Endangered because of its limited range and destruction of its wetland breeding sites, Pine Barrens Treefrogs are still scattered about the extensive pine lands of southern New Jersey. Males call on spring nights to attract females to the borders of breeding ponds.

Comments: Cuba has a large number of competent biologists, but it is not easy for them to get into the field. Alberto Areces accompanied a group of Americans to this tiny island and promptly discovered a new variety of cactus. Not this one - but I have photos of that one as well.

Endangered by overhunting, green turtles still come onto the beaches of Costa Rica. Most lay their eggs at night, but the occasional straggler will emerge from the sea in the middle of the day to deposit her eggs high on the beach.

Rainforest stream - Guyana. Tannins and other organic acids leached from leaves and wood stain the water of this stream tea color. This primary rainforest is part of the Iwokrama Forest Project Area in central Guyana. This unique area has been set aside for international management as a sustained yield forest

Pitahaya. Queen-of-the-Night. Vine Pear. This cactus grows as a vine climbing up trees on a number of north Caribbean islands. After the first heavy rains of the wet season, it quickly and synchronously blooms. The flower lasts a single night and wilts by early morning.

Crested Chameleon - sleeping in rainforest Like many lizards this chameleon turns pale as it sleeps, presumably an energy saving ploy. This mountain chameleon was sleeping on the lower slopes of Mt. Cameroon. After photographing it, I brought it back to camp, but it was unwelcome. My African assistants do not care for chameleons to which they attribute some unusual powers.

Mushrooms on leaf. Fungus such as these are responsible for the rapid decomposition in the rainforest. Nutrients recycle quickly as they are transformed by organisms such as these fungi. As a result the soil in the forest is very shallow and most of the nutrients are in the plants themselves.

This nocturnal treefrog is widespread in rain forests of northern South America. This one was sitting on the frond of a small palm as I approached with my headlamp

Warning colors tell other animals not to mess with this toxic toad. It belongs to a group of toads that breed in clear cool waters in tropical mountains. Unlike most toads, these are active during the day.