Collared aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)
One of several species of Toucan found in Costa Rica. If you have papaya or bananas growing or laying around, they will definitely come. It sounds like this: Aperture: ƒ/5.6 Camera: NIKON D5 Focal length: 700mm ISO: 1400 Shutter speed: 1/400 s
Angolan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis)
In Namibia’s Etosha National Park, there are huge areas with hardly any vegetation at all, and finding giraffes and other large animals here is quite surreal as there is nothing to eat, from a human perspective at least, as everything is tinder-dry as the heat of the sun makes every bit of moisture evaporate. In […]
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
Once these magnificent felines were plentiful in Africa and India. Now they are extinct in India, and in Africa their numbers are dwindling, and the cheetah is now a threatened species. Although many game farms and private reserves have their own cheetahs they are often restricted by fences and thus are practically prisoners, this is […]
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
In the soft hues of the sunrise, everything becomes magic, even more so when you see such incredible creatures as the cheetah. Unfortunately this species, as most others, is threatened. And even though Namibia seem like a haven, cheetahs are fenced in by a network of private properties, cutting off the free flow of genes, […]
Northern black korhaan (Afrotis afraoides)
A female northern black korhaan, one of the smaller species of bustards, pausing for a few seconds. That is when it’s really hard to see as it blends in so well with the dry vegetation. The male is, as most often, much more conspicuous both in sound, behaviour and plumage, which is black and white […]
Lion (Panthera leo)
This lion was in search of shade as the sun was rising ever higher in the morning sky, a commodity not easy to find during the dry season near the Etosha Pan. Southern Africa is experiencing a deep drought while north-eastern region flooding – an ever more common scenario of extremes. Aperture: ƒ/8 Camera: NIKON […]
Kori bustard (Ardeotis kori)
This is an amazing bird, one of the largest flying bird species on the planet. Yet you rarely see it fly, but when you do it’s very clear how large this species is. The species is near threatened, so doing better than its Eurasian cousin the great bustard (Otis tarda), which is vulnerable. Hopefully it […]
Southern yellow-billed hornbill (Tockus leucomelas)
A common species in Namibia, and I enjoyed their vocalizations them in the early mornings, sometimes singing from the tree closet to my tent and answering its mate in a duet. It sounds like this: Aperture: ƒ/8 Camera: NIKON D4S Focal length: 700mm ISO: 220 Shutter speed: 1/1000 s
Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius)
A truly spectacular bird with a popular name I have never understood. This is an endangered species, and I encountered very few of them and treasured every encounter, as this is a truly amazing looking bird. The secretary bird is a formidable hunter, and the prey, be it insects or mammals stand little chance once […]
A herd finding shade under a lone tree
These Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) are huddled together, not for warmth, but in desperation for shade. This was the only tree standing in a vast stretch of land in Etosha National Park, and had drawn these to it as the sun was understandably unbearable. Aperture: ƒ/7.1 Camera: NIKON D5 Focal length: 24mm ISO: 125 Shutter speed: […]
Desert Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
The landscapes of Damaraland are incredibly beautiful, and when you encounter a group of desert elephants in the soft hues of sunrise, it takes your breath away. This is shot by the the dried up Huab river. This group was so pleasant, friendly and harmonious, even with two very young calves. They regularly visit wells […]
Lonely trees in Damaraland, Namibia
This particular area was absolutely stunning in the soft light of early morning – a savanna with beautifully colored dead grasses and a clutch of three small trees clinging onto life. Elevation: 403 meters Aperture: ƒ/7.1 Camera: NIKON D4S Focal length: 700mm ISO: 500 Shutter speed: 1/1250 s
Great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
Namibia’s Walvis Bay area is rich in wildlife, reliant on the abundance of marine life found in the cold and nutrient rich Atlantic waters, governed by the Benguela Current. The abundant marine life attracts wildlife and humans in hordes, and with this abundance comes lots of opportunities for those who are able to see them. […]
Lesser flamingo (Phoenicoparrus minor)
There are two species of flamingo in Namibia, the other species is the greater flamingo which has a dark tip on a pink beak. I found large groups of flamingos wading in the brackish waters not far inland from Walvis Bay. It is separated from the coast with kilometers of desert, which makes it appear […]
Lesser flamingo (Phoenicoparrus minor)
A single, juvenile, greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) resting in a flock of lesser flamingos in Walvis Bay, Namibia. It was cloudy this day, as so many days by the coast. Some days the sun breaks through just before the sunset, other days not at all. This makes it much cooler than just a few kilometers […]
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Latest blog posts
Collared aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)
One of several species of Toucan found in Costa Rica. If you have papaya or bananas growing or laying around, they will definitely come. It sounds like this: Aperture: ƒ/5.6 Camera: NIKON D5 Focal length: 700mm ISO: 1400 Shutter speed: 1/400 s
Angolan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis)
In Namibia’s Etosha National Park, there are huge areas with hardly any vegetation at all, and finding giraffes and other large animals here is quite surreal as there is nothing to eat, from a human perspective at least, as everything is tinder-dry as the heat of the sun makes every bit of moisture evaporate. In […]
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
Once these magnificent felines were plentiful in Africa and India. Now they are extinct in India, and in Africa their numbers are dwindling, and the cheetah is now a threatened species. Although many game farms and private reserves have their own cheetahs they are often restricted by fences and thus are practically prisoners, this is […]
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
In the soft hues of the sunrise, everything becomes magic, even more so when you see such incredible creatures as the cheetah. Unfortunately this species, as most others, is threatened. And even though Namibia seem like a haven, cheetahs are fenced in by a network of private properties, cutting off the free flow of genes, […]
Northern black korhaan (Afrotis afraoides)
A female northern black korhaan, one of the smaller species of bustards, pausing for a few seconds. That is when it’s really hard to see as it blends in so well with the dry vegetation. The male is, as most often, much more conspicuous both in sound, behaviour and plumage, which is black and white […]
Lion (Panthera leo)
This lion was in search of shade as the sun was rising ever higher in the morning sky, a commodity not easy to find during the dry season near the Etosha Pan. Southern Africa is experiencing a deep drought while north-eastern region flooding – an ever more common scenario of extremes. Aperture: ƒ/8 Camera: NIKON […]
Kori bustard (Ardeotis kori)
This is an amazing bird, one of the largest flying bird species on the planet. Yet you rarely see it fly, but when you do it’s very clear how large this species is. The species is near threatened, so doing better than its Eurasian cousin the great bustard (Otis tarda), which is vulnerable. Hopefully it […]
Southern yellow-billed hornbill (Tockus leucomelas)
A common species in Namibia, and I enjoyed their vocalizations them in the early mornings, sometimes singing from the tree closet to my tent and answering its mate in a duet. It sounds like this: Aperture: ƒ/8 Camera: NIKON D4S Focal length: 700mm ISO: 220 Shutter speed: 1/1000 s
Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius)
A truly spectacular bird with a popular name I have never understood. This is an endangered species, and I encountered very few of them and treasured every encounter, as this is a truly amazing looking bird. The secretary bird is a formidable hunter, and the prey, be it insects or mammals stand little chance once […]
A herd finding shade under a lone tree
These Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) are huddled together, not for warmth, but in desperation for shade. This was the only tree standing in a vast stretch of land in Etosha National Park, and had drawn these to it as the sun was understandably unbearable. Aperture: ƒ/7.1 Camera: NIKON D5 Focal length: 24mm ISO: 125 Shutter speed: […]
Desert Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
The landscapes of Damaraland are incredibly beautiful, and when you encounter a group of desert elephants in the soft hues of sunrise, it takes your breath away. This is shot by the the dried up Huab river. This group was so pleasant, friendly and harmonious, even with two very young calves. They regularly visit wells […]
Lonely trees in Damaraland, Namibia
This particular area was absolutely stunning in the soft light of early morning – a savanna with beautifully colored dead grasses and a clutch of three small trees clinging onto life. Elevation: 403 meters Aperture: ƒ/7.1 Camera: NIKON D4S Focal length: 700mm ISO: 500 Shutter speed: 1/1250 s
Great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
Namibia’s Walvis Bay area is rich in wildlife, reliant on the abundance of marine life found in the cold and nutrient rich Atlantic waters, governed by the Benguela Current. The abundant marine life attracts wildlife and humans in hordes, and with this abundance comes lots of opportunities for those who are able to see them. […]
Lesser flamingo (Phoenicoparrus minor)
There are two species of flamingo in Namibia, the other species is the greater flamingo which has a dark tip on a pink beak. I found large groups of flamingos wading in the brackish waters not far inland from Walvis Bay. It is separated from the coast with kilometers of desert, which makes it appear […]
Lesser flamingo (Phoenicoparrus minor)
A single, juvenile, greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) resting in a flock of lesser flamingos in Walvis Bay, Namibia. It was cloudy this day, as so many days by the coast. Some days the sun breaks through just before the sunset, other days not at all. This makes it much cooler than just a few kilometers […]
Southern Black-backed Jackal (Lupulella mesomelas ssp. mesomelas)
A wonderful moment where two siblings were close together as they were investigating my presence. Their mother was staying a bit out of sight as she had an injury in one of her legs. This meant that these two youngsters were left to their own devices and to find out what I had on offer […]
Southern Black-backed Jackal (Lupulella mesomelas ssp. mesomelas)
The jackal is an intelligent species that will exploit every available opportunity, and this one was assessing whether or not a human presence would be beneficial, and as such simply waited for whatever to unfold.⠀ ⠀ This was not the first one I encountered along the coast, just a bit further south of this location […]
Hot air balloon in Namibia
What better way to experience a sunrise than in the air – silently flowing on the invisible layers of moving air, soon to be heated up by the sun. As the sun rises, the air becomes turbulent and a trip much less pleasant and unpredictable. Elevation: 719 meters Aperture: ƒ/3.5 Camera: NIKON D4S Focal length: […]
Lone tree, Namibia
A single tree has survived years of heat, drought and very occasional rain. Elevation: 993 meters Aperture: ƒ/16 Camera: NIKON D4S Focal length: 70mm ISO: 640 Shutter speed: 1/400 s
Rüppell’s Korhaan (Eupodotis rueppellii)
Bustards blend in perfectly with the desert landscape and in withered vegetation, and often not seen unless they are moving. It sounds like this: Aperture: ƒ/8 Camera: NIKON D5 Focal length: 700mm ISO: 800 Shutter speed: 1/800 s
Sossusvlei sunrise
A rare moment with gorgeous puffy clouds creating crepescular rays during the golden hour, by one of the enormous sand dunes. In the desert the sky is almost always without any clouds, making the sky dull and featureless. But this precious morning was touched by magic, in a magical landscape! Elevation: 620 meters Aperture: ƒ/9 […]
Lone tree, Namibia
A single tree has not only survived years of heat, drought and very occasional rain, but thrived to become a mature giant. Elevation: 620 meters Aperture: ƒ/9 Camera: NIKON D5 Focal length: 24mm ISO: 200 Shutter speed: 1/60 s
The Deadvlei tree
Prior to my visit unseasonal rains had turned trees, shrubs and plants green and in bloom, but the water was long gone from this particular and iconic clay pan. I was told that all of this was under water for many days and looked otherworldly, as the otherwise dry ground had become a mirror of […]
Flowering desert tree, Deadvlei
Out of season, rain has made trees and plants grow foliage and flowers, and this seemingly dead tree is now surging with flowers and bees pollinating them, and this just meters away from many ancient dead trees. It’s amazing to see how insects are able to take advantage of even the most irregular of seasons. […]
Children of the neelakurinji
Barefoot, these kids are climbing a very special mountainside behind their Ooty village. For the first time in their lives the hill has become purple with flowers, and the next time this will happen, they will be 12 years older. Just about 8 times per century does this species produce flowers – 12 years in […]
Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthianus) bloom of 2018
Last time these flowers were seen was 12 years ago, and the next time will be in 12 years! During an entire century this species will bloom only 8 times – that is how unique and rare these flowers are. For 11 years the plant is growing and in the 12th year it is all […]
Kannan Devan Hills Tea garden
Some tea plantations are like artwork, with countless shapes, patterns and variations of green, creating a living gallery of abstracts to the beholder. Although tea plantations are absolutely stunning in some places, like here in Kerala, they are lifeless and silent as it supports very little life. Elevation: 1959 meters Aperture: ƒ/4.5 Camera: NIKON D4S […]
Dhole (Cuon alpinus)
Wild and rare The national parks in India with a tiger population have almost all been rebranded and renamed a tiger reserve as in the public eye the tiger is the ultimate and iconic wild being that eclipses all. So even though this is a national park, the park is all about the tigers on […]
Dholes in the monsoon
The season of abundance Without rain this gorgeous landscape would have been brown, parched and bland, and the watchful dhole (Cuon alpinus) almost impossible to see unless moving. During the monsoon it has become a beautiful garden with flowers and fresh shoots from all the plant species residing here. I have previously avoided visiting during […]
Dhole (Cuon alpinus)
In the dry season the dholes would blend perfectly with the withered plants, but in the monsoon they stick out clearly. An endangered species that is currently surviving in isolated pockets. The dholes hold an important role of the environment, and their presence is vital to keep the balance. They are thriving here in Nagarhole, […]
Changeable hawk-eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus)
A juvenile looking for opportunities as daylight is fading. When excited they will raise their crest, hence the other commonly used name – crested eagles. This individual was at ease and it crest-feathers were resting and only visible in profile. Changeable is in fact a good name, as this species has two forms – one […]
Tyrshi Falls, Meghalaya
Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, India There are countless small and large waterfalls in Meghalaya. Some stunning beyond description and impossible to miss, except when the clouds kiss the ground. Which happens very often. Others are small and inconspicuous, even hard to see, like this one in Jaintia Hills, which is at first a mellow stream which […]
A waterfall in Lumwahnai, Meghalaya
There are so many waterfalls in Meghalaya that I wondered if mega refers to numbers of rapids and waterfalls. Only the largest and most accessible waterfalls are known and visited by tourists, but there are so many waterfalls with no names and utterly unknown except to the locals. This particular waterfall got my attention in […]
Kynrem falls, Meghalaya
One might think it is a bad idea visiting the wettest place on earth during the monsoon, but this is the time when all the hidden waterfalls reveal themselves – even though some might still be just a little stream flowing over the edge. The north-eastern state of Meghalaya is home to some of the […]
Dzukou Valley, Nagaland & Manipur
This landscape is like nothing I’ve ever encountered and is so intensely beautiful and otherworldly! From dawn till dusk the ever changing weather, light and color hues provided the most stunning show. During my time the visual was seasoned with regular and amazing thunder from neighboring valleys. At night the sky was partly starry with […]
Dzukou Valley, Nagaland & Manipur
A true valley of flowers! From afar the valley looks like a green carpet, but as you come closer you notice more and more color hues. When you finally reach the valley floor you will see an incredible density of plants and an amazing diversity of species – each blooming at a different time of […]
Plomme | Plum (Prunus domestica)
Winter lingered on for much too long this year, despite the sun rising ever higher in the sky. It seemed spring was skipped altogether as summer arrived out of nowhere and in no time everything was ablaze with colors and fragrance. This is a plum flower on one of my plum trees and it is […]
Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)
This mother is taking her female cubs to a new resting-play place for the hot hours to come. During the cool hours of the night the mother will hunt, and she had her kill at the previous location now exhausted. Lucky for me the tiger prefers to utilize the roads for territory borders and thus […]
Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)
Seeing a tiger in the wild is absolutely amazing, but a mother and her cubs is just so special in so many ways! Here two sister are testing their bodies and minds against each other in the countless play fights during the cooler hours of the day, while their mother is lovingly keeping her hand […]
Gaur (Bos gaurus)
This is a magnificent giant that only fears humans and tigers. It is the largest of all wild cattle and is also called Indian bison by many. Like so many other species this one is also vulnerable due to humans, so seeing herds in their natural state and behavior is such a great experience. Especially […]
Small niltava (Niltava macgrigoriae)
A very active individual, singing out to the world that he’s strong, healthy and the leader of this land for his species. Often you’ll hear this species singing from the thickets, barely visible, but this one was out in the sunshine for all to see. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2210 meters Aperture: ƒ/5.6 Camera: […]
Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus)
In what seemed like a quite morning with little wildlife in Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary, I almost passed by a large group of Himalayan tahrs grazing near the road in a difficult stretch of the road. I was happy to see it was not just a couple of individuals, but a sizeable group spread way […]
Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus)
My goal was to get a glimpse of this high altitude species, and on my first morning I did see a lone adult male quite near in. I did get a decent image and was content with that as a first encounter. Then one morning I came across a group grazing in the early morning […]
Grey treepie (Dendrocitta formosae)
Saari Village, Uttarakhand, India In flight this tail is all fun, but when perched it can be somewhat cumbersome after landing, as it comes on the way of branches, as seen here. Every such entanglement takes a toll on the feathers, and it is all up to the bird to constantly tend to it by […]
Dark-breasted rosefinch (Procarduelis nipalensis)
A beautiful high-elevation dweller, seen here around the Tungnath temple during the full moon of April 2018. The winters are harsh here, but on the last day of April the landscape is full of alpine flowers and warm sunshine. It blends well in the landscape and is hard to spot when still on the ground. […]
Pika (Ochotona sp)
This little cutie was in full swing eating the delicious primula flowers and other species now in bloom, and here it had a very short break on an outcrop to survey the area. Even though this was the first day (the full moon of April) people were back after a long winter, they were not […]
Oriental turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis)
As the day is nearing its end, this individual is resting atop this tree stub as it’s possibly well fed for the day. If not disturbed it might stay overnight. This species is commonly seen and heard throughout India and Eurasia. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2718 meters Aperture: ƒ/5.6 Camera: NIKON D4S Focal length: […]
Grey bush chat (Saxicola ferreus)
During my stay in Chopta I encountered an amazing array of animal species in biomes ranging from alpine to dense forest slopes and valleys and farms. Each with unique flora and fauna. The landscape is dramatic and in many of the steepest slopes there are deep scars from past monsoons. Some places it seemed something […]
Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)
Encountering this koklass pheasant peacefully feeding off the juicy spring shoots and buttercup flowers was a wonderful experience. Not a sound of human activity in the air. Just nature and the sounds, sights and scents of an early spring morning. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2562 meters Aperture: ƒ/5.6 Camera: NIKON D4S Focal length: 800mm […]
Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)
The many species of pheasant found in the Himalayas is incredible, and seeing them up close on the road like this is exiting as it is surprising. Yet it is a sign they are not disturbed by humans up here in Kedarnath Reserve National Park. During morning and late evening you’ll hear the calls of […]
Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)
The state bird of Uttarakhand, and and incredibly beautiful bird. In Chopta and by most temples this is a commonly seen bird that will come up close, and happily eat handouts of rice and other tidbits from visitors and residents alike. This one is shot in Kedarnath Reserve National Park, and is in wild and […]
Oriental magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis)
In the dry season water is critical, and if you provide access to water on your property you’re certain to attract all the local bird species, and many mammals as well. This is shot at such a location – not far from a creek that also attracts many birds, but where the photographic setting is […]
Orange-headed thrush (Geokichla citrina)
In the dry season water is critical, and if you provide access to water on your property you’re certain to attract all the local bird species, and many mammals as well. This is shot at such a location – not far from a creek that also attracts many birds, but where the photographic setting is […]
Himalayan bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys)
A beautiful pose of a bird you’ll hear and see throughout the Himalayas. Here it’s on its way to drinking water provided by a house owner during the dry season. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1460 meters Aperture: ƒ/5.6 Camera: NIKON D4S Focal length: 800mm ISO: 2200 Shutter speed: 1/320 s
Rufous-bellied niltava (Niltava sundara)
In the dry season water is critical, and if you provide access to water on your property you’ll certain to attract all the local bird species, and many mammals as well. This is shot at such a location – not far from a creek that also attracts many birds, but where the photographic setting is […]
Grey-winged blackbird (Turdus boulboul)
Nothing feels better than a thorough soak in pond during the dry season. In the dry season many people offer permanent water sources for the birds and local wildlife, and these places are great locations to watch the local species. It sounds like this: Elevation: 1460 meters Aperture: ƒ/5.6 Camera: NIKON D4S Focal length: 800mm […]
Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus entellus)
A very common species in India, and no exception in Corbett National Park, yet common does not mean to be ignored as there are many situations that are special and memorable. This male was crossing close to us in confidence and sat down by a tree very nearby to assert its position as leader as […]
Red junglefowl (Gallus gallus)
This is a common species, but nonetheless a beautiful one, especially when you can see it in the open like here, where it was foraging in the leaf litter and strutting around to seemingly reaffirm its splendor to the two females foraging with him. Later it appeared I would encounter this species many times, but […]
Lord Howe Island twin peaks
The home of the rare and wonderful These beautiful twin peaks are the landmarks of the island, and holds so much more than beauty to the human eye, and is recognized with the highest honor as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tallest of the two peaks is Mt Gower at 867 meters, to the […]
Lord Howe Island twin peaks
The home of the rare and wonderful These beautiful twin peaks are the landmarks of the island, and holds so much more than beauty to the human eye, and is recognized with the highest honor as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tallest of the two peaks is Mt Gower at 867 meters, to the […]
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