Kangaroo Island Archives - Mihaela Limberea

Shortlisted for the 2025 Pangolin Photo Challenge

7th March 2026 Mihaela Limberea

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Two boxing Kangaroo Island kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus), silhouetted against a warm, golden-orange background during sunset.

Some news made my day last week, and I could not wait to share it with you.

My photo of two boxing Kangaroo Island kangaroos at sunset has been shortlisted for the grand prize in the 2025 Pangolin Photo Challenge, in the “Out of Africa” category.

Yes — Australian kangaroos in an “Out of Africa” category. I love that. Pangolin is a safari company based in Africa, and the “Out of Africa” category is precisely for wildlife from the rest of the world. It is their way of saying that wild and beautiful exists everywhere, not only on the savanna. I could not agree more.

I took this photo on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, during the golden hour just before sunset. The light that evening was extraordinary — thick and amber, turning everything it touched into fire. Two young males were sparring in the long dry grass, completely absorbed in each other, and I remember thinking: do not move, do not breathe, just let it happen.The backlight caught the fine fur along their silhouettes and the dust rising from the ground, and for a few seconds the whole scene became something closer to a painting than a photograph. This is one of my favourite images from that trip, and honestly, one of my favourites ever.

The kangaroos are Kangaroo Island kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus), a subspecies of the Western Grey Kangaroo found only on Kangaroo Island. Centuries of isolation from the mainland have made them distinctly their own: shorter, darker, with a richness of fur that the mainland populations do not have. And considerably cuter, in my entirely unbiased opinion.

The Pangolin Photo Challenge draws entries from photographers around the world, and the standard is genuinely high. To be shortlisted for the grand prize is both humbling and quietly thrilling — the kind of news you read twice before you believe it.

Thank you to everyone who has followed this journey and supported my work. It means more than I can say. I hope this photo does what I always hope my wildlife images will do: make you stop for a moment, look at these animals, and feel something worth holding onto.

Love my work? Support my journey by buying me a coffee or sharing it on your preferred social network. And don’t forget to swing by my online shop to check out my latest prints and gifts. Thank you 🙏 !

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 44 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.

Favorite Photos: March 2025

3rd April 2025 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Birds Favorite Photos Fur Seal Kangaroo Kangaroo Island Seal Siskin Squirrel

This is post 30 of 44 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 ❤️

Pangolin Photo Challenge: Good News!

3rd March 2025 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Kangaroo Kangaroo Island

I’m thrilled to announce that my photo of these boxing young Kangaroo Island kangaroos was a finalist in the 2024 Pangolin Wildlife Photography Challenge‘s “Out of Africa” category.

I captured this photo while on a trip to Kangaroo Island, a beautiful and unique place in South Australia. It is one of my absolute favorite photos of the year, and it’s an honor to have it recognized among so many beautiful entries.

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!

I’m thrilled to have made it among the finalists. There were so many talented photographers and beautiful photos submitted. I’m honored to be included among them. Thanks to everyone who supported me!

I hope this photo helps remind people of how important it is to protect and preserve our wildlife and helps to raise awareness and appreciation for these amazing animals. Every animal has a unique story and deserves to be appreciated and respected.

My 2023 Favorite Photos
My 2024 Favorite Photos

Favorite Photos: January 2025

6th February 2025 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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

This is post 28 of 44 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.

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

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

My 2024 Favorite Photos

16th December 2024 Mihaela Limberea

Photography

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Elephant Favorite Photos Kangaroo Kangaroo Island Lapalala Lidingö Lion Marataba Sea Lion Seal Bay Squirrel Woodpecker Zebra

This is post 26 of 44 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s natural to reflect on the past year. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Unwavering Gaze: this is my absolute favorite photo this year, by far.

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.

🦁Lion (Panthera leo)

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

📍Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, South Africa

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

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 😅.

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

📍Kangaroo Island, South Australia

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

A zebra walks leisurely ahead of its harem in the Marataba Game Reserve, South Africa. In zoology, a harem is a group of zebras consisting of one stallion, several mares, and their offspring. I love that soft morning light.

🦓Zebra (Equus quagga)

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

📍Marataba Game Reserve, South Africa

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.

🦘Kangaroo Island Kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus)

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

📍Kangaroo Island, South Australia

I had a wonderful time watching this young Australian sea lion carefully inspect every stone, stick, and shell on the beach at Seal Bay. It was a beautiful display of innocence and curiosity. Kids, whether human or animal, are always curious! 😍

🦭Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea)

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

📍Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Moments like these are why I love wildlife photography, even more so when knowing how few of these animals are left in the world.

Unique to South and Western Australia, Australian sea lions are one of the rarest animals in the world, with a total population of around 6.500. Australian sea lions are on the endangered species list today, having been hunted to near extension in the 19th century.

🦭Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea)

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

📍Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

African elephant photographed in Marataba Game Reserve, 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!

🐘African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana)

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

📍Marataba Game Reserve, South Africa

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)

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

📍Lidingö, Stockholm (Sweden)

This is how you pose 👌! When I took this photo in June, I was confident this would be one of my favorite images of the year. A quick glance at the back of the camera confirmed it.

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 red squirrel digs through the snow in search of hidden nuts. Squirrels have an excellent sense of smell and can detect food buried under 30 centimeters (one foot) of snow!

🐿 Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

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

📍Lidingö, Sweden

I hope you enjoyed looking at the photos. Here’s to more, better images to come in 2025! Cheers!

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

Favorite Photos: October 2024

1st November 2024 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Birds Favorite Photos Kangaroo Kangaroo Island Sheep Squirrel Woodpecker

This is post 24 of 44 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

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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It’s World Kangaroo Day!

24th October 2024 Mihaela Limberea

Wildlife

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Kangaroo Kangaroo Island

Happy World 🦘Kangaroo Day!

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

📍Kangaroo Island, South Australia

🦘Kangaroo Island Kangaroo Joey (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus)

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Favorite Photos: September 2024

1st October 2024 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Birds Favorite Photos Kangaroo Island Squirrel

This is post 23 of 44 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 Favorite Photos Kangaroo Kangaroo Island Koala Marakele Marataba Safari Sea Lion Seal Bay South Africa South Australia Squirrels

This is post 22 of 44 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.

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.

If you liked this post, share it on your preferred social network or forward it to a friend.

Mihaela Limberea

Tag: Kangaroo Island

Shortlisted for the 2025 Pangolin Photo Challenge

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