The lesser mouse lemur, also known as the gray mouse lemur, is one of the smallest primates in the world. They can be very quick in the trees, and also nocturnal, making them a challenge to photograph. I encountered this one on a late-night hike in central Madagascar. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 320, f/8 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.

Madagascar isn’t just about the lemurs and chameleons. It is also teeming with frogs and is thought to have over 300 species, 99% of which are endemic. Interestingly, frogs are the only amphibians found in Madagascar. There are no toads, newts or salamanders. This guy is the Goudot’s Bright-eyed Frog, spotted in the central part of the country at Ranomafana National Park on a night hike. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 92mm with Canon 500D close up filter attached) ISO 100, f/22 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.

This crowned lemur was a member of a free-ranging troop that took residence in Park Ivoloina on the east coast of Madagascar. Typically, these endangered lemurs are restricted to the northern, dry forests. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm (at 145mm) ISO 400, f/4.5 at 1/60th of a second.

I was in a small boat traveling upriver when we spotted this panther chameleon crawling through the reeds near the town of Maroansetra in Madagascar. Almost half the world’s chameleons live in Madagascar, with many of those species existing nowhere else on earth.
Nikon D40X with Nikkor 18-55mm lens (at 38mm) ISO 200, f/4.8 at 1/320th of a second

The eastern grey bamboo lemur wasn’t one of the more colorful of the 23 different lemur species that I was able to photograph in Madagascar, but definitely one of the sweetest looking. I saw a few of these little lemurs, this one in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park on the east coast of the island nation. They are mostly diurnal, but this one was out after the sun had set.
Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm (at 175mm) ISO 320, f/6.3 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units

I photographed this tree frog in the town of Perinet in Madagascar. Scientific name is Boophis Elenae but common name is Elena’s tree frog. I was on my way into the big national park adjacent to the town for some nocturnal spotlighting but didn’t have to go far before meeting some of the late night locals.
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 usually don’t photograph birds at night (with the exception of owls and other nocturnal species) but while hiking on the island of Nosy Mangabe — which is just off the northeast coast of Madagascar — and searching for lemurs, geckos and chameleons, I came across this pygmy kingfisher that was up after bedtime. As the name would suggest, this is a very small bird. I only took two quick shots as not to disturb its sleep any more than I already had.
Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 165mm) ISO 320, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units

It’s never too soon to post another lemur image. This time it’s the sexually dimorphic crowned lemur. What is sexual dimorphism? The differences in appearance between the male and the female. The male crowned lemur on the right, has almost the exact inverse coloration patterns of the female on the left.
Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 165mm) ISO 400, f/4.5 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units

In Madagascar, it’s all about the camo. Especially for geckos. This leaf-tailed gecko was up and at it but while at rest, its mossy skin blends in perfectly with the tree bark in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park.
Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 80mm, with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 100, f/22 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units

Lemur classification can get confusing and there’s no clear cut answer as to just how many species there actually are. Most experts, however, agree that there are roughly 100 recognized species. About half are nocturnal and half diurnal. This is the red-fronted brown lemur. It is both. Mostly diurnal, but increases its nocturnal activity in the dry season.
Nikon D200 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 200, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units