Favorite Photos Archives - Mihaela Limberea

Favorite Photos: March 2025

3rd April 2025 Mihaela Limberea

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This is post 27 of 27 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

Long-nosed Fur Seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) — *Long-nosed Fur Seals (Arctocephalus forsteri)* *at Admiral’s Arch, Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia*

March was a month of ups and downs for me. My husband and I fled the dull weather in Sweden and spent a week in Florence, seeing the sights and enjoying the sun. Add some health problems, and March was gone in a blink of an eye.

Despite the whirlwind of travels and hospital visits, I made it a point to continue editing photos from my Kangaroo Island trip in November and December. First out are these fighting fur seal males at Admiral’s Arch in Flinders Chase National Park.

We spent two hours watching the fur seals all alone (a benefit of waking up early, no other tourists to be seen at 7am) and we enjoyed every moment. We were fortunate because the seals were quite active; the pups were playing, while the males were fighting. Most of the time, however, they sleep, which doesn’t make interesting photos.

*Kangaroo Island Kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus)*, *Kangaroo Island, South Australia*

A tender moment between mama kangaroo and her daughter, one of my favorite types of photos. I love watching and the capturing these moments of tenderness between parents and their young.

One of my favorite activities is observing animals in their natural habitats. Initially, they are cautious, as this is their instinct. However, as they become familiar with my presence and recognize that I pose no threat, they relax and go about their business. I love these moments; sitting still for hours, watching them regardless of the weather is no hardship.

*Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus), Lidingö (Sweden)*

A siskin from a few years ago. I still have so many photos I never edited, especially backyard birds. Some people turn their noses at them, looking for exotic animals and birds to photograph, but I love them all.

Having a wildlife garden is such a joy! Something happens every day: a woodpecker stealing hazelnuts from the squirrels’ stash, crows or badgers doing the same to the walnuts; jays and blackbirds bathing in one of the numerous bird baths; squirrels chasing each other up and the down the old oak; tree sparrows chattering in the bushes; or roe deer raiding the flower beds.

Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) hiding hazelnuts in the snow — *A red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) hiding hazelnuts in the snow*, *Lidingö (Sweden)*

And a squirrel because I love squirrels ❤️

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Favorite Photos: February 2025

3rd March 2025 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Lapalala Lion Lynx Red Squirrel

This is post 26 of 27 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

*European Lynx (Lynx lynx)*, *Northern* *Sweden*

*European Lynx (Lynx lynx), Northern Sweden*

February has been a tough month: dark and gloomy, with a few snowflakes here and there. We took a quick trip to Northern Sweden in search of some sun and snow, as well as some wildlife photography opportunities. 😁 I haven’t had a chance to process many images from that trip yet; I just finished culling them, but I couldn’t wait to share these two photos of a beautiful female lynx. Isn’t she stunning? I’m looking forward to sharing more photos from the trip soon!

*Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), Lidingö, Sweden*

*Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), Lidingö, Sweden*

Here are a couple of squirrel photos from two years ago. As I mentioned earlier, we haven’t seen much snow this year. I was hoping to capture some “squirrels in the snow” photos, but I haven’t had any luck so far. There’s still a chance for snow, of course, but I’m tired of winter now and honestly don’t want any more snow. I’m ready for spring! How is the season treating you?

*Lion (Panthera leo)*, *Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, South Africa*

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.

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Favorite Photos: January 2025

6th February 2025 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Birds Glossy Black-Cockatoo Goldfinch Grebe Honeyeater Kangaroo Kangaroo Island Koala Llama Squirrel Sulphur-crested cockatoo

This is post 25 of 27 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

*New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, South Australia*

As expected, most of the photos I edited in January were from my trip to Kangaroo Island in November and December.

I photographed this New Holland Honeyeater in one of the most unexpected places: the parking lot of a gas station in Kingscote. As you may have seen in my stories, we had to go to Kingscote to fix a flat tire. The inconvenience of the tire business was quickly overshadowed by the joy of capturing many beautiful bird photos that morning.

A parking lot is one of the most unexpectedly good locations for photographing birds. Birds, accustomed to humans, allow for a closer interaction than in the wild. The same goes, in fact, for any public space, be it a park, a botanical garden, or even a gas station.

*Australasian grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)*, *Kangaroo Island, South Australia*

I was up at five a.m. and driving to the lake well before sunrise, concealing myself in the bushes and waiting for the sun to rise. I was hoping to photograph cockatoos or kangaroos drinking, but I had no luck that day. However, that golden light makes everything look good, doesn’t it?

For a few minutes, the lake was transformed into a scene of pure magic, bathed in molten gold. Its water mirrored the orange earth and the rising sun, creating a breathtaking, almost otherworldly experience.

And just like that, in a matter of minutes, the golden spectacle was gone, leaving only memories and the promise of another day.

I love this photo of the two kangaroos at sunset. They were far away, and the light was fading fast. Realizing I wouldn’t have enough time to get closer, I made a conscious decision to go for a minimalistic look.

This has become one of my favorite photos from that day, and I’m happy I couldn’t get closer. I love the negative space and the silhouettes of the kangaroos, so small in the vastness of that field.

*Llama portrait, Kangaroo Island, South Australia*

Take a right here, mate!

One of my friends on Kangaroo Island looks after many rescue animals, including six llamas. The llamas, retired from wool production, enjoy a good life on my friend’s property. They have strong personalities, and watching their shenanigans was such a joy!

This is one of the handsome boys I enjoyed photographing that day.

*Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)*, *Kangaroo Island, South Australia*

I don’t think I’ve seen so many koalas in the wild on any previous trip to Australia. I just realized that when my Instagram stories featured at least one koala video a day; I feel truly blessed to have seen so many of the fluffy cuties. I hope this photo brought you as much joy as it did to me, and I hope to continue spreading happiness through my experiences ❤️.

*Sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita),* *Kangaroo Island, South Australia*

Here is another parking lot photo. I told you they are good spots for getting closer to wildlife! This is the same gas station in Kingscote as in the honeyeater photo.

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.

*European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), Lidingö, Sweden*

You know what they say about too many good things … as much as I loved editing photos from my Australia trip, it became too much after a while. I never thought I’d say that, but there you are!

I was looking for a winter photo when I came across this goldfinch image from a couple of years ago, and it was exactly what I needed. With no snow in sight and the days still dark, a wintery scene with a light edit was just the inspiration I was looking for.

And finally, here is a squirrel photo for your enjoyment!

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Favorite Photos: December 2024

9th January 2025 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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This is post 24 of 27 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

December was a whirlwind as I traveled to Australia for the second time this year, and more photos from this trip are coming soon! I returned just in time for the festive season and have hardly processed any photos since.

I took this photo at Stokes Bay, one of my favorite spots on Kangaroo Island for bird photography, and processed it quickly as I loved the pose.

Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

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

📍Stokes Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

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Favorite Photos: November 2024

1st December 2024 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Lapalala Lion Zebra

This is post 23 of 27 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

Unwavering gaze. I photographed this four-year-old lion in the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve a few months ago, and it is possibly the most beautiful lion I’ve ever seen. Being just a few meters away from this magnificent animal as it looked at me sent shivers down my spine. I still feel that thrill whenever I look at the photo.

This is one of my top favorite photos this year, likely one of the 2024 top ten. Maybe THE 2024 favorite? We’ll see, we’ll see … only a few weeks to go.

🦁Lion (Panthera leo)

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

📍Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, South Africa

Same lion, now in color. It’s interesting how some photos can look better in black-and-white, as is the case with this lion …

… or in color, as it’s the case with this zebra.

Did you know that a zebra’s stripe pattern is as unique as human fingerprints? Scientists believe that this helps zebras recognize each other. The stripes also aid in camouflage, making it more difficult for predators to distinguish individual zebras by obscuring their silhouettes.

🦓Zebra (Equus quagga)

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

📍Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, South Africa

Same zebra, now in black-and-white. It’s an OK photo, but I think I like the color version better.

Circle of life in the Lapalala Wilderness. After feasting on the remains of a roan antelope, a young lion scans its surroundings; truly a sight to behold.

(And, truth to be told, a bit nerve-wracking, standing just a few meters from the lion. “Not interested in your antelope, sir, I’m a vegetarian”!)

🦁Lion (Panthera leo)

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

📍Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, South Africa

All photos were taken with Canon EOS R5 and Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM.

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Favorite Photos: October 2024

1st November 2024 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Birds Kangaroo Kangaroo Island Sheep Squirrel Woodpecker

This is post 22 of 27 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

Boxing practice: two young kangaroos sparring at sunset. This is how they learn to fight: first with their mother and then with other young males. As they grow, sparring with other males helps them establish their position within the mob. With experience, the sparring sessions become longer and more intense.

Kangaroos use their sharp claws, strong back legs, and muscular tails —capable of supporting their entire body weight — to deliver powerful kicks that could disembowel a human.

However, these youngsters were only playing and started grooming each other shortly afterward.

This is one of my absolute favorite photos from 2024, but the year isn’t over yet, so we will see which one wins in the end.

🦘Kangaroo Island Kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus)

📍Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Grazing sheep silhouettes in the golden light

Sometimes, simple is best—just a few grazing sheep and the beauty of the rising sun. There’s something about that golden light that makes everything—sheep butts included—look fabulous!

We were on our way to Seal Bay for a 7am appointment with the research team when we came across these sheep grazing peacefully as the sun rose. Everything was bathed in gold; it was breathtaking.

Unfortunately, we were in a hurry and couldn’t afford to stop for too long. I literally jumped out of the car and quickly took a few photos, hoping some would be good enough 😅.

📍Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Did you know that woodpeckers store seeds, berries, and acorns in the hollows of trees to prepare for the winter? In late autumn, these resourceful birds not only stash food for the colder months but also occasionally utilize these tree hollows as shelter for resting.

Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)

📍Lidingö, Stockholm (Sweden)

Another hoarder 😉 squirrels are, of course, known for squirreling (pun intended) food to prepare for the cold season. They stopped a few moments between supply runs to pose for the 2024 Halloween cards, though.

Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

📍Lidingö, Stockholm (Sweden)

All photos were taken with Canon EOS R5 and Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM.

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Favorite Photos: September 2024

1st October 2024 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Birds Kangaroo Island Squirrel

This is post 21 of 27 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) licking its paw

Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). That tiny pink tongue 😍.

Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) posing in a lilac bush holding a lute

The original photo was a bit meh so I played around in Photoshop and voilà! The little musician ❤️.

Close-up of an Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

The Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) has the longest bill of any living bird, the record one measuring 50 cm (1.6 ft)! However, females tend to have smaller bills than males.

📍Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

All photos were taken with Canon EOS R5 and Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM.

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Favorite Photos: August 2024

5th September 2024 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Australia Elephant Kangaroo Kangaroo Island Koala Marakele Marataba Safari Sea Lion Seal Bay South Africa South Australia Squirrels

This is post 20 of 27 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). This is one of my top favorite photos this year, likely one of the 2024 top ten.

Morning grooming routine 🤭. Kangaroo Island kangaroos, a subspecies of the Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus), photographed at the wildlife sanctuary created by Ecopia Retreat on Kangaroo Island.

Morning traffic, Marataba Marakele, South Africa.

A kangaroo joey tenderly grooms her mother ❤️. I photographed this cute pair at the wildlife sanctuary created by Ecopia Retreat on Kangaroo Island.

The kangaroos in the photo are Kangaroo Island kangaroos, a subspecies of the Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus). Because of their long period of isolation from mainland Australia, the KI kangaroos are pretty different from the Western Grey kangaroos. They’re shorter, darker, and much cuter if you ask me!

That Monday morning feeling 😵‍💫. Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) photographed somewhere in the Middle River area on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

Moments like these are why I love wildlife photography 😍. Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) photographed during a guided research tour at the Seal Bay Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island.

All photos were taken with Canon EOS R5 and Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM.

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Favorite Photos: July 2024

2nd August 2024 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Africa Elephant Hornbill Marakele Marataba Safari South Africa Zebra

This is post 19 of 27 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

I didn’t do much photo processing this month, what with summer vacations, gardening, and the Olympics.

African elephant photographed in Marataba Marakele, South Africa. Many people commented on the elephant’s long lashes on Instagram, but most missed just how long they really were. Take another look. Yes, they are long and thick near the eye, but if you look closer, you’ll see that they are even longer than you think!

A zebra walking leisurely ahead of its harem in the Marakele National Park, South Africa

A zebra walks leisurely ahead of its harem in the Marakele National Park, South Africa. In zoology, a harem is a group of zebras consisting of one stallion, several mares, and their offspring.

Two Southern yellow-billed hornbills on a perch

Southern yellow-billed hornbills (Tockus leucomelas) are also called ‘flying bananas’ because of their huge bills. This bird’s bill is remarkably large in comparison to its body and can make up to 1/6th of its entire body length!

Interesting breeding behavior: Once a mating pair is established, they search for a nesting site, often in a tree facing northeast, and construct their nest using leaf litter and bark. The female enters the hole, seals it with her droppings, and leaves a small opening for the male to feed her while she tends to the eggs.

The female lays 3 or 4 eggs and incubates them for 25 days without leaving the nest. During this time, she sheds all her flight and tail feathers, becoming reliant on the male and vulnerable if he is absent or harmed. While in the nest, her feathers regrow, and she emerges with new plumage when the oldest chick is about 3 weeks old. Both parents take turns feeding the chicks for the next 6 weeks. When the chicks mature, hunger prompts them to break down the nest wall.

Stay tuned because I’m bursting with excitement to share more about this unforgettable adventure with all of you!

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Favorite Photos: June 2024

2nd July 2024 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Cheetah Elephant Giraffe Lapalala Lepogo Lion Marakele Marataba Noka Safari South Africa

This is post 18 of 27 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

The King.

As you may have seen from my Instagram stories, I went on a safari in South Africa, a truly awe-inspiring experience. We spent ten incredible days first in the Marakele National Park, Thabazimbi, and then in the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, where we were privileged to witness animals in their natural habitat, a sight that never ceased to amaze us.

A lion walking in the early morning light.

A lion strolling leisurely through the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve bathed in the gentle glow of the early morning light.

A lion resting in the early morning light.

Captivated by the serene beauty of the wilderness. Witnessing this majestic lion immersed in the soft morning light was truly an unforgettable experience.

Chasing giraffes and zebras! 🦒 Spotting giraffes in their natural habitat is always the highlight of any safari for me. I absolutely love animals with spots or stripes, so this was a dream come true. While some people rushed to look for the Big Five, I went after giraffes and zebras, LOL.

I captured this photo in Marakele National Park, Thabazimbi, our first stop. During our visit, we spent a few days at the Marataba Mountain Lodge, featuring only five suites and offering a breathtaking view of the nearby mountains. Situated in a privately managed area within Marakele National Park, the lodge is approximately a 3-hour and 30-minute drive from Johannesburg.

Imagine the thrill of spotting a young male cheetah on a beautiful golden afternoon while walking just a few meters behind him! It was just my husband, our experienced guide Brendan Vorster (IG: @brendans_wildlife), and me alone in the long grass; the quiet scene occasionally interrupted by the calls of birds and the sound of the wind rustling through the tree leaves. It was an unforgettable experience that we’ll always cherish.

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), the fastest land animal, can sprint at an astonishing 93 to 104 km/h (58 to 65 mph). Its body is uniquely designed for speed, with a slender build, long, thin legs, and a lengthy tail. The semi-retractable claws, a distinctive feature not found in other cats, play a crucial role in its remarkable speed.

Lapalala Wilderness Reserve was our second safari destination. We were incredibly fortunate to be accommodated at the Noka Camp, one of the renowned Lepogo Lodges. The five villas, perched on a striking 100-foot clifftop, not only offered awe-inspiring views over the Palala River but also provided a lavish and cozy stay. The lodge, a few hours’ drive from Johannesburg, is completely malaria-free, a key factor in our decision to choose it.

Brotherly love at its finest. These two cheetah brothers always have each other’s backs.

Double trouble. Two young cheetah brothers walk gracefully in the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve on a golden afternoon, the epitome of grace and speed. They moved effortlessly at a seemingly slow pace, yet we could barely keep up with them.

Mesmerized by the gentle strength and protective nature of this beautiful female elephant with her adorable baby following closely behind. 🐘💕

An elephant breeding herd in the breathtaking Marakele National Park, what an awesome sight! The mother in front was very protective of the baby, stirring up dust, flapping her ears, and trumpeting vigorously to keep us away.

Stay tuned, because I’m bursting with excitement to share more from this unforgettable adventure with all of you!

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Mihaela Limberea

Post series: Favorite Photos

Favorite Photos: March 2025

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Favorite Photos: February 2025

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Favorite Photos: December 2024

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