing spot and they were very calm and respectful, while capturing this great video of Stewart and Nirvana's bands.

[Mara Elephant Project @MaraElephant]

What happened at this electric fence left rangers stunned.

When Mara Elephant Project rangers received reports of a bull elephant inside a fenced settlement, they quickly deployed a drone to help guide him out. But there was a challenge: the fence was electric, posing a risk to the elephant if he attempted to cross it.

Using the drone, rangers carefully encouraged the elephant toward the settlement's main gate, hoping that the elephant might understand.

What happened next surprised everyone.

Rather than trying to step over the fence or use his tusks to break through it, the elephant stopped at the gate, examined it, and figured out how to open it himself. Moments later, he calmly walked through and continued on his way.

No damage. No injuries. No encounters with people.

Just an extraordinary display of intelligence from an animal that never ceases to amaze us.

[Happy Camper @HappyCamperAz]

The composition of this photo is absolutely perfect!

[Malcolm Snelgrove @snelgrovephoto]

There are mornings on Dartmoor when everything seems to come together for just a few fleeting moments.

As the first light broke through the clouds, this beautiful grey Dartmoor pony stood high on Chinkwell Tor, taking in the cool breeze while the iconic silhouette of Hound Tor watched over the landscape beyond.

What drew me to the scene was the contrast. The dark, brooding sky hinted at another passing shower, yet a shaft of soft morning light found its way through the clouds, illuminating the pony and making it stand out against the moor behind.

Moments like this never last for long on Dartmoor. The light changes, the clouds roll through and the scene disappears as quickly as it arrived. But for a few seconds everything aligned perfectly.

Beyond the beauty of the landscape, native Dartmoor ponies continue to play an important role in shaping these habitats through conservation grazing. Their presence helps maintain the rich mosaic of vegetation that supports wildlife, biodiversity and the character of the moor itself.

A special Dartmoor moment, with Chinkwell Tor beneath my feet and Hound Tor standing proudly in the distance.

#wilddartmoor #horsephotography #dartmoor #dartmoorpony #snelgrove

[HaroldoftheRocks @HaroldoftheRoc]

Going to be a great day today! Yesterday was perfect for a hike at 9pm

[Dane @UltraDane]

Meet David M. Bird, he's the creative mind behind Becorns!

Becorns are the cute photography series featuring acorn people who interact with the natural world!

[Happy Camper @HappyCamperAz]

@TacoforFive1 So cute! Reminds me of my Maine Coon Cocoa. The vet suggested we shave her each spring after a foxtail embedded itself under her skin which required a drain for a while. So each spring she got a little lion cut!

[Happy Camper @HappyCamperAz]

Not at all! I spend most of my time outside siting in my garden just watching for wildlife. Nothing is better for the soul than the pure contentment one gets from surrounding yourself in #nature.

[English Country Life @engcountrylife]

I cannot describe why the presence of a rather dull brown moth that hovers like a hummingbird fills me with joy each year. But it does.

Am I odd that I love these little markers in the seasons?

[Happy Camper @HappyCamperAz]

Awesome! Love this shot!😀

[Candice Burke @candiburke]

Good news! My heron photo was accepted by Utah State University for their local artist exhibition, June 30 - August 7. My first gallery exhibition. I’m so excited.

[US Department of the Interior @Interior]

Summer wildflowers bring vibrant color to Beartooth Pass in Montana.

Enjoy the view and have a great weekend!

Photo by Jacob W. Frank / @yellowstonenps

[Happy Camper @HappyCamperAz]

One of my geraniums had a major growth spurt and now is covered in the most gorgeous blooms! Love this color! Going to try to propagate it from cuttings. #Garden #Flowers