Alli Ruus Photography

05/04/2026

Enjoyed my first group birding hike yesterday with Birds Georgia at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. We had 40 different birds on our list! I didn’t see them all but here are a few pics I got of some male and female Summer Tangagers, Scarlet Tanager, and a Magnolia Warbler! Also a few pics of an American Robin in my backyard.

05/02/2026

04/13/2026

04/12/2026

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area - Texas Parks and Wildlife

03/18/2026

Spent a few days exploring Miami and the Everglades in February and it did not disappoint. We made a quick visit to Little Havana and Biscayne National Park. We biked the 15-mile loop at Shark Valley, explored Loop Road through Big Cypress and spent our last night in the eco tents at Flamingo.

This trip was a bit of a bird lover’s dream! Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Anhingas, Little Blue Herons, Green Herons, Roseate Spoonbills, Osprey, Purple Gallinules,
and Black Vultures were everywhere. Of course, it wouldn’t be the Everglades without gators and even a couple crocodile sightings!

Fun fact: the Everglades is the only place in the United States where alligators and crocodiles coexist in the wild, which makes it even more unique.

02/13/2026

Photographing the sunset in Joshua Tree was a top priority on this trip and I almost missed it. It was our last afternoon, and I wanted to fit in hikes, exploring, and good food. I convinced myself I had plenty of time.

As we drove into the park, the sun was already dropping behind the mountains and I was panicking a little on the inside, maybe on the outside too. 😆 Instead of chasing the exact spot I originally planned, we pulled over where the light was still hitting the landscape.

That’s one of the biggest lessons in photography. You can plan everything perfectly, but knowing how to pivot is just as important as having a plan. I was a little bummed I didn’t structure the day better, but I’m really happy with what came out of this moment.

If you love desert light and travel photography, follow along. More from this trip coming soon!