An American Safari: Great Places To Watch Wildlife Without Leaving The United States (Gallery Extra)

Nov 24, 2020 04:07PM ● By Story and photos by Lisa Ballard

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a safari as “a trip to see or hunt animals, especially in Africa.” For anyone who has had the opportunity to go to Africa on a safari, the experience ranks up there among the most memorable experiences in life. Even for a well-traveled adventurer and photographer like myself, trips to Africa are infrequent and special. For my other safaris, which are much cheaper, easier logistically, and with fewer health and travel risks, I don’t need a passport.

Wild animals in their native habitats are abundant in the United States, too. While you won’t see giraffes nibbling the treetops or leopards lounging in acacia trees, you can witness pronghorn sprinting across a plain at 50 miles per hour, an elk bugling on the edge of the timber, or an alligator sunning itself on the edge of an estuary. The United States is home to 2,972 native mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. The question is where to go to see a significant sampling of them in one place. That depends, of course, on what species you want to see that share the same habitat. Better yet, if you pick a place that has several ecosystems in close proximity, you’ll see even more animals.

Enjoy these extra photos and read more about this story on page 84 in the Here in Hanover Winter 2020 digital edition. Click here.

Wildlife by Lisa Ballard [5 Images] Click Any Image To Expand