Guanacos are to llamas as horses are to donkeys. In other words they are the wild ancestors of their domesticated cousins. This is a young guanaco, photographed in the Patagonian wilds of Torres Del Paine National Park in southern Chile. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 500, f/4 at 1/4000th of a second.

This was the only owl I saw on my trip to Patagonia — a Magellanic horned owl. It may look like our great horned owls, but is a separate species. Also known as the lesser horned owl, they range from the southern tip of South America up to the central Andes. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/200th of a second.

This is one of those shots that I haven’t shared yet because it’s pretty mediocre photographically. But it is a species of note. Known locally as the culpeo. Or zorro culpeo. Or Andean zorro, Andean fox, Paramo wolf, or Andean wolf. Mostly, however, they call it the culpeo fox. But it isn’t a true fox. It’s more closely related to wolves and jackals. And it isn’t particularly rare. Or endangered. That said, the culpeo, for the most part, stays out of sight. We caught this one walking through the tall grass while we were driving from the southern tip of South America, up into Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile. It’s the second largest canid species in South America, behind the maned wolf.Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/500th of a second.

This was one of three puma cubs we observed from a small cliff. The mother led the siblings out of the thick brush before strolling along a lake and disappearing into the distance. Photographed in Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/500th of a second.

Patagonia is all about the majestic landscapes. And there’s quite often a guanaco somewhere in that landscape. This guanaco caught wind of a nearby puma and was heading for safer territory. I had just scrambled up a hill in search of the aforementioned puma. We found her and got a few shots before heading back down and realizing the great backdrop that had been behind us. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 78mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/200th of a second.

We watched this puma as she slowly worked her way through the grasslands of Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile, back to a kill that she had hidden earlier in the day. She would disappear into the landscape, occasionally entering a clearing such as this before vanishing again. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/500th of a second.

A female puma stands among mixed scrub brush and rocks in Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile. She had three cubs who were hiding in the bushes waiting for her to awake from her nap before they all moved on. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 360mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/500th of a second.

The Coscoroba swan ranges throughout southern South America. They are almost completely white, except for a bit of black on their wingtips. They are small for swans and have more of a goose-like head. I photographed this one in a lagoon in the town of Puerto Natales in southern Chile. The southern range of the Andes can be seen in the background. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 300mm) ISO 100, f/6.3 at 1/500th of a second.

(Some of you may have already gotten this post, and if so I apologize. Having issues with my website sending notifications, so trying again.) Pumas are well camouflaged in their Patagonian habitat. Of course, we had been tracking this cat for quite some time before she bedded down for a nap so we were well aware of her presence. Guanacos in the area aren’t likely to be so fortunate. Photographed in Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/200th of a second.

This Patagonian fox was feasting on a guanaco carcass during a soft rain. After getting her fill, she gave a good shake of the fur and continued on her way. Photographed in Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonian Chile. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 280mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/500th of a second.