A panther chameleon crawls out on a reed while we were heading upriver on the east coast of Madagascar. I used my little entry level camera for this one, which I was using as a backup back in the day. Nikon D40x with Nikkor 18-55mm lens (at 18mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/320th of a second.

Here’s another one from Lemur Island in Perinet, Madagascar — the red-fronted brown lemur. These guys were quite friendly at this location (essentially an island for rescued lemurs) and at one point, one even crawled up onto my shoulder. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 22mm) ISO 400, f/2.8 at 1/80th of a second.

The Betsileo is just one of the great tree frogs that I was able to photograph while in Madagascar. I usually like to get down a little lower, but I liked this image showing the detail on the frog’s back and all those interesting flecks. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 200, f/22 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.

This is the fanaloka. Native to Madagascar. I only saw one. They are strictly nocturnal like their civet cousins in other parts of the world. This one was spotted in Ranomafana National Park in the central part of the country, on a night hike. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 92mm) ISO 200, f/5 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.

Lemurs seem to get a lot of variations on their common names. This is the white-fronted brown lemur. But he’ll also answer to the white-headed lemur, the white-headed brown lemur, or the white-fronted lemur. I only saw a few of them while in Madagascar, on the island of Nosy Mangabe. And speaking of names, today’s word of the day is cathemerality. Which of course means active sporadically throughout the 24 hour day/night cycle. These guys are that. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 600mm f/5.6mm manual focus lens, ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/125th of a second.

After yesterday’s shorebird with questionable eating habits, I promised something a bit more adorable. So here’s another look at a brown mouse lemur, one of the world’s smallest primates. Photographed on the island of Nosy Mangabe, off the coast of the island of Madagascar. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 185mm) ISO 200, f/10 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.

The golden mantella is a critically endangered species endemic to Madagascar. It’s bright coloration is actually the complete opposite of camouflage, used as a warning sign to let would-be predators know to stay away due to high toxicity. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 155 with Canon 500D close up filter attached) ISO 100, f/22 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.

The lesser mouse lemur, also known as the gray mouse lemur, is one of the smallest primates in the world. They can be very quick in the trees, and also nocturnal, making them a challenge to photograph. I encountered this one on a late-night hike in central Madagascar. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 320, f/8 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.

Madagascar isn’t just about the lemurs and chameleons. It is also teeming with frogs and is thought to have over 300 species, 99% of which are endemic. Interestingly, frogs are the only amphibians found in Madagascar. There are no toads, newts or salamanders. This guy is the Goudot’s Bright-eyed Frog, spotted in the central part of the country at Ranomafana National Park on a night hike. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 92mm with Canon 500D close up filter attached) ISO 100, f/22 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.

This crowned lemur was a member of a free-ranging troop that took residence in Park Ivoloina on the east coast of Madagascar. Typically, these endangered lemurs are restricted to the northern, dry forests. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm (at 145mm) ISO 400, f/4.5 at 1/60th of a second.