Your Best Shot

Two otters floating on their backs in the water.

Leslie Nuttman

These sleepyheads were two of over 30 southern sea otters playing, feeding and resting in the protected harbor of Morro Bay, California. The area is a designated sea otter “nursery zone,” where people strolling the waterfront are asked to keep quiet while they watch mothers with their pups. We were passing through on a vacation and enjoyed watching their endless antics, including those of “teenage” youngsters still trying to nurse and their reluctant mothers rolling in the water repeatedly to discourage them. It was a privilege to watch these otters, who have been listed as protected under the federal Endangered Species Act since 1977. Their continued survival is tied up in a complicated web of human- and natural-caused factors that keep the small population still at risk today.

—Leslie Nuttman, Allyn, Washington

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Rachael Rodgers

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A collage of images including a brown bear, emu, black bear, goat, iguana, cow and tiger

Clockwise from top left: Jackie the bear lives with her son, Russell; the two love to swim and splash around in their pool together. Sparkie the emu loves water and gets excited whenever she sees caregivers using the hose; they always try to give her a spray! Pumpkins make great enrichment items; Sammi the black bear digs into his treat. Although cats are often associated with an aversion to water, tigers love to swim; here, Serenity plays with the spout in her pool. Chetana the cow comes to say hello to caregivers as they do their daily rounds. The sanctuary’s two iguanas, Chia and Illini, have a heated house with perches, a sun room, an outdoor yard and a pond. SpongeBob the goat peers into the camera for a close-up.

—Black Beauty Ranch, Murchison, Texas

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Jackie, Serenity and Sammi: Christi Gilbreth/The HSUS; Chetana: Ashley Orr/The HSUS; Spongebob, Chia and Sparkie: Jennifer McAnally/The HSUS | Featured in the Spring 2024 issue

Charlie the dog wearing his coat and hat in the snow.

I’ve had Charlie since he was a puppy and he’s been my rock throughout my 20s and 30s. Last year, I went through a breakup. I was depressed and spent a lot of time inside. To motivate myself to get out more, I created an Instagram for Charlie where I could document our adventures. Through Charlie, I’ve met other dog lovers in my area and found dog-friendly businesses to explore. It’s snowballed into this awesome community of animal lovers.

—Elizabeth Sarber, Maryland | Featured in the Winter 2024 issue

Barred owl sitting on a maple tree with a crawfish in its mouth.

During a May visit to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina, I spotted this barred owl sitting on a maple tree. The bird kept glancing at the shallow canal below and eventually swooped down and grabbed a crawfish from the water. I had only a few seconds to take the picture before the owl swallowed the crawfish. I don’t often have the opportunity to photograph barred owls, particularly in good light. A crawfish hanging from the bird’s beak was a real plus. A little while later, the owl caught another crawfish and went back to the maple tree to enjoy the meal.

—Gordon Kilgore, Georgia | Featured in the Fall 2023 issue

Photo of a gorilla standing against a rainy landscape.

Seeing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat with my wife, Wendy, was a longstanding bucket list item. In November 2018, Wendy and I traveled to Uganda and Rwanda to see these amazing animals firsthand. During our final trek, a group of gorillas left the safe confines of Volcanoes National Park and ventured into the adjacent agricultural fields to feast on eucalyptus trees. As we followed the group at a respectful distance, I noticed this silverback standing on a ridge. To my surprise, he stopped—covered in a chilling drizzle of mist—to survey the mountain forests of his natural environment behind him and the planted fields that had once been his natural habitat surrounding him. After contemplating the scene, he descended to his group.

—Gary Price, Connecticut / Featured in the Summer 2023 issue

Your Best Shot

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