Here’s another sea otter from last weekend in Morro Bay. Always nice when the water is in shadows and the subject is getting the first, soft rays of the rising sun. Perfect conditions for both warm and cool tones.
Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/500th of a second
The galago, better known as the bush baby, is a small African primate with big eyes — adapted for its nocturnal behavior. I spotted this little guy one night while we were returning late from a game drive in Laikipia, Kenya. It was well past sunset and all the night creatures were just getting up and about.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/60th of second, Nikon SB-800 flash
I’m just back from shooting a commercial in LA. But over the weekend I had some down time so I took a trip three hours north up to Morro Bay in search of sea otters. Sea otters, of course, being one of the cutest creatures alive. But even better — sea otters with babies. I was able to get many photos, both from eye level and from above of about twenty or so different otters (at least two, if not three of the mothers seemed to have pups). Thought I’d start with this shot from a higher perspective. It was just past sunset and the water was picking up the colors from the sky above. Momma otter was making a move from the dock area at Morro Bay, out to the open water with her pup. Stay tuned for many more otter posts to come.
Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/160th of a second
I had one morning in Lake Clark National Park that produced a bit of color in the sky. Luckily it coincided with low tide when the bears were out in the shallow water fishing for silver salmon. I liked the pastel hues of this particular image as a mother bear snagged another snack.
Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/200th of a second
The Baird’s tapir is the largest land mammal in Central America. They can grow to over eight feet in length and weigh almost 900 pounds. This one was a big male that I photographed crossing a river in Corcovado National Park in south western Costa Rica.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 175mm) ISO 3200, f/2.8 at 1/60th of a second
The masked lapwing, a native of Australia, is very similar to the wattled lapwing, which I’ve seen several times in Africa. This guy was spotted in Lauceston, Tasmania at a place called Cataract Gorge. Cataract Gorge is a popular recreation area for locals and these birds are quite common at picnic sites and other open grassy areas.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/50th of a second
While mom was out fishing, these two young siblings were showing each other a bit of affection. Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.
Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/4000th of a second
Here’s another look at one of the bull moose that I saw in Chugach State Park in Anchorage. Of the three males that I watched going after the one female, this guy seemed to have the best chance of success.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/800th of a second
Three gentoo penguins casting long shadows across the beach on Sea Lion Island in the Falkland Islands.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 35mm) ISO 400, f/9 at 1/320th of a second
As I mentioned last week, when the brown bears weren’t fishing, they were in the open fields of sedge grass filling up on their vegetables. I was worried going to Alaska so late in the season and not having the nice green grass to frame the bears. That said, I really liked the bright yellow fields with patches of green mixed in. This cub doesn’t exactly look like a cub without the reference of mom being nearby, but the little guy was a yearling cub, getting ready for his second hibernation.
Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 310mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/1000th of a second