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 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.

Here’s an old one from way back in 2008 on Machias Seal Island off the coast of Maine. Atlantic puffins nest in burrows dug into the grassy soil or between rocky crevices. They return each spring to the same site, where pairs reunite and raise a single chick. Puffins here primarily feed on small fish like herring, sand lance, and hake, which they catch during short dives close to shore. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 200, f/4 at 1/2000ht of a second.

After almost three decades photographing wildlife in all corners of the world, I’ve launched something new. It’s called Species Limited, a collection of T-shirts based on the animals I’ve spent my life documenting. Each design begins with one of my photographs. Some are stylized and reimagined, like the screengrab of the camouflaged rhino above. Others take a more graphic, documentary approach. All of them aim to raise awareness, and, in some cases, directly support conservation. This is just the start and still very much a work in progress. The first wave includes forty-six designs in four collections. Over time I plan to expand the line to include hats, stickers, prints, and more. And eventually, I want to tie each product to a specific conservation effort around the globe. Today, just three of the designs support a cause — such as the Camo Elephant Tee which donates 10% of profits to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in northern Kenya, a place we visit on Crane Wildlife Tours. If you’d like to take a look or show support, the site is now live at: specieslimited.com
Thanks as always for following along, and for caring about the wild world out there.

My photo of the day blog is usually reserved for the animals I encounter in the wild. But today is an exception—because today we lost our beloved Lily. Aka Lils the Pirate. Liliken. Lilypad. Her life wasn’t always easy. She was found as an abandoned kitten on the streets of Brooklyn, with only one eye. Rescued by a friend at the office. Adopted by another friend. And then, when that second friend asked us to look after her while he searched for a new apartment in LA, well, we never gave her back. Until today. A seemingly sudden, “catastrophic event” we still don’t fully understand took away her ability to move, eat, and drink, and subsequently, her life. All told, Lily was part of our family for almost ten years. It took her awhile to settle into our 280-year-old home, but eventually she found her favorite spots (the ones not already claimed by her two brothers), where she could rest easy and watch the years pass. She kept mostly to herself, content at last with a little permanence and peace. Rest easy, Lilikens. You were a good girl, and much loved.

Always fun to photograph these guys scurrying around outside our tents in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve. Male agama lizards are most colorful during breeding season, with a bright red or orange head, dark blue body, and tail. They are agile climbers and can often be seen basking on rocks or walls before darting away at the slightest movement. These lizards feed mainly on insects, using quick bursts of speed and their excellent vision to catch prey. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 220, f/6.3 at 1/320th of a second.

The vulturine guineafowl is the largest of the guineafowl species, easily recognized by its electric-blue feathers, long neck, and bare, vulture-like head. Native to East Africa’s dry savannas and scrublands, it travels in tight, coordinated flocks. Though it does fly, it prefers to run, darting through the brush when alarmed. Other than elephants, this was the only other chance I had on our recent trip to lower the camera to the ground and use my inverted monopod technique. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm lens, ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/500th of a second.

A lion’s yawn might look sleepy, but it’s often a social signal rather than just a sign of tiredness. Lions yawn to help wake up the body and brain, especially before a burst of activity like a hunt or going on patrol. Among pride members, frequent yawning can also help synchronize group behavior, like getting everyone up and moving around the same time. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 560, f/5.6 at 1/1000th of a second.

Lots of changes to my site, so not sure if this will go through or not to subscribers. I’ll give it a try. This was a spotted hyena cub we saw last month in Kenya. He/she kept popping up from the den and then scurrying back in side. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 9000, f/5.6 at 1/500th of a second.