Favorite Photos Archives - Mihaela Limberea

Favorite Photos: May 2026

4th June 2026 Mihaela Limberea

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This is post 45 of 45 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.

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Favorite Photos: April 2026

8th May 2026 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Butterfly Echinacea purpurea Giraffe Grebe Waterlily

This is post 44 of 45 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 45 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 45 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 45 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 45 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 45 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.

Favorite Photos: November 2025

2nd December 2025 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Favorite Photos Kangaroo Squirrel

This is post 38 of 45 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

This photo freezes two feisty kangaroos in a classic boxing match, their paws locked in a cheeky spar as they balance on powerful tails against a sun-kissed, dusty arena. The golden-hour light bathes their tawny fur in a warm glow, highlighting every whisker and muscle ripple, while the blurred backdrop of eucalyptus and grass melts into a dreamy bokeh, keeping all eyes on the action.

Voulez-vous danser? Two young Kangaroo Island kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus) sparring at sunset. As soon as I saw this photo, I knew what the caption would be. They were learning to fight, but, for a moment, they seemed to dance. A wonderful moment, frozen in time, that I will always cherish.

I photographed them on Kangaroo Island (South Australia), on one of our many trips there. I still have so many photos to process from those trips. An another trip is planned 🤭 more to come soon.

This image features a charming red squirrel baby nestled amongst soft green foliage, creating a serene and natural scene.The central focus is a small red squirrel, distinguished by its vibrant, reddish-orange fur that covers most of its body. Its fur appears incredibly soft and fluffy, especially noticeable on its back and its prominent, bushy tail. The tail, which is a rich red-orange, curves upwards and slightly over its back, adding to its characteristic silhouette.The squirrel's head is delicate, with small, pointed ears that blend into its reddish fur. Its most striking feature is its large, round, and very dark eyes, which are almost black, providing a stark contrast to its lighter face. A tiny, bright catchlight is visible in each eye, giving them a lively and alert appearance. Fine, dark whiskers extend from its snout. Its nose is small and dark, and its mouth is slightly open, revealing a glimpse of its tongue or pinkish inner mouth. Its underside, particularly around its chest and chin, appears to have lighter, almost cream-colored fur, creating a subtle gradient.

The image features a red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) perched atop a moss-covered log. The squirrel is facing to the right, with a curious and alert expression. The background is a soft, blurred green, which helps to isolate and highlight the squirrel as the main subject.

This image is a beautifully captured, striking close-up portrait of a red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), focusing intently on its face and upper body. The central and dominant subject is a red squirrel, identifiable by its reddish-brown fur and prominent ear tufts. It is positioned directly facing the viewer, creating a highly engaging and intimate connection. The squirrel is alert and appears to be in a curious or observant state. Its body is slightly hunched forward, and its front paws are visible, gripping onto the green foliage beneath it. Its gaze is direct and piercing, with bright, dark eyes that reflect a hint of light, suggesting good illumination.

This photo features a red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) delicately licking its paw in a sunlit forest clearing. The squirrel’s rich reddish-brown fur shimmers as the morning light filters through the pine trees, highlighting the glossy texture of its coat and the tiny droplets of dew clinging to its bushy tail. Its bright black eyes are focused on its paw, which it holds up with precision, its small tongue visible as it grooms itself. The background is a soft blur of green moss and fern-covered ground, with the gentle mist adding a dreamy quality that frames this charming moment of woodland self-care.

Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) photographed in my garden or in the woods near our house. I can’t get enough of squirrels!

November in Sweden is so dark that I barely took any photos. Besides the lack of daylight, I also spent much of the month preparing the garden for winter. I was also busy planning my upcoming trip to Australia. Getting ready for several weeks in Australia takes a lot of effort, and organizing everything from Sweden isn’t easy.

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

Favorite Photos: October 2025

6th November 2025 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Favorite Photos Macro Squirrel

This is post 37 of 45 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

This macro photo showcases a close-up of grass blades adorned with glistening water drops in the morning sun. The delicate green blades, tipped with tiny, crystal-clear droplets, sparkle with a rainbow-like sheen as the early light refracts through them, highlighting their fine texture and subtle veins. Each drop magnifies the grass beneath, creating miniature worlds of refracted color, while the sunlight casts soft shadows that add depth. The background is a creamy blur of out-of-focus greenery, the gentle mist enhancing the ethereal glow and drawing attention to the intricate beauty of this dewy, sun-kissed scene.

I took this macro photo of grass blades covered in sparkling water drops in the morning sun at the small lake near our house. This is the same place where I had photographed the four-spotted chaser and the ruddy darters before.

In fact, I was waiting for the dragonflies to start flying since they weren’t out yet when I arrived at the lake, and amused myself by taking a few macro shots (always optimizing my time, he, he!).

This photo features a red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) standing proudly on a tree stump in a forest clearing. The squirrel’s rich reddish-brown fur glows under the midday sunlight filtering through the pine canopy, its bushy tail held high as it balances on the yree stump. Its bright black eyes sparkle with curiosity, and its whiskers catch the light, adding a delicate detail to its poised stance. The background is a soft blur of green ferns and shadowy tree trunks, with a hint of mist lending a serene, magical ambiance to this charming woodland scene.

The little acrobat 😍 a red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) balancing elegantely on a tree stump. As colder weather sets in and days grow shorter, squirrels are returning to our garden to seek nuts and seeds from the bird feeders.

This photo features a red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) curiously interacting with a striped orange pumpkin in a grassy clearing. The squirrel, with its vibrant reddish-brown fur and bushy tail held high, stands on its hind legs, extending a tiny paw toward the pumpkin as if inspecting or claiming it, its bright black eyes wide with intrigue. The pumpkin's textured, tiger-striped skin contrasts with the squirrel's fluffy coat, and the soft morning light casts a gentle glow, highlighting the dew on the grass. The background is a dreamy blur of green and orange foliage, adding a whimsical, autumnal charm to this enchanting woodland encounter.

Even the squirrels were preparing for Halloween 😉!

The image captures a red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) clinging to the side of a tree. The squirrel, with its reddish-brown fur and bushy tail, is positioned on the right side of the tree trunk, climbing the tree with a mushroom in its mouth. The tree trunk is rugged and covered in lichen, adding texture to the composition. The background is a soft, blurred green, hinting at foliage and a forest setting. The lighting is soft and diffused, highlighting the squirrel's fur and the details of the tree bark.

Another squirrel, photographed during our trip in Northern Sweden, on the same day I photographed the lynx. It had found a mushroom and was running up the tree with its prize.

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

Favorite Photos: September 2025

9th October 2025 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Butterfly Cheetah Dragonfly Favorite Photos Insects Ladybug Lynx Safari South Africa Stewart Wood Sweden

This is post 36 of 45 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

The photo features 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 (Sympetrum sanguineum) that I photographed at the small lake near our house, the same spot where I had photographed the four-spotted chaser last month.

These darters are small dragonflies native to Europe and parts of Asia, renowned for the males’ striking red abdomen that intensifies with age, making them a vivid sight in late summer. This dragonfly is a common species in Sweden, especially in the southern part of the country.

Trying to photograph dragonflies in flight for the first time was challenging but rewarding. The thrill came from capturing those few “perfect” moments, making the effort worthwhile.

Dragonflies in flight are difficult to capture due to their speed and unpredictable movement. I discovered that holding down the shutter once in focus increases your chances of sharp, well-composed shots, even if it means taking hundreds of photos to get a few great ones.

Use the same settings as for small birds: animal tracking with a high shutter speed (at least 1/2.500 or 1/4.000 in good light). Animal tracking works incredibly well, especially on a clean background such as the sky or the water.

My gear and settings for this photo:

Canon R5 Mark II & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM @500mm

Aperture = f8 Shutter Speed = 1/4.000 ISO = Auto ISO (3.200 for this photo)

Drive = High Speed Continous

Steward Wood has a very good video about photographing flying dragonflies, I watched it just before I went out to the lake and it was very helpful, I recommend it if you want to try your hand at flying bugs.

Common blue males typically have wings that are blue above, with a black-brown border and a white fringe, similar to the one in my photo. The females are usually brown above with a blue dusting and orange spots.

These butterflies drink nectar from plants like clovers and bird’s-foot trefoil. Their caterpillars eat leguminous plants and even team up with ants for protection. The adults only live about three weeks, and the males often chase each other around to defend their territory.

This photo features a ladybug perched delicately on an Echinacea purpurea var. Magnus flower. The ladybug’s vibrant red wings, dotted with black spots, stand out against the flower’s large, pink-purple petals and coppery-orange center, which are kissed by the afternoon light filtering through a gentle mist. The insect’s tiny legs grip the velvety petal, and its glossy shell reflects the soft glow, adding a touch of brilliance. The background is a soft blur of green foliage and other blooms, enhancing the serene and detailed beauty of this charming garden scene.

A ladybug perched delicately on an Echinacea purpurea var. Magnus flower – another photo from my garden.

Am I done with the safari photos? Not at all! But there’s too much of a good thing, you know. I needed a break from the hundreds of safari photos, to be honest. And the garden is so beautiful, I was aching to be out and look for butterflies, bumblebees, and ladybugs!

The 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, while its powerful legs are poised on the damp mossy ground. 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 close-up photo of 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.

A young European Lynx (Lynx lynx) male from our recent trip to Northern Sweden. I just finished culling those photos, so I haven’t processed many of them yet. However, I started working on this handsome fellow right away. I loved those eyes gazing right at you and wanted to begin working on the photo immediately.

Can you believe I shot this at ISO 10,000? It was late afternoon in the forest. The light was fading, and he was in the shade. The widest aperture on my Canon RF100-500mm lens is f/7.1, so to capture more light, I often have to use high ISOs. If the animal is not moving much, I’d lower the shutter speed a lot (think 1/100 or 1/200). However, this guy was moving too much, so my shutter speed was 1/640s. A noisy photo (grainy due to high ISO) is always preferable to a blurry one.

He stood like this for only a few seconds while I took my safety shots, then vanished before I could lower the shutter speed much more. In these cases, exposing to the right (ETTR) is key. ETTR refers to intentionally making an image brighter by adjusting exposure so that the histogram leans more toward the right side (the highlights), which helps retain more image data. Noise, or visual grain from high ISO, tends to be more visible in the darker areas of a photo, and it’s much easier to remove grain from a bright image than a dark one.

I used Lightroom Classic to reduce the noise in the image, and I think it looks pretty good. For the worst cases of noise, I usually use Topaz.

A male cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) patrolling its territory in the soft morning light, together with its two brothers (not in this photo). I was lucky enough to follow the three cheetah brothers on foot for over an hour in the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve. That was no mean feat as it did require some cardio; cheetahs move fast, even when “only” walking.

Cheetah males form coalitions (usually of 2-3 littermate brothers) to establish and defend small territories (15-50 square miles/39-130 km²) within prey-rich areas. Living in coalitions rather than solitude enhances survival and mating success. In contrast, females range over much larger, nomadic territories, spanning up to 300 square miles (800 km²). Patrols by males involve daily circuits (6-11 km at 2.5-3.8 km/h) to monitor territory for intruders, prey, and potential mates.

During patrols, males mark boundaries at least once per hour using urine sprays, defecation, or cheek/chin rubbing, which conveys chemical signals about their identity and status; they revisit these sites frequently to reinforce claims. Vocalizations, such as high-pitched chirps, purrs, or growls, along with visual displays, help communicate and deter rivals. However, conflicts can escalate into fights over access to females or resources, sometimes resulting in injury or death. Coalitions rarely venture far from their core area except briefly to seek estrus females, prioritizing defense over expansion.

Young males leave their mother at 15-24 months and spend years as ‘floaters’ (roaming vast areas up to 1,600 km²) before gaining a territory, often as adults. This queuing strategy, combined with eventual coalition patrols, improves their chances against established groups. Patrols secure breeding rights and facilitate cooperative hunting, highlighting the cheetah’s distinctive, coalition-based social structure amid their decreasing wild population (~7,100).

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

Mihaela Limberea

Post series: Favorite Photos

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