Today will be my last post for awhile. Karen and I are off on Monday to lead back-to-back tours and will be gone for the better part of the next month. Until then, enjoy this spotted hyena cub. They are born with their eyes open and their teeth already erupted, an unusual trait among carnivores. From their very first days, they begin establishing social rank, a critical factor in a species where status can influence access to food, mates, and opportunities throughout life. Looking forward to seeing a few more in the coming weeks. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 1100, f/5.6 at 1/500th of a second.
California newts produce tetrodotoxin — the same neurotoxin found in pufferfish — as a defense against predators. Their bright orange undersides serve as a warning, while their rough brown backs help them blend into the leaf litter and streams of coastal California. I came across this one years ago in Point Reyes National Seashore north of San Francisco. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 800, f/3.5 at 1/160th of a second.
Boyd’s water dragons are unusual among Australian reptiles in that they frequently freeze when threatened rather than fleeing. In the rainforests of northeastern Queensland, these dragons are often found clinging motionless to tree trunks, relying on camouflage to avoid detection by predators (and photographers). Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 105mm) ISO 100, f/5 at 1 second.
American bison are the largest land mammals in North America, with bulls weighing up to 2,000 pounds. Despite their size, they can run at speeds of nearly 35 miles per hour and have roamed the Great Plains for thousands of years, shaping the grassland ecosystem through their grazing and movement. I captured this image back in 2014 on a short trip to the Badlands of South Dakota. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 350mm) ISO 800, f/4.5 at 1/400th of a second.
Golden jackals are highly adaptable predators and scavengers, thriving in habitats ranging from grasslands and forests to agricultural areas. In places like Bandhavgarh in central India, they often patrol the edges of larger predators’ territories, taking advantage of opportunities while relying on their intelligence and senses to stay out of trouble. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/500th of a second.
Male greater kudu are known for their spectacular spiral horns, which can grow over four feet long and twist in as many as two and a half turns. Despite their size, kudu are surprisingly elusive, relying on camouflage and an uncanny ability to slip quietly through dense bush when threatened. We were lucky to spot a small herd of them on our trip to Samburu in Kenya last June. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 125, f/6.3 at 1/800th of a second.
Sharp-nosed toads are masters of camouflage, relying on their leaf-like shape and coloration to disappear into the rainforest floor. Rather than fleeing from danger, they often remain perfectly still, blending so seamlessly with the leaf litter that they’re easy to overlook even from just a few feet away. For this image, I was inches away with my wide angle macro lens. Nikon D850 with Laowa 15mm wide angle macro lens, ISO 1600, unrecorded f/stop, 1/60th of a second, Godox 860iii flash with diffuser.
Guianan squirrel monkeys are highly social primates that spend much of their day searching for fruit, insects, and other small food items in the forest canopy — and in this case on the rainforest floor. Their excellent eyesight and agile movements allow them to quickly locate seasonal fruits like ripe mangoes, which provide a valuable source of energy. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 1100, f/5.6 at 1/1250th of a second.
Here’s another one from the camera trap a few years back. A female northern cardinal comes in for a landing on the fallen ash tree that I regularly capture raccoons and opossums traversing on their nightly rounds. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/160th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flash units.
We’ve seen quite a few bears in the yard this year, but so far they’ve been avoiding the camera traps. This one is from last year when they were taking a few more selfies. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 22mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/250th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flash units).
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Today will be my last post for awhile. Karen and I are off on Monday to lead back-to-back tours and will be gone for the better part of the next month. Until then, enjoy this spotted hyena cub. They are born with their eyes open and their teeth already erupted, an unusual trait among carnivores. From their very first days, they begin establishing social rank, a critical factor in a species where status can influence access to food, mates, and opportunities throughout life. Looking forward to seeing a few more in the coming weeks. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 1100, f/5.6 at 1/500th of a second.
