A broad-billed motmot enjoying a mid-day snack in El Valle, Panama. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/160th of a second.

Panama is a great location for nocturnal shooting — especially the bounty of tree frogs that always seem to be about. This is an hourglass tree frog photographed in the highlands of El Valle. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 200, f/25 at 1/60th of as second, two Nikon SB-900 flash units.

Some of you might remember when I posted an image of one of these frogs in the past and referred to it as the “chicken eating frog.” It’s true. They have been known to eat chickens. They also eat bats, among other unfortunate creatures. They are very large and bulky. Over seven inches in length. And they are also toxic. They live in tropical regions of Central and South America and are strictly nocturnal. I photographed this one in the El Valle region of Panama. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 310mm) ISO 800, f/6.3 at 1/160th of a second, two Nikon SB-900 flash units.

Male three-toed sloths are easily distinguishable from females because they have an orange patch with a black vertical stripe down the middle of their backs. I photographed this sleepy guy one morning in El Valle, Panama.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/320th of a second

Just a canal zone tree frog sitting on a leaf in El Valle, Panama. The internet doesn’t provide much info on these guys, so let’s just leave it at that.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 200, f/25 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-900 flash units

A three-toed sloth clings to a tree on a misty afternoon in Soberania National Park in Panama. I had to keep waiting for the wind to clear the worst of the mist out so that I could even see this guy.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 350mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/80th of a second

Here’s another keel-billed toucan from my Panama trip last year. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — nothing says Central American tropics like the keel-billed toucan. Also known as the rainbow billed toucan, for obvious reasons.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/320th of a second

This tiny little guy is called a Fitzinger’s Rain Frog (I’m going to go out on a limb here and say he was discovered by Fitzinger). He was probably no more than an inch in length, but I somehow spotted him while on a hike in El Valle, Panama.Nikon D800 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 200, f/25 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-900 flash units

Panama is a great location for nocturnal photography. All sorts of creatures come out as soon as the sun goes in — including quite a few different species of opossum. This one is the four-eyed opossum, named for the bright areas above the eyes that will get more distinct as this youngster grows older.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 500, f/8 at 1/100th of a second, Nikon SB-900 flash

This giant neotropical toad wasn’t exactly pleased, but accepting at least of having his picture taken. He allowed me a few flash bursts before… well, he didn’t go anywhere, just stared at me with that disapproving glare. We were in the town of El Valle in Panama.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/8 at 1/160th of a second