On my first trip to Uganda back in March of 2009, I was fortunate to see chimpanzees at two different locations. The first was in Kibale National Park, where I also photographed several other species of primate. Chimps can be difficult because they’re usually high in the trees with a bright white sky behind them and lots of branches in front of them. And they don’t tend to stay still for very long. But this young lady came a bit further down into a clearing, affording me a few quick shots before moving on. Chimps at Kibale are high on my list to revisit, hopefully sometime in the near future. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 300mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/250th of a second.
A northern green frog takes cover in the duckweed at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Indiana. Northern green frogs are commonly sold as pets. I, of course, prefer them in their natural habitat. I took this shot before I owned a macro lens and instead used a close-up filter screwed to the end of my 70-200mm. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 200, f/4 at 1/180th of a second.
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.
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.
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On my first trip to Uganda back in March of 2009, I was fortunate to see chimpanzees at two different locations. The first was in Kibale National Park, where I also photographed several other species of primate. Chimps can be difficult because they’re usually high in the trees with a bright white sky behind them and lots of branches in front of them. And they don’t tend to stay still for very long. But this young lady came a bit further down into a clearing, affording me a few quick shots before moving on. Chimps at Kibale are high on my list to revisit, hopefully sometime in the near future. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 300mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/250th of a second.
