As I’ve mentioned before, warthogs don’t get a lot of respect when it comes to most safari-goer’s wish lists. But they remain one of my favorites, especially when the piglets are out and about. We spotted this mother and one of her piglets on a morning game drive in the Masai Mara of Kenya last year. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/2000th of a second.
Here’s another of the salamanders I found in the woods behind my house back in October. I had originally misidentified these guys as dusky salamanders, but they are actually red-backed salamanders, which can occur in several color phases, including a more grayish tone, mottled with just a bit of blue and red, known as “lead back.” Nikon D850 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 800, f/14 at 1/125th of a second.
My deer friend came back for a visit during our snow storm a few weeks back. The camera was barely above the snow line for this one. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/200th of a second, Cognisys camera box, triggering system and flashes.
It was at this time last year that I arrived in Africa for my last photo trip before locking down. Seems a lot longer ago than that. Here’s hoping I’ll have the chance again sometime in 2021. These African elephants paid us a visit as the sun set behind the mountains of Samburu National Reserve in Kenya. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 70mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/250th of a second.
Short-eared owls fly low to the ground, scanning for any potential prey. I watched as this guy dove several times into the grass in pursuit of voles. Photographed at Boundary Bay, just over the US border in British Columbia, Canada. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1250, f/5 at 1/1000th of a second.
Hope everyone had a great New Year. To get things started in 2021, here’s an olive baboon I met a few years back, shaking off the rain in Ol Pajeta Conservancy in Laikipia Kenya. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 330mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/400th of a second.
The five acres that our home sits on have provided many photo ops this past year. Here’s to even more in 2021. Happy Holidays to all.
When I get back from every big trip, the first thing I do with my photos is to identify every animal and put them into folders. I always end up with a bird folder labeled “Unidentifieds” — those that Google doesn’t have any obvious answers for. Usually that folder remains forgotten as most of those birds are rather drab looking and as such, not given much attention. Tonight I decided to delve into my Unidentifieds folder from my Kenya trip back in 2011. Among the mystery birds, I came across this pleasant looking little guy. I was determined to identify him and to the best of my ability, I think he’s an African gray flycatcher. Not the most colorful bird I saw at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, but given a second look, I found him quite agreeable. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 340mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/160th of a second.
I took this shot the old fashioned way earlier in October. This is one of two cubs that were regulars in our yard (with their mother) for most of the summer and up until a few weeks ago. The cubs would quite often climb up and down trees as they passed through while Mom patiently waited for them to have their fun. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/200th of a second.
Although not quite as common as some of the other birds that visit my backyard, these Carolina wrens were quite active back in October when my camera trap captured this image. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/11 at 1/160th of a second.