The rhinoceros chameleon is so named for that impressive snout. The males have a more pronounced protrusion. As with most chameleons, their color varies and changes due to many factors. These guys grow to about a foot in length and live primarily in the dry western forests of Madagascar. They are considered a vulnerable species to extinction due to the continued logging of the forests that they call home. I photographed this one on a night walk in Ankarafantsika National Park. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.

The diademed sifaka is just one of the many species of lemur that inhabit Madagascar. Depending on who’s doing the counting, there are roughly a hundred species still in existence. They come in all shapes and sizes. And pretty much all of them are endangered. The main culprit being the wide-scale deforestation that continues to decimate their habitat. I saw diademed sifakas both in the wild and on an island for rescued lemurs. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 200, f/2.8 at 1/40th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.

Here’s a species I’ve never posted before — the Malagasy kestrel. As the name suggests, it is native to Madagascar. It’s a small bird of prey that has many other common names, including the Malagasy spotted kestrel, Newton’s kestrel, Madagascar spotted kestrel, katiti and hitsikitsika. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 manual focus lens, ISO 200, f/8 at 1/320th of a second.

This was one of the very first lemurs I saw when I got to Madagascar. Been thinking more and more about this magical place and wanting to get back before what I remembered from back in 2007 is gone. Most lemur species are critically endangered due to habitat loss. Eco-tourism is vital to preserve the remaining forest but like most everywhere else, travel has been restricted by Covid. Unlike some other parts of the globe that have been re-wilding as a result of the pandemic — from what I hear — that hasn’t been the case in the land of the lemurs. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 200, f/3.5 at 1/500th of a second.

This is a species of milkweed bug. I think. Let me know if you have a better guess. Photographed in Ankarafantsika National Park in Madagascar. Just one of many interesting insects I saw while in the country. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 100, f/22 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.

I’ve been enjoying the wildlife in my own back yard as of late, but longing for a return to more exotic locales, like Ankarafantsika National Park in western Madagascar. It was there in the dry forests that I met this Milne Edwards’ sportive lemur. Usually nocturnal, this one was hiding in the cavity of a tree along a trail I was hiking and woke up to see what was passing by. I took a couple of quick shots before moving on. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 200, f/5.6 at 1/4th of a second.

Also known as the Madagascar reed frog, the sky blue reed frog has a nice pale blue back with yellow sides and orange underparts and fingers. I photographed this one not far from the hotel I was staying at in Maroantsetra, Madagascar. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (135mm with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 100, f/22 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.

Here’s another of the many different lemur species I was able to photograph while in Madagascar back in May of 2007. My total count was 23 different species — this being the black and white ruffed lemur. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 35mm) ISO 400, f/4.5 at 1/100th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.

This yellow-billed kite is one of the first creatures that I met upon my arrival in Madagascar. I would make the acquaintance of many more strange and wonderful feathered and furred beings over the ensuing three weeks. Photographed in Berenty Private Reserve in the southern tip of Madagascar. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 manual focus lens, ISO 200, f/5.6 at 1/160th of a second.

The Malagasy kingfisher is a colorful little bird that I saw in a few different locations on my Madagascar trip years ago. They are relatively small as far as kingfishers go. This one was spotted on the island of Nosy Mangabe which is off the east coast of Madagascar. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 manual focus lens, ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/4th of a second.