Tag Archives: Wildlife

Travel Photos

Wildlife Photo: Parson’s Chameleon in Madagascar

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This is an old photo from way back when I used a film camera and wasn’t into photography as much as I am now. Taken in 2001, during a trip to Madagascar, this is a bit grainy but is the best photo I had of a Parson’s Chameleon.

As you can tell, this one has a bright coloured eye, which has given this potential subspecies an “orange eye” name. This is one of the largest chameleons in the world, although this one is medium sized.

While the lemurs may get the glory in Madagascar, the island is also home to around half of all the chameleon species in the world. I saw the giant Malagasy chameleon and many smaller cameleons when I visited, but most of my photos were pretty poor – worse than this one!

Definitely a place I intend to return to one day, as it is a true wildlife paradise.

 

Parson's Chameleon in Madagascar
An “Orange Eye” Parson’s Chameleon in Madagascar

 

Travel Photos

Wildlife Photos: Arctic Ground Squirrel

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I have a great appreciation for squirrels and love when I come across different squirrel species when I travel.

At home, in Toronto, we have eastern grey tree squirrels. SO ground squirrels I find extra interesting as they do not exist near Toronto.

This cute guy is an Arctic Ground Squirrel. I watched him scurry around his various hiding holes in Denali national Park, Alaska. These squirrels are, not surprisingly, found further north than any other ground squirrel species in North America. they also happen to be the largest ground squirrel species in North America.

Arctic Ground Squirrel
Arctic Ground Squirrel

 

Hibernating for as much as 8 months in a year, these guys actually achieve the lowest body temperature of any mammal in the world. They mange to “supercool” their bodies – below freezing! It may sound impossible, but that is how they survive the winter.

These Arctic ground squirrels eat mostly leaves, seeds and fruits but are opportunistic and will even eat meat if the opportunity arises. As cute as these guys are, they’re also a prime food source for a wide range of Arctic animals like grizzly bears, eagles and foxes.

Ground Squirrel, Alaska
Arctic Ground Squirrel, Denali National Park, Alaska

 

 

 

 

Travel Photos

Wildlife Photo: Red Fox in PEI

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One of the most common predators founds across Canada is the Red Fox.

I’ve spotted them everywhere from rural BC to the big city of Toronto. This fox though was a nice surprise in Prince Edward Island. I had just arrived at PEI National Park and was setting up camp when this fox appeared.

It was intently eyeing an area not too far away, so I was able to quietly get close enough for some good photos. Not long after this, the red fox began quickly walking towards a tree surrounded by shrubs, then pounced! Whatever prey it was hoping to catch, perhaps a mouse or chipmunk, escaped and the fox continued on.

One thing that amazed me about foxes is that they can have kit litters of us to 11 little foxes, wow! That seems a bit crazy. Normally they raise about five kits.

While Prince Edward Island wasn’t the most exciting place for wildlife beyond birds and small creatures, it definitely offered up some fun moments with nature such as this one.

Red Fox in PEI
Red Fox in PEI National Park

 

 

 

Travel Photos

Wildlife Photo: Capybara

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These are perhaps the world’s most interesting rodents!

The Capybara comes from South America and is a bit of an oddball creature. It is the world’s largest rodent and it is semi-aquatic (with webbed feet!), preferring to hang out in areas that provide forest for protection and water for resting and cooling off as the skin of the Capybara can dry out in the hot sun. The Amazon and Pantanal wetlands are popular places to see them, but they are very widespread east of the Andes in South America.

I’ve been lucky to see Capybaras in the wild many times on trips to South America. I’ve often wondered if they would make it onto my list of tasty animals, but of course it is illegal to eat them in most countries.

They look kind of like a beaver without a tail and are very social creatures. Because they are quite cute, it is pretty common to see them as farm animals in parts of South and Central America.  Despite the temptation, they do not make very good pets. They are social animals and also very vocal, making many sounds from barks and purrs to growls and chirps! In the wild they are usually in groups of 10-40, but sometimes their groups can be even larger.

Recently a couple of capys (as you call them) escaped from a small Zoo here in Toronto, so I thought it was a good time to post a couple of pictures of what these cool animals look like. Hopefully the escaped couple returns safely, or perhaps they’ll create a new Capybara colony somewhere in the city!

A Capybara Closeup
A Capybara Closeup

 

A capybara - the World's Largest Rodent
A Capybara – the World’s Largest Rodent
Travel Photos

Wildlife Photo: Male Frigatebird

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Frigatebirds are some of the most interesting birds I’ve come across in the Galapagos Islands. Even after multiple visits to the islands, I still have trouble telling apart the two species there (magnificent frigates and greater frigates). The colour variations are what give them away, but usually they just look all black to me, so it doesn’t help.

One thing that is easy to tell is whether it is a male or female frigatebird!

This is obviously a male frigatebird, thanks to his red pouch. Seeing these birds puff out their pouches while propped up in a nest, in hopes of attracting a mate, is quite the sight. When puffed up all the way, the shape of the red pouch is similar to a heart.

As females circle above cliffs in the Galapagos Islands, they choose their mate not only based on how impressive his red pouch is, but more on the quality and location of his nest. Of course he needs to get her attention first, so she’ll take a closer look, but it isn’t a case of the brightest or biggest is best.

Quality counts for the female frigates, and they can be quite picky! It means male frigatebirds can spend a lot of time, and energy, putting on a display in hopes of getting lucky.

Male Frigatebird
Male Frigatebird at Floreana Island, in the Galapagos