Archive for 'Mammals'

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

I encountered several red foxes during my days in Hokkaido, but was surprised to see so many of them injured in various ways. One had a damaged front leg and was limping. Many had a tail with sores and little hair due to mites. These hairless-tailed foxes strangely enough had normal skin and fur on […]

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

I encountered quite a few red foxes during my days in Hokkaido, but was surprised to see so many of them injured in various ways. One had a damaged front leg and was limping. Many had a tail with sores and little hair due to mites. These hairless-tailed foxes strangely enough had normal skin and […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

During the winter months male sika deer (bucks or stags) wander out to the coast, and in this case to the beautiful Notsuke Peninsula, seeking out the dense grasses and decidious bush growing here, but also the seaweeds and kelps washed ashore. Here you can get extremely close and intimate with these magnificent animals as […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

I was deeply disturbed to see this amazing stag limping around in the snow with its right front leg trapped in a nylon rope stuck to his antler. I was uncertain as to how exhausted it was, so I stopped a car and pointed out to the situation and asked it they had a knife, […]

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

I had quite a few red fox encounters in Hokkaido, and this one went straight through a group of red-crowned cranes. It was not in great shape as it limped, due to what seemed like an injury to its left front paw or leg. The cranes weren’t much disturbed by this omnivore, but did pay […]

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

I had quite a few red fox encounters in Hokkaido, and this one is heading towards a group of red-crowned cranes. It was not in great shape as it limped, due to what seemed like an injury to its left front paw or leg. The cranes weren’t much disturbed by this omnivore, but did pay […]

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

Hokkaido Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. schrencki)

I had quite a few red fox encounters in Hokkaido, and this one is heading towards a group of red-crowned cranes. It was not in great shape as it limped, due to what seemed like an injury to its left front paw or leg. The cranes weren’t much disturbed by this omnivore, but did pay […]

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

I had many encounters of sika deer in Hokkaido, and they were quite used to humans, so getting up close was quite easy, like this one just meters away in Kushiro-shitsugen National Park.

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

I had many encounters of sika deer in Hokkaido, and they were quite used to humans, so getting up close was quite easy. Here three females are grazing in a frozen wetland by the Kushiro River in Kushiro-shitsugen National Park.

Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)

Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)

As the name implies this species is endemic to Japan and exists nowhere else on earth. Just like most oft he other macaque species, the Japanese macaque is intelligent and opportunistic and will seize any opportunity humans offer by accident or intent. There are many monkey parks in Japan, where they are fed and provided […]

Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)

Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)

As the name implies this species is endemic to Japan and exists nowhere else on earth. Just like most oft he other macaque species, the Japanese macaque is intelligent and opportunistic and will seize any opportunity humans offer by accident or intent. There are many monkey parks in Japan, where they are fed and provided […]

Cape Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus ssp. pictus)

Cape Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus ssp. pictus)

I had many incredible encounters with wild dogs during my stay in Okavango. One hunt went straight through the camp! Here you see a typical bonding behavior after a feeding. They made a kill the previous night, and at dawn I watched as they licked the last remains of the carcass accompanied with a wide […]

Southern Lion (Panthera leo ssp. melanochaita)

Southern Lion (Panthera leo ssp. melanochaita)

Three linonesses of a pride of more than 10 quenching their thirst in one of few places left with water as the drought deepens with a seemingly never ending heatwave of 40c during day and barely a couple of hours before dawn with nearing pleasant temperatures. One of the lionesses was stung in the eye […]

Southern Serval (Leptailurus serval ssp. serval)

Southern Serval (Leptailurus serval ssp. serval)

Following this beautiful southern server during its morning hunt was amazing. It did not pay much notice to my presence and I was therefore able to see its natural hunting behavior. Watching it pounce on its insect, reptile or rodent prey was as good as it gets. It was mostly strolling leisurely looking for opportunities, […]

Southern Serval (Leptailurus serval ssp. serval)

Southern Serval (Leptailurus serval ssp. serval)

Following this beautiful southern server during its morning hunt was amazing. It did not pay much notice to my presence and I was therefore able to see its natural hunting behavior. Watching it pounce on its insect, reptile or rodent prey was as good as it gets. Although this was my only such encounter during […]

Southern Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus ssp. sundevallii)

Southern Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus ssp. sundevallii)

A common resident in Okavango and to me a funny looking creature that reminds me of dodgems, or bumper cars, when their tail is raised during their escapes. They live a precarious life as they’re prey to lion, cheetah and leopard. This one is checking out elephant dung at a waterhole inundated with parched elephants, […]

Southern Lion (Panthera leo ssp. melanochaita)

Southern Lion (Panthera leo ssp. melanochaita)

A young lion giving me the stare, wondering what to make of me.

Southern and Eastern African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus ssp. jubatus)

Southern and Eastern African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus ssp. jubatus)

A female cheetah leading her cubs to a new resting site as the rising sun heats up the land, leaving fewer and fewer shades to be found.

Southern Lion (Panthera leo ssp. melanochaita)

Southern Lion (Panthera leo ssp. melanochaita)

Just like humans – when all needs are met laziness sets in and the only frustration that might arise is where and how to position the body and how to adjust it to those miniscule discomforts like heat, flies or your brother coming too close for comfort. This is one of two brothers chilling out […]

South African Ground Squirrel (Geosciurus inauris)

South African Ground Squirrel (Geosciurus inauris)

The ground squirrel is as cute to us humans as any species of squirrels with their fast pace an entertaining antics. But their lives are faced with the exact same challenges as all life, and they have no clue as to what our view of cute is. This is such a huge misconception and why […]

Southern Steenbuck (Raphicerus campestris ssp. campestris)

Southern Steenbuck (Raphicerus campestris ssp. campestris)

The steenbuck is blending well with the dry grasses, both in color and small size as it reaches no more than 60 cm (24″) in height.

Tasmanian Wombat (Vombatus ursinus ssp. tasmaniensis)

Tasmanian Wombat (Vombatus ursinus ssp. tasmaniensis)

This wombat has been injured in a fight, likely with another wombat, over territory. It seemingly wandered aimlessly around, not feeding or reacting to my presence or moving away from the road it had crossed.

Bennett's Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus ssp. rufogriseus)

Bennett’s Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus ssp. rufogriseus)

At first I thought I encountered an albino, but it just a very light-colored variation to the norm which you can see on the individual drinking water below – just a few meters away.

Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)

Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)

The first time I encountered this species I was surprised how small and cute looking they were. I had the misplaced assumption they were large and very aggressive as their name suggested. As with so many of the Australian marsupials this is a cute looking animal you can see crossing the road or in the […]

Bennett's Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus ssp. rufogriseus)

Bennett’s Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus ssp. rufogriseus)

A common sight, but unfortunately also commonly killed by cars. Throughout Tasmania I was saddened by the high number of road kills of marsupials.

Red-necked Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus)

Red-necked Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus)

In many places the various species of wallabies have become so used to humans that they come out and up close to check you out. As they are herbivores I find it quite interesting why they chose to come up close to humans. Perhaps some humans do hand out irresistible plant materials, or some have […]

White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

After an amazing experience with a spectacled bear I was on my way to the main road when I noticed this deer feeding not far from the road. So well camouflaged that I had to repeatedly point to it so the others could see it. Elevation: 4077 meters

Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus)

Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus)

What an amazing experience it was to see this rare spectacled bear. I spotted it driving to the next destination on my schedule, and could not believe it when I saw this bear high up a hillside. I first tried to walk, but with camera gear adding weight I had to accept defeat and hope […]

Variegated Squirrel (Sciurus variegatoides)

Variegated Squirrel (Sciurus variegatoides)

A common species in Costa Rica, and a frequent visitor to easy meals provided by humans – just like the squirrels in Europe and North America, except it is not a hoarder. There are several subspecies and a great variety of coloration. This one is one with a uniform coloration, but some stand out with […]

Angolan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis)

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)

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)

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, […]

Southern Lion (Panthera leo melanochaita)

Southern Lion (Panthera leo melanochaita)

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.

Heatwave and only one tree for shade

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.

Savannah Elephant (Loxodonta africana)

Savannah 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 […]

Southern Black-backed Jackal (Lupulella mesomelas ssp. mesomelas)

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)

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 […]

Dhole (Cuon alpinus)

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

Dholes in the monsoon

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 the monsoon as it […]

Dhole (Cuon alpinus)

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, […]

Northern Red Muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis)

Northern Red Muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis)

A skittish northern red untjac quenching thirst as the sun is rising higher in the morning sky. Soon the temperature will reach 45 degrees Celsius, or higher.

Indian Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus ursinus)

Indian Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus ursinus)

A brief encounter of the rare Indian Sloth Bear as it quenches its thirst. It’s the height of the dry season, with temperature reaching 45 degrees Celsius it’s critical to know of and reach the last remaining water sources. Elevation: 287 meters.

Gaur (Bos gaurus)

Gaur (Bos gaurus)

This magnificent animal is the largest of all wild cattle. Unfortunately humanity’s insatiable desire to destroy habitats has decimated its numbers. Thus the gaur is a vulnerable species. Hopefully India’s national parks will support a stable population and a species that will one day no longer be a threatened species. Elevation: 291 meters

Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)

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)

Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)

A proud mother of two cubs playing with her young ones. In this series we see here from the initial stealth-mode, assessing her “prey”, to the explosive attack-mode towards one of the cubs, learning it the ropes of prey versus predator. Elevation: 287 meters.

Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)

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 sisters 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)

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 […]

Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus)

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)

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 […]

Himalayan Pika (Ochotona roylei)

Himalayan Pika (Ochotona roylei)

This little cutie was in full swing eating the delicious primula flowers and other species now in bloom, but I just missed it having a mountful of flowers. Even though this was the first day (the full moon of April) people were back after a long winter, they were not that disturbed by human presence, […]

Himalayan Pika (Ochotona roylei)

Himalayan Pika (Ochotona roylei)

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 […]

Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus ssp. indicus)

Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus ssp. indicus)

The Indian elephant is commonly seen throughout the open landscape of Corbett National Park, but every now and then you are lucky to encounter them in the forest. Seeing them in the forest is such a magical experience, not only visually, as the dappled sunlight filters through the canopy, painting the elephants softly and artistically, […]

Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus ssp. indicus)

Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus ssp. indicus)

I had many amazing elephant encounters during my stay in this diverse and beautiful park, but this one touched me deeply as the encounter happened not only very surprisingly, but in the dappled morning sunlight amongst the tall tree trunks of the forest, which added an incredibly beautiful setting for these magnificent creatures. It started […]

Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus ssp. indicus)

Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus ssp. indicus)

The Indian elephant is commonly seen throughout the open landscape of Corbett National Park, but every now and then you are lucky to encounter them in the forest. Seeing them in the forest is such a magical experience, not only visually, as the dappled sunlight filters through the canopy, painting the elephants softly and artistically, […]

Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus entellus)

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 […]

Nepal gray langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus)

Nepal gray langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus)

After an amazing morning I was moving on towards the next valley, but I did not get far before I encountered yet another exciting mammal – the third of the langur species in Bhutan. My first reaction was how big it was – so much bulkier than the capped langurs I had encountered. It was […]

Pika (Ochotona sp)

Pika (Ochotona sp)

This is one of several individuals I encountered roaming around a small area of grassy ground, and it was in and out of this burrow as if playing hide and seek with us. With a slightly rounded snout it is likely a juvenile. What a cutie! None of the pikas I encountered here displayed any […]

Pika (Ochotona sp)

Pika (Ochotona sp)

I got up very early this morning to get to this location before sunrise to capture the snow capped mountains amongst the flowering rhododendrons, and I was rewarded in so many ways. The vista was absolutely stunning, but I encountered so many incredible rhododendrons, birds and also mammals. Among them a group of pikas roaming […]

Golden langur (Trachypithecus geei)

Golden langur (Trachypithecus geei)

This mother and her very young offspring were winding down as the light of the setting sun was fading. I encountered this group as I too was winding down – heading back to my hotel after an eventful day. It was a great joy to see every group of golden langurs I encountered in Bhutan […]

Golden langur (Trachypithecus geei)

Golden langur (Trachypithecus geei)

Yesterday I passed this very spot, and had what I thought an amazing encounter with this group of langurs, preparing for the night. I was on my way back to the hotel, and was stopping here to photograph the rising moon. Instead I found this group of langurs and completely dropped the idea of shooting […]

Golden langur (Trachypithecus geei)

Golden langur (Trachypithecus geei)

I wonder what these beautiful flowers taste like! Their scent is so sweet and draws you in, but they are rarely accessible to humans as they are high on the trees. For a golden langur they are most definitely a delicacy and I had an amazing time watching this group plucking one flower after the […]

Capped langur (Trachypithecus pileatus)

Capped langur (Trachypithecus pileatus)

This large male had carried a sizable piece of rock up a tree and was meticulously breaking off pieces and grinding them in his hands as to release the good parts. He would then seemingly taste a piece and eat it all if it was of the right stuff. You can see his white lips […]

Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis)

Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis)

I had heard stories of this species while in Bhutan, one being a close encounter with a farmer and the cat stalking a barking deer and her calf. In the mountains this widespread species grow larger than in the lowland and can take on a young deer. Wild cats are notoriously hard to spot as […]

Barking deer (Muntiacus vaginalis)

Barking deer (Muntiacus vaginalis)

This is the second image from the amazing encounter with the orphaned barking deer in the care of Dema the farmer. Dema owns a farm across the road from the Trogon Villa I stayed at for several nights, and this was the first of two encounters with this lovely deer, as I was fortunate to […]

Barking deer (Muntiacus vaginalis)

Barking deer (Muntiacus vaginalis)

I had two wonderful encounters with this orphaned barking deer which was so lovingly cared for by Dema the farmer, and this is the encounter of the first day and the third post from this lovely experience. This young deer was so incredibly harmonious and confident in this setting – surrounded by dogs, humans, livestock […]

Ekorn / Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

Ekorn / Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

This summer has been the most fun in all the years I’ve lived here, when it comes to squirrels. For some reason at least two female squirrels have made nests in the trees on my property and raised their litters here. One day they were all out, and it was crawling with tiny and ultra […]

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

A scruffy and lethargic polar bear resting on a shore on an islet that not long ago was under a glacier. While the polar bear struggles with less sea ice, the arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) finds new opportunities on new land. Likely this bear was attracted by the huge numbers of terns here, but their […]

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)

A young walrus resting comfortably on ice from the calving icecap (which can be seen in the back) of the White island (Kvitøya) – the easternmost of the Svalbard islands. Just a few years back the glacier covered this very spot, and there were few icebergs coming off it – now it’s melting so fast […]

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)

The walrus utilizes their tusks as ice picks when they haul themselves up onto an ice float, and sometimes they might break as is the case with this one. This is one of a large group of female and young walrus resting on ice floats from a retreating glacier on Kvitøya (white island) that has […]

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)

My close encounter with the population of walrus on the eastern side of the White Island (Kvitøya) was magical! First and foremost the sheer numbers, as this is a species that has been so severely hunted in the past that it was headed for extinction. For this reason it was protected in Norway in 1952. […]

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

Mother and cub checking out new possibilities on the summer sea ice north of Spitsbergen. They evoke so many feelings in humans, and I am no exception, as I simply cannot help myself and say “aaaww” when I look at the cub in the image. But during the encounter my heart was filled with awe, […]

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

A mother of one cub after a feed on a seal carcass. The seal was brought down by a huge male, which fed, and fed until it could swallow no more and withdrew to rest between the feasting. During these intervals this mother sneaked up to the seal with her cub and ate all they […]

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

We had to go further north than ever before to reach the sea ice this year, and after a long while searching in vain we finally noticed a huge male gorging on a seal carcass. Moments later we noticed a female with a cub lying down, waiting for the moment when the male was once […]

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

This is one of several amazing moments this female and her cub shared with us, at 81.31 degrees north of Svalbard, and here they are walking straight towards the boat I’m on to check it out, as their seal carcass was completely cleaned out and thus the hunt for new opportunities went up to the […]

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)

These clumsy and fat mammals on land are amazingly fast and agile in the ocean! This encounter by the Seven Islands (Sjuøyane), Svalbard is from a zodiac, and they swam towards us to check us out as if this was a strange and much larger than usual member of their species. They even swam underneath […]

Haghier mountains

Haghier mountains, Socotra

This cow looks out of place high up in the Haghier mountains, but hunger drives it higher and higher until there is nowhere to go. Without the cattle and goats, the naked ground would have been full of perennials and grasses. Now that the soil is not protected it will erode and seeds will have […]

South American Sea Lion (Otaria flavescens)

South American Sea Lion (Otaria flavescens)

Ballestas Islands off Paracas in Peru is one of very few protected areas of the Puruvian coast, and it’s teaming with life. This group of sea lions seems to relax and enjoy each others company. That is except one. For some reason this individual is snapping at one or more seals. I did not find […]

Spider monkey (Ateles sp)

Spider monkey (Ateles sp)

Almost every day I encountered either spider or howler monkeys. This individual is part of a group I found during one of my many trips on the oxbow lake at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). They have made a float out of two canoes – perfect for photographers and others that want a […]

Tapeti (Sylvilagus brasiliensis)

Tapeti (Sylvilagus brasiliensis)

Visiting diverse and pristine habitats as that of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is amazing, but also poses one problem! Nigh and day is equally busy with life, so which of the two do you focus on? I am not really a morning person, so I should perhaps be up all night here, […]

Kinkajou (Potos flavus)

Kinkajou (Potos flavus)

I wish I had more time here at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC), as I would then had time to focus on nocturnal life in addition to the diurnal. A couple of nights I did manage to stay up a few hours to look for nocturnal fauna, and the forest was teaming with […]

Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)

Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)

Deep in the Peruvian Amazon at Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) I visited this oxbow lake where a tiny family of giant otters have managed to raise 3 young to the stage where they are weaned and have become quite the nuisance as they still want food for free. The young otter is making […]

Red Howler Monkey (Alouatta seniculus)

Red Howler Monkey (Alouatta seniculus)

There are many groups of both spider and howler monkeys roaming the forest around Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC), and this group turned up as I was photographing flowers. They were inquisitive and calm, and some stopped to check me out, but the group was on the move so they had to follow – […]

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

After my encounter with George just a few minutes ago, that came to an abrupt halt due to a thunderbolt that scared him off, I headed downstream and back to Porto Jofre. Just around a bend in the river I got a glimpse of yet another Jaguar! How interesting! 4 days with just a 3 […]

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

After 4 days here in Jaguarland I’ve seen a jaguar for a merely 3 seconds – not enough to even get a shot! This being my last day I was hoping for a longer encounter, but as the day progressed it did not look very promising. We took some new routes, but not a single […]

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

After waiting a long while for George, the name assigned him from those protecting and keeping score of the population here, to move out of the thickets, the weather changed. One thunderstorm that seemed far away, was quickly joined by several others, that soon joined and became one major storm. This was the cue for […]

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

After many days in the north of Pantanal I had just seen a jaguar for 3 seconds – too brief to even photograph it. Finally seeing this one I was determined to get a shot no matter what, at least as proof. I was in a boat and the location was very unstable. The only […]

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

It’s midday and it scorching hot, so what’s better than simply standing in the river? You can see from the absence of ripples that they have been standing absolutely still for quite some time. They feel safe in the water, and cooled now, but they cannot eat here, so hunger will lead them back to […]

Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)

Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)

For a long time I’ve wanted to see these giants up close, and Pantanal is perhaps the best place to see them. This is the first group I encountered, as they were hunting. This river is wide and powerful, with lots of dense vegetation along the banks, so seeing them was not easy. Photographing them […]