The long-tailed meadowlark was one of the more colorful birds I saw down in southern Chile. They build their nests on, or close to the ground. When leaving or returning to the nest, they sneak out (or in) on the ground before flying. This ensures that no predators can find their nest. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/400th of a second.

A backlit puma rests in front of the massive face of a mountain in Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonian Chile. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/640th of a second.

This subspecies of the South American crested duck lives only in Argentina, Chile and the Falkland Islands. They tend to occur in pairs rather than larger flocks and can be quite territorial. That bit of color on the wing (the speculum feathers) changes from a maroon-ish/orange to green depending on how the light is hitting it. In this shot I was able to capture the color extremes. Photographed in Puerto Natales in southern Chile. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 100, f/4 at 1/500th of a second.

This Patagonian gray fox was taking a break from chewing on a bone in order to scratch an itch. Photographed in the Chilean side of Patagonia in Torres del Paine National Park. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 350mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/640th of a second.

Yellow-billed teal are a duck species native to the southern half of South America. This flock was flying over a lake in Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonian Chile. A bit of rain and autumn colors on the hillside provided a nice backdrop. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 380mm) ISO 3200, f/4 at 1/3200th of a second.

These two guanacos (relatives of the llama) were resting on the ground as a light but steady rain fell on the Patagonian landscape. I got as low as I could to capture just their heads popping up over a small hill. Amazing to me how much the one on the right looks like a kangaroo. They are actually in the camel family, and well… they look like camels too. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/640th of a second.

Two guanacos traverse a hill beneath the massive face of a mountain in Torres Del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia. Torres Del Paine is the land of the puma. Guanacos are their favorite prey and the park is filled with them. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 220mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/1600th of a second.

Also known as the South American gray fox, the chilla and the gray zorro, the Patagonian fox lives throughout southern South America. I came across this one in extreme southern Chile in Torres Del Paine National Park. He seemed particularly pleased with his scratching technique. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/500th of a second.

This puma was stalking a small herd of guanacos in Chilean Patagonia. I used a slow shutter speed to pan with the puma as she made her move (which would prove to be unsuccessful on this particular attempt). Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 360mm) ISO 800, f/22 at 1/13th of a second.

These birds are fairly common throughout much of South America. I photographed this one way down toward the southern tip of the continent in Puerto Natales, Chile. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/5 at 1/1000th of a second.