The kori bustard is the largest flying bird in Africa (the ostrich, of course, doesn’t fly). We saw this one strutting across the savanna early one morning in Samburu National Reserve in Kenya. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/2000th of a second.
A lone gentoo penguin seems a bit indifferent, if not downright dejected, about hopping into that water. Photographed on Sea Lion Island in the Falklands Islands. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 35mm) ISO 400, f/9 at 1/200th of a second.
There were lots of young babies in Samburu, Kenya on this recent trip, including these two with their mother. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 130mm) ISO 200, f/5.6 at 1/1250th of a second.
Back to Uganda for a golden monkey. These endangered monkeys were very fun, but at time challenging, to photograph as they were continually on the move and popping in and out of the bamboo forest. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 3200, f/4 at 1/250th of a second.
This is one of the more rare animals that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in the wild. Also known as the small Sulawesi cuscus. Not much info on these guys but they are tree dwelling marsupials that live in — as the name suggests — Sulawesi, Indonesia. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/2.8 at 1/400th of a second.
The indri, also known as the babakoto, is the largest of all the lemurs in Madagascar — it can reach nearly four feet with legs fully extended. By contrast, the smallest lemur, the pygmy dwarf lemur, isn’t much bigger than a mouse. The indri is also known for its mournful call which you can hear echoing through the rainforest. I photographed this Indri years ago in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park in Madagascar. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second, Nikon SB-600 flash.
I figured it was about time to start adding a few photos from the rest of the world to the mix of all the recent Africa posts. I’ve shared a few images from this particular morning before. Here’s another. Photographed quite a few years ago in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 300mm) ISO 400, f/7.1 at 1/800th of a second.
We watched this leopard as she climbed a tree to get a better (more stealthy) look at whatever prey might be out there. She grew very intense, fixing her sight on something that we didn’t see. It quickly got dark so we left her to her hunt. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/250th of a second.
I’m going to stick with the silverback-double-shot theme for one more day. Here’s another of the three big boys from the troop getting his mid-day nap. He also looks like he could use some dental work. The teeth weren’t a sign of aggression, but simply a bit of a yawn. Top Shot: Nikon D850 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 82mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/1000th of a second. Bottom Shot: Nikon D850 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 110mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/800th of a second.
This big guy was trying his best to get comfortable for an afternoon nap, but apparently having a difficult time of it. He was one of three silverbacks in this small troop of nine mountain gorillas, which is very unusual but because the three are all related, they won’t push the others out of the group. Top photo: Nikon D850 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 98mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/320th of a second. Bottom photo: Nikon D850 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 102mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/250th of a second.