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.
Photographing mountain gorillas can be a challenge, even though you can get extremely close. You can only be with the gorillas for an hour once you find them and there’s no guarantee on the setting or the light. On our last trip, the thick vegetation and bright sunshine definitely presented some difficulties, but every now and again a gorilla turned to a favorable angle to the sun and I was able to get a handful of shots that I liked. A polarizing filter also came in handy to take the bright spots off the leaves. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 135mm), ISO 1000, f/5 at 1/640th of a second.
Female gentoo penguins typically lay two eggs, and both parents take turns incubating them, carefully balancing the eggs on their feet and under a warm flap of abdominal skin called a brood pouch. Shifts can last for days, with one adult guarding the nest while the other forages at sea. Once the chicks hatch, both parents continue to share duties, feeding them regurgitated food and shielding them from the cold and predators. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 19mm) ISO 800, f/8 at 1/640th of a second.
The emerald tree boa is a non-venomous snake native to the rainforests of South America, especially the Amazon Basin. With vivid green scales marked by jagged white stripes, it blends perfectly into the canopy where it spends most of its life coiled on branches. Despite its relaxed appearance, it’s an ambush predator, striking with lightning speed to snatch birds, lizards, and small mammals. Unlike many snakes, the emerald tree boa gives birth to live young—miniature versions of itself that start out orange or red before turning green as they mature. This boa was photographed in the upper Amazon basin of Peru. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/9 at 1/80th of a second, Godox flash.
Dall sheep are white mountain dwellers native to the rugged peaks of Alaska and northwestern Canada. Their bright coats blend perfectly with snow-covered cliffs, offering camouflage from predators like wolves and eagles. Agile and sure-footed, they navigate steep, rocky terrain with ease, often scaling near-vertical slopes to escape danger. This one was photographed just outside of Anchorage a few years back. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 350mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/200th of a second.
Here’s another one from southern Chile. These guys are wild relatives of the llama, native to the grasslands and mountains of Patagonia. With their slender frames, thick reddish-brown coats, and graceful stride, guanacos are built to thrive in harsh, high-altitude environments. They live in small herds and rely on keen eyesight and speed to evade predators like pumas. When threatened, they emit a high-pitched alarm call to warn the group. They are iconic symbols of the rugged southern Andes. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens. (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/800th of a second.
The tufted tit-tyrant is a tiny flycatcher found in the Andean regions of South America. Despite its small size, it sports a bold personality and an impressive spiky crest that gives it a perpetually surprised look. This active little bird flits constantly through shrubs and low branches, hunting insects with quick, darting flights. Its name reflects both its appearance and its feisty, territorial behavior, often chasing off much larger birds from its space. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/400th of a second.
Thanks to all those who have ordered a T-shirt from my new brand, Species Limited. Each design is created from one of my original photographs. My “Camo Collection” is the most popular so far, but in the “Conservation Status Collection,” which was the inspiration to start the brand, the most popular so far has been the Reticulated Giraffes Tee, created from this image taken in 2024 in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve. To get your tee and support wildlife conservation, go to specieslimited.com. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 900, f/5.6 at 1/1600th of a second.
Pronking is the springbok’s signature move, a high, stiff-legged leap into the air. This dramatic display, where the animal can jump up to 13 feet, is thought to signal strength and agility to predators, discouraging pursuit. It may also serve as a form of play or social communication within the herd. With a flash of white from the flap of skin along its back and bursts of athletic energy, a pronking springbok is one of the most iconic sights on the African savanna. I photographed this one in the Kalahari Game Reserve of Botswana on my first trip to southern Africa in 2011. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/6.3 at 1/800th of a second.
While waiting for my plane at a grass airstrip in Guyana, I spotted a few blue-and-yellow macaws that were flying around the local village. This one ended up in one of the locals’ backyard. Also known as the blue-and-gold macaw, these parrots are as loud visually as they are vocally, often emitting raucous squawks that echo through the canopy (or the neighborhood). They are highly intelligent birds that form strong pair bonds and are often seen flying in mated pairs or social groups. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 450, f/5.6 at 1/1000th of a second.
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