Tayras are pretty cool creatures. They kind of look like otters that live in trees in the rainforest. Like otters, they are in the mustelid family. This tayra — photographed in the cloud forest of Ecuador — had the good fortune to stumble upon a big pile of bananas, giving me the chance to grab a few quick shots. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 3200, f/4 at 1/160th of a second
Hermits are pretty cool looking hummingbirds, with their fancy tails and curved bills. In this case, a white-whiskered hermit that I found flitting around in the Ecuadorian cloud forest. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 310mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/1600th of a second, Nikon SB-900 flash
Actually, these marine iguanas were resting in the sun and weren’t even moving, but it looked like they were on the attack and storming that small hill on Fernandina Island in the Galapagos Islands. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 400, f/16 at 1/250th of a second
Here’s another raptor. This time a Galápagos hawk from Rabida Island in the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador. As with most of the wildlife on the islands, there is a lack of fear of human visitors. The animals seem to be more curious than anything else, or they just ignore the fact that you are even there. This guy fell into the former camp. He was bobbing his head left and right, checking me out while I captured a series of tight headshots. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/1250th of a second
Blue-footed boobies are probably the most iconic animal of the Galapagos Islands. The bright blue feet are actually used by the males to attract the ladies. They engage in an elaborate dance, lifting their feet up and down in an attempt to look more suitable for mating. Best feet, best dance, best chance of passing that brilliant blue on to the next generation. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 260mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/5000th of a second
Just a photo of two simple gulls sitting on their coral-y nest. But if I do say, they have spectacular eye rings. And the one looking at camera adds a nice bit of attitude. They are swallow-tailed gulls and they were photographed on Genovesa Island in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 300mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/320th of a second
Here’s another fine looking bird from South America. This time, the cloud forest of Ecuador. Just one of many beautiful tanagers from that part of the world. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 250mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/320th of a second
This is one of the giant owl butterflies in the genus Caligo — perhaps the Caligo illioneus or the Calico eurilochus. They get their name from the big owl eye-like markings on the underside of the their wings. When motionless on a branch, would-be predators think twice when they see the giant eye staring back at them. I photographed this one in the cloud forest of Ecuador and was lucky to get the wings slightly open to reveal the blue on the top side of the wings. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 105 macro lens, ISO 800, f/8 at 1/125th of a second
This Nazca booby chick looked like a pile of cotton with a beak. The Nazca is one of three different species of booby that I photographed while in the Galapagos Islands. The other two being the blue footed and the red footed boobies. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 360mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/2500th of a second
I usually don’t post on holidays, but today is my Dad’s birthday. And it’s a big one. But Dad, take heart in knowing that you’re nothing compared to one of these guys — the Gálapagos giant tortoise. The oldest ever, lived in captivity for 176 years. You might not make it that far, but at the rate you’re going you’re sure to give it a good shot. Enjoy the day. And as I always say, no matter how old you get, you’ll always be younger than you’ll ever be. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 330mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/640th of a second
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