I’ve posted quite a few shots of the keel-billed toucan and the chestnut-mandibled toucan, but none yet of this guy — the white-throated toucan. I met this fine looking bird down in the Bolivian rainforest back in 2008. They are found throughout the Amazon Basin of South America. Always a pleasure to meet another member of the toucan family.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/200th of a second
Nothing quite says Happy Valentine’s Day like a pair of smitten marine iguanas. These handsome lovers were photographed on La Fe Island, a tiny speck of volcanic rock in the Galapagos archipelago of Ecuador.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 350mm) ISO 800, f/5 at 1/800th of a second
This lion’s mane almost looks like a wig. The males from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana are commonly called black-maned lions. Technically, all lions have a bit of black in their mane, but the ones in the Botswanan desert tend to be darker than the norm. This guy was settling in for good drink after feasting on an oryx (check out that massive belly).
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/640th of a second
Here’s another of the brown bears I was able to photograph at close range as they chased after salmon at low tide. Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.
Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/1600th of a second
The hoatzin, although not necessarily the most attractive bird in the world, does have its unique charm. I photographed this one in the Bolivian Amazon at Madidi National Park. These pheasant-sized birds are rare in that they eat only leaves. Due to their diet, they have a bit of a manure-like smell to them and are often called stink birds. To be fair, I kind of liked the smell.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/500th of a second
My sister Mo requested a frog today. My mother wanted anything red and blue — in honor of her beloved Patriots (and as a counter point to the Eagle I posted on Monday). I think this should satisfy both asks. A strawberry poison dart frog. Also known as a blue jeans frog, for obvious reasons. I’ve photographed these tiny frogs in several places in Costa Rica. This one was clinging to a dried leaf in La Selva Biological Reserve, not far from the capital city of San Jose.
Nikon D200 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) with Canon 500D close up filter attached, ISO 100, f/3.5 at 1/10th of a second
Orangutans are more swingers than they are jumpers. But it sure is impressive to see them swing from one tree to another, using the relative strength of each branch to their advantage. Of course, it helps when even their feet are really like two more hands. Here a young orangutan swings upside down through Tanjung Puting National Park in Indonesian Borneo.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 150mm) ISO 800, f/2.8 at 1/640th of a second
There are a few ways to visit Volunteer Point in the Falkland Islands. You can visit as part of a four-hour landing from a cruise ship. Or as a day trip from the capital of Staley. Or, if there’s room, you can stay at the Warden’s cottage for a few days. I chose the latter. Which meant that I could stay out as late as I wanted, and get up as early as I wanted. And be alone with the 1000 or so king penguins (not to mention the countless gentoo and Magellanic penguins). This photo of four kings marching along an inlet was taken at the tail end of the day, long after the cruise ship had departed and the last of the day trippers were back in Stanley. Without doubt, the best way to visit.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 35mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/320th of a second
This one is kind of self explanatory. I mean, I’m a Broncos fan, but that was one heck of a game tonight. Congrats Philly. I photographed this bald eagle just north of the US/Washington state border in Boundary Bay, British Columbia, Canada. I was there for the snowy owls, but the eagles were also well represented and posing for the camera.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/1250th of a second
This young black-backed jackal was resting along the side of the road in the Masai Mara, seemingly unconcerned, relaxed and smiling at us as we drove by. These guys are pretty widespread throughout eastern and southern Africa. Interesting fact is that they have changed very little since Pleistocene, unlike other canids.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/640th of a second