What Might Be Lurking In The Bushes Photo

Photographer’s Note

Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta), Loboc, Bohol

Be careful now ... you don't know what you might find in the bushes in your backyard!

Tarsiers are nocturnal primates found on the islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao in the Philippines. They live in the forest usually in impenetrable shrubs and hollows of trees near the ground. Their diet usually consists of insects but they are known to partake of spiders, lizards and small birds. They are now classified as endangered and is believed that only about a thousand of them exist in the wild. Habitat destruction is the main cause of their dwindling numbers.

Wild tarsiers are believed to live up to 23 years while captive ones (like this one) live only to about half of that. Captive tarsiers are so traumatized and stressed out because their natural biological rhythm is altered. These tarsiers on private display in Loboc town (with special permit from the government) have now became diurnal (instead of nocturnal). You would be bugged-eyed too if there is a constant flow of tourists (like me) taking pictures of you, sometimes with flash even if flash photography is not allowed.

flavian, scotthosner, nmess, AdrienneClaire, besnard, cunejo200, velocista, Cortez236, MLINES has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

flavian (711) 2007-02-18 23:18

looks like a fury little gollum ! great shot~
thanks for the info too
cheer eh

adamchewts01 (838) 2007-02-18 23:42

Beautiful animals they are and I really like the nature myself. I know that Bohol is a very nice place with chocolate mountains.

scotthosner (63) 2007-02-19 0:18

What a cute little guy. He certainly does look "traumatized and stressed out," but maybe he always looks this way? Sad story about the habitat destruction and altered biological rhythm. Really good shot of this Tarsier. The blurred background is great. The blurred leaf in the bottom right foreground is a little distracting, but a great shot.

nmess (2285) 2007-02-19 1:21

Outstandin sharpness on the eyes in this one Ken; it's incredible how big it's eyes are. Color, DOF and light are all great. I like that you can see he's busily eating with a slight blur on his hand. TFS

AdrienneClaire (718) 2007-02-19 1:43

Those eyes!!! Your comment/ note was so very useful here. He looks horrified. I wish the lower green "streak" (probably a leaf) could be cloned out of the photograph so we could see more of his interesting lower fingers. Great shot.

besnard (30182) 2007-02-19 1:51

Bonjour Ken
Superbe cliché de cet animal aux yeux globuleux et aux membres qui ressemblent aux doigts de la main.
Image d'une grande originalité bien réussie.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

noogy (1026) 2007-02-19 1:55

ken, this is an exceptionally clear image of the famed tarsier, a unique animal found only in the philippines! i like the fact that only the tarsier is vivid, the leaves are blurred and the colors are truly lively! well done, two thumbs up from me!

partha (13655) 2007-02-19 4:26

Hi Ken,
What a grea shot. Excellently spotted and cleverly captured.
Regards.
Partha

cunejo200 (7157) 2007-02-19 14:26

Awesome Ken! Those eyes and fingers certainly are striking and could scare some.

Cortez236 (1155) 2007-02-22 17:51

Hello again Flip, all of your photos are so pro. This shot must have taken so much time & effort, that for me (who just points + shoots usually!)must take real commitment.

I send my regards & respects to you, David.

MLINES (10842) 2007-03-12 19:17

Hi Ken. Superb photo of this strange looking fellow. Good close up and very well presented. Murray.