Emerging from the ocean under cover of night, female leatherback turtles, sometimes over 1,000 pounds, slowly haul themselves up the beach to dig a deep nest with their powerful rear flippers. They lay around 80 to 100 soft, ping-pong-ball-sized eggs, then carefully cover them with sand to hide them from predators. Once the task is complete, they lumber back to sea, leaving the next generation to incubate and hatch on their own. Nikon D800 with Sigma 15mm fisheye lens, ISO 50, f/22 at 1/3 of a second.
The dark morph of the southern tamandua is a rare variation of this anteater species, typically found in South American forests and savannas (this one in the upper Amazon basin of Peru). While most tamanduas have a pale coat with a black vest-like marking, the dark morph features much deeper overall coloring, sometimes appearing almost entirely chocolate brown or black. This unique coloration may offer better camouflage in dense, shaded rainforest environments. Like all tamanduas, the dark morph uses its powerful forelimbs and long claws to tear into termite mounds and ant nests, then slurps up insects with its long, sticky tongue. Seeing one in the wild is a special treat given how elusive and uncommon they are. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm lens, ISO 1600, f/5.6 at 1/800th of a second.
The long-tailed duck is an Arctic sea duck known for its elaborate plumage and, as the name suggests, the males’ distinctive long tail feathers. Unlike most ducks, it spends most of its life on the open ocean, diving to depths of over 200 feet to feed on mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish. In winter, it can be seen along northern coastlines, often in choppy, cold waters where few other birds venture. This captive individual was photographed at the Ripley’s Waterfowl Conservancy in Connecticut. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 250, f/7.1 at 1/2000th of a second.
The American mink is a semi-aquatic predator often seen darting through snowy riverbanks and icy streams during winter. Agile and fearless, the mink hunts everything from fish and frogs to rodents and birds, often diving into icy water. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/2000th of a second.
The Uakari poison frog is a tiny but vividly colored amphibian found in the lowland rainforests of Peru, especially in the Amazon basin. Its bright metallic reds, yellows and blues serve as a warning to predators, advertising the potent toxins in its skin. This species is one of the smaller poison dart frogs, often less than an inch long. They lay their eggs in water-filled bromeliads or tree holes, and parents often carry tadpoles on their backs to safe nurseries. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second, Godox V860iii flash with Westcott Pocketbox diffuser.
Hippos are often found wallowing in calm, shallow ponds filled with water lilies, where the floating vegetation provides both shade and camouflage. While hippos don’t eat the lilies themselves, their presence can help maintain open water channels through the dense growth. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 1400, f/5.6 at 1/1250th of a second.
The waterbuck is a large, shaggy antelope commonly found near rivers, swamps, and lakes across sub-Saharan Africa. Its name comes from its strong preference for staying close to water sources—both for drinking and as a refuge from predators. We spotted this one on our last day in the Masai Mara while on the way to the airstrip. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 64, f/5.6 at 1/640th of a second.
The black spiny-tailed iguana is a fast, rugged reptile native to Central America, often found basking on rocks, ruins, or tree limbs. Named for the row of sharp, spiky scales along its tail, it uses this feature for defense against predators. Despite its tough appearance, it’s an omnivore, feeding on everything from leaves and fruit to insects and small animals. It’s also one of the fastest lizards in the world, capable of sprinting at impressive speeds to escape danger. In some regions, it’s become highly adaptable, even thriving in urban environments. This one was hanging out around the pool at the resort we stayed at in Belize a few years back. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/200th of a second.
The fan-shaped crest of the Guianan cock-of-the-rock evolved through sexual selection and it plays a crucial role in courtship displays. Males with the largest, most symmetrical, and eye-catching crests tend to attract more females at the communal lek sites where mating occurs. The disc-like shape helps exaggerate head movements and catch the light during their elaborate dances, making the male more visually striking. Over time, this preference likely drove the evolution of such an extreme and ornamental feature, even if it makes feeding and vision slightly less efficient, the payoff in reproductive success outweighs the cost. In this image, the bird is staring straight at camera and you can see the usually hidden beak. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 4000, f/5.6 at 1/125th of a second.
The Guianan squirrel monkey is a small, highly social primate found in the tropical forests of northern South America, especially in the Guianas and parts of the Amazon Basin. With bright yellow limbs, a white face, and a black cap on its head, it’s one of the most colorful members of the squirrel monkey group. These agile monkeys travel in large troops, sometimes over 50 individuals, leaping through the canopy in search of fruit, insects, and small vertebrates. Their constant chatter and quick movements make them both entertaining and challenging to observe in the wild. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 1250, f/5.6 at 1/320th of a second.
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