The desert can be a beautiful place when in full bloom (or anytime for that matter). But blooms can be quick and unpredictable, and certain cactus may not bloom at all for years before opening up. I was lucky on this occasion in Joshua Tree in California and hit it just right. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 200, f/18 at 1/3rd of a second.
Africa is full of different species of antelope. To the Ugandan’s, however, the kob is special among them. It’s the national animal and appears on the coat of arms. This image of a winking male kob was one of my first award winners about ten years ago. Searching my site tonight, I realized that I never posted it to the photo of the day, so here it is. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/100th of a second.
The little bee eater is a very common bird throughout most of sub Sahara Africa. In fact, it is estimated that there are between 60 and 80 million of them. That said, always great to see their pleasantly bright yellow and green plumage and blue eyebrow above that red eye. Both males and females share the same appearance. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (with 1.4 teleconverter attached for 550mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/400th of a second.
One of the eastern quolls that I had the pleasure of meeting at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania. These little spotted carnivorous marsupials really do rate right up there in the cutest animal category. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 1600, f/3 at 1/320th of a second.
These three gentoo penguins were making their way from the ocean, across an open marshland, and on back to their colony. One at a time they took this small leap — considering it for a few seconds (as penguins do) before forging ahead. Photographed on Saunders Island in the Falkland Islands. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/1600th of a second.
This is the Azara’s night monkey, enjoying a mango, photographed one night in the Pampas region of Bolivia. After a few bites, he took his meal and disappeared into the forest. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 200, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-800 flash units.
Here’s another interesting rodent — this time from Costa Rica. The paca, otherwise known as the gibnut or royal rat. Not nearly as big as the capybara I posted yesterday, but still a good size for a rodent. This one was spotted while walking back to my lodge after dinner at Tiskita in the town of Pavones. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 70-200mm (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.
The upland sandpiper may not have the most spectacular coloring, but makes up for it by cutting a fine looking profile. You’d expect a bird like this to be found in coastal areas, but this species of sandpiper favors the open fields of the central part of the country. This one was photographed in South Dakota in Badlands National Park. As for diet, upland sandpipers will eat just about anything, including grasshoppers, crickets, weevils, beetles, moths, ants, flies, bugs, caterpillars, millipedes, spiders, snails and earthworms. All the good stuff. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 330mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/1600th of a second.
I find capybaras to be underrated. Perhaps it’s because they’re so common in the places that they occur. Or maybe it’s because they are rodents. The world’s largest, in fact. And they seem to like mud. This guy was playing in the muddy waters of the Yacuma River in the Pampas region of Bolivia. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm (200mm) ISO 800, f/4.5 at 1/500th of a second.
This photo was taken on perhaps my favorite day of a very enjoyable two week trip to Tasmania. I only had a few hours in Narawntapu National Park and thankfully the light cooperated. So did the eastern grey kangaroos, locally known as foresters. I had the place to myself as a large troop of them ate, played and boxed, giving me the opportunity to get a large variety of shots, including some nice rim lit silhouettes like this one. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/16 at 1/1600th of a second.