An elephant cow is a fiercely devoted mother, guiding her calf with both gentleness and strength. From birth, the calf rarely strays far from her side, using its trunk to explore the world while learning vital survival skills. The mother uses low-frequency rumbles to communicate with her calf — even over long distances — and will shield it from danger with her massive body. Calves nurse for up to two years and remain under the care and protection of the herd well into adolescence. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 24-70mm lens (at 49mm) ISO 250, f/5 at 1/500th of a second.
The mangrove tree crab lives high in the branches of mangrove trees along tropical coastlines. Unlike most crabs, it spends much of its life out of water, using its hooked legs to climb and cling to bark and leaves. It feeds primarily on mangrove leaves but also snacks on algae, insects, and detritus, making it both a herbivore and a scavenger. When threatened, it can drop from the canopy into the water below, quickly scurrying to safety. Small but ecologically important, this crab helps recycle nutrients and maintain the delicate balance of the mangrove ecosystem. I photographed this on in Piedras Blancas National Park in southern Costa Rica. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 1000, f/5.6 at 1/125th of a second, Godox 860iii flash.
The Patagonian gray fox is a small, agile canid native to the windswept grasslands and shrublands of southern Argentina and Chile. Despite its name, it’s more closely related to wolves and jackals than true foxes, and it’s well-adapted to the harsh, open landscapes of Patagonia. With a bushy tail and a mottled grey/rust coat, it blends easily into its surroundings while hunting for rodents, birds, fruit, and carrion. Curious but cautious, they’re often seen pausing to glance back before disappearing into the wild Patagonian steppe. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 240mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/500th of a second.
The common wombat is a sturdy, nocturnal marsupial known for its powerful digging abilities. Using strong claws, it excavates complex burrow systems that can extend over 100 feet underground. These burrows provide shelter from extreme temperatures and predators, making them essential for survival. Uniquely, wombats have a backward-facing pouch to keep dirt from filling it while they dig. Nikon D800 with Sigma 15mm fisheye lens, ISO 800, f/7.1 at 1/1600th of a second.
A yawning leopard might look relaxed, but it’s often a sign of transition, waking up from rest or preparing to settle down or begin a hunt. The wide-open jaws reveal long, curved canines and a surprisingly pink tongue, making for an impressive (and sometimes intimidating) display. We came across this guy on our most recent Crane Wildlife Tours trip in June. If you’d like to join us on an upcoming trip we’d love to start the conversation. It’s never too early, or too late. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 1000, f/5.6 at 1/1600th of a second.
Emerging from the ocean under cover of night, female leatherback turtles, sometimes over 1,000 pounds, slowly haul themselves up the beach to dig a deep nest with their powerful rear flippers. They lay around 80 to 100 soft, ping-pong-ball-sized eggs, then carefully cover them with sand to hide them from predators. Once the task is complete, they lumber back to sea, leaving the next generation to incubate and hatch on their own. Nikon D800 with Sigma 15mm fisheye lens, ISO 50, f/22 at 1/3 of a second.
The dark morph of the southern tamandua is a rare variation of this anteater species, typically found in South American forests and savannas (this one in the upper Amazon basin of Peru). While most tamanduas have a pale coat with a black vest-like marking, the dark morph features much deeper overall coloring, sometimes appearing almost entirely chocolate brown or black. This unique coloration may offer better camouflage in dense, shaded rainforest environments. Like all tamanduas, the dark morph uses its powerful forelimbs and long claws to tear into termite mounds and ant nests, then slurps up insects with its long, sticky tongue. Seeing one in the wild is a special treat given how elusive and uncommon they are. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm lens, ISO 1600, f/5.6 at 1/800th of a second.
The long-tailed duck is an Arctic sea duck known for its elaborate plumage and, as the name suggests, the males’ distinctive long tail feathers. Unlike most ducks, it spends most of its life on the open ocean, diving to depths of over 200 feet to feed on mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish. In winter, it can be seen along northern coastlines, often in choppy, cold waters where few other birds venture. This captive individual was photographed at the Ripley’s Waterfowl Conservancy in Connecticut. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 250, f/7.1 at 1/2000th of a second.
The American mink is a semi-aquatic predator often seen darting through snowy riverbanks and icy streams during winter. Agile and fearless, the mink hunts everything from fish and frogs to rodents and birds, often diving into icy water. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/2000th of a second.
The Uakari poison frog is a tiny but vividly colored amphibian found in the lowland rainforests of Peru, especially in the Amazon basin. Its bright metallic reds, yellows and blues serve as a warning to predators, advertising the potent toxins in its skin. This species is one of the smaller poison dart frogs, often less than an inch long. They lay their eggs in water-filled bromeliads or tree holes, and parents often carry tadpoles on their backs to safe nurseries. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second, Godox V860iii flash with Westcott Pocketbox diffuser.
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