The welcome swallow is a bird native to Australia and a few of the nearby islands. I had seen a few of them in flight while in Tasmania, but failed to get a good action shot due to their small size and rapid movement while in the air. I was happy (or at least pacified) when I finally saw one perched and was able to grab a quick take-what-I-can-get photo.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/800th of a second
This one goes out to my frog-loving sister Mo who had a big birthday today. A green tree frog, photographed down in Florida at the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples. Happy Birthday Mo.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/80th of a second
As I mentioned recently, guanacos can be great subjects, especially when framed within the landscape of Torres Del Paine in Patagonian Chile. The early morning light was hitting these two with direct light while the massive face of that mountain in the background was in shadow, and partially obscured by fog and clouds.
Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/1600th of a second
These two lion cubs were seeking shelter from the rain under a stand of trees in Ol Pajeta Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya. There was a third cub nearby, as well as mom to the right of frame.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 1600, f/3.5 at 1/200th of a second
I don’t post bugs often, but when I do… I try to keep it interesting. Not sure what kind of a cricket this is, but I liked the hints of blue and green on top of that maroonish-colored body. It was photographed in Tanjung Puting National Park in Borneo, Indonesia. So if any one has a clue (like my frog last week that was identified by Walt Novak) please let me know. Thanks.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (with Canon 500D close up lens) ISO 160, f/3.5 at 1/60th of a second
The southern stingrays that I photographed in Belize were, at times, quite curious and would swim right up to me. I didn’t even notice those two big conch shells on the ground until I started looking through my photos on my computer.
Sony RX100 V with FantaSea underwater housing with wide angle wet lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/250th of a second
Usually, I like to get that focus point right on the eye, but in this case, it seemed the blue tongue was calling for the attention. This is the blotched blue-tongued lizard. Also called the blotched blue-tongued skink and a few other names. I photographed him/her at a wildlife rescue center in Tasmania, Australia. The blue tongue is used to scare off potential predators, but the lizard itself is relatively harmless and they are often kept in captivity as pets.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 800, f/4.5 at 1/320th of a second
The coati, or coatimundi, is a member of the raccoon family that lives in South and Central America and a few areas of southwestern North America. I photographed this one, along with thirty or so of his friends, deep in the rain forest of Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica. Corcovado is an amazing park for wildlife, located down near the Panama border on the Pacific coast.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/3.5 at 1/500th of a second
This one goes out to my monkey loving nieces Cierra and Skylar — a black howler monkey from the Pantanal in Brazil.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (with 1.4 teleconverter for 550mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/800th of a second
This sea otter appeared to be clapping — as they often do while cleaning themselves after a meal. This is one of the otters I photographed earlier in the year in Morro Bay, California.
Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/500th of a second