They are our most common mammals in most parts of the country, but when they strike the right pose, I still like to grab the shot. This eastern gray squirrel seemed to be contemplating his future outside my home office window the other day. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/160th of a second.
The serow is a goat-antelope and national symbol of Japan. In fact, in the mid 50s it was hunted to near extinction before the Japanese government declared it a “special national monument” to protect it from poachers. Today, the population is thriving. I saw this one while visiting the snow monkeys at Jigokudani Spring in Nagano. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 90mm) ISO 400, f/3.5 at 1/80th of a second.
A coati emerges from an opening between a few fallen trees in Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica. I spent a good deal of time with a large group of these guys and was able to observe their behavior. Lighting and visibility in the forest was a challenge but I was able to get several good looks before they moved deeper into the park. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 160mm) ISO 1600, f/3.2 at 1/1000th of a second.
A young male lion lets out a big yawn before getting up from his afternoon nap. Photographed earlier this year in the Masai Mara of Kenya. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 380mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/500th of a second.
Here’s another look at the toad-eating snake that lives in my backyard. I was using my macro lens to get this very narrow depth of field just after the aforementioned toad was en route to the snake’s belly. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 800, f/3.2 at 1/2500th of a second.
I liked this guy’s face. Almost as if a darker colored black bear was growing out of the body of a lighter colored black bear. Quite a nice nose on him too. Photographed in northern Minnesota. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 310mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/320th of a second.
Black-tailed jackrabbits have particularly long ears for rabbits. This black-tailed jackrabbit had particularly long ears for a black-tailed jackrabbit. Photographed in Anza-Borrego State Park in California. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/1250th of a second.
I love these bright little goldfinches that have been visiting the trees in my yard. Couldn’t decide which shot to post, so I’m posting both to get the front view and the side view. Top Photo: Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/1000th of a second. Bottom Photo: Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/100th of a second.
Things got interesting in the yard yesterday. While walking with the dog, I spotted this common garter snake with the better part of a spadefoot toad hanging out of its mouth. Good for the snake. Very bad for the poor toad. They battled for awhile before the snake finished the job and then quietly slithered away with a full belly. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 500, f/5.6 at 1/500th of a second.
Gorilla trekking is quite a formal process in Uganda. You usually have to purchase your permit months in advance. The day of the trek, you spend the better part of a morning being briefed by park officials and guides. The trek may take half a day or more but once you find the gorillas you only have one hour to view and photograph them. It’s well worth the effort, however, to encounter these beasts in their natural habitat. That said, on very rare occasions, you might get lucky to encounter a gorilla without all the formality. Thus was the case with this guy. I was actually on my way to view golden monkeys when we spotted this young gorilla hanging out in a tree along the path. I was able to get a few quick shots before our party moved on to the intended subjects. I waited just long enough for that shaft of light to fall directly on the gorillas face. Photographed in Mgahinga National Park. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/1600th of a second.
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