Clearwing butterflies are known for their transparent wings, an adaptation that helps them vanish into their forest surroundings. Instead of relying on bright colors for warning or attraction, their see-through wings reduce visibility to predators. This species, (Ithomia diasia hippocrenis) was photographed in El Valle, Panama. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 1600, f/8 at 1/320th of a second.
Hoary marmots, often called “whistle pigs” for their high-pitched alarm calls, are a common sight among the alpine meadows and rocky slopes of Mount Rainier in Washington State. These large ground squirrels spend the short summer season feeding and basking in the sun to build fat reserves for their long hibernation, which can last up to eight months. Social and vocal, they often perch on rocks to watch for predators. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/8 at 1/500th of a second.
Sometimes it can be tricky to distinguish a young male lion from a female. This lion clearly had what looked like the beginning growth of a mane, but sure enough it turned out to be a female. Certain older subadult and dominant females can have slight scruff on the jawline. She was the first lion we saw on our June of 2023 trip — day one in Nairobi National Park. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 24-70mm lens (at 70mm) ISO 560, f/5.6 at 1/500th of a second.
When a prairie dog stretches up and throws its arms wide like this, it’s often performing what’s called a “jump-yip” — a dramatic social behavior that can serve as both a territory call and a kind of group alert or check-in. The sudden, exaggerated pose is usually followed by a high-pitched bark, and if others respond, it can ripple through the colony like a wave. It’s a quirky but effective way for prairie dogs to maintain group cohesion and assess their surroundings in open grasslands. Photographed years ago in the Badlands of South Dakota. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 600mm manual focus lens, ISO 500, f/11 at 1/320th of a second.
Interesting fact about the endangered eastern quoll — they glow under UV light, revealing hidden blue-green patterns. It’s thought that this is for communication or camouflage in nocturnal environments, but the exact purpose is still being researched. Quolls are night hunters, crucial to controlling pests like mice and insects, and they are known as risky scavengers, sometimes even stealing scraps from Tasmanian devils. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 105mm lens, ISO 160, f/3 at 1/320th of a second.
Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys as they are more commonly called, are the second most northerly living primates. Only humans live in colder climates. I photographed this one years ago when in Japan for a wedding. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 190mm) ISO 400, f/3.2 at 1/50th of a second.
Always exciting to spot a leopard. On our trip in June, this was the first one we saw. It was deep in a bush, but very close. We thought it might be our only sighting, but later that afternoon we caught up with the same leopard when he was out hunting. And the next morning we saw three more. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 7200, f/5.6 at 1/2000th of a second.
Once nearly wiped out in Indiana due to habitat loss and unregulated trapping, North American river otters were reintroduced to the state in the 1990s through a successful restoration program. Thanks to protected wetlands and careful management, their population has rebounded, and otters are now found in over 80 Indiana counties. These two were captured in the southern part of the state where they are a symbol of conservation success, thriving again in rivers and marshes where they hadn’t been seen for decades. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (with 1.4 teleconverter for 550mm) ISO 1600, f/8 at 1/500th of a second.
We always see a few grey crowned cranes on our trips to East Africa. It’s actually the national bird of Uganda and they are common throughout many areas of sub-Sahara Africa — usually around wetland habitat. This one was photographed on our first day of safari this past June in Kenya’s Nairobi National Park. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 80, f/5.6 at 1/125th of a second.
The green rosella is Tasmania’s largest parrot. It is often seen foraging on the ground for seeds, berries, and flowers, including the prickly blooms of thistles and other spiny plants. I photographed this guy on Maria Island, off the east coast of Tasmania. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/1600th of a second.