I certainly wasn’t going to get through Halloween week without posting a few bats. Not sure of the exact species here (there are so many of them) but these six boys (clearly they are boys) were roosting in a cave in Sumatra, Indonesia.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 500, f/10 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-900 flash units
Continuing with the Halloween theme for this week, here is an insect wearing a stick costume. I photographed this lanky fellow in the cloud forest of Ecuador, about two hours drive from Quito.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 1600, f/14 at 1/125th of a second
Here’s another one with a bit of a nod to Halloween. This is a least chipmunk. Very common, but can be difficult to photograph because they rarely stop moving. I caught this little guy enjoying a nut — and looking a bit evil — at a campground parking lot in Yellowstone.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/320th of a second
Seemed an appropriate time of year to post this Halloween pennant dragonfly. In Florida, these guys can be found year round. This one was photographed in Everglades National Park a few years back.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/800th of a second
This pronghorn was quite relaxed as the sun was setting behind him. He allowed me a fairly close approach and I was able to get down on the ground for this photo. Always nice to capture the rim light on larger, iconic mammals.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 350mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/8000th of a second
There are three scrub jays in the United States, the Western scrub jay, the Florida scrub jay and the island scrub jay. Both the Florida and the Island inhabit a very small region of the country (especially the island scrub jay which exists only on the island of Santa Cruz in the Channel Islands — the smallest range of any bird in the US). I’ve yet to be to Santa Cruz Island so that scrub jay will have to wait for another day. The Western scrub jay above was photographed in the Santa Monica Mountains last year, while the Florida scrub jay (which also has a very small range limited to central Florida) was photographed on Merritt Island. The Florida scrub jay is a threatened species due to loss of its scrub habitat and they are closely monitored, as evidenced by the band on the bird’s lower leg.
Top Photo — Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/320th of a second
Bottom Photo — Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/1600th of a second
Giant river otters live up to their name. They are big. About six feet in length. I was floating down a river in the Pantanal of Brazil when I saw these three enjoying the early morning sun.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 280mm) ISO 1600, f/5.6 at 1/640th of a second
I took this one a few years back at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in Orr, Minnesota. A cinnamon colored black bear cub calling to mom while climbing down from a tree. As always, click for a larger view.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 310mm) ISO 500, f/4 at 1/500th of a second
As far as monkeys go, the white capuchin is not one of the prettiest. But then again, it is a monkey, and by virtue of that alone, I think the white faced capuchin is a fine beast. I got a nice close look at the baldish, yet hairy-ish face on this one late one afternoon in Drake Bay, Costa Rica.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/320th of a second
Here’s one for the entomology fans — a giant red-winged grasshopper. I don’t know much about these guys other than they are big. Up to seven inches in length. This one was hiding in the leaf litter on a trail through Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica. For close-ups of larger small things like this guy, I like to use my 200-400mm lens because of its ability to focus at close range.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/125th of a second