This is a male red howler monkey that I met years ago in the Bolivian Amazon. I was in a canoe on Lake Chalalan in Madidi National Park when I watched a troop of red howlers, as well as a troop of squirrel monkeys settling in for the night. This big guy seemed particularly pleased with the spot he found in the V (or is it a Y) of that tree.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/100th of a second
These two meerkats were part of a bundle of about eight that curled up into a furry ball to keep warm as the sun began to set on the Makgadikgadi Pans of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm), ISO 800, f/4.5 at 1/80th of a second
Meet the lesser rhea, otherwise known as Darwin’s rhea. Also otherwise known as the flightless bird they make feather dusters out of. In addition to their feathers, they are also farmed for their meat and eggs, their hide for leather and their oil for cosmetics. Needless to say, they have become near threatened in much of their range. Within Torres Del Paine, they are protected, at least from humans. Pumas will hunt them to add variety to their guanaco-rich diet. Rheas are related to the emu and are one of the world’s four large flightless birds along with the cassowary and the ostrich (there are other flightless birds in the world, but those four are the big boys).
Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/640th of a second
I previously posted this mother and also posted the cub. Here they are together, traveling along a lake in Torres Del Paine National Park. A few yards back and out of frame were two other cubs. Shortly after taking this photo, I turned my attention to an owl that was behind me. When I looked back, I had lost site of the pumas, but at least I got a few shots of them on the move after an afternoon of rest.
Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/1250th of a second
I’ve posted other shots of the diademed sifaka lemur before, but it deserves another look. With its ruby red eyes and yellow, black and white coat, it is considered one of the finest looking of all the lemurs.
Nikon D200 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 100, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units
The great thing about guanacos is that they were seemingly everywhere in Torres Del Paine. When the light was good, it didn’t take long to find one — or two in this case — up on some ridge top with dramatic mountains and clouds in the background.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 70mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/1250th of a second
I watched this puma stalking, and then half-heartedly chasing, a herd of guanacos. It almost seemed as if she knew she had no chance but was going to give it a go anyway just in case. After all her would-be victims disappeared over the horizon, she plopped down for a nap. I’ll post some of the stalking pics soon.
Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/200th of a second
It’s getting to be that time of year again that Atlantic puffins return to their nesting sites along the Maine coast. I photographed this one a while back on Machias Seal Island.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/5000th of a second
Plenty still to share from Patagonia, but thought I’d start mixing in images from other locations. This brown bear cub was keeping a watchful eye on mom as she was busy fishing for breakfast. From my trip last September to Lake Clark National Park in Alaska.
Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400m lens (at 200mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/500th of a second
The two photos making up this gif are of the same crested duck, taken from the same spot. But as the duck moved slightly, those colorful feathers on the back side changed from a maroonish to a deep green and then back again. They’re called the speculum feathers. Many ducks have them and they are often iridescent, allowing changes in color based on wing position, angle of view and lighting conditions.
Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 380mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/400th of a second