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 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.

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.

The pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea) is the world’s smallest monkey, measuring just 5 to 6 inches long (excluding its tail). Native to the Amazon rainforest, it lives high in the trees and feeds mainly on tree sap and gum, which it extracts using specialized lower teeth. Despite its tiny size, the pygmy marmoset is incredibly agile, capable of leaping great distances between branches. Its high-pitched calls help keep family members in touch through the dense forest canopy. Photo captured in Loreto, Peru in the upper Amazon basin. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/160th of a second.

Manakins are colorful little birds. There are about 55 different species of all colors that range throughout the tropics of Central and South America. The name manakin is Dutch for “little man.” This is the wire-tailed manakin and he was doing a dance in an attempt to attract a mate. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 3200, f/5.6 at 1/160th of a second, Godox V860iii flash.

I kind of liked the graphic nature of this Doris longwing butterfly that I captured in the Peruvian Amazon a few years ago. These guys were all over the place and I had fun capturing images behind the jungle lodge that I was staying at. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 1600, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second, Godox 860iii flash.

A three-toed sloth eats the fruiting buds of a cecropia tree in the northern Amazon basin of Peru. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 1600, f/5.6 at 1/200th of a second, Godox V860iii flash.

This is a Nancy Ma’s night monkey, named after a Harvard professor. We were out on the river at night in Loreto, Peru, in the northern Amazon basin when we saw those eyes staring back at us. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/7.1 at 1/200th of a second, Godox V860iii flash.

What is a Ranitomeya flavovittata? This guy, of course. One of the more spectacular little poison dart frogs to be found in the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon. I had to get deep within the bromeliad plant with my macro lens to get this shot of the fingernail-sized frog. Nikon D850 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 500, f/20 at 1/60th of a second, Nikon SB-900 flash.

Here’s another look at the very friendly woolly monkey I met in the rainforest of Peru’s upper Amazon basin. In this image, you can sort of see the leather padding on the underside of tail tip — essentially a third arm as the monkey moves effortlessly through the forest. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/100th of a second.