With snipes, it’s all about the beak. This is the Magellanic snipe, just one of many snipe species in the world. But back to that beak, which is highly complex and can distinguish between many different delicacies beneath the soil such as larvae and other food sources. Apparently extra sensory filaments within the beak are what allow the snipe to be so discriminating. Photographed on Sea Lion Island in the Falkland Islands. Nikon D800, with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/2500th of a second.
Not all Panamanian white-faced capuchin monkeys are found in Panama. Like this one that I photographed in Costa Rica. In fact, they can be found in much of Central America and into the northern regions of South America. These monkeys are highly intelligent. They’re also very common. They are the traditional organ grinder monkey, the monkey that is most often seen in movies (like Pirates of the Caribbean) and they’ve even been known to assist paraplegic humans. This particular white-faced capuchin kind of looked like he was brushing his teeth with a palm frond. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 135mm) ISO 500, f/4 at 1/100th of a second.
It’s that time of year again when deserts start to bloom. Now if only I could get to a desert. This photo was from years ago in Joshua Tree National Park. Not sure of the exact species of cactus — claret cup or kingcup or something like that, with Joshua trees in the background. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 400, f/16 at 1/125th of a second.
Last week I posted an older opossum. Here’s a youngster. This was the first opossum my camera trap captured back in early October. Joeys stay with their Moms for about 100 days. They become sexually mature in six to eight months. And they typically only live for about two years. Here’s hoping I can capture babies with a mother in the same frame come spring. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 400, f/10 at 1/100th of a second, Cognisys camera box, triggering system and remote flashes.
I’ve encountered tamanduas about five times in the wild. This was my first, years ago in Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica. I was on a solo, day-long hike and it was fun to sit quietly for about an hour as the tamandua eventually descended from high up in a tree and foraged on the ground briefly before disappearing deeper into the forest. Northern tamanduas are medium-sized anteaters that live throughout the Neotropics from southern Mexico to the extreme northwest of Peru. There is another species, the southern tamandua that lives in the bulk of tropical South America. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 86mm) ISO 400, f/3.2 at 1/30th of a second.
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.
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With snipes, it’s all about the beak. This is the Magellanic snipe, just one of many snipe species in the world. But back to that beak, which is highly complex and can distinguish between many different delicacies beneath the soil such as larvae and other food sources. Apparently extra sensory filaments within the beak are what allow the snipe to be so discriminating. Photographed on Sea Lion Island in the Falkland Islands. Nikon D800, with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/2500th of a second.
