I do love the jackrabbits. This black-tailed jackrabbit gave me a quick glance over the shoulder while in a bit of a clearing among all that desert scrub brush. You can also see the namesake black tail in this one. Photographed on a scorching hot day in the California desert about three hours southeast of Los Angeles. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/2000th of a second.
I was all set up for raccoons and opossums to climb up and down this tree, but got a tufted titmouse instead. The batteries on my fill flash went out, leaving only the main flash and a hidden flash behind the tree. In this photo it worked to my advantage, resulting in the hard shadow of the bird against the trunk. Always a nice surprise to capture the passing birds in the forest. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/11 at 1/160th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flashes.
We thought this leopard was climbing to a resting spot for an afternoon nap. She was actually getting into position to pounce on unsuspecting impala that would soon be grazing below. The pounce, of course, happened after we had already left and returned to camp for lunch. The consolation prize for our impatience was a bunch of nice portrait shots of Africa’s most elegant cat. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 220mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/500th of a second.
Just a squirrel checking out my camera trap set up. By getting the camera box right on the ground — partially buried in the leaves — allowed this shot of a very common subject to be a bit more interesting than if taken at a higher angle. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/200th of a second.
Looking out my window at the snow and rain has me thinking of more tropical climes. Nothing says neotropical goodness like a keel-billed toucan. I photographed this one in Soberania National Park in Panama a few years back. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/100th of a second.
Most of the opossums that I photographed with the camera trap toward the end of the summer and throughout fall were younger. I moved the trap to another location in December and caught this old timer a few times. Also known by their proper name of Virginia opossums, they are the only marsupials found north of Mexico. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/200th of a second, Cognisis camera box, trail monitor and remote flashes.
Pika are most closely related to rabbits, although they look more rodent like. They live in mountainous regions of North America, Asia and parts of Eastern Europe. This species is the American pika, photographed at Mount Evans in Colorado. As you can see, they are quite round, and look like little furry softballs. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/5 at 1/200th of a second.
A proboscis monkey showing us a profile of his namesake proboscis. These guys truly are one of the more interesting looking creatures I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. The locals called them Dutchmen monkeys in reference to their potbellies, and swollen red noses which reminded them of the sunburnt Dutch colonialists. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/60th of a second.
I spent the better part of a morning with these two red fox pups as they played in the grass, waiting for their mother to return with breakfast. Photographed down on the Delaware Bay. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 350mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/1250th of a second.
The Brewer’s blackbird is pretty basic as far as plumage goes. Males are black with a bit of purple and blue iridescence. Females are more uniformly brown. They are common along the cliffs that overlook the coastline in Santa Cruz, California. This male found a nice spot on a flower with a great ocean view. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/6.3 at 1/640th of a second.