My favorite photos from April 2026

This is post 44 of 44 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.

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Mihaela Limberea

Favorite Photos: April 2026

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