Of the five species of penguin I photographed in the Falklands, I only saw a few of these macaroni penguins. They were always mixed in with the rockhoppers in the rockhopper colonies — no doubt lost, but also able to fit in with the very similar looking rockhoppers. In this photo, only the two closest to camera are macaroni penguins. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 25mm) ISO 800 f/5.6 at 1/160th of a second.
We came upon a pack of African wild dogs late in the day in northern Botswana, all winding down from a day of hunting. There were about 20 of them and just like any good dog, lots of yawning going on. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 360mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/640th of a second.
I think I took as many photos at night in Tasmania as I did during the day. So much life comes out as soon as the sun goes down. One of those species is the brushtail possum. This mother and her joey posed for a few portraits before moving on into the forest. Using two flash units off camera and to the side, allowed me to capture the possums without any eyeshine. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/14 at 1/250th of a second, two Nikon SB-900 flash units
This is one of those birds that is much more impressive seen live than in photos — the Canada jay. I say that mainly because they are actually much larger than they look in all the shots I captured. They typically grow to 13 inches in length with an 18 inch wingspan. Not huge, but big for a songbird. They also have some pretty cool names other than the rather pedestrian Canada jay — my favorites being the camp robber and whisky jack. I saw this one on my recent trip to Sax Zim Bog in northern Minnesota where they are relatively common. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 1600, f/5.6 at 1/125th of a second.
I spotted this rockhopper penguin (or she spotted me) through the chaos that is a typical day in a rockhopper penguin colony. This one was on Saunders Island in the Falkland Islands. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 260mm) ISO 1600, f/5.6 at 1/125th of a second.
I’ve seen this white-tailed deer hanging around the fringes of the yard a few times — a young male. On this occasion, he tripped the camera trap while passing through. For whatever reason, the deer seem to show up in greater numbers during the winter. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/200th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flashes.
This striated caracara (locally known as a Johnny Rook) was guarding a gentoo penguin egg it had snatched from a nearby colony. With that little curve at the end of its beak, the caracaras struggled with actually cracking the egg and would end up rolling them up and down the beach before finally breaking through. Photographed on Saunders Island in the Falklands. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/1600th of a second.
I’m just going to put this one out there and well… nature works in mysterious ways. That sac, shall we call it, under the chin is actually known as a cheek pouch and is used for storing food. You never know when you might need a snack. Function over style when it comes to the stump-tailed macaque. Photographed near Kaeng Krachan National Park on the Malay Peninsula of Thailand. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/320th of a second.
The Somali ostrich was considered a subspecies of the common ostrich as recently as 2014 but has since been designated as a distinct species. Their conservation status is listed as “Vulnerable” due to hunting for meat, medicinal products and eggs, as well as a general lack of conservation efforts in several of the countries in which they still live. Males like this one have a blue neck and legs that becomes even more blue during mating season. Photographed in Samburu in Kenya. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 340mm) ISO 200, f/5.6 at 1/800th of a second.
Raccoon fact of the day — it isn’t a sense of sight or smell that makes a raccoon a stealthy nocturnal forager, but rather touch. In fact, the part of the brain that is responsible for sensory function is dedicated overwhelmingly to tactile impulses — a full two thirds, which is more than any other known animal. I know I post a lot of raccoons, but that’s who likes to come visit at night. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/160th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flash units.