The golden monkey is a new species for me. Previously thought to be a subspecies of the blue monkey (which I have photographed before in Tanzania) it is now listed as a distinct species. They are considered endangered due to continued loss of habitat and wars in their limited range. They exist only in the Virunga mountains that span the border between Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo. They prefer the bamboo forests at higher elevations — their diet consisting mainly of bamboo shoots and leaves. It was a bit of a trek to reach the monkeys (and we passed a few gorillas on the way) but well worth it when we finally came upon a troop of about thirty individuals going about their business of playing, eating and doing all other manner of golden monkey-y things. Photographed in Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 3200, f/4 at 1/100th of a second.
This recent trip was very good for elephants, both in Samburu (pictured above) and the Masai Mara. They seemed to be everywhere. And lots of newborns too, which I’ll post soon. This particular troop of elephants came very close to our vehicle at the very end of the day and I was able to use my wide-angle lens and graduated neutral density filter to hold the color and detail in the sky while still exposing for the foreground’s quickly disappearing light. I was also able to capture one of Samburu’s most characteristic landscape features — that pyramid-shaped peak in the background. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 30mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/320th of a second.
After a long break between photo trips, it’s nice to be back home with a drive full of new images from Kenya and Uganda. While in Kenya, we visited the Masai Mara and also Samburu, which is usually a dry landscape of desert-like scrub brush. But due to the unusual amount of rain in December, the landscape was lush and green, providing a great backdrop for the occasional big cat like this beautiful leopard. All in all it was a great first experience leading a tour group (thanks to the Littles, Lockes and Flannerys for being my guinea pigs). I was able to get good shots of the usual subjects with a few new subspecies and birds to add to the collection. Stay tuned in the next few weeks for more from Africa. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 2000-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/160th of a second.
This will be my last post for a few weeks as I’m finally on my way back to Africa tomorrow morning. I’ll be guiding a twelve day tour to Kenya and Uganda. This will be my first experience as a tour leader — hopefully the first of many more. Near the top of most everyone’s “to-see” list is the leopard. This image was captured back in 2012 in the Masai Mara. I’ll be taking the group to this same spot so hopefully we’ll have similar luck. See you all in two weeks with new images to share. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/160th of a second.
A young southern elephant seal relaxes in the shallow water of an inlet on Sea Lion Island in the Falkland Islands. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 380mm) ISO 400, f/8 at 1/800th of a second.
A yellow-crowned night heron stealthily moves through the shallow water off the coast of Genovesa Island in the Galapagos Islands. The heron was hunting for fish and being very patient in the process. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 330mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/640th of a second.
A Baird’s tapir moves through the rainforest of Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica. Tapirs are the largest land mammals in Central and South America. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 78mm) ISO 3200, f/2.8 at 1/160th of a second.
I spotted this guy along the side of the road while driving to Corcovado National Park in southwestern Costa Rica. These toucans primarily eat tree fruits, but will also add lizards, insects and frogs to their diet. They can be opportunistic diners too, following keel-billed toucans around to discover their food sources. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 140mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/80th of a second.
A lone gentoo penguin casts a long shadow across the beach at Sea Lion Island in the Falklands. I thought this one looked a bit moon-like (not that I’ve been there — the moon that is — at least not yet). Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 400, f/9 at 1/250th of a second.
Here’s another one from Pavones, Costa Rica. I’ve posted images of this species of frog before. Usually called the hour glass tree frog. But also known as the pantless tree frog, which I kind of like better. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/8 at 1/60th of a second.
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