While we were away in Florida, these two raccoons came creeping out of the darkness and took a few photos of themselves. 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 flashes.
Just back from my first time out of the state in over a year. The occasion was a milestone birthday for my Mom (Happy Birthday again Mom). She lives in southwestern Florida, so of course, I brought my camera along just in case. As it turned out, I didn’t really have much time to spare in our busy schedule, but I was able to have some fun with these halloween pennant dragonflies. They are common in the state throughout the year. The bright, mid-day sun was a challenge but by focusing in on the patterns in the translucent wings, I was able to get some decent shots. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 200, f/5.6 at 1/2000th of a second.
I’ve been in a Madagascar mood lately so might as well finish up the week with a Coquerel’s sifaka. These guys are diurnal and live in the dry western forests of Madagascar. I photographed this one in Ankarafantsika National Park. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 200, f/2.8 at 1/200th of a second.
A little something different for today. I believe this to be some form of banana slug, perhaps Elisolimax madagascariensis. Just one of the many weird and wonderful creatures to be found in Madagascar. I was staying in the east-coast town of Maroantsetra when I spotted this handsome guy. 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.
It was a fairly long hike up rocky terrain to reach the bamboo forest where these golden monkeys live, but well worth the effort — one of the highlights of my trip to Uganda last year. Due to the limited habitat where they live, golden monkeys are listed as an endangered species. The red of their fur created a nice contrast to the fresh green bamboo shoots within Mgahinga National Park. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/50th of a second.
The red-bellied woodpecker is another of our resident birds that we see year-round in the yard. A lot of people think it should be called the red-headed woodpecker as that is its most prominent red part, with only a slight bit of red on the belly. But that name was already taken. And I must say the red-headed woodpecker is more deserving of the name, having red that extends over the full head and on down to the chest. Regardless, always nice to see these guys. And every now and again they land near one of my triggers and take a photo of themselves. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 24mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/200th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flashes.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is a rehabilitation center in Tasmania for orphaned and injured animals. During my visit, I was able to get some nice daytime pics of the usually nocturnal eastern quoll. Their cute appearance belies the fact they are a carnivorous marsupial in the same family as the Tasmanian devil. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 1600, f/4.5 at 1/400th of a second.
The black and white ruffed lemur is quite large for a lemur and can grow up to 4 feet tall. They are strictly diurnal and active during daylight hours only. Like most members of the family Lemuridae, they are endangered due to habitat loss and other factors. This one was living free on an island for rescued lemurs in central Madagascar. Nikon D40X with Nikkor 18-55mm lens (at 18mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/60th of a second.
Seeing a giraffe rising above the African landscape is always an impressive sight, but especially on mornings like this when such a huge creature suddenly appears out of all that green-season foliage. This species is a reticulated giraffe — less common than the Masai giraffe and known for its distinct geometric patterns. Photographed in Samburu National Reserve in Kenya. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 130mm) ISO 400, f/2.8 at 1/8000th of a second.
The rhinoceros chameleon is so named for that impressive snout. The males have a more pronounced protrusion. As with most chameleons, their color varies and changes due to many factors. These guys grow to about a foot in length and live primarily in the dry western forests of Madagascar. They are considered a vulnerable species to extinction due to the continued logging of the forests that they call home. I photographed this one on a night walk in Ankarafantsika National Park. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.