In the Falkland Islands, the striated caracara is locally known as the Johnny Rook. They are fairly common around the islands — sometimes a bit too common — as they always seem to be waiting for an opportunity to get into your backpack to see what they can find. I photographed this guy on Saunders Island, my first stop in my Falklands trip back in 2014. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 290mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/3200th of a second.
I’ve only spotted a few of these green and black poison dart frogs in my Central American travels — this one in Costa Rica. They are considered on the lower end of toxicity but still have enough poison to stop the beating of a human heart. That said, they need to really feel threatened to release any toxins. Interesting fact: they lose their toxicity in captivity leading scientists to believe they get their poison from a diet of mites and other insects in the wild. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm — with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 100, f/8 at 1.5 seconds.
Always a bonus to capture wild mothers with their babies. Here are a few from around the globe:
Lion mothers with their cubs, Botswana (Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens at 240mm, ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/400th of a second).
Coastal brown bear and cubs, Alaska (Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens at 400mm, ISO 800, f/4 at 1/2000th of a second).
Hanuman langur mother with baby, India (Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens at 350mm, ISO 800, f/4 at 1/400th of a second).
And Bennett’s wallaby mom with her joey, Tasmania (Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens at 340mm, ISO 1600, f/4.5 at 1/1000th of a second).
The variety and diversity of lemurs is so great (roughly 100 unique species) that choosing just one to represent the family is almost impossible. But when most people think lemur, they more often than not think of the ring-tailed lemur. Perhaps that’s just my perception because of the animated King Julien. Or the fact that ring-tailed lemurs seem to be the most represented at zoos (many lemurs can’t even be kept in captivity). Or maybe it’s because the ring-tailed lemur is what first greeted me when I arrived in Madagascar back in May of 2007. They are a particular favorite species among a mammal that is most definitely a favorite. Here’s to getting back out there sometime soon. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 100, f/5.6 at 1/160th of a second.
While we were away in Florida, these two raccoons came creeping out of the darkness and took a few photos of themselves. 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 flashes.
Just back from my first time out of the state in over a year. The occasion was a milestone birthday for my Mom (Happy Birthday again Mom). She lives in southwestern Florida, so of course, I brought my camera along just in case. As it turned out, I didn’t really have much time to spare in our busy schedule, but I was able to have some fun with these halloween pennant dragonflies. They are common in the state throughout the year. The bright, mid-day sun was a challenge but by focusing in on the patterns in the translucent wings, I was able to get some decent shots. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 200, f/5.6 at 1/2000th of a second.
I’ve been in a Madagascar mood lately so might as well finish up the week with a Coquerel’s sifaka. These guys are diurnal and live in the dry western forests of Madagascar. I photographed this one in Ankarafantsika National Park. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 200, f/2.8 at 1/200th of a second.
A little something different for today. I believe this to be some form of banana slug, perhaps Elisolimax madagascariensis. Just one of the many weird and wonderful creatures to be found in Madagascar. I was staying in the east-coast town of Maroantsetra when I spotted this handsome guy. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 100, f/22 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.
It was a fairly long hike up rocky terrain to reach the bamboo forest where these golden monkeys live, but well worth the effort — one of the highlights of my trip to Uganda last year. Due to the limited habitat where they live, golden monkeys are listed as an endangered species. The red of their fur created a nice contrast to the fresh green bamboo shoots within Mgahinga National Park. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/50th of a second.
The red-bellied woodpecker is another of our resident birds that we see year-round in the yard. A lot of people think it should be called the red-headed woodpecker as that is its most prominent red part, with only a slight bit of red on the belly. But that name was already taken. And I must say the red-headed woodpecker is more deserving of the name, having red that extends over the full head and on down to the chest. Regardless, always nice to see these guys. And every now and again they land near one of my triggers and take a photo of themselves. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 24mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/200th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flashes.