Max Waugh

Green Ibis, Guyana

Scarlet Ibis, Guyana

Technically, the holiday season was past, but it was still nice seeing Guyana's Xmas-themed ibises in January.

(Green and Scarlet)

Thanks, Shannon!

Galapagos sea lion in the surf

Twenty years ago I made my first visit to South America, and to the Galápagos Islands. That trip really seemed to get the ball rolling, as I've returned to the islands twice since then, and South America is now my most visited continent outside of home. So much variety keeps pulling me back!

American black bear and her cinnamon cub, Yellowstone

Keeping an eye on things for Mom.

(Yellowstone, 2015)

Natal Francolins fighting, Botswana

Happy Friday, everyone. I hope the weekend isn't too fow... er, foul for you.

YEEEESSS!

Smoky jungle frog, Guyana

It's hard to get a sense of scale from this, but the smoky jungle frog is the largest amphibian I've ever seen. We first saw it in Ecuador 20 years ago (my wife still refers to it simply as the "Hypnotoad"), and I had a chance to nab this photo this January in Guyana.

(Guinea pig-sized, I'd say.)

White rhino calf chasing southern giraffe, South Africa.

As promised, I owe the rhinos a little love. Here's a fun moment from last year, when a young white rhinoceros decided a southern giraffe wasn't welcome at the watering hole.

Monk Parakeets, Brazil

In my haste to share a photo before running out the door yesterday, I had a brain fart and misidentified my adorable Parakeet Auklets as Rhinoceros Auklets. So now I feel I need to make it up to the auklets, the rhinos, and the parakeets.

Here are some Monk Parakeets photographed in Brazil.

(And they're cuter than rhino auklets, so I definitely did them a disservice.)

Of course. Definitely rushed through posts this morning and you are CORRECT!

I almost prefer a felted accusation over an AI accusation these days. 😆

Rhinoceros Auklets, Alaska

Every year I'm fortunate to photograph at least a few new bird species. The Rhinoceros Auklet was definitely a contender for Cutest Newcomer last year.

Grizzly bear and cub, Yellowstone

Bighorn sheep lamb, Yellowstone

Bison and autumn cottonwoods, Yellowstone

Long-tailed weasel, Yellowstone

Happy birthday to Yellowstone National Park. This place basically launched my career as a full time photographer, and will always be close to my heart.

Claim the final spot on the 2026 Pumas of Patagonia tour for $2000 off.

This doesn't happen too often, but I'm doing my best to help my client who was forced to cancel by getting some of their deposit back to them. So some lucky person can replace them on this tour with a huge discount!

Learn more here: www.maxwaugh.com/workshops/wi...

One of the few publications left that still pays fair licensing fees, as well.

A nice surprise came in the mail yesterday. I’ve been contributing images to Ranger Rick for a couple years now, but had forgotten that I just landed my second cover!

Tayras are members of the weasel family. They're omnivorous, and are one of the few mustelids built for loping on land and climbing trees effectively.

Tayra, Costa Rica

Looking like a cross between a monkey and a black panther, the tayra is one of the coolest creatures I've encountered in Costa Rica. Having seen them only a handful of times and photographed them even less, it's always a privilege spotting one.

This encounter occurred in Corcovado NP.

It just missed my Top Ten Birds list last year: www.maxwaugh.com/2025/03/23/m...

Resplendent Quetzal, Costa Rica

Though we have shifted our focus on my Costa Rica tours a bit and no longer visit the overpopulated Resplendent Quetzal hot spot everyone goes to, it's still nice to get the occasional chance to see them once in a while. How can you not be amazed by this bird?!

(This remains one of the prettiest animals I've ever seen, I think. If I ever did a top ten animals just based on looks, it would be up there with the spirit bear and black leopard.)

Yellow morph eyelash viper, Costa Rica

Sharing more Costa Rica memories in anticipation of next year's photo tour...

The first couple eyelash vipers I ever saw in the wild were pretty drab. They come in different colors (including brown, grey, and dull green). So finally seeing the classic bright yellow version was pretty awesome!

I do! But in the office, to do all the boring photo processing. In about ten more years I'll need someone to carry my gear...

His instincts are off the charts. This was 17 years ago, and he's still the best tracker I've ever partnered with. I'm excited we get to work with him again next year.

Puma cub, Costa Rica

I've finalized details for my 2027 Costa Rica tour, so we'll be going down Memory Lane with some highlights from past CR trips this week... starting with an all-timer.

My guide stopped us in the forest, and moments later a family of three pumas walked out. This is one of the cubs.

Red-eyed tree frog. The mascot.

Aplomado Falcon, Brazil

In my mind, the Aplomado Falcon is the prettiest falcon out there. I was fortunate to see my first ones in Brazil nearly a decade ago, and have photographed them a few times since.

Mating red-eyed tree frogs, Costa Rica

Yup. We also had this pair nearby the same night.

Boulenger's snouted tree frogs, Costa Rica

I'm excited to be finalizing my 2027 Costa Rica tour details, which will be released shortly. Here's a pair of Boulenger's snouted tree frogs having a good time during my 2023 tour.