wildlife photography

The fawn-breasted brilliant (Heliodoxa rubinoides) is a bird in the hummingbird family, Trochilidae. It is native to the Andes of South America, occurring in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The species inhabits tropical and subtropical forests, at altitudes between 1,000 to 2,300 metres (3,300 to 7,500 ft), and feeds mainly on nectar, as well as occasional small insects and spiders. The fawn-breasted brilliant has a patchy distribution, but is nonetheless classified as a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is green above with iridescent copper underparts, and a long, slightly curved bill. Males perform courtship displays but do not assist with nesting. The female builds a camouflaged nest, lays two eggs, and raises the chicks alone. This fawn-breasted brilliant of the subspecies H. r. aequatorialis was photographed in flight in the Refugio Paz de las Aves, a nature reserve in the foothills of the Ecuadorian Andes.

Priacanthus hamrur, commonly known as the lunar-tailed bigeye or moontail bullseye, is a species of marine fish in the family Priacanthidae. It is widespread but uncommon in the Indo-Pacific, ranging from the Red Sea and eastern Africa to Japan, Australia and French Polynesia, with rare records in the Mediterranean Sea. A reef-associated species, P. hamrur inhabits lagoons and outer reef slopes at depths of 8 to 250 metres (26 to 820 ft). It has a deep, laterally compressed body, very large red eyes, and a crescent-shaped tail. Its colour varies from silver to red, with red bands. A nocturnal feeder, its diet consists primarily of small fishes, crustaceans and other invertebrates. It may live solitarily or form schools, and is listed as a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This P. hamrur fish was photographed off the coast off Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Great Lakes region, USA. April 2026.

Great Lakes region, USA. April 2026.

The blue shark (prionace glauca) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, that inhabits deep waters (images taken though between 5 and 10 meter below water) averaging around 3.1 m (10 ft) and preferring cooler waters. They can live up to 20 years, can move very quickly and feed primarily on small fish and squid, although they can take larger prey.

Great Lakes region, USA. April 2026.

The black caracara (Daptrius ater) is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae, found in the lowlands of the Amazon basin and French Guiana. Its common habitats include rivers, gallery forest and wooded savanna, at elevations up to 900 meters (3,000 ft). A largely sedentary and sociable species, it is an opportunistic omnivore, its diet including carrion, small mammals and reptiles, fish, fruit, insects, and other bird species. It is also known for removing parasites from animals such as tapirs and capybaras. Adults are mostly glossy black, with a white band on the tail, and bright yellow to orange-red feet and face. This black caracara was photographed on a branch near the Napo River in Sucumbíos Province, northeastern Ecuador.

Great Lakes region, USA. April 2026.

Stereum hirsutum, commonly known as the false turkey tail or the hairy curtain crust, is a species of fungus in the genus Stereum. An inedible species, it is found in various parts of the world, including North America, Europe and Australia. It forms thin, tough, bracket-like fruiting bodies, often in overlapping brackets on dead wood of both hardwood and conifer trees. The cap is 1 to 5 centimetres (0.5 to 2 in) wide, sometimes fused to form wider shelves, while the flesh is thin and tough. It produces white spores. The species is a plant pathogen that can infect peach trees, and is also itself parasitised by species such as the fungus Naematelia aurantia. This S. hirsutum growth was photographed in the Bruderwald, near Bamberg, Germany, with a focus stack of 23 frames.

The chimango caracara (Daptrius chimango) is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is found across southern South America, including Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia, where it inhabits open environments such as grasslands, marshes, farmland, and urban areas. A medium-sized raptor, it has brown plumage and a wingspan of up to 100 centimetres (40 in). The chimango caracara is omnivorous, feeding on insects, lizards, amphibians, the eggs and young of other birds, and rodents, as well as carrion and some plant material. It is noted for its intelligence and problem-solving ability. This female chimango caracara of the subspecies D. c. temucoensis was photographed in Puerto Varas, Chile.

Goniobranchus reticulatus is a small, colourful species of sea slug in the family Chromodorididae. It is found in the western Indo-Pacific and originally described from Tongatapu, Tonga. It has a white mantle covered in a reddish reticulate pattern, with yellow edging on the foot and appendages. Several similar species occur within the G. tinctorius colour group, forming a complex of at least seven species, and the true G. reticulatus is probably not the species most commonly identified under that name. The length of the body is reported to reach 100 millimetres (3.9 in), but the original description is of an animal 27 to 34 millimetres (1.1 to 1.3 in) in length. Like other hermaphroditic gastropod molluscs, the species possesses both male and female organs, and can shed and rapidly regenerate the external portion of the penis after mating. This G. reticulatus sea slug was photographed off the coast of Anilao in the Philippines.

The painted francolin (Francolinus pictus), or painted partridge, is a species of francolin in the family Phasianidae. It is found in central and southern India and parts of Sri Lanka, residing in semi-dry undulating grasslands with scrub or cultivation. The painted francolin typically roosts in trees or on the ground and has a rufous face, white-spotted underparts, and orange-yellow to red legs. It feeds on seeds, grains and insects, and nests in a scrape on the ground, laying several eggs. The species is sometimes vocal, especially during the monsoon season, emitting a guttural broken “chee-kee-kerray” call.

All of the insect (Laothoe populi populi) is in focus after focus stacking 15 images.

Junonia coenia, the common buckeye, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found as a resident or vagrant across much of North and Central America, as well as parts of northern South America, and likely originated from African ancestors that later diversified in Asia. The species typically inhabits open, sunny terrains such as fields, dunes and scrub, up to 1,300 meters (4,300 ft) in elevation. Junonia coenia adults are mostly brown with prominent black eyespots, while the caterpillars are spiny with complex color patterns. The caterpillars feed on plants rich in iridoid glycosides, such as Plantago lanceolata, which also influence female oviposition, while adults prefer nectar from yellow flowers. Some individuals migrate seasonally, and the species faces threats from predators, parasites, and a specific densovirus.

The King’s Guard adopted the penguin as their mascot in 1972 during a visit to Edinburgh for the annual Military Tattoo. The tradition has stuck and each time the Guards visit the city, Nils Olav is promoted and invited to inspect the troops once more.

The Pacific golden plover (Pluvialis fulva) is a medium-sized migratory plover. It breeds in the Arctic tundra from northernmost Asia into western Alaska and winters in south Asia and Australasia.

The Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) is a species of lizard in the family Teiidae. It is native to eastern and central South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Uruguay, where it inhabits forests, savannas, and semi-deserts. It is the largest known tegu lizard, with males sometimes growing up to 4.5 feet (140 cm) in length. An omnivore, the Argentine black and white tegu feeds on invertebrates, fruit, eggs, and small vertebrates. It is notable for its intelligence, popularity in the pet trade, and seasonal brumation. It is the only known non-avian reptile to show partial endothermy during the breeding season. The species is sometimes kept as a pet, and has also become invasive in parts of the United States, threatening native wildlife by preying on eggs and small animals. This male Argentine black and white tegu was photographed in the Vicente López Ecological Reserve in La Lucila, Argentina.

Flying Rodent from Josef Stefan, Austria

Cacatua sanguinea gymnopis, a type of cockatoo.

The hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is a parrot in the family Psittacidae, native to central and eastern South America. With a length of around 1 metre (3.3 ft), it is longer than any other species of parrot. It is also the largest macaw and the largest flying parrot species. The hyacinth macaw mostly nests in manduvi trees; these trees rely on the toco toucan for the majority of their distribution of seeds, but that bird also feeds on a sizeable proportion of the hyacinth macaw’s eggs. Habitat loss and the trapping of wild birds for the pet trade have taken a heavy toll on their population in the wild, so the species is classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. This hyacinth macaw in flight was photographed in the Pantanal near the town of Poconé, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso.

Royal angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus), Ras Muhammad National Park, Red Sea, Egypt. The body of the royal angelfish is moderately elongate, is very compressed and can reach a length of up to 25 centimetres (9.8 in) It’s widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific and can be found in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean around East Africa and the Maldives, stretching to the Tuamoto Islands, New Caledonia, and Great Barrier Reef. The royal angelfish occurs at depths ranging from 0 to 80m (0 to 262 ft), in coral rich areas of lagoons, reefs, and are also often found in the vicinity of caves. It is a carnivorous species that feeds on sponges and tunicates located throughout reefs and underwater caves. They are a non-migratory species that can be found solitary, in pairs, or groups.

The arc-eye hawkfish (Paracirrhites arcatus) is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Cirrhitidae, the hawkfishes. It is found across the tropical Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to the central Pacific (including the Hawaiian and Pitcairn Islands), and from Japan south to Australia. The arc-eye hawkfish inhabits lagoons and seaward coral reefs, often resting motionless among coral heads at depths of 1 to 30 metres (3 to 100 ft). With a length of up to 20 centimetres (8 in), it has variable colouration, typically pale pinkish-brown. The species feeds on crustaceans and small fishes, is usually solitary, and spawns in pairs. It is also collected for the aquarium trade. This arc-eye hawkfish was photographed off the coast of Zanzibar in Tanzania.

The magpie goose (Anseranas semipalmata) is a species of waterfowl found in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. The only living species of the family Anseranatidae, it inhabits open wetlands and is not truly migratory, although it sometimes travels long distances to find food and water. The magpie goose has black-and-white plumage in both sexes, with a long neck and legs and a long hooked bill, and is typically 75 to 90 centimetres (30 to 35 in) long. It feeds on vegetation, both in water and on land, and breeds colonially, often forming large flocks and laying five to fourteen eggs. Populations remain plentiful overall, although reduced from their historical range. The species was formerly widespread in southern Australia but declined there after wetlands used for breeding were drained. The magpie goose is important to Aboriginal Australians as a seasonal food source and for recreational hunting and tourism. This pair of magpie geese was photographed at East Point, a suburb of Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia.

Photographer: Lubomír Dajč

The dunnock (Prunella modularis) is a small passerine bird in the accentor family, Prunellidae. It is native to much of temperate Europe and parts of southwest Asia, including the Caucasus, northern Iran and Lebanon, and is also widely distributed in New Zealand after being introduced there in the 19th century. The dunnock inhabits lowland environments such as woodlands, shrubs, hedgerows and gardens, where it usually feeds on the ground. About 14 centimetres (5.5 in) long, it has a streaked brown back and grey head, a fine pointed bill, and produces a thin, tinkling song and a shrill tseep call. Dunnocks build nests low in bushes or conifers and typically lay three to five unspotted blue eggs. Their breeding system is variable, with different combinations of males and females sometimes sharing parental care.

The common cuttlefish is one of the largest and best-known cuttlefish species. They are a migratory species that spend the summer and spring inshore for spawning and then move to depths of 100 to 200m during autumn and winter. They only have a lifespan of 1–2 years and have many predators including sharks, dolphins, seals, fish, and cephalopods which includes other cuttlefish. During the day, most cuttlefish can be found buried below the substrate and fairly inactive. At night however, they are actively searching for prey and can ambush them from under the substrate. Cuttlefish are carnivorous and eat a variety of organisms including crustaceans (crabs and shrimp), small fish, molluscs (clams and snails), and sometimes other cuttlefish.

Scoliidae, or the scoliid wasps, is a family of around 300 described species of wasps found worldwide. They are solitary parasitoids whose larvae develop on the larvae of other insects, most commonly the scarab beetle. Females search for hosts in soil or rotting wood, sometimes following tunnels created by the beetle larvae. After locating a host, the female stings and paralyses it and may move it into a chamber before laying a single egg on the immobilised grub. Because many scarab beetles are agricultural pests, scoliid wasps can act as important biological control agents. Adult wasps often visit flowers and may function as minor pollinators. In some species, orchid flowers mimic female wasps and attract males, which attempt to mate with the flowers and thereby pollinate them. This male scoliid wasp of the species Megascolia bidens was photographed near Soliman on Cape Bon, a peninsula in northeastern Tunisia.

Photographer: Charles J. Sharp

The plumed whistling duck (Dendrocygna eytoni), is a species of bird in the whistling duck subfamily of the family Anatidae. It is resident and breeds in Australia, in a broad arc covering the northern half and most of the eastern third of the continent. There are also non-breeding and seasonally uncertain populations in New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It is a predominantly brown-coloured duck with a long neck and characteristic plumes arising from its flanks. The sexes are similar in appearance. This plumed whistling duck was photographed in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia.

Lotus Hairstreak - Callophrys dumetorum Coastal deerweed - Acmispon glaber glaber

The African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) is a subspecies of the leopard and part of the cat family, Felidae. It is widely distributed across much of Sub-Saharan Africa, although its historical range has become increasingly fragmented due to habitat loss and human activity. It has also been recorded in North Africa. It inhabits various habitats including mountainous forests, grasslands and savannahs. The African leopard’s coat colour varies from pale yellow to deep gold, tawny or black, and is patterned with black rosettes while the head, lower limbs and belly are spotted with solid black. Male leopards are larger than females, averaging 58 kg (128 lb), while females weigh about 37.5 kg (83 lb) on average. The African leopard has a very broad diet, with prey ranging from dung beetles and other arthropods to rodents, birds, antelopes, hyraxes, hares, and even large ungulates such as elands. Leopards typically concentrate their hunting on locally abundant medium-sized ungulates but opportunistically take a wide variety of other prey. This African leopard was photographed in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Photographer: Sven Damerow

The toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) is a species of bird in the toucan family, Ramphastidae. It is the largest species of toucan and has a distinctive appearance, with a black body, a white throat, chest and uppertail coverts, and red undertail coverts. Its most conspicuous feature is its huge beak, which is yellow-orange with a black base and a large spot on the tip. It is endemic to South America, where it has a wide distribution from the Guianas south to northern Argentina and Uruguay, and its range has recently been expanding southwards. Unlike other toucans, which inhabit continuous forests, the toco toucan inhabits a variety of semi-open habitats at altitudes of up to 1,750 metres (5,740 ft). It feeds mainly on fleshy fruits, but can also supplement its diet with insects, eggs, and the nestlings of other birds. This toco toucan was photographed near Poconé in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso.

Midwest, USA

Some facts about this salamander in the family Ambystomatidae:

Thekla’s lark (Galerida theklae) is a species of bird in the lark family, Alaudidae. It was named by German zoologist Alfred Brehm in 1857 for his recently deceased sister, Thekla Brehm. It is non-migratory and breeds on the Iberian Peninsula and in northern and sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Somalia. Its preferred habitat is dry open country, often at some altitude. Thekla’s lark is similar to the crested lark, featuring a long, spiky, erectile crest. It is a relatively small member of its family and is predominantly brownish-grey or brown in colour, with a breast streaked with black and grey underwings. It eats weeds, seeds and insects, the last being especially popular in the breeding season, and it nests on the ground, laying two to six eggs. This Thekla’s lark was photographed near Douz, in the south of Tunisia.

On my search for an elusive kingfisher, I stumbled upon a well camouflaged water rail literally splashing around in the shallow water in a mix of bathing and looking for food - or at least it’s how I interpreted it!

I see a lot of these tiny avian dinosaurs, but never close enough for my liking - I don’t have a garden nor a feeder. This time it happened! I would have liked a less busy background but this was it and I don’t like removing branches in post.

This was taken from waaay too far away and here is where the resolution limit of my camera says no to further cropping.

Source:

Choriaster granulatus, the granulated sea star, is a species of sea star in the family Oreasteridae, and the only species of its genus. It is found both individually and in groups, and resides in the Indo-Pacific region, the Red Sea, Fiji, and the Great Barrier Reef, at depths of up to 53 metres (174 ft) and temperatures of 24 to 29 °C (75 to 84 °F). It favours sandy habitats with rubble slopes and detritus as well as those among corals and sponges. Choriaster granulatus has a convex body and five short arms with rounded tips and is relatively large among sea stars, having a maximum radius of about 27 centimetres (11 in). It is most commonly pale pink with brown papillae radiating out from the centre, but can also exhibit colours ranging from grey to yellow and even red. It is a carnivore, having a diet of small invertebrates such as coral polyps as well as carrion. This C. granulatus sea star was photographed off the coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Oly E-M1 @ 300mm, f/6.7, 1/160s, ISO320. Edited in darktable.

Oly E-M1 @ 246mm, f/7.1, 1/250s, ISO-320. Edited in darktable.

Midwest USA, September 2025

The heron I see every day at the same spot in my frequent searches for an elusive kingfisher. Nothing special about this picture, but I like how the back plumage stands out.

Midwest USA. September 2025.

Midwest USA.

Kruger National Park.

An iridescent jeweled pixie zooming through treetops and flower beds, the male broad-billed hummingbird (*Cynanthus latirostris*) provides an excellent example of grace and charm. He can be distinguished from related species by his bright red bill, shiny green back, and brilliant blue throat.

It’s my favorite North American marsupial, the Virginia opossum. I was watching the birds and squirrels munching and this young opossum bumbled on by. Many think of them as pests, but I think they’re adorable and useful.

We’re in full winter mode where I’m at. These are some of the squirrel photos I’ve taken over the last few weeks.

The other day I spotted some blood by my favorite public bird feeder. I think I found the culprit. At first I thought this juvenile bobcat was a squirrel as there were damn near 100 scurrying around me, until I noticed those piercing eyes. She wasn’t much larger than some of the fatter squirrels. It was absolutely adorable watching her practice stalking her prey unsuccessfully.

Lots of squirrel activity today on my walk. I liked this photo the most. Squirrel friend has a little snow on his nose.

The sun was setting and I was walking home from an unsuccessful photoshoot when I spotted this cute squirrel snacking on an apple.

Olympus OM-D E-M1, 1/400s, f/6.7, ISO 1000, 300mm.

Found under a deck at a church during an Eagle scout work project. He did not want to move.

https://ocea/

This little guy was more than accommodating when I wanted to take photos.

Presently, the moon appeared from behind a cloud and there, lying on the grass was hare.

I’m very much looking forward to going to this again, past years have been jaw-dropping

In case anyone noticed or cares about my sporadic pictures, we are at our cabin most of the summer. No internet. I go out for a morning canoe and take my camera. When we come home to water the garden or for appointments, I post the pictures.