Favorite Photos Archives - Mihaela Limberea

Favorite Photos: August 2026

3rd September 2026 Mihaela Limberea

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This is post 48 of 49 in the series “Favorite Photos”

This series contains my favorite photos processed in a particular month.

*A young lion cub with golden fur stares alertly from its perch on a thick, rough tree branch, bathed in dappled sunlight. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa*

This lion cub had claimed a dead tree limb at Tswalu and wasn’t in any hurry to move. The morning light was coming through the branches in broken bars, and for a few minutes it landed across the cub’s coat almost exactly matching its own natural striping.

I had maybe two minutes before the light shifted and the moment closed. Field photography is mostly waiting through long stretches of nothing for windows like that one, and knowing enough about light and behavior to be ready when it opens.

*An adorable lion cub is playfully chewing on a piece of bark while resting on a tree trunk. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa*

This lion cub had found a piece of bark and was not about to let it go: claws dug into the trunk, teeth locked on, eyes fixed somewhere past the camera. I photographed him at Tswalu, with his mother, three siblings, and another lioness with her own four cubs all resting just out of frame. What struck me was how much concentration he brought to something so small. No prey in sight, no real stakes, just a stick and the full attention of a growing predator. His mother kept glancing over now and then, the kind of watching that lets a cub get away with a little mischief.

Close-up shot of lioness feeding on a zebra carcass. Lapalala Wilderness, South Africa — *Lioness feeding on a zebra carcass. Noka Camp, South Africa*

This lioness had a kill to herself when we found her at Noka Camp in South Africa, and she was making the most of it. Every minute or two she’d raise her head, scan the grass, and check on us, a quick, unhurried look before returning to her meal. I caught her in one of those pauses, tongue mid-lick, blood still fresh on her muzzle, eyes straight into the camera.

There’s nothing pretty about a kill site. The sounds alone are something you don’t forget. But sitting quietly nearby while a predator simply gets on with her life is one of the most honest experiences the bush offers.

Wild dogs hunting a lone oryx in the dry, grassy savanna of the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa — *Wild dogs hunting a lone oryx in the grassy savanna of the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa*

This is one of those Kalahari mornings that started slow and ended fast. Five African wild dogs surround a lone gemsbok (Oryx gazella, the ones with the long straight horns), and for a while, nothing happens beyond circling and posturing. Then the oryx makes a break for a stand of bush nearby, and the dogs go from testing distance to a full sprint in an instant, yelping the whole way as they close in. The oryx made it to cover. The dogs didn’t get there first. I sat with this scene for a long stretch, not knowing which way it would break, and then it broke all at once.

A roe deer family grazes peacefully among the gravestones of Vienna's Zentralfriedhof — *A roe deer family grazes peacefully among the gravestones of Vienna’s Zentralfriedhof*

I went out early that morning and found not one but four roe deer moving through Vienna’s Zentralfriedhof: a little family sharing one strip of morning light.

This cemetery keeps surprising me. It’s one of the largest in Europe, and between the old trees, the quiet, and the lack of foot traffic before mid-morning, it’s become a real refuge for wildlife: deer, squirrels, crows, kestrels, even the occasional wild hamster if you know where to look.

Mornings like this are the reason I keep coming back to this cemetery with a camera: the light, the quiet, and animals that have made this ground their own.

A red squirrel climbs a tree trunk in Vienna's Zentralfriedhof. — *A red squirrel climbs a tree trunk in Vienna’s Zentralfriedhof.*

Vienna’s Zentralfriedhof isn’t where I expected to spend an afternoon photographing squirrels, but the old trees and thick ivy along the paths have made it one of the more reliable places in the city to find them undisturbed. This red squirrel climbed a trunk a few feet from a headstone, stopped to get its bearings, and gave me maybe four seconds before it disappeared into the canopy.

Working in a cemetery changes how you move: slower, more deliberate, aware you’re a guest in someone else’s quiet place. It’s also taught me to look past the obvious subjects. The wildlife here isn’t hiding from the city; it’s found a corner of it that nobody bothers.

It’s strange how often the animals show up somewhere you weren’t looking for them. I’ve had more luck with squirrels, foxes, and deer in cemeteries and old parks than in places actually set aside for wildlife.

📸 All photos were taken with Canon R5 Mark II & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM, except the deer family, taken with Canon R5 & Canon RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM.

To view all my favorite photos archive, click here.

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Favorite Photos: July 2026

5th August 2026 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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This is post 47 of 49 in the series “Favorite Photos”

This series contains my favorite photos processed in a particular month.

July has been a quiet month, and thank God for that! I know it’s such a blessing to be able to travel as much as we do, but it is tiring, too; it felt so good just being at home this past month, and enjoying the wildlife in our garden, or on our little island. (As a side note, I’ve learned that green areas cover 72% of our island; there are three nature reserves here, and we’re neighbours with one. Way to go, Lidingö!)

A young cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) perches majestically on a thick, gnarled tree branch, its gaze fixed intently in the distance within the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. — *A young cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) perches majestically on a thick, gnarled tree branch*. *Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa*

I enjoyed the quiet time, listening to music while I edited photos from our May safari trip. (I try to match the music to the images, it helps set the mood when editing, so there was a lot of African music. Right now, there’s a lot of Ismaël Lô, a Senegalese musician. I listened to this track on repeat, closely followed by this one.)

“Cheetah don’t climb trees”, the guide had just told us. Next thing you know, we stumbled over this handsome teenage cheetah posing nicely on a tree (albeit a low one). Cheetahs are not built for climbing (their claws don’t retract like a leopard’s), but give them a sloping, weathered trunk like this one and they’ll take the high ground gladly. Better view, better odds. Better photos, too.

This one sat for a good while in the early light, watching something far off in the bush. I like that about cheetahs: they always seem to be paying attention to a world slightly beyond the one I can see. I took my photos and mostly just watched it watch.

This image has become one of my absolute favorite photos, one of the highlights of this trip. His intense gaze, the soft light, that fluff on its’ back telling you he’s still young… I love it so much, I may print it and hang it on my wall, in fact.

A cheetah cub (Acinonyx jubatus) rests peacefully in the dappled shade of a bush in Tswalu Kalahari Reserve as the noon sun filters through the leaves above. — *A cheetah cub (Acinonyx jubatus) rests peacefully in the dappled shade of a bush as the noon sun filters through the leaves above. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa*

Another day, another cheetah. Green bokeh behind it, morning light catching the gold in its fur: this cheetah just stood there for a moment, sizing up whatever it was watching. Cheetahs rely on vision more than scent, and it shows in how much time they spend simply looking. Those black lines running from its eyes down to its mouth aren’t decoration; they cut the glare, so the cat can keep watching straight into the midday sun.

A lioness (Panthera leo) leads her cubs along a dusty track in the dim light of dusk, preparing for the night's hunt. tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa — *A lioness (Panthera leo) leads her cubs along a dusty track in the dim light of dusk, preparing for the night’s hunt. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa*

We spent the whole afternoon tracking this pride at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. We knew the lions were lying under bushes and trees somewhere in that area, most likely sleeping and completely invisible in the tall grass. Lions are champion resters: up to twenty hours a day, if you let them.

Then the light started to drop, and the mood shifted. This lioness got up, stretched, and set off down the red sand track, her cubs following at their own pace behind her. Two adult males and another lioness with her cubs were nearby, outside the frame. She’d picked the track for a reason: lions use cleared paths like this one to move quietly at dawn and dusk, without the crunch of dry grass underfoot. The evening hunt had begun, and we watched them disappear into the grass as the mountains turned blue behind them.

*A young lioness (Panthera leo) stands facing the camera on red Kalahari sand at dusk, emerging from dense scrub with an alert, calm expression. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa*

This lioness stepped out of the thornveld and stopped right in front of us, front paws neatly together on the red sand, and simply looked. Not aggressive, not nervous, just checking. Lions do this accounting constantly, and once you’ve been on the receiving end of it, you understand how little of the bush you actually notice compared to what notices you.

I liked the restraint of this moment more than any action shot from the trip. The soft overcast light kept her eyes that deep amber, and the dark green scrub behind her did the rest. Sometimes the best photograph is the animal doing almost nothing.

In the late afternoon light a pride of lions feasts on a zebra carcass amidst tall, dry grasses, with a mountainous backdrop under a pink sky. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa — *In the late afternoon light a pride of lions feasts on a zebra carcass amidst tall, dry grasses*. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa

This is the same lion pride, a different day, in the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. The sky had turned that pink and violet color you sometimes get right after sunset, with the mountains going dark blue behind them. The pride had already made a kill on a zebra, and by the time I caught this moment, cubs and adults were all crowded in around it, with the dominant male moving in to claim his share. Feeding order in a pride isn’t always what people expect; proximity and appetite matter as much as rank in the moment.

It’s one of those scenes where the drama has already happened and what you’re watching instead is the quieter part — who eats where, who waits, who pushes in. I find that almost more interesting than the hunt itself.

A pride of lions devours a zebra carcass under the warm glow of the late afternoon sun. The central focus is a male lion, his face contorted in a snarl as he tears into the carcass of a zebra. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa — *A pride of lions devours a zebra carcass. The central focus is a male lion, his face contorted in a snarl as he tears into the carcass of a zebra. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa*

This is the male lion from the photo above. While popular media often portrays the “Lion King” as a benevolent father, the reality at a kill site is much more tense. In a pride hierarchy, adult males usually eat first, using their size and intimidating facial expressions (like the snarl seen here) to maintain their position. This snarl serves as a visual warning to others to respect the patriarch’s space.

*Three African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are engaged in a playful tussle amidst dry grass and reddish-brown earth. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa*

Despite many trips to Africa, I have never seen wild dogs, unless you count some white tails disappearing into the tall grass. So, imagine my joy and happiness when our guide and tracker not only found them for us but also managed to stay with them for four hours.

We set out at 5:30 in the morning to look for them before they became active. When we finally found them, we watched as they searched for prey, sizing up gnus and oryxes and nearly catching a young oryx that managed to get away. Afterward, they played and socialized before resting in the shade as the day grew hotter. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

The African wild dog, or painted wolf, is one of the world’s most endangered mammals. According to the IUCN, only 3,000 to 5,500 remain. African wild dog numbers are notoriously hard to pin down, and estimates vary quite a bit by source. However, they all agree they are endangered.

Human expansion and habitat loss have limited them to small areas in southern and eastern Africa, though they once lived across the continent. To witness African wild dogs in the savanna is a rare privilege, as they are notoriously elusive and require massive home ranges.

A meerkat (Suricata suricatta) lies in the vibrant red sand of the Kalahari desert, its mouth open as it interacts with tiny ants. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa — *A meerkat (Suricata suricatta) lies in the vibrant red sand of the Kalahari desert*. *Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa*

There’s a colony of habituated meerkats at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, and I was looking forward to watching them in the morning as they start their day sunning, grooming themselves and each other, and foraging. They didn’t disappoint, and I spent several hours low on the ground, trying to keep pace with these oh-so-fast small animals. I have so many photos from that morning, they’re likely to become a fixture in my favorite-photos series for a while.

This is one of my favorite meerkat photos, because it’s not doing what you usually expect from a meerkat photo — standing sentinel. I wanted to show something different; you’ve probably seen thousands of meerkats standing at attention before. Lying flat like this is mostly about temperature: they press their bellies to the cool sand to shed heat once the day warms up, or sprawl out to soak up the sun early on when it’s still cold. The sand on its’ face is from digging; meerkats have non-retractable claws built for excavating insects and larvae out of the ground, and they’re immune to some scorpion and snake venom, which is a really useful trait when that’s most of what you eat.

📸 All photos were taken with Canon R5 Mark II & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM, except the third one (linoess with cubs at dusk), taken with Canon R5 & Canon RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM.

To view all my favorite photos archive, click here.

Favorite Photos: June 2026

3rd July 2026 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Cat Favorite Photos Lion Madikwe

This is post 46 of 49 in the series “Favorite Photos”

This series contains my favorite photos processed in a particular month.

I didn’t process many photos in June because I was still sorting through my safari shots, and the garden needed a lot of care after I’d been away for weeks. Plus, there were Midsummer celebrations, great weather, and some good books to enjoy!

This image is a striking, low-key portrait of a young lioness, focusing on her intense gaze and facial features against a deep black background.The image features a close-up of a young lioness, with the majority of the frame dedicated to her face. Her fur is a mottled mix of browns and grays, with individual hairs visible and a slightly coarse texture. Her eyes are the most prominent feature, a luminous, fiery orange that seems to glow against the darkness and implies alertness. The pupils are dark and intense, directed slightly off-camera to the left, suggesting she is observing something intently. Her nose is dark and moist, with visible nostrils. Long, white whiskers fan out from her muzzle, catching the light. The ears are visible, one slightly more forward than the other, with soft fur. The composition is tight, cropping out most of the lioness's body and placing her face slightly off-center, creating a sense of intimacy and focus.The lighting is dramatic and directional, illuminating the lioness's face from the side, casting deep shadows that emphasize her features and the texture of her fur. The background is completely black, isolating the subject and making her appearance even more captivating. There are no other animals or people visible in the frame.The atmosphere of the image is one of quiet power, intensity, and mystery. The dark background and the piercing gaze of the lioness create a mood that is both captivating and slightly intimidating, hinting at her wild nature and predatory instincts. The overall impression is one of raw beauty and untamed spirit. — *Young Lioness*, *Madikwe, South Africa*

This portrait of a young lioness shows her regal profile as she waits for the perfect moment. I took it while staying at the Royal Madikwe, and it’s part of my dark portraits series. I haven’t come up with a good title yet, just this descriptive one. If you have any ideas for a title, I’d love to hear them!

A tabby cat wears a crown of Midsummer wildflowers, creating a whimsical and serene portrait.The image prominently features the head and upper torso of a tabby cat, primarily in shades of grey and white, with distinct dark tabby markings. The cat's most striking feature is its large, luminous eyes, which are a vibrant yellow-green and reflect light, giving them an intense and captivating gaze. The cat's nose is a soft pink, and its whiskers are fine and white, fanning out from its muzzle.Adorning the cat's head is a delicate crown made of Midsummer wildflowers. The crown consists of several white daisies with bright yellow centers and some pink clover flowers, interspersed with green leaves. The flowers are artfully arranged and appear fresh, adding a touch of nature and festivity to the cat's appearance.The background is almost entirely pure white, with a soft, ethereal glow that fades outwards from the cat. This stark white background isolates the subject and emphasizes the details of the cat's fur and the floral crown. The lighting is soft and diffused, creating a gentle halo effect around the cat, particularly around its ears and the edges of its fur. This lighting technique contributes to a dreamlike and almost angelic atmosphere.The overall composition is a close-up shot, focusing tightly on the cat's face. This close perspective allows the viewer to appreciate the texture of the fur, the details of the flowers, and the expressiveness of the cat's eyes. There are no humans or other animals visible in the image.The mood of the picture is peaceful, enchanting, and slightly whimsical. The juxtaposition of the wild feline with the delicate floral crown evokes a sense of natural beauty and gentle innocence, creating a serene and memorable image. The bright eyes and the vibrant flowers stand out against the muted tones of the cat's fur and the pure white background. — *Minette, Lidingö, 2026*

Glad Midsommar from Minette, who tolerated her flower crown with the dignity of a cat who knows the daisies were not her idea.

Midsummer (Midsommar) marks the summer solstice and the longest days of the year, celebrated here with maypoles, herring, new potatoes, and, yes, wreaths of wildflowers worn in the hair. It’s one of the most beloved days on the Swedish calendar, a bright pause when the whole country seems to step outside and stay there until very late. The flowers in this crown, daisies and red clover, are the same ones you’d find woven into wreaths across the meadows this week.

Minette is not impressed. She is, however, festive.

📸 All photos were taken with Canon R5 Mark II & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM.

To view all my favorite photos archive, click here.

Favorite Photos: May 2026

4th June 2026 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Birds Butterfly Calla Lily Coot Echinacea Favorite Photos Flowers Hornbill Madikwe

This is post 45 of 49 in the series “Favorite Photos”

This series contains my favorite photos processed in a particular month.

A close-up portrait of a Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill is dramatically lit against a deep black background.The image features the head and upper neck of a Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, captured in sharp focus against an entirely black background, creating a sense of isolation and emphasizing the bird's striking features. The bird's head is angled upwards and to the right, with its distinctive large, curved, bright yellow bill being a prominent element. The bill shows some texture and color variation, with darker tips and some subtle orange hues. The eye of the hornbill is a vibrant yellow with a dark pupil, surrounded by a bright red, wrinkled patch of skin that extends down its face and neck. The feathers on its head and neck are a mix of dark grey, black, and white, appearing ruffled and textured, especially around the head. The lighting is dramatic, with a strong highlight on the bill and around the eye, and the rest of the bird's body and the background fading into deep shadow, creating a moody and almost theatrical atmosphere. There are no people or other animals in the frame. The mood is somewhat intense and intriguing due to the stark contrast, the detailed rendering of the bird's head, and the dark, empty background. — *Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill*, *Madikwe, South Africa*

Somehow, May has turned into safari month for us. This year, we started at Royal Madikwe, then visited Tswalu, and ended our trip in Cape Town. I began culling photos right after we got back (there were some amazing sightings everywhere), but garden work and other personal things have slowed me down.

That said, I did edit this one photo, I was really excited about it! When I took the shot, I already had some edits in mind and knew it would work well with my dark portraits series. I’m happy with how it looks now, though I might tweak it again later.

The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill is affectionately nicknamed the ‘flying banana‘ due to its massive, curved yellow beak. Despite the bill’s size, it is surprisingly light because it is filled with a honeycomb-like structure of bone and air.

Here are some other interesting facts about this bird:

1. The bill is a precision tool. That bill is more than just eye-catching; the hornbill uses it like a pair of needle-nose pliers. The narrow tip plucks insects, seeds, and spiders off the ground or out of low vegetation, while serrated inner edges let it crush and break apart tougher items before swallowing.

2. The female seals herself inside the nest. After picking a nesting spot, the female seals herself in, closing the entrance with her own droppings until only a narrow slit remains. She stays inside to incubate the eggs for 24 to 25 days, while the male brings her food through the small opening. Later the chicks reseal the entrance themselves and stay inside for another 40-odd days as both parents feed them. It’s a fortress that keeps predators out almost entirely.

3. It hires a mongoose security team. Yellow-billed hornbills form a real working partnership with dwarf mongooses. They forage together: the mongooses scratch and dig through the ground, flushing out insects that the hornbills snap up, and in return the birds sound the alarm when a raptor appears, sending their mongoose buddies dashing for cover. The birds are so reliable that they sometimes arrive at the den in the morning and call down to wake their partners.

4. The chicks hatch on a staggered schedule. Because the female starts incubating before the whole clutch is laid, the eggs hatch days apart, leaving a brood of different sizes and ages. First-hatched chicks grow faster and are more likely to survive, but the mother’s presence in the sealed nest matters: she feeds bill-to-bill and shares food more evenly, easing competition so the younger, smaller nestlings have a better chance.

5. Those eyelashes are real. Look closely at a hornbill’s eye and you’ll see what appear to be long, dark lashes. They are not hair; they are actually special feathers that help shade the eye and keep out sun and dust while the bird searches for food.

Isn’t Nature amazing?

A delicate male common blue butterfly rests on a vibrant Echinacea flower, creating a serene and magical scene. — *Male common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) perched on an Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ flower*

This is an older photo that I had processed earlier. I was looking for another photo, came across this one, and didn’t like that edit. At all. So, I started again, and I’m now ridiculously happy with it. We’ll see what happens in a couple of years. Will I still love it then?

This was taken in my garden; it’s so convenient to just step outside and find something to photograph almost straight away!

A soft, ethereal image depicts a delicate white calla lily against a serene blue background. — *Calla lily, Lidingö, Sweden*

A single, ethereal white calla lily unfurls against a soft, hazy blue background. — *Calla lily, Lidingö, Sweden*

While hunting for the photo I mentioned earlier, I stumbled on another old picture I’d edited a couple of years ago. The moment I saw it, I knew I had to reprocess it. I didn’t like my old edit anymore, and I could already see in my head what it should look like.

I went ahead and edited it, but now I can’t decide which version I like best. It’s making me a little nuts! Usually, I have no trouble making decisions, so when I can’t choose, it really drives me crazy.

Which one do you prefer?

A Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) swims purposefully across warm, golden water, carrying a long stick in its beak. — *Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), Lidingö, Sweden*

I took this photo of a Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) on a cold April morning near my house. I really liked watching it swim across the lake to its nest, carrying that big branch.

I wanted to take a break from sharing photos of Australia and Africa for a bit (sometimes you can have too much of a good thing), so I decided to focus on something closer to home.

📸 All photos were taken with Canon R5 Mark II & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM.

To view all my favorite photos archive, click here.

Favorite Photos: April 2026

8th May 2026 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Butterfly Echinacea purpurea Favorite Photos Giraffe Grebe Waterlily

This is post 44 of 49 in the series “Favorite Photos”

This series contains my favorite photos processed in a particular month.

The image shows a serene water scene focusing on a single white water lily with delicate petals and a vibrant yellow center. A small bee, its body striped with yellow and black, is perched on the center of the lily, actively engaged in collecting nectar. — *Water lily, Matlabas river, South Africa*

When Life hands you lemons… We were floating slowly on Matlabas River in South Africa, hoping to find hippos. We could hear them somewhere in the distance, and kept going, but never found any. We had to turn back eventually, empty handed, tail firmly tucked between our legs. Still, I had my camera, and the scenery was beautiful. Water lilies were blooming, and I found one just begging to be photographed.

I didn’t get any hippo photos that morning, but I did take lots of pictures of the landscape and flowers. This water lily, glowing in the sunlight, became one of my favorite photos from the trip.

This is a high-key close-up photograph of a giraffe making a funny face against a plain white background. — *Giraffe in High Key, Marakele National Park, South Africa*

Another round of lemons being handed out, during the same safari. Later that very same day, in fact. We left the river and went on a typical game drive, and hoped to spot lions we’d heard were in the area. No lions appeared.

We found a tower of giraffes eventually. (Don’t you like that name for a group of giraffes, tower?). It was late morning, the light was harsh, and the giraffes were busy eating, completely ignoring us. We hanged around for a while, hoping something interesting might happen, but this giraffe doing some tongue calisthenics was the only notable thing.

I did take a few photos, though, and I liked this one eventually, I think it works pretty well in high key.

The tongue of a giraffe is one of those details that feels almost invented when you first learn about it. But it’s all very real, and quite remarkable, really.

Here are some of the most interesting facts:

1. It’s incredibly long
A giraffe’s tongue can reach about 45–50 cm (18–20 inches). That length isn’t just for show; it allows them to reach deep into thorny branches to grab leaves other animals can’t reach.

2. It’s dark, almost black or purple
The tongue’s dark color is thought to help protect it from sunburn. Giraffes spend hours feeding in direct African sunlight, so this pigmentation likely reduces UV damage.

3. It’s prehensile (like a hand)
A giraffe can grasp, twist, and pull with its tongue. Combined with its flexible upper lip, it can delicately strip leaves from branches, even around sharp thorns.

4. Built for thorny meals
Giraffes commonly eat from acacia tree species. Their tongues and mouths are tough and covered in thick saliva, which helps protect them from cuts while navigating thorns.

5. Extremely strong and dexterous
Despite its softness, the tongue has powerful muscles. It can wrap around branches and pull leaves into the mouth with precision.

6. Surprisingly resistant to injury
Between the thick saliva and the tough surface of the tongue, giraffes can repeatedly eat spiky plants without obvious harm, something that would shred most other animals’ mouths.

7. It plays a role in cleaning
Giraffes can use their tongues to clean their noses and even their ears. It’s a slightly odd but very practical feature given their long necks.

The image features two great crested grebes swimming on a pale blue, calm body of water. The grebes are the primary subjects, positioned in the lower half of the frame. The grebe on the right is slightly larger and further back, facing towards the left and slightly away from the viewer. It has striking reddish-brown cheek tufts and a black crest on its head, characteristic of the species. Its plumage is a mix of brown, black, and white, with visible feather detail. The grebe on the left is closer to the viewer and positioned slightly forward and to the left of the other grebe. — *Great crested grebes, Lidingö, Sweden*

wo Great Crested Grebes are captured in a moment of interaction on the surface of calm water. The bird on the left is closer to the foreground and is looking to the left. It has its head held high, with its distinctive crest visible, and its beak is closed. Its body is positioned parallel to the water's surface. To the right and slightly further away is the second grebe. This bird's head is turned towards the bird on the left, and its beak is wide open, as if it is calling out or vocalizing. Its crest is also visible, though perhaps less prominent than the first bird's. The body of this grebe is also horizontal on the water. — *Great crested grebes, Lidingö, Sweden*

A great crested grebe pair (Podiceps cristatus) I photographed on a chilly April morning near my house. Living on an island with so many nature reserves and so much wildlife is something I really appreciate every single day.

The image is a close-up shot focusing on a single peacock butterfly resting on a bright pink coneflower (Echinacea). The butterfly, with its wings spread, displays the striking patterns characteristic of its species. — *Peacock butterfly on echinacea, Lidingö, Sweden*

Here’s a photo from my garden: a peacock butterfly (Aglais io) on echinacea (Echinacea purpurea var. Magnus).

I love my garden because it attracts so much diverse wildlife that I hardly need to leave home to have something to photograph. Most flowers and bushes are pollinator-friendly; trees and shrubs provide shelter and food to birds and small animals, and several bird baths, in various sizes and depth, provide water to all creatures.

📸 All photos were taken with Canon R5 Mark II & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM.

To view all my favorite photos archive, click here.

Favorite Photos: March 2026

4th April 2026 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Black Swan Favorite Photos Ibis Rooster Squirrel Wolf Woods

This is post 43 of 49 in the series “Favorite Photos”

This series contains my favorite photos processed in a particular month.

The image features a single Australian White Ibis standing in a grassy field. The bird is positioned slightly off-center to the right of the frame, facing left. Its plumage is predominantly white, with some black markings on its head, neck, and wingtips, which are visible as it stands.

Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca) photographed at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. It was raining, and while most people took cover in the nearby cafe, I stayed put and took a lot of photos.

A little rain has never stopped me. I use a shower cap over the camera body, and the lens is weather-sealed, up to a point, obviously. I draw the line at downpours. But a soft, persistent drizzle? That’s when things get interesting. There’s something compelling about animals and birds enduring what we humans instinctively flee from.

The image depicts a winter scene in a forest covered in thick snow. The trees are laden with snow, and delicate snowflakes are falling, creating a soft, ethereal atmosphere. The ground is completely covered in a blanket of white snow. In the lower center of the image, a wolf is lying down, partially submerged in the snow. The wolf has a coat of varying shades of brown, tan, and gray, with darker markings on its face and ears.

A lone wolf (Canis lupus) enduring heavy snowfall in Northern Sweden. I think I found myself a theme, ha, ha! Here’s the photo of the musk ox in the same snowstorm.

A dramatic, close-up portrait of a rooster is presented against a stark black background.

Speaking of themes: the portrait of this rooster (Gallus gallus domesticus) is part of a new animal portraits project I’m working on. Well, animals and birds.

The image captures the striking close-up of a black swan (Cygnus atratus) against a stark, dark background.

The black swan (Cygnus atratus) was the first in the series.

A small bird stands alone on a mossy rock in a deeply atmospheric, fog-shrouded forest rendered in cool blue-grey tones, evoking a sense of quiet mystery and solitude.

This is a new edit of an old photo taken sometime around 2018, when we were still living in Switzerland. These are the woods just behind our house, where I used to go for a daily walk with my camera. I still have hundreds of photos of those trees. Probably thousands, if I’m honest. I should probably do a project to do them justice.

I seldom edit old photos, but it happens the same way every time: I’m looking for something else entirely, I stumble over an old photo, and get an idea. And if I get an idea, there’s no ignoring it. I have to see it through.

A red squirrel is holding a red Easter egg in its paws, surrounded by other decorated Easter eggs on a grassy lawn.

Happy Easter!

📸 All photos were taken with Canon R5 Mark II & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM., except the dark woods, which was taken with Canon EOS 5D Mark III & Canon EF 50mm ƒ1.8 II.

Favorite Photos: February 2026

3rd March 2026 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Favorite Photos Kangaroo Muskox Squirrel

This is post 42 of 49 in the series “Favorite Photos”

This series contains my favorite photos processed in a particular month.

The photograph captures a tender moment between two Kangaroo Island kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus), a mother and her joey, in a close embrace amid a sunlit grassland on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The smaller joey stands on its hind legs, wrapping its forelimbs around the taller adult's neck while nuzzling its face against the mother's cheek, conveying a sense of affection and bonding. Both animals exhibit the subspecies' characteristic reddish-brown fur with subtle lighter patches, their large ears perked and dark eyes gazing upward. The setting features golden, dry grasses bathed in warm, diffused light from a low sun, creating a soft, ethereal glow, with blurred shrubbery in the background enhancing the intimate focus. The overall composition evokes themes of maternal care and serenity in a natural habitat.

This is why I love wildlife photography. Witnessing scenes like this and immortalizing them in a photograph makes my heart sing. I’m so happy to have captured this tender moment between two Kangaroo Island kangaroos, a mother and her joey, in a close embrace.

Kangaroo Island kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus) is a sub-species of the Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus). They look slightly different from their cousins on mainland Australia; they’re shorter with darker, chocolate-brown fur. And way cuter, if you ask me.

This is a photo from my recent trip to Australia, from Kangaroo Island (South Australia), where we spent a few weeks in November/December.

The image captures a detailed side portrait of a muskox against a soft, blurred background.

A close-up of a muskox enduring heavy snowfall on my recent trip to northern Sweden has quickly become one of my favorite photos. I had edited other photos from that trip, but I kept coming back to this one again and again. I liked the ox’s stoic attitude, standing still in the cold, heavy snow falling silently across the white landscape.

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) are some of the most interesting and rare wild mammals in Sweden. They disappeared from Sweden and the rest of Europe about 9,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age. The muskoxen found in Sweden today are descended from five animals that wandered across the border from the reintroduced Norwegian herd in Dovrefjell and settled in the Härjedalen mountains.

Muskoxen are more closely related to sheep and goats than to oxen. Their incredibly thick coat (including the ultra-warm qiviut underwool) allows them to survive temperatures as low as –40 °C. In Sweden, they are perfectly adapted to the harsh alpine tundra and long winters.

Two red squirrels stand on a snow-covered log during a snowfall._The image shows two red squirrels facing each other on a snow-covered log in a quiet winter woodland. Snow blankets the ground and clings softly to the fallen tree trunk, while delicate flakes drift through the air, creating a gentle, dreamy atmosphere. The squirrels’ warm russet fur contrasts beautifully with the pale whites and soft blues of the snowy landscape. One squirrel appears alert and upright, as if listening or speaking, while the other mirrors its posture, suggesting a moment of interaction or curiosity between them. In the background, blurred grasses, branches, and tree trunks fade into a soft haze, giving the scene a painterly, almost storybook quality that emphasizes calm, intimacy, and the stillness of winter.

Two squirrels perch on snowy branches amidst a gentle snowfall. The image depicts a winter scene featuring two squirrels clinging to branches covered in snow. A branch is visible on the upper right with a thick covering of snow. The needles of the pine branch are covered in snow. Snowflakes fall gently around the squirrels and the branches. The overall mood is serene and peaceful, capturing the quiet beauty of a winter day in the woods.

The photograph depicts a whimsical winter scene featuring a Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) perched atop a small mound of snow, with gentle snowflakes falling around it. The squirrel, characterized by its reddish-brown fur, prominent ear tufts, and alert expression, sits upright while holding a miniature brown bag filled with nuts in its front paws, as if presenting or examining the contents. To its right, a small mouse wears a red knitted wool cap and matching scarf, positioned as if emerging from the snow with a playful demeanor. The background consists of a soft, overcast white expanse, evoking a serene and magical snowy landscape, enhanced by subtle pine needles on the mound for natural detail. The overall composition conveys a sense of festive interaction between the animals in a controlled, artistic setting.

I love red squirrels, you know that. I even have a separate Instagram account for them, Whimsical Squirrels. It’s a place to play, experiment, and have fun, different from my main account. In a way, it takes off a lot of the pressure I put on myself to create beautiful wildlife photos.

Lately, I’ve been drawn to painterly-style photos and have been experimenting a lot, trying to give my photos that feeling of looking at a painting. I’ve also started creating some composite images.

These photos are the first results that I’m pleased with. They were so much fun to work with! The wool cap and the scarf of the mouse gave me so much grief, you can’t imagine it! But I think I nailed it in the end.

📸 All photos were taken with Canon R5 Mark II & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM, except for the squirrels photo (taken with Canon R5).

Favorite Photos: January 2026

3rd February 2026 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Bird Dolphin Favorite Photos Hamerkop Kangaroo Koala Squirrel

This is post 41 of 49 in the series “Favorite Photos”

This series contains my favorite photos processed in a particular month.

This high-key photograph portrays a mother koala perched on a smooth, pale eucalyptus branch, with her joey clinging closely to her back. The bright, almost ethereal background dissolves into soft whites and gentle greys, giving the image a light, airy quality that emphasizes form and emotion over detail.

Not surprisingly, most of the photos I worked on this month were taken on Kangaroo Island (South Australia), where we spent a few weeks in November / December during our recent Australia trip.

I don’t often use high-key photography, but it felt right for this photo of a mother koala and her joey.

I was over the moon when I saw this adorable pair. Koalas sleep most of the time, so there usually isn’t much to photograph, even though they’re so cute. That’s why I was so happy to catch this mother and her joey moving around in the tree and even stopping to pose. The joey, probably about a year old, is already quite big.

To give you some background, koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) spend up to 18 months caring for their young. At first, the mother carries the joey in her pouch, then later on her back as the joey learns to move through the trees. Koala gestation lasts about 35 days, and the newborn is tiny, only about 2 centimeters long and weighing less than 1 gram. It crawls into the mother’s pouch for safety and food. The joey stays in the pouch for 6 to 7 months, drinking only milk, before coming out to ride on the mother’s back for another 6 months. During this time, the mother gives the joey “pap,” a special soft fecal matter made from eucalyptus leaves, to help introduce the gut bacteria needed to digest the toxic eucalyptus leaves.

This photo captures a young koala joey resting comfortably along a smooth eucalyptus branch, partially framed by soft, hanging green leaves. The joey’s fluffy grey-brown fur looks plush and textured, contrasting gently with the pale, peeling bark of the tree. One paw curls securely around the branch while the body reclines in a relaxed, almost human-like pose.

This young koala, who posed so nicely for me, was taking a break from exploring the tree he and his mother were perched in. At this age, the joey is curious about everything.

His mother is sleeping a few branches away. But even when she is still, her presence reassures the joey. With her close, the young koala feels safe to explore, rest, and learn.

Kangaroo Island is an important home for koalas in Australia. But bushfires and habitat loss now threaten their future. In the 2020 fires, about 210,000 hectares of land on Kangaroo Island were lost, showing how much their home was affected. Protecting quiet, safe places matters, not just so koalas survive, but so young ones can grow and explore.

To help keep these moments possible, there are many actions you can take. Support local conservation efforts and speak up for koala habitats before it is too late. You can also adopt a tree through a group like Friends of Parks, which helps restore koala homes. Volunteering for habitat restoration projects, spreading awareness about the plight of koalas through social media, and advocating for policy changes that prioritize habitat protection are other impactful ways to get involved. Every small action helps make a difference.

I really like this close-up photo of a young Kangaroo Island kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus), which is a subspecies found only on Kangaroo Island.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: parking lots can be great spots for wildlife photos. I took this picture at Stokes Bay camping grounds, right in the parking lot. There was a little patch of green by a small pond. (I once waited there for an hour, hoping a male kangaroo would come to drink, but he never showed up.) This time, though, I spotted this cute young kangaroo. As I approached slowly, I kept my movements gentle and quiet to avoid startling her. I crouched low, using the shrubs as cover to inch closer for a better angle. It was a quick moment—I managed to get the shot just before she hopped away.

Here’s another tip: always have your camera ready when you arrive or leave a place. You never know what might happen, and being prepared means you won’t miss a great photo. Trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way! I remember one time, at a different place, I had just packed up my camera gear and was about to leave when I noticed a fabulous sunset illuminating a family of kangaroos. I hastily set up my camera again, but I missed the moment by seconds. Have your camera ready, people!

The photograph captures a tender and serene moment of two kangaroo joeys resting together on the ground in what appears to be a naturalistic outdoor enclosure or sheltered area.Both joeys lie on their backs in relaxed, supine positions, limbs loosely extended in complete repose. The nearer joey, in sharp focus, displays a soft grey fur coat with subtle brownish tinges around the face and shoulders. Its head is tilted slightly backward, eyes gently closed, small black nose pointing upward, and mouth slightly parted in peaceful sleep. One forepaw rests near its chest while the hind legs are bent and relaxed, revealing the characteristic elongated feet and dark claws typical of macropods.The second joey, positioned just behind and partially overlapping the first, mirrors the same tranquil posture. Its fur appears slightly warmer in tone—pale grey with faint orange-brown hues on the head and upper limbs—creating gentle tonal contrast between the two. Both animals exhibit the rounded facial features, large rounded ears, and delicate whiskers characteristic of young kangaroos.

Nap Mode: Activated 💤🦘 Two Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) joeys are sleeping side by side under a bush on a hot summer afternoon.

They will grow up much bigger than the cute Kangaroo Island joey above. Adult males often reach over 2 meters in height and weigh about 60 kg. Their light gray fur and long legs help them move easily through the open, grassy woods of eastern Australia.

Kangaroo Island kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus), on the other hand, are smaller and more compact. (Also, much cuter if you ask me.) Males are usually about 1.4 meters tall and weigh around 35 kg. Their fur is darker, with reddish-brown on the head and shoulders, which helps them blend into the island’s shady coastal shrubs and woods.

These differences show each species has adapted in its own way to its habitat and environment.

This captivating image portrays a dolphin, likely a bottlenose, gracefully swimming just beneath the surface of crystal-clear, vibrant blue water. The perspective is from above or slightly above the water level, looking down into its translucent depths.

A graceful dolphin moves through the clear blue waters around Kangaroo Island in South Australia, dancing between worlds. The way the light hit the water turned it into a living painting. I only needed to press the shutter button to capture this brief moment of wonder. No words needed.

The photo depicts a hamerkop (Scopus umbretta), a medium-sized wading bird, standing in shallow water with its wings spread wide. The bird's distinctive hammer-shaped head and brown plumage are clearly visible. The water reflects the hamerkop's image, creating a symmetrical and striking visual effect.

A hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) I photographed during our June safari in South Africa. The hamerkop may look like a modest wetland bird at first glance, but it is one of Africa’s most fascinating and unusual species.

The hamerkop is the only species in its genus (Scopus) and family (Scopidae). For a long time, scientists couldn’t agree where it belonged — it shares traits with herons, storks, and pelicans.

One of the hamerkop’s most remarkable traits is its nest-building ability. These birds construct some of the largest nests in the avian world relative to their body size. Built from sticks, reeds, and mud, a single nest can reach nearly two meters across and weigh more than 50 kilograms. Inside, the structure is surprisingly complex, with multiple chambers and even false entrances that may help confuse predators. Once abandoned, these nests often become valuable real estate for other animals, including owls, eagles, snakes, and small mammals. Isn’t Nature amazing?

The photograph presents a whimsical winter scene featuring a Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) engaged in an anthropomorphic interaction with a small snowman amid a snowy landscape.

As the snow falls softly, the world turns quiet — and magic takes over.

This is a photo from two years ago that I still hadn’t gotten around to processing. It made a nice distraction from the stream of Australian images I’m processing right now. And I wanted to have some fun, too. It doesn’t do to be too serious, you know. The girl needs her fun.

📸 All photos were taken with Canon R5 Mark II & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM, except for the squirrel photo (taken with Canon R5).

Favorite Photos: December 2025

5th January 2026 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Black Swan Favorite Photos Kangaroo Island Nassim Nicholas Taleb Swan

This is post 40 of 49 in the series “Favorite Photos”

This series contains my favorite photos processed in a particular month.

A quick edit of a black swan photo taken on Kangaroo Island (South Australia) where we spent a few weeks this December, part of our recent Australia trip. More to come, once I’ve been through all photos 😅.

In the meantime, I leave you with some interesting facts about them.

Interesting Facts About Black Swans

Black swans (Cygnus atratus) are native to Australia and represent a fascinating species within the Anatidae family. Below are several interesting facts about them
Unlike most swans, which are white, black swans possess predominantly black feathers with white flight feathers visible only during flight. Their bright red bills feature a pale tip, and they have the longest neck relative to body size among swan species, aiding in foraging in deep water.
They are indigenous to Australia, particularly abundant in the southeast and southwest regions, including wetlands and lakes. Following European colonization, they were introduced to New Zealand, Europe, and North America as ornamental birds in parks and estates, where feral populations have established in some areas.
Black swans form lifelong monogamous pairs, often remaining together year-round. Both parents share incubation duties and chick-rearing, with cygnets riding on their parents’ backs for protection— a behavior that enhances survival in open water environments.
They produce a variety of trumpet-like calls, including bugling sounds for territorial defense or mating. These vocalizations are more musical than those of mute swans and play a key role in social interactions within flocks.
Primarily herbivorous, black swans feed on aquatic vegetation, algae, and submerged plants by upending in shallow waters (similar to dabbling ducks). They can tolerate brackish and saline environments, allowing them to inhabit a broader range of wetlands than many freshwater-dependent waterfowl.

Symbolism in Metaphor and Philosophy

The term “black swan” entered popular usage through Nassim Nicholas Taleb‘s book “The Black Swan” (2007), metaphorically describing rare, unpredictable events with profound impacts. Historically, Europeans assumed all swans were white until black swans were discovered in Australia in 1697 by Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh, challenging prevailing assumptions.

📸 The photo was taken with Canon R5 Mark II & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM.

My 2025 Favorite Photos

16th December 2025 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Baboon Butterfly Cheetah Darter Dragonfly Echinacea purpurea Favorite Photos Grebe Lion

This is post 39 of 49 in the series “Favorite Photos”

This series contains my favorite photos processed in a particular month.

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s only natural to pause, pour a cup of something warm, and reflect on the whirlwind of the past year. Let’s dive in together, shall we?

This photo showcases two cheetah brothers (Acinonyx jubatus) in a misty morning setting. The sleek felines, with their spotted coats faintly visible through the fog, stand side by side on a grassy plain, their slender bodies poised with alertness. The soft, diffused light of pre-dawn casts a gentle glow on their faces, highlighting their intense eyes and tear-marked cheeks. The background fades into a hazy blend of grey and green, with the mist creating an ethereal, mysterious atmosphere around the pair.

Two cheetah brothers (Acinonyx jubatus), photographed early in the morning, before the sun was up, and the morning mist still hung in the air, creating an eerie atmosphere.

The brothers were out patrolling their territory and stood still for a few minutes, checking their surroundings.

🐈 Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

📸 Canon R5M2 & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

📍Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, South Africa

The photo shows a Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata), a dragonfly perched on a slender stem against a soft blue sky. Its wings are transparent with intricate vein patterns, and it has a striking body with a mix of orange and brown hues, accented by dark spots near the base of its wings, characteristic of the species.

Four-spotted Chaser, a dragonfly so called because of the four dark spots on its wings, two on each forewing.

I photographed it at a lake near our house, an excellent spot for finding butterflies and dragonflies this time of year. I find myself returning to it in every season, as there is always something to photograph: squirrels, foxes, jays, woodpeckers, birds of prey, small birds, insects, and flowers.

Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata)

📸 Canon R5M2 & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

📍Trolldalen, Lidingö, Sweden

A mating pair of Ruddy darters (Sympetrum sanguineum) in a serene, symmetrical composition above calm water. The male, with its vibrant red abdomen and translucent wings, clasps the female in the characteristic "wheel" position, their bodies aligned vertically against a soft blue sky. The reflection below mirrors them perfectly, creating an illusion of infinite extension and adding a poetic balance to the scene. Tiny dew-like sparkles glisten on their wings, caught by the gentle morning light, while the minimalistic background emphasizes their delicate forms and the intimate beauty of this natural moment.

A pair of mating ruddy darters that I photographed at the small lake near our house, the same spot where I had photographed the four-spotted chaser. This dragonfly is a common species in Sweden, especially in the southern part of the country.

This was the first time I photographed dragonflies in flight. Dragonflies in flight are difficult to capture due to their speed and unpredictable movement. But hey, the more difficult the tasks, the more rewarding the results! I’m very pleased with this photo, even though I had to take several hundred photos to get the one I wanted.

Ruddy darters (Sympetrum sanguineum)

📸 Canon R5M2 & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

📍Trolldalen, Lidingö, Sweden

This photo shows a common blue butterfly male (Polyommatus icarus) perched delicately on an Echinacea purpurea var. Magnus flower in a garden. The butterfly, with its vibrant orange and black wings spread slightly, contrasts beautifully against the flower’s large, daisy-like pink-purple petals and prominent coppery-orange center. The morning light filters through the mist, casting a soft glow on the butterfly’s intricate wing patterns and the flower’s velvety texture. The background is a gentle blur of green foliage and other blooms, enhancing the serene and delicate beauty of this early autumn garden moment.

A male common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) perched on an Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ flower in our garden. This is what I love about our house: a wildlife garden filled with insects, butterflies, small and not-so-small animals (deer love my flowers, too!), and numerous birds! I need only to step out to find something to photograph!

🦋 Male common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus)

📸 Canon R5 & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

📍Lidingö, Sweden

Australasian grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)

An Australasian grebe calling for its young on a foggy morning on Kangaroo Island. It was 6:30 am, and the sun was not up yet. On my way to another location, I spotted this grebe family serenely floating on a small pond, shrouded in the waves of fog.

I stopped for a few minutes to take several photos, and this one became one of my absolute favorites from that trip.

🦆 Australasian grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)

📸 Canon R5M2 & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

📍Kangaroo Island, South Australia

This is a new edit of a lion portrait I worked on a few months ago. While I was initially pleased with the first version, the idea of making a more dramatic edit kept coming to mind—I just couldn’t let it go! So, I decided to re-process the image, and I’m really happy with the final result.

🦁 Lion (Panthera leo)

📸 Canon R5 & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

📍Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, South Africa

This photo depicts a young lioness in the midst of a hunt on a sunlit savanna. Her lean, muscular frame is poised low to the ground, with her coat blending into the dry grass as she stalks prey. Her eyes are intensely focused, ears slightly back, and her mouth is open, revealing sharp teeth.

A young lioness on the prowl, stalking a giraffe under the midday sun. The hunt is on.

High-key edits aren’t usually my style, but this scene demanded it. Harsh light, a bright background, and the lioness in the shade called for a bold, high-key approach to capture the moment’s intensity.

🦁 Lion (Panthera leo)

📸 Canon R5M2 & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

📍Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, South Africa

Chacma baboon, also known as a Cape baboon, photographed at the Marataba Mountain Lodge. The baboon’s position inspired a low-key processing approach, and I love the result..

🐒 Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus)

📸 Canon R5M2 & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

📍Marataba Game Reserve, South Africa

This photo features a lynx standing alert in a misty forest clearing. The lynx’s thick, tawny fur, speckled with dark spots, glows softly under the overcast morning light, its tufted ears perked. Its piercing amber eyes gaze intently ahead, framed by a subtle facial ruff. The background is a gentle blur of pine trees and green foliage, the mist lending an ethereal quality that enhances the wild, majestic presence of this elusive feline in its natural habitat.

A young Lynx male from our trip to Northern Sweden. Isn’t he gorgeous?

🐈 European Lynx (Lynx lynx)

📸 Canon R5M2 & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

📍Järvsö, Sweden

This photo of a male cheetah on patrol didn’t get much attention online, but I love it for the memories it brings back. The image itself is unremarkable, but that morning was unforgettable: golden light poured over the savanna, the sky was blue, and distant bird calls filled the air. We spent over an hour following three cheetah brothers on foot, which was no small task since cheetahs move so quickly!

🐈 Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

📸 Canon R5M2 & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

📍Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, South Africa

This year’s Halloween card, I love it!

🐿 Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

📸 Canon R5 & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

📍Lidingö, Sweden

A striking portrait of a female Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx), captured in a snowy environment. The lynx's face is prominently featured, showcasing its thick, spotted fur in shades of brown and gray, with tufted ears and piercing yellow eyes that exude a wild intensity. Light snowflakes are falling around it, adding to the wintry atmosphere, while the soft, blurred white background enhances the focus on the lynx's detailed facial features and expression.

Another lynx photo, this time from our February trip to Northern Sweden.

🐈 European Lynx (Lynx lynx)

📸 Canon R5M2 & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

📍Järvsö, Sweden

A red squirrel with a silver party hat on and holding a champagne glass in its paw

I hope you enjoyed looking at the photos. Here’s to more, better images to come in 2026! Cheers!

I wish you a very, very Happy New Year! Gott Nytt År as we say in Swedish.

Click here to see all my favorite photos during the years.

Mihaela Limberea

Post series: Favorite Photos

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