Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers
Here’s one for the insect fans. Eastern lubbers are common throughout the southeastern United States. They are very large and colorful grasshoppers and if you’ve spent any amount of time in the south, you’ve probably come across one or two. I found these two in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park in Florida. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens, ISO 1600, f/3.2 at 1/500th of a second.
Common Side-Blotched Lizard
It was a hot day in Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge, California when I spotted this side-blotched lizard basking in the sun. These guys can be quite colorful depending on the morph and stage of development. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/200th of a second.
Red Fox with Grackle
I came across this red fox years ago in Delaware while visiting Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. I believe the unfortunate bird is a grackle. But there were several pups back at the den who were quite appreciative upon Mom’s return. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/640th of a second.
Nine-Banded Armadillo
I photographed this nine-banded armadillo on Merritt Island in Florida. Armadillos are virtually blind, so the trick to a close approach is to position yourself downwind and stay quiet. I was both in this case, until the armadillo either heard something or caught my scent and started to sniff the air for a few more clues. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 270mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/2000th of a second.
Great Gray And Blue Sky
I generally prefer a bit of background with my owl-in-flight shots, but this guy was intent on roosting on one of the taller trees in the area and had already risen above the background tree line. Photographed on my first trip to Sax Zim Bog in northern Minnesota in 2021. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/2000th of a second.
Opossum
This was one of the first opossums I captured when I started camera trapping in my backyard four years ago. A young one, out searching for a snack in the middle of the night. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 400, f/14 at 1/80th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and flash units).