Back in the swing of things! getting it all together. Now just trying to get through all the Madagascar shots so I can get them burnt onto DVDs and send them around the world.
Before we dive into the post, let me say, if you would like any prints, just contact me by going to the contact page and shooting me an email! If you tell me which picture (either by post or by general description or URL) and an idea of the dimensions, I can give you a quote. All of the pictures hoisted onto the blog (and more actually, if you have something in mind that’s similar to things seen, I might have shot it as a lucky coincidence – stranger things have happened) are available as prints. They come without the black border and Mark Scherz 2009 label, though these can be added if you would like. All prints are signed and dated.
Anyways, forward!
Gekkonidae
So there are a LOT of geckos in Madagascar. 10 endemic genera even! That means a lot of diversity. I just wrote a 1500 word essay on their evolution, but I’ll try not to go into it. Basically, they’ve been isolated for some 90 million years. That means they are unlike anything anywhere else on the planet. They took up specialisms and went crazy, and there ensued the beauty of today’s species.
Hemidactylus platycephalus
This was the first gecko we saw on the whole trip. Upon consulting the edition of Glaw and Vences that I just received, it appears to be H. platycephalus, one of the only introduced species we saw.
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/4
Phelsuma grandis
This is one of the most common species in the north. They are on every banana tree. Most of you who know me will know what they look like, because I own one.
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR @ 1/160s f/3
D300 + 105mm VR @ 1/160s f/3
Phelsuma abbotti checkei
This is the other species of Phelsuma found in the same area of forest. They are less common and more shy, because they are much smaller.
D300 + 105mm VR @ 1/30s f/3.2
Interestingly, the only other genus found in the actual forest where we were besides Phelsuma was the one that is supposedly the hardest to find, Uroplatus. I have a feeling there were other genera about, but that we never came across them because for the most part our eyes were upwards pointing.
There are two species of Uroplatus found in the dry deciduous forest in the north (from what we found). I am assuming that almost all of the species we found were U. henkeli, but I don’t really know, because the species recognition is extremely difficult.
Uroplatus henkeli
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR @ 1/50s f/3
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/11
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/6.3
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/3.2
D300 + 105mm VR @ 1/100s f/3
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/5.6
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
I think this individual is actually a Uroplatus sikorae:
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/3.5
Then we of course have the Uroplatus from Montagne d’Ambre:
Uroplatus sikorae
I have no idea how our guide spotted this guy. Insane.
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
and then there is Uroplatus ebanaui
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
D300 + 105mm VR + R1 flash unit @ 1/60s f/8
And that’s basically it from the geckos! Hope you enjoyed the heavy image load. These were basically what I went to Madagascar to see, and I got really really lucky. Unfortunately, there were no U. giganteus to be found, but we tried.
The next and quite possibly the final instalment from the Critters series is Birds. It’ll be short, but I got one of my favourite shots from a particularly cooperative birdy.
nice pictures
🙂
Mark:
Stunning pics! My daughter spent almost a year in Madagascar (Peace Corps). She loved every minute of it. Her team was evacuated due to fighting, but she hopes to return someday.
I’ll be sure to show her your blog.
Take care,
Nora Weston
Thankyou! It is such a shame, the toll the turmoil took on the country. My trip was almost cancelled because of it. Madagascar needs help. It’s good to know people are wanting to make a difference. I like to think I’m making a difference in my own way, both through active volunteering and spreading the word and the images.
Thanks again
cool shots. so cool, they make my toes curl!
i heart geckos.
haha, the feeling is mutual. thanks!
Amazing photos. I love the ones where they camouflage themselves. Wow!
thanks!
well done lil’bro. 🙂
smiley critters!
Despite how good those little guys can camouflage they are kind of creepy looking.
haha, sadly true! I love ’em though. they’re fantastic.
Mark,
Incredible photos – thank you for sharing them. Some of their eyes are amazing.
I have had the pleasure of being in over twenty countries but never Madagascar. Got to plan the trip!
Keep up your passion.
David
http://www.ThinkWonderful.com
Thanks so much! You should definitely go. It’s worth every penny and every second. I can’t wait to go back.
Thanks again.
Oh my gosh. These shots are amazing! And I gotta say, I’m totally creeped out at how well they camouflage themselves.
wow!
really beautiful
The only remaining natural paradise. I envy you your experience and appreciate your sharing a bit of it with us.
thankyou! it really was quite an experience. worth repeating!
Incredible photos!
very cute and beautiful geckos…. 🙂
wow.. amazing…
Wow i think Madagascar has a lot of great animal. This is the best picture.
OMG! Is the green one at the top REALLY that green?! 🙂
http://www.theprettyproject.com
Haha, yes, they really are that green 🙂
Really sweet photos!
thanks 🙂
Unbelievable some of those adaptations. Absolutely fabulous photos.
thanks Liz. 🙂
Hello Mark, it is Sean Scardino you were able to shed some light on query I had concerning Uroplatus Lineatus “white supraocular lines” in a particular area (thanks again) just recently heard your interviews on Chameleon Breeders pod cast excellent job. Please continue the good work. Look forward to one day hearing your thoughts and experiences with the genus Uroplatus (fingers crossed). Big fan, much luck on your future endeavors. Sean Scardino