Kathy West Studios

01/06/2026

A day late, but Happy International Day of the Bird!! Here is one of my favorite bird shots that I've taken, out of thousands of incredible bird species that I have had the honor to see over the years.

"Dancing for breakfast – Reddish Egret on a grey morning". The reddish egret (Egretta rufescens) hunts with a delightful dance -- hopping, twisting, leaping and finally stabbing its powerful bill into the mud to capture small fish. Our little cabin on the Pacific Ocean faced the shallow mudflats that were the egrets' favorite hunting area at low tide. One particular morning was so still and misty that everything from the sky to the water was a soft white, eliminating the horizon and any depth of perspective.

The background of this image has not been altered-- it was naturally a beautiful continuum of gray from sky to water, making a dramatic backdrop. On our last day at San Ignacio Lagoon, Campo Cortez in Baja California, I was so disappointed to miss whale watching and be quarantined to camp after a positive COVID test. However, when I went outside my cabin and saw the incredible scene of soft grey sky to water and one of my favorite birds hunting with its interesting dance, I felt fortunate to have this opportunity with my camera. Some of my favorite images came from this morning of quarantine and I would have missed it if I was out on the boat! 

Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California, Mexico, ©2023_KathyWest

12/15/2025

Finally got out with my camera to see some winter wildlife. Always love seeing Sandhill cranes, such a stunning species and especially beautiful in the foggy winter light. Dec 14, 2025

Woodbridge Ecological Reserve

09/30/2025

A beautiful story about the power of art in conservation. Thank you, Cristina Mittermeier, for your brilliant photography and storytelling to give power to the stories and meaning and understanding to the policy-makers.

Cristina "Mitty" Mittermeier

https://sites.google.com/view/art-in-primate-conservation/home?authuser=0

https://mailchi.mp/cristinamittermeier/layout-tempate-17617660?e=a98ef77514

This past week, as world leaders, activists, and artists converged in New York for Climate Week, a milestone was reached that gives me hope: the long-awaited ratification of the High Seas Treaty. For decades, the vast waters that cover nearly half our planet existed in a legal limbo, beyond national...

08/24/2025

I love watching the Azuero howler monkeys in Panamá, but it was a special treat to see a mom with a brand new infant, just hours old. She looked exhausted, but was feeding and moving well. Really heartwarming to see an older female checking out the new baby, with mom caressing the female's back while she investigated. Knowing primate behavior, I suspect this female was a relative, perhaps even the new infant's grandmother.
Mangofish Studios
Wao Venao

08/19/2025

It's been a month since we were in Panamá, and I am finally getting a look at my Azuero howler monkey (Endangered) pics. What a special evening in Canopy Venao –– we ran across what looked like two families coming together in enormous trees with beautiful golden light. Lots of howling, movement, social interactions, kids playing, and juveniles trying out their vocal skills.

08/04/2025

Too far away for great pics, but such a rare sighting deserved at least a try! Northern Cardinal today in Davis, California. Such a handsome fellow, but our resident finches and hummingbirds were not happy with his presence ;-) Dive bombs!

05/29/2025

Join us on June 7 at Blue Note Brewing for fun and games, food and drink, and an amazing raffle and silent auction! Come and see this incredible art in person, and take home your favorite image!

You can own an image from one of our talented conservation student partners in Uganda! Images are professionally printed with the artist's permission and the profits shared with the artist and PICC conservation education

05/16/2025

Honoring all of the incredible species in the world on this Endangered Species Day. Do something every day, no matter how small, to protect endangered species and their habitats. We CAN make a difference!

Photography Inspiring Children in Conservation
Rafiki Memorial Wildlife Conservation Initiative
Sahaya International Inc (USA)
Lemur Conservation Network
Mangofish Studios
Akiikih Appollo Newlife
Masoala Safaris

04/18/2025

Simon Espley / Africa Geographic, thank you for discussing the news of the dire wolf scam and how these efforts to "de-extinct" animals is actually anti-conservation and counter-effective to true conservation efforts.

"The trend to ‘de-extinct' species is a waste of time and money. The latest example involves heralded but fake claims that the massive dire wolf (of Game of Thrones fame) had been brought back from extinction. What these lab-dwellers have actually done is genetically edit gray wolf with a few dire wolf-like traits. In the words of paleoecologist Jacquelyn Gill, as quoted in Scientific American, ‘This is a designer dog.' What, exactly, is the point of putting so much effort and money into manufacturing a fake species when actual, extant gray wolves (all wolf species, actually) are being vilified, hunted, trapped, and poisoned over much of their range? There are more 'zombie conservation’ examples – but I have run out of space.

Contrast that with our Photographer of the Year galleries below. Each year, we are knocked back by the quality of photos submitted, and this year again boasts a spectacular crop.
Simon Espley – CEO "

The trend to ‘de-extinct' species is a waste of time and money. The latest example involves heralded but fake claims that the massive dire wolf (of Game of Thrones fame) had been brought back from extinction. What these lab-dwellers have actually done is genetically edit gray wolf with a few dire ...

03/18/2025

It has been fun watching these little Anna's hummers grow....a few days ago they were looking bigger and more feathered but still fit side by side. Today they are getting crowded and I finally got shots of mama feeding them. They are close to fledging!
Davis, California
Canon R5 100-500mm
©Kathy West

03/10/2025

Sometimes it just takes stepping outside your door for a sweet wildlife sighting. This little mama Anna's hummingbird has been working hard through rain and wind storms to successfully hatch and feed her two tiny chicks. Love the nest construction of lichens and cobwebs holding it all together.

Canon R5 100-500mm
Davis, Calif