Thistle
Coyote (Lake Hodges, Rancho Bernardo, CA)

I had partially concealed myself in some bushes at the side of a trail to wait for a Black Phoebe to return to its perch when this coyote came trotting down the trail I had used.  I'm not sure which of us was more startled by the other -- we both noticed each other when he was about 15 feet away.
Beaver (BRCES, Purcellville, VA)

I was photographing some Hairy Woodpeckers in the trees that border this pond when this beaver slapped his tail on the water right behind where I had set-up my tripod -- it sounded just like a gunshot and to say it startled me would be a mild understatement.
View from Primrose
Aspens along Primrose
Spruce Saddle from Centennial-Spruce Face
Rose Bowl from Rose Bowl Lift
See photo in original gallery.