Kangaroo Archives - Mihaela Limberea

Favorite Photos: September 2026

6th October 2026 Mihaela Limberea

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

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

Show all posts in this series

I processed so many safari photos last month that I took a break and switched to a couple of images from Australia for a while.

A koala rests comfortably in the branches of a eucalyptus tree on Kangaroo Island. — *A koala resting comfortably in the branches of a eucalyptus tree on Kangaroo Island, South Australia*

This is one of my favorite images from my last Australia trip: a koala posing for the camera. Koalas have to be one of the easiest animals to photograph (they don’t move much) but getting a good photo isn’t easy (they sleep most of the time). This one was right where I found him, in a eucalyptus fork on Kangaroo Island. He didn’t move and didn’t seem bothered by me. Since koalas sleep up to 20 hours a day, most of the time you end up a very convincing furry ornament.

Then, for a few seconds, he tilted his head back and cracked one eye open, and the whole picture changed: something that actually looked like a reaction, even if it was probably just annoyed by the light.

*A Kangaroo Island Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus) leaps through a sun-drenched meadow on Kangaroo Island.*

This isn’t a masterpiece, but I love it for the memories it brings back: sun-drenched fields dotted with kangaroos, tall gum trees, and spiky shapes of grass trees in the background.

We were staying at Ecopia Retreat on Kangaroo Island, and I went outside to check the light. (Camera in hand, of course. You never know what might happen, as this moment shows.) Next thing I knew, a Kangaroo Island kangaroo hopped across the grass just a few steps from our door, a sprig of something green still in its mouth.

It’s a good reminder that wildlife photography isn’t always about the chase. Sometimes it’s about being unhurried in the right place when something decides to walk, or in this case, hop, right past you.

Capturing a moment like this is mostly reflexes and a bit of luck: the light has to be right, the animal has to cooperate, and you have to be quick. I would have preferred the kangaroo to hop towards me, not away from me, but I still love this.When I look at it, I am instantly back on Kangaroo Island. That feeling is exactly what I hope for in a photo.

*A majestic Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) stands bathed in the warm, golden light of a sunset.*

Now we’re back in Africa! We spent a whole afternoon looking for black rhinos, and we finally spotted a rhino mother with her young calf. Black rhinos don’t have the most amiable disposition among animals; you could almost say they’re a bit … well, mean. They have poor eyesight, so they tend to charge first and figure things out later. You definitely don’t want to get too close to a black rhino with her calf.

So we took a few photos from a distance and left, hoping we’d find anything else soon as the light had started to fade. And, as luck would have it, we found two white rhinos standing placidly in that golden light. This is one of them, not as camera-shy as the other. The air was full of dust from the day’s heat, and the sunlight made everything—grass, animals, the whole scene—glow with a warm amber color. That golden light really makes anything look beautiful.

They stood there for a good minute, ears forward, sizing up the vehicle, before deciding we weren’t worth the trouble and going back to browsing.

Two young African bush elephants (Loxodonta africana) playfully interact at dusk in Madikwe Game Reserve. — *Two young African bush elephants (Loxodonta africana) playing*, *Madikwe Game Reserve.*

Trunk to trunk at dusk in Madikwe. These two kept me entertained for a good while at Madikwe Game Reserve. (I love watching elephants!). Two young elephants, both dusted red from rolling in the soil, and clearly in the mood for a wrestling match. The smaller one grabbed its mate’s trunk, raised a front leg for extra leverage, and pulled with everything it had. The older one barely reacted; you can see it still has grass hanging from its mouth, chewing through the whole thing.

I love these moments because they’re so recognizable. Anyone who has watched siblings, puppies, or kids at a playground knows this exact dynamic: one determined instigator, one tolerant target.

Two lionesses (Panthera leo) protectively stand guard over their two young cubs amidst tall, dry grass in Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. — *Two lionesses (Panthera leo) protectively stand guard over their two young cubs amidst tall grass in Tswalu Kalahari Reserve.*

We spent a long stretch of a morning at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve following this pride (two lionesses and their eight cubs), through grass that came up nearly to the cubs’ shoulders. Then, all at once, the mothers and two of the cubs stopped and turned toward the vehicle at the same moment. That moment lasted seconds, and then they vanished in the tall grass. Fortune favors the prepared, as the saying goes, and I had the camera ready when they turned. I love this photo; it makes such an intimate family photo.

*A young lion cub (Panthera leo) sits alertly on a sandy path in the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve at dusk, with other cubs visible in the soft, diffused light of the nearly faded day.*

This little one stopped me in my tracks; it was literally sitting in the middle of a red sand road at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve while the rest of its pride moved through the grass around it. It was late in the afternoon, and the whole group (two adult males, two lionesses, and eight cubs between them) was starting to stir from their rest, heading out to hunt as the sky went soft and dim.

Lion cubs rarely stay still for long. This one gave me maybe two seconds of direct eye contact before turning to catch up with everyone else. I’ll take it.

📸 All photos were taken with Canon R5 Mark II & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM., except for the lion cub photo that was taken with Canon R5 & Canon RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM.

To view all my favorite photos archive, click here.

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How To Shoot and Edit Backlit Wildlife Photos

23rd July 2026 Mihaela Limberea

Photography

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Baboon Backlit Kangaroo Rhino Silhouette Zebra

This is the fourth of four posts about shooting and editing wildlife photos for different creative results on safari. We’ll look at high-key, low-key, black-and-white, backlit & silhouette. Each style offers a unique way to see and a different set of choices, both when you’re out in the field and when you’re editing. While I’m focusing on a South African safari, these ideas work anywhere you’re photographing wild animals.

I use Canon equipment for all my photos, but I’ve tried to avoid using brand-specific terms wherever possible. My main post-processing tools are Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, and my guide starts from there, but I kept the details general, and they would apply to most post-processing software.

Today, we’ll look at backlit & silhouette photos.

This photo freezes two feisty Kangaroo Island Kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus) in a classic boxing match, their paws locked in a cheeky spar as they balance on powerful tails against a sun-kissed, dusty arena. — *Two young kangaroos, Kangaroo Island, South Australia.* *The backlight does the diplomatic work here, softening the whole exchange into something that reads as tender even if it started as a shove.*

On almost every safari, there’s a moment near sunset when the vehicle stops, the guide turns off the engine, and everyone falls silent. The sun sits low in the sky, shining straight ahead. Whatever animal stands before you, maybe an impala, maybe a warthog, appears outlined by the light in a way that takes your breath away. The animal’s edges seem to glow. Behind it, the world looks like fire. In front, everything is in shadow.

At that moment, you need to make a quick decision.

The question isn’t whether to take the shot; you will. The real choice is what kind of image you want, because backlit wildlife scenes give you two very different creative options, each needing its own exposure approach. If you pick the wrong exposure, you’ll end up with the other type of image. Sometimes that’s fine, but usually it isn’t.

You have two options: a backlit portrait that keeps detail in the animal’s face, or a pure silhouette where the animal becomes a dark shape against a bright sky. Both are valid and striking. They start with the same scene (the animal, the low sun, the glowing sky), but split at the moment you choose your exposure.

This post explains how to do both.

What Backlight Does

Before talking about exposure, let’s look at the light itself. Backlighting, where the light source is behind the subject and facing the camera, does several things at once, some helpful, some not.

Backlighting creates rim light. The edges of the subject (like fur, feathers, thin ears, or a mane) are outlined by light passing through or around them. This rim is often the most beautiful part of a backlit photo. It separates the subject from the background with a glow that editing can’t fake if the light wasn’t there in the first place.

Backlighting also causes flare. When sunlight hits the front of your lens, it can lower contrast, shift colors, create ghosting, and soften your image, sometimes badly. Always use a lens hood in backlit situations, and keep your lens clean. These steps are essential.

Backlighting creates a big difference between the bright sky and the shadowed side of your subject, more than most cameras can handle without losing detail. You have to decide what to let go, and that’s what your exposure choice is about.

Zebra portrait (Equus quagga)) captured in warm, golden lighting during sunrise. The zebra's iconic black-and-white stripes are prominently displayed, with the pattern extending across its face, ears, and mane. The background is softly blurred, featuring earthy tones and hints of trees, creating a serene and natural setting. The zebra's expression is calm, with its eyes and ears alert, adding to the peaceful mood of the image. — Backlighting does something ordinary daylight can’t: it turns stripes into something almost architectural. The mane catches first, then the ears, then a thin gold line along the jaw. Everything else stays exactly as striped and stubborn as it should.

The Backlit Portrait: Retaining Subject Detail

Getting a backlit portrait that keeps detail in the subject is harder. You’re asking your camera to capture both the bright rim light and the much darker front of the animal at the same time, which is tough for most sensors.

Use Manual mode. If you rely on automatic metering in backlit scenes, the camera will expose for the bright sky and your subject will be too dark. Take control of your settings.

Spot-meter the shadow side of the subject’s face, the part facing you that only gets reflected or ambient light. This is what you want to expose for. Set your exposure so this area looks right, and accept that the sky and rim light will be overexposed. The sky will blow out, and the rim light may clip at the edges. That’s the right trade-off.

Use ETTR (Expose To The Right) based on your shadow-side reading; raise the exposure as much as you can without losing detail in the subject’s face. Watch your camera’s highlight warning and make sure it only shows in the sky or background, not on the subject. If the subject’s face blinks, lower the exposure until it stops.

Here’s a helpful tip: most new mirrorless cameras have a real-time highlight alert in the viewfinder, like a zebra pattern, that shows which areas are overexposed as you shoot. In backlit situations, this is more useful than checking the histogram later, since the light changes fast and each shot is a bit different.

When editing, focus on recovering shadows on the subject’s face. RAW files from modern mirrorless cameras hold more shadow detail than you might expect from the LCD preview. Pull the Highlights slider back a lot, sometimes to -70 or -100, and raise the Shadows. Use Lightroom’s Subject mask to adjust the subject and background separately. The Dehaze slider, used gently, can bring back contrast lost to haze from backlighting.

For subjects with complex edges, like fine feathers or the hairs of a rim-lit mane, use Photoshop’s Select and Mask tool with the Refine Edge brush along those areas. This gives you more precision than Lightroom’s AI mask sometimes can. If an image is worth editing, it’s worth doing it right.

The Pure Silhouette: Letting the Subject Become a Shape

Silhouettes are easier to expose for, but harder to compose well.

Kangaroo Island Kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus)_This photo depicts two kangaroos standing side by side against a stunning sunset in the Australian outback. The kangaroos, with their muscular tails and reddish-brown fur, are silhouetted against a vibrant sky painted with hues of orange, pink, and deep purple as the sun dips below the horizon. The foreground features a scattering of dry grass and low shrubs, their details softened by the golden light, while the distant landscape fades into a hazy blend of earthy tones. The scene captures a serene moment, with the kangaroos’ upright postures adding a sense of calm majesty to the twilight ambiance. — *Kangaroos, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. No detail left to work with, and none needed. Two shapes on a horizon that’s doing all the emotional heavy lifting*.

Exposure is simple: meter for the background, not the subject, and let the subject go dark. In Aperture Priority, use minus one or two stops of exposure compensation, or in Manual mode, set exposure for the sky. The subject will naturally underexpose, sometimes a lot. That’s the goal. You’re creating a graphic image, not a portrait. The subject’s surface details don’t matter, its outline does.

That’s where the challenge comes in. A silhouette depends completely on its outline. The shape should be instantly recognizable and look elegant. For example, a warthog from the front doesn’t work well, but a profile with its tusks lit up looks great. A giraffe from the side makes a classic silhouette, but head-on it just looks like a blob.

Before you go for a silhouette, check the subject’s profile. Are the limbs clearly separated from the body, or does everything blend into one dark shape at the bottom? Is the sky behind the subject clear and colorful, or is it messy with branches and distractions? Do you have enough space in the frame to show the whole animal without cutting off its feet or ears?

White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)_A tender scene of a rhinoceros and its sleeping baby in a grassy savanna at sunset. The adult rhino, with its thick grey skin and prominent horn, stands protectively beside the calf, which is curled up in the grass, its small body relaxed in slumber. The golden hues of the setting sun cast a warm glow over the pair, highlighting the texture of the grass and the rhino's rugged hide. The background fades into a soft blend of orange and purple skies, creating a serene and intimate moment in the wild. — A rhino doesn’t need texture to read as a rhino, the horn alone gives it away. Here the whole animal dissolves into a single dark form against the haze, which is either humbling or a little bit funny, depending on the day.

Shooting from a lower angle often helps, putting the subject fully against the sky instead of the mixed tones of the horizon. On a game vehicle, get as low as you can; even a small drop can make the background cleaner behind a standing animal.

For the sky, set your white balance to a warm setting like Shade or Cloudy before you shoot. This will make the golden and orange tones of sunrise or sunset look richer and more accurate on screen, giving you a better starting point for editing. The subject will be dark no matter what, so white balance mainly affects the sky.

When editing a silhouette, focus on two things: the quality of the sky and making the subject dark and clean. In the HSL panel, boost the orange and red saturation and adjust the blue luminance in the upper sky. Use the Subject mask to make the subject nearly pure black, adjusting Exposure, Shadows, and Blacks as needed. Check the mask edge at 100% zoom. In silhouettes, the border between the dark subject and bright sky stands out most, so any halo or unwanted blur will show right away.

The Overlap: Rim Light

Two boxing Kangaroo Island kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus), silhouetted against a warm, golden-orange background during sunset. — This is what rim light is for: not illuminating the subject, just tracing it. Two kangaroos reduced to outline and motion, the low sun doing all the talking along their backs and paws while the rest goes dark.

There’s a third option between a backlit portrait and a pure silhouette, and it might be the most beautiful. This is the rim-lit image: the subject’s face is partly visible in shadow, while its edges glow with backlight. It’s not a full portrait or just a shape—more like a subject emerging from darkness, outlined by light.

To get a good rim-lit image, you need the darkest background possible behind your subject. The rim light stands out best against deep shadow or a dark tree line, not a bright sky, which can overpower the effect. The key is to move the vehicle so the subject’s glowing edges are set against the darkest background you can find.

The image captures a solitary Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) from the chest up, viewed from its left side. The baboon is seated, with its face turned to the right, looking into the golden haze of the setting sun. Its fur appears thick and coarse, with shades of gray and brown, and is dramatically illuminated by the backlighting, creating a halo effect around its head and shoulders. The sunlight highlights the texture of its fur, particularly on its back and the right side of its face. The baboon's eyes are a striking amber color, and they seem to catch the light. Its muzzle is dark, and the contours of its face are softened by the warm light and shadow. Only a portion of its body is visible, sitting on a dark, rocky. To the left of the baboon, there is dense foliage, appearing as dark silhouettes against the glowing background. A branch with some blurred golden or orange leaves hangs from the upper left corner, adding to the atmospheric quality. The background is a soft, diffused haze of warm colors – oranges, yellows, and browns – with subtle hints of light and shadow. The overall atmosphere is serene and contemplative, with a touch of wildness. The mood is tranquil, almost ethereal, due to the soft focus and the warm, glowing light. — He’s not posing. He’s just sitting where the light happens to find the edge of him, shoulder, arm, the curve of his back, while his face stays mostly in its own thoughts, lit just enough to notice the eyes.

The exposure sits between the two extremes: not as bright as a backlit portrait, not as dark as a silhouette. Spot-meter on the front face and apply minus one stop. The rim will likely clip at its brightest edges; that is acceptable. What you are protecting is the transitional zone between the rim and the shadow — the place where the light falls off across the body — because that gradation is where the three-dimensionality of the image lives.

In my experience, the last twenty minutes of low light on a safari are when you get the most memorable photos; and make the biggest mistakes. The light is amazing, but it changes fast. You need to get your camera settings right straight away, since there’s no time to rethink your exposure from scratch.

It’s worth learning this logic ahead of time. When the engine stops, and the animal stands against the glowing sky, you want to know right away if you’re making a portrait, a silhouette, or something in between. After that, it’s just a matter of adjusting your settings.

Shortlisted for the 2025 Pangolin Photo Challenge

7th March 2026 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Kangaroo Kangaroo Island Pangolin Photo Competition

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.

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.

Favorite Photos: February 2026

3rd March 2026 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Favorite Photos Kangaroo Muskox Squirrel

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

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

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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).

Happy Valentine’s Day!

14th February 2026 Mihaela Limberea

Wildlife

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Kangaroo Valentine

Love comes in all shapes and sizes ❤️ Happy Valentine’s Day! May your day be filled with love and sweet kisses.

Favorite Photos: January 2026

3rd February 2026 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Bird Dolphin Favorite Photos Hamerkop Kangaroo Koala Squirrel

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

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

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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: November 2025

2nd December 2025 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Favorite Photos Kangaroo Squirrel

This is post 38 of 49 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

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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.

World Kangaroo Day: Hopping Towards Harmony

24th October 2025 Mihaela Limberea

Wildlife

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Kangaroo

World Kangaroo Day takes place every year on October 24. It was created in 2020 by Kangaroos Alive and the Animal Justice Party after the 2019-2020 bushfires, which harmed billions of native animals, including many kangaroos. The day asks us to protect kangaroos and treat them with care, as they face threats such as habitat loss, hunting, and expanding cities. In 2021, Yuin Elder Uncle Max Dulumunmun Harrison supported the day with the Yuin Declaration for Kangaroos, which honors kangaroos as sacred and encourages us to live in harmony with the land and each other.

Worldwide Kangaroo Day shines a light on the special story of kangaroos. They evolved from small, possum-like animals about 20-30 million years ago and learned to hop to cross dry landscapes. Kangaroos can leap up to 9 meters and run as fast as 60 km/h in short bursts. There are over 50 species, from the big red kangaroo to the tiny musky-rat kangaroo. Kangaroos are more than just symbols of Australia—they help the environment by grazing and spreading seeds. Even though there are more than 50 million kangaroos in Australia (estimated), as many as 1.5 million are killed each year for meat and hides, often in ways that are not humane. This is why change is so important.

This year, the theme for October 24 is “Magic with Kangaroos.” Everyone is invited to join in by hosting workshops, going on nature walks, or starting social media campaigns using #WorldKangarooDay to share facts, photos, and videos. You can also enter the Roo Doco Competition by making a short documentary for a chance to win prizes, or support the Yuin Declaration to help protect kangaroos. Whether you watch kangaroos in the wild or celebrate at home, the aim is to appreciate these social and curious animals. Kangaroos play together, groom each other, and joeys peek out from their mothers’ pouches, showing how special they are.

What inspires your connection to kangaroos this season? Share your thoughts and help build a world where these amazing animals can thrive. Visit worldkangarooday.org for resources and events.

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

📍Kangaroo Island, South Australia

🦘Kangaroo Island Kangaroo Joey (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus)

Happy Mother’s Day!

25th May 2025 Mihaela Limberea

Wildlife

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Kangaroo

Happy Mother’s Day to ALL the mothers around the world ❤️!

Favorite Photos: April 2025

8th May 2025 Mihaela Limberea

Photography Wildlife

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Crocodile Favorite Photos Kangaroo Koala Squirrel

This is post 31 of 49 in the series “Favorite Photos”

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

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

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.

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

The cutest koala ❤️. I was lucky to get this shot as the handsome boy went to sleep directly afterward; koalas sleep most of the time (18 to 20 hours a day) because they need all their energy to digest the poisonous eucalyptus leaves they eat.

Although koalas seem like they would be easy to photograph since they don’t move around much, this is only true if you’re okay with capturing images of sleeping koalas. If you’re hoping to find a more active koala, be prepared for a lot of patience.

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

A red squirrel from last year. The gardening season has started and I’m mostly out in the garden and not indoors editing photos this time of the year.

This is a crocodile photo I edited for the upcoming World Crocodile Day. I like using these special days to raise awareness about animals and, to be honest, it also makes writing a photo caption easier.

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

And a squirrel because I love squirrels ❤️ as you know.

Mihaela Limberea

Tag: Kangaroo

Favorite Photos: September 2026

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