Also known as the Perinet chameleon, I photographed this Malagasy side-striped chameleon on my first and only trip to Madagascar back in 2007. This is a relatively small chameleon that we came across on a night hike in Ranomafana National Park, which is in the central part of the country. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 100mm with Canon 500D close up filter attached) ISO 200, f/22 at 1/60th of a second, Nikon SB-600 flash.

As you guys know, I generally don’t like to photograph or post captive animals, but this species is almost impossible to see in the wild. It’s the only other blue-eyed primate besides us. And it’s critically endangered without much hope of recovery — habitat loss being the main issue. I was at a free-range lemur park in Madagascar back in 2007. Among the many lemur species that were roaming free, there were a few in enclosures, including a pair of blue-eyed black lemurs. This is the female. The males are pure black, but have the same blue eyes. Nikon D40x with 18-55mm lens (at 55mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second, Nikon SB-600 flash.

A Coquerel’s sifaka lemur eyes the next branch to leap to. Like most lemurs, they are quite acrobatic as they move through the forest. Coquerel’s sifakas live in the dry forests of Western Madagascar where I photographed this one in Ankarafantsika National Park. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 100, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second, Nikon SB-600 flash.

Looking forward to someday returning to Madagascar. Ring-tailed lemurs were the first of the 23 three species of lemur I ended up photographing on my three-week trip back in 2007. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 175mm) ISO 100, f/2.8 at 1/1250th of a second.

Ring-tailed lemurs worship the sun. Each morning in Berenty Reserve, at the southern tip of Madagascar, they can be seen strewn about, soaking in the rays, in an apparent state of willing hypnosis. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 200, f/22 at 1/90th of a second.

All lemurs are acrobatic, but the eastern lesser bamboo lemur, also known as the eastern grey bamboo lemur, takes it to another level. These guys are quick and athletic and can disappear in an instant into the thick forest. This one hung around just long enough for me to grab a few shots before it bounded off, looking for bamboo I suppose, in Madagascar’s Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 120mm) ISO 400, f/2.8 at 1/125th of a second.

I took this image of a Parson’s chameleon eye at a reptile farm in central Madagascar. What is a reptile farm? Basically a zoo for reptiles and amphibians — a quick stop before heading into the next National Park. It allowed me to get some interesting close ups of the creatures I would later meet in the wild. At the time I took this photo, I didn’t have a dedicated macro lens but was instead shooting with a close up filter attached to the end of my 80-200mm zoom. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 100, f/2.8 at 1/20th of a second.

It’s not always easy being a lemur. At least not by the look of this ring-tailed’s body language. These lemurs love the sun and come out to bask in it every morning in southern Madagascar. So in this case, looks are likely deceiving. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 100, f/4.5 at 1/640th of a second.

This could very well be misidentified, but I think it’s a carpet chameleon, also known as a white-lined chameleon. Carpet chameleons are a type of panther chameleon found in Madagascar. I photographed this captive individual en route to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. I thought it looked a bit like a beaded belt. If I’m wrong on the ID, please let me know. Thanks. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 105mm with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 100, f/22 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.

The giraffe weevil is one of the more interesting insects that I’ve photographed over the years. Aptly named as you can see, the males have necks 3 times the length of the females, although the ladies have long necks too. Males, like this one, are about an inch in length and it’s a sight to see them flying around with that extended neck. The adaptation helps them with nest building and fighting. Photographed in central Madagascar. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 200, f/22 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.