Nine-banded armadillos are quite common in Florida, but they can be difficult to photograph. They don’t have very good eyesight, but they have a great sense of smell and hearing. I spotted quite a few on Merritt Island, but would have to approach upwind to take care of the smell problem, and then quietly get into place to take care of the hearing issue. This involved getting as low as possible to get the best vantage point of these smallish mammals. The other challenge is photographing them with their eyes open, as they tend to be closed most of the time. It all came together nicely for this shot. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/640th of a second
Thanks Rick. If you’re ever in Merritt Island, Florida, that’s where I saw a ton of them. Still, of course, after that elusive kit fox that you have all those awesome photos of.
We have lots here in Florida but they choose to do damage to our flower beds looking for insects 🐜 at night
Hard to get close to but you found a way again for perfect picture
You can imagine how amazed I was to see one of these unique creatures on our golf course one day! Then, mentioning it to you that I had seen something “like an armadillo”, you confirmed it more than likely WAS an armadillo! I sure was surprised.
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Nine-banded armadillos are quite common in Florida, but they can be difficult to photograph. They don’t have very good eyesight, but they have a great sense of smell and hearing. I spotted quite a few on Merritt Island, but would have to approach upwind to take care of the smell problem, and then quietly get into place to take care of the hearing issue. This involved getting as low as possible to get the best vantage point of these smallish mammals. The other challenge is photographing them with their eyes open, as they tend to be closed most of the time. It all came together nicely for this shot.
I like it.
Ha. Hope so Charlie. Here’s to all the Armadillos.
You see the coolest critters! Really nice shot of a difficult subject.
Thanks Rick. If you’re ever in Merritt Island, Florida, that’s where I saw a ton of them. Still, of course, after that elusive kit fox that you have all those awesome photos of.
—– Fat boy little boy
—– A swell nuclear surrogate
—– Digs shelter in a trice .
We have lots here in Florida but they choose to do damage to our flower beds looking for insects 🐜 at night
Hard to get close to but you found a way again for perfect picture
Aunt Sue
Thanks Aunt Sue, yes, they probably fill the role of the squirrels that we (and you, of course) get up here and do the same to our yards.
Looks like he could use a shave😊
No doubt, Marcia. They are hairy little things aren’t they.
You can imagine how amazed I was to see one of these unique creatures on our golf course one day! Then, mentioning it to you that I had seen something “like an armadillo”, you confirmed it more than likely WAS an armadillo! I sure was surprised.
Yeah, I’m surprised you don’t see them even more. Maybe they are more common on the east coast where I saw this guy.
Great shot! I never knew they had whiskers/beards. 😀
Thanks Jennifer. Yes, when you see them from the front and standing like this you can see their hairy faces and chests.