Precision Timing

Canon EOS 7D, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM MK II + 1.4x Extender @ 205mm, Manual @ f/5.6 (1/3200 sec), 0 EV, ISO 400, Handheld, JPEG from RAW, About 60% of Full Frame

Verreaux's Sifaka that live in the spiny tree forests of Western Madagascar spend the greater part of the morning and late afternoon feeding mostly on leaves, and sometime flowers, of the Alluaudia plant, a branch of which you can see in the lower right-hand corner of this frame.

The Alluaudia is species of plant endemic to Madagascar that fills much of these spiny tree forests. The small leaves are deciduous (i.e. they fall to the ground once they have fully matured and are considered seasonal) and, from what I could tell, hold a certain amount of water, which no doubt is another reason why the Sifaka choose to feed on them.

Although it's a little difficult to discern from the small portion of branch showing here, between the leaves the Alluaudia plant there are numerous thorns of varying length, which are sharply tipped, making the feat of Sifaka leaping up to 10 metres from one branch to another without ever apparently injuring themselves all the more impressive!

Critique and comments always welcome.