I love armadillos. There are about 20 different species of them in the world. The most common here in the US is the nine-banded armadillo. I photographed this one on Merritt Island on the east coast of Florida. Nine-banded armadillos also happen to be the most far ranging species of armadillo in the world, with populations as far north as Nebraska and as far south as Uruguay.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 22mm) ISO 800, f/3.2 at 1/500th of a second
The pre-dawn mist created a nice atmospheric setting for this snowy owl perched on a tree stump. This was from the trip a few winters back in Boundary Bay, just south of Vancouver. About twenty three owls were overwintering in the area after migrating down from parts further north.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/500th of a second
Black and white ruffed lemurs are probably the second most well known behind the ring tailed lemurs. They also happens to be the most mischievous (at least as far as I could tell). This one was checking me out as I took a few wide angle shots from directly below. I was using my backup camera with its pop up flash so the lighting isn’t ideal, but it works well enough.
Nikon D40x with Nikkor 18-55mm lens (at 22mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/60th of a second
This is the reticulated python, the longest snake in the world. They can grow up to 23 feet in length. As with all pythons, they are non-venemous constrictors. This one was stalking a group of black crested macaque monkeys in Tangkoko National Park in Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/8 at 1/80th of a second
This one is from my business trip to Florida back in February. Some of the white-tailed deer in Saint Andrews State Park in Panama City Beach are so tame that you can photograph them from a foot away. That being said, I more often than not prefer this type of shot where I back up to include more of the environment.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 35mm) ISO 400, f/3.2 at 1/400th of a second
Karen and I were quite entertained by these ghost crabs digging holes in the sand as we relaxed on the beach this past weekend in Barbados. The crabs would disappear for a while, then re-emerge from underground with a claw full of sand. After standing still for a moment or two, they would toss the sand aside before scurrying back down into their holes. They are called ghost crabs because of their pale coloring and also because they are mainly nocturnal.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 200, f/5.6 at 1/1000th of a second
This is one of the green turtles that I met this past weekend in Barbados — swimming right in front of the hotel that we were staying at. I was hoping to see a few more, but only came across about four or so during our four night stay. I thought that this particular turtle had an especially impressive shell.
Nikon D800 with Sigma 15mm fisheye lens, ISO 100, f/8 at 1/125th of a second, Ikelite housing with 8 inch dome port and DS51 strobe
Just back from our Caribbean weekend in Barbados. Didn’t take too many pictures — only a few turtles and crabs, but still, didn’t have time to go through them tonight after a late arrival. Instead, I present everyone’s favorite ugly monkey, the proboscis monkey. Locals in Borneo call these guys “Dutchmen” because their bellies and noses are said to resemble those of the Dutch colonizers. Apparently, the Dutch didn’t do too well with the ladies when they first landed in Indonesia.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/60th of a second
Some of you know my friend Shardae. She comments a lot on this blog. She also alters my photos from time to time and posts them to her Tumblr blog. Today’s effort I found particularly amusing (posted below). To see more of her “alterations” click this link. All but the puppy were originally posted here.
Another friend of mine, Justin, has a different approach. He koala bombs my photos. What’s a koala bomb, you ask? See the second photo below, and check out many more at this link.
This one is from back in 2008 when I was still living in Detroit and took a drive out west just before moving back to New York. Southwest South Dakota has long been one of my favorite places to shoot. Not only great landscapes, but also lots of wildlife. Prairie dogs are very common, especially in northern sections of Badlands National Park. This particular prairie dog was whistling a warning call to any neighbors close enough to hear. (This will be the last post until next Tuesday as Karen and I are heading to Barbados for a long weekend. It’s not a wildlife trip so not sure I’ll return with anything for the blog, but you never know. Sea turtles are among the locals where we are staying.)
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 manual focus lens, ISO 500, f/11 at 1/320th of a second