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Read MoreYoung common blackbird under a shinging rain.
PasseriformesTurdus merulaanimalanimalsaveavesbirdbirdscommon blackbirdimmaturemirlomirlo comúnmirlo común jovenpaseriformepasserinevertebradovertebratavertebrateyoung
From Birds
Portrait of a red-backed shrike.
Although beautiful, this bird belongs to the Lanius genus (shrikes). Shrikes are known for their habit of catching insects and small vertebrates and impaling their bodies on thorns.Lanius collurioPasseriformesalcaudón dorsirrojoanimalanimalsaveavesbirdbirdspaseriformepasserineredbacked shrikevertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Birds
Portrait of a male chaffinch.
Fringilla coelebsPasseriformesanimalanimalsaveavesbirdbirdschaffinchpaseriformepasserinepinzón vulgarvertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Birds
Fighting gazelles. Maasai Mara.
Eudorcas thomsoniiThomson's gazelleanimalanimalsgacelagacela de thomsongazellemammalmammaliamamíferovertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Mammals
This series of photographs were taken very early in the morning, in Maasai Mara, with a magnificent light, when silence and solitude rules, no tourists at that time. There was the herd of lions, and it was a pleasure to watch how the puppies played, under the watchful eye of adult females. Two large males accompanied them. Occasionally, females came to pick up the pups so they would not leave the area, so immersed in their games they were. The cubs played one with each other, rolling around, playing even with "toys" (some bones), they were preparing themselves for adulthood, as these games will help them in learning how to hunt. What I observed in both young and adult lions was a very "familiar" behavior, very "human", and I realized how much we seem us, homo sapiens, to these other mammals. The dim morning side light made these lions and their fur and manes shine with their more intense colors, in harmony with the tones of the savannah. Best of all was the silence and loneliness that accompanied this experience, when you feel like a privileged spectator at the forefront of this event of nature. (19/22)
The True King, Maasai Mara (6/7).
Panthera leoanimalanimalsleón africanoleón africano macholionmale lionmammalmammaliamamíferovertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Mammals
The True King, Masai Mara (2)
Species: Panthera leo.
Location: Masai Mara, Kenya.
This great male African lion was lying in the grass of the savannah while watching at his herd (females and pups). I was on safari, and we had discovered this herd very early in the morning, with a magnificent light, when silence and solitude rules, because there were no tourists at that time, only the lions and us. At that time I took some great pictures, but I have selected this close-up of the great male looking straight ahead, half hidden by the grass, with a magnificent side light which made his mane shine with its more intense colors, in harmony with the tones of the savannah.
A single shot taken from a safari vehicle, using beanbag, a 300 mm f/2.8 lens and 1.4x teleconverter, and a CPL filter.Panthera leoanimalanimalsleón africanoleón africano macholionmale lionmammalmammaliamamíferovertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Mammals
This series of photographs were taken very early in the morning, in Maasai Mara, with a magnificent light, when silence and solitude rules, no tourists at that time. There was the herd of lions, and it was a pleasure to watch how the puppies played, under the watchful eye of adult females. Two large males accompanied them. Occasionally, females came to pick up the pups so they would not leave the area, so immersed in their games they were. The cubs played one with each other, rolling around, playing even with "toys" (some bones), they were preparing themselves for adulthood, as these games will help them in learning how to hunt. What I observed in both young and adult lions was a very "familiar" behavior, very "human", and I realized how much we seem us, homo sapiens, to these other mammals. The dim morning side light made these lions and their fur and manes shine with their more intense colors, in harmony with the tones of the savannah. Best of all was the silence and loneliness that accompanied this experience, when you feel like a privileged spectator at the forefront of this event of nature. (1/22)
This series of photographs were taken very early in the morning, in Maasai Mara, with a magnificent light, when silence and solitude rules, no tourists at that time. There was the herd of lions, and it was a pleasure to watch how the puppies played, under the watchful eye of adult females. Two large males accompanied them. Occasionally, females came to pick up the pups so they would not leave the area, so immersed in their games they were. The cubs played one with each other, rolling around, playing even with "toys" (some bones), they were preparing themselves for adulthood, as these games will help them in learning how to hunt. What I observed in both young and adult lions was a very "familiar" behavior, very "human", and I realized how much we seem us, homo sapiens, to these other mammals. The dim morning side light made these lions and their fur and manes shine with their more intense colors, in harmony with the tones of the savannah. Best of all was the silence and loneliness that accompanied this experience, when you feel like a privileged spectator at the forefront of this event of nature. (3/22)
Panthera leoanimalanimalsfemale lionleón africanoleón africano cachorroleón africano hembralionlion cublionessmammalmammaliamamíferovertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Mammals
This series of photographs were taken very early in the morning, in Maasai Mara, with a magnificent light, when silence and solitude rules, no tourists at that time. There was the herd of lions, and it was a pleasure to watch how the puppies played, under the watchful eye of adult females. Two large males accompanied them. Occasionally, females came to pick up the pups so they would not leave the area, so immersed in their games they were. The cubs played one with each other, rolling around, playing even with "toys" (some bones), they were preparing themselves for adulthood, as these games will help them in learning how to hunt. What I observed in both young and adult lions was a very "familiar" behavior, very "human", and I realized how much we seem us, homo sapiens, to these other mammals. The dim morning side light made these lions and their fur and manes shine with their more intense colors, in harmony with the tones of the savannah. Best of all was the silence and loneliness that accompanied this experience, when you feel like a privileged spectator at the forefront of this event of nature. (1/22)
The True King, Maasai Mara (4/7).
Panthera leoanimalanimalsleón africanoleón africano macholionmale lionmammalmammaliamamíferovertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Mammals
This series of photographs were taken very early in the morning, in Maasai Mara, with a magnificent light, when silence and solitude rules, no tourists at that time. There was the herd of lions, and it was a pleasure to watch how the puppies played, under the watchful eye of adult females. Two large males accompanied them. Occasionally, females came to pick up the pups so they would not leave the area, so immersed in their games they were. The cubs played one with each other, rolling around, playing even with "toys" (some bones), they were preparing themselves for adulthood, as these games will help them in learning how to hunt. What I observed in both young and adult lions was a very "familiar" behavior, very "human", and I realized how much we seem us, homo sapiens, to these other mammals. The dim morning side light made these lions and their fur and manes shine with their more intense colors, in harmony with the tones of the savannah. Best of all was the silence and loneliness that accompanied this experience, when you feel like a privileged spectator at the forefront of this event of nature. (1/22)
The True King, Maasai Mara (5/7).
Panthera leoanimalanimalsleón africanoleón africano macholionmale lionmammalmammaliamamíferovertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Mammals
Psychedelic Colors. Sternbergia lutea, a flower crop that has been naturalized in some parts of the PRSE of Madrid, as in this stand. For this photograph, I set up the color temperature on the camera manually to a low level, to achieve the purple background that contrast with the bright yellow flower, whose color was not altered. I was also lucky that a bee appeared in the frame.
AnthophilaSternbergia luteaabejaanimalanimalsantófiloapiformeautumn daffodilbeefall daffodilflorflowerhimenópterohymenopterainsectinsectainsectoinvertebradoinvertebratainvertebratelilyofthefieldplantvegetalwinter daffodilyellow autumn crocus
From Invertebrate
Spanish Wasp Beetle (Neoplagionotus marcae) (1/2) A jewel of the Southeast Regional Park of Madrid, the Spanish wasp beetle was discovered in the 90's in Rivas-Vaciamadrid, the city where I live in. This is a rare Iberian endemism, very localized and scarce, whose only known populations in the Madrid region are located at the south and southeast, and outside the region, in some areas of Toledo, Badajoz and Andalusia. Despite its impressive appearance, it is a beetle, otherwise harmless. It uses its resemblance to a wasp or bee to scare off potential predators, and spends its life exclusively in its food plant, the mallow Lavatera triloba (in the photo, in which the wasp beetle is enjoying a feast of pollen). The fact of being specialized in this plant, together with their low number and very localized distribution of their populations, make the conservation status of Neoplagionotus marcae to be seriously threatened due to relentless urban advance. This picture is dedicated to the great naturalist in the PRSE and good friend Jose Maria Sendarrubia. Without his invaluable help and enthusiasm I would not have been able to obtain this picture.
ColeopteraLavatera trilobaNeoplagionotus marcaeanimalanimalsbeetlecoleópteroescarabajo avispa españolflorflowerfotografíainsectinsectainsectoinvertebradoinvertebratainvertebratemalvavisco locophotographyplantvegetal
From Invertebrate
Ophrys gr. shegodes
From Flowers
Green iguana. Corcovado National Park. Many species of reptiles are able to display different colors on their skin depending on the circumstances. The green iguanas (Iguana iguana) are one such species, but despite their name these reptilians are not always seen as 'green' as on, for example, this occasion, when I took this photograph to a young specimen.
Iguana iguanaReptiliaanimalanimalscommon iguanagreen iguanaiguana verdereptilreptileteyúvertebradovertebratavertebrate
Winking gliding frog.
This friendly Central American amphibian is one of the most popular in the world, and a tourism icon for Costa Rica.
It is the gliding tree frog (Agalychnis spurrelli). Like its relative the red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas), it is notable for its vivid colors, but these are species whose skin is not particularly poisonous. The purpose of their striking colors is to confuse predators. These frogs are mostly nocturnal and of arboreal habits.
The photograph corresponds to a wild specimen, taken at night in the jungle of Corcovado, in Costa Rica.Agalychnis spurrelliSpurrell's leaf frogamphibiaamphibiananfibioanimalanimalsconceptconceptogliding leaf froggliding tree frogguiñorana de Spurellrana de ojos rojosrana deslizadorasimpatíasympathyvertebradovertebratavertebratewink
Black river turtle. Tortuguero National Park. Costa Rica. In Costa Rica abound different species of semi-aquatic freshwater turtles, as this pleasant black river turtle (Rhinoclemmys funerea), a resident of the flooded swamps of Tortuguero. The black river turtle is native to Central America, and can be found from Honduras to Panama, being one of the favorite “dishes” of caimans and crocodiles. They are also subject of rituals by indigenous communities of Costa Rica.
ReptiliaRhinoclemmys funereaanimalanimalsblack river turtleblack wood turtlereptilreptiletortuga negravertebradovertebratavertebrate
Green Iguana. Tortuguero National Park. Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a country rich in reptiles and amphibians. Among the latter, there are numerous species of colorful frogs (poisonous and non poisonous), and among reptiles, there are abundant species of iguanas (some large), snakes, exotic lizards, etc. etc. The green iguanas (Iguana iguana) are the most spectacular of the several species of iguanas that inhabit Costa Rica. Being cold-blooded animals, they are often seen posing in sunny areas of watercourses and rivers, where they take advantage of sunlight to regulate their body temperature. This green iguana stands proudly displaying its prehistoric anatomy, in the watercourses of Tortuguero.
Iguana iguanaReptiliaanimalanimalscommon iguanagreen iguanaiguana verdereptilreptileteyúvertebradovertebratavertebrate
Green sea turtle. Tortuguero National Park. Costa Rica. This green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is in trance, at at the final stage of its phase of egg laying, at the light of dawn, on the Caribbean beaches of Tortuguero, in Costa Rica. During the egg laying, the mother is in a state of trance, highly vulnerable and defenseless. A female of this species can lay 100 to 200 eggs in a single night. These are buried into the sand on the beach, and are soaked by various nutritious substances which protect the eggs and the offspring against pathogens. Note: These photographs were taken by permission and without using flash or any artificial light, and under the supervision and guidance of a specialized biologist of Tortuguero National Park.
Chelonia mydasPacific green turtleReptiliaanimalanimalsblack sea turtleblack turtulegreen sea turtlegreen turtlereptilreptiletortuga verdevertebradovertebratavertebrate
Spectacled caiman. Tortuguero National Park. Costa Rica. The spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus), a great fish eater, can live in both salt and fresh waters. That is why these reptiles thrive in the intricate watercourses of Tortuguero, formed by a network of rivers and natural sea channels. It is not easy to observe one of those caimans completely out of water during the day.
Caiman crocodilusReptiliaanimalanimalsbabillablanco o babacachirrecaimán de anteojosreptilreptilespectacled caimanvertebradovertebratavertebrate
The cranes are coming (5) Every fall, in early November, occurs one of the most famous spectacles of Nature in Spain. In Gallocanta Lake, northeast of the peninsula, thousands of common cranes (Grus grus) coming from northern Europe, saturate in this great salt lake as a pause in their long and hard journey to their wintering sites in Extremadura and north Africa. Myriads of them remain there for many weeks, drawing to feed and recuperate before continuing their migration. This phenomenon year after year has become a very popular event among bird lovers all around the world, travelling to Gallocanta each fall to celebrate the arrival of the cranes. The show is a visual and sonorous one, as the views of thousands of flying cranes are accompanied by their constant and endless screams all day long, making the viewer feel to be contemplating one of the wildest scenes of Nature, with little to envy other places in exotic locations.
Eurasian craneGruidaeGruiformesanimalanimalsaveavesbirdbirdscommon cranecranesgruiformegrullagrulla comúngrus grusvertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Birds
Tits at the PRSE of Madrid (4).
Blue tit.
Finalist in the photo contest "in the Park I Live 2012", about the Southeast Regional Park of Madrid, organized by TRAMA NGO.Cyanistes caeruleusPasseriformesanimalanimalsaveavesbirdbirdsblue titherrerillo comúnpaseriformepasserinevertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Birds
Alignment
Bajos de La Arnía - Piélagos. Cantabria (Spain).
"La Costa Quebrada" (Broken Coast) in Cantabria is one of those places in the world where there are some rare geological formations known as flyschs. They consist of sequences of sedimentary structures that are visually very attractive, and whose origin is not yet clear. The term "flysch" comes from the German and is relatively old, meaning "land slides".
I studied the area and waited for the precise moment, before dawn, to ensure that the sedimentary rock in the foreground "pointed" to the sun, which fortunately emerged out of the clouds for a few seconds.amanecerauroracielocoastcostadawnelemento topográficofenómeno meteorológicoflyschmeteorological phenomenonskysolsuntopographic feature
From Earth
Dark and Blue Dawn.
Beach of Arnía - Piélagos. Cantabria (Spain).amanecerauroracielocoastcostadawnelemento topográficofenómeno meteorológicoflyschmarmeteorological phenomenonseaskytopographic feature
From Water
Loving Spring. Pair of mating Lesser Kestrels. The Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a small falcon that breeds in colonies located in places such as hollow rocks, overhangs on cliffs, or, cause they are so famous here in Spain, in roofs of old abandoned buildings. There, they have found a discreet place to nest and give birth to their offspring, as their adult plumage mimics perfectly with the earthy tones of the old ceramic tiles. In fact, during this photo session I found it difficult to locate them with the naked eye, using binoculars or viewing through the telephoto lens. Lesser Kestrels are spread throughout the Mediterranean Sea and across South Asia. And they spend winters in sub-Saharan Africa. 100,000 pairs were in Spain in the late nineteenth century, and they went to only about 5,000 in the twentieth century, so the species was declared at risk of extinction. Today, thanks to the protective measures taken, these little kestrels have improved their populations in Spain.
Falco naumanniFalconiformesLesser Kestrelanimalanimalsaveavesbirdbirdscernícalo primillacopulationcópulafalconiformematemontavertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Birds
Lord of the Steppe. The great bustard (Otis tarda) is the largest species of flying bird in Europe. Very popular in Spain among bird lovers, where it is mainly resident, it breeds in southern and central Europe and across temperate Asia. Its habitat is open grassland and undisturbed cultivation, where it feels safe. Great bustards are very shy of humans, have a very acute hearing and are very quiet, which makes observing them closely a difficult task. I managed to make this photograph with the invaluable help of my good friend José David Gomez Díaz. It was in the vicinity of the village Calera y Chozas, in Toledo (Spain).
GruiformesOtis tardaanimalanimalsaveavesavutarda comúnbirdbirdsbreezecielocloudfenómeno meteorológicogreat bustardgruiformemeteorological phenomenonnubeskyvertebradovertebratavertebratevientowind
From Birds
El Vilar Beach.
A Coruña. Galicia (Spain).
In the natural park "Dunas de Olveira y Laguna de Carregal y Vixán" is located a desert that is unique in Galicia, with its Great Mobile Dune of Corrubedo, where even they have been filmed some films set in the Sahara. Also, there are integrated into the park some lagoons both saltwater and freshwater, with interesting birds, and one of the most beautiful beaches in Galicia.
There are here numerous endangered plant species, some endemic to the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula.coastcostamarolarocarockseastonewave
From Water
La Dehesa
La Dehesa.
Cáceres. Spain.Quercus ilexdehesaecosistemaecosystemencinaflorflor amarillaflowerholly oakholm oakplanttreevegetalyellow flowerárbol
From Earth
Diffuse Islet.
La Palma island, Canary Islands. Spain.elemento topográficoisletisloteolarocaroca volcánicarockstonetopographic featurevolcanic rockwave
From Water
Tits at the PRSE of Madrid (2)
Tits at the PRSE of Madrid (2)
The pirate Great Tit.
These small and charming birds are among the most daring and least afraid of man when it comes to getting food.Parus majorPasseriformesanimalanimalsaveavesbirdbirdscarbonero comúngreat titpaseriformepasserinevertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Birds
Tits at the PRSE of Madrid (1)
Pleasant blue tit.
Cyanistes caeruleusPasseriformesanimalanimalsaveavesbirdbirdsblue titherrerillo comúnpaseriformepasserinevertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Birds
Evocative Winter
Dreamy Landscape.
Beyond the spring and summer, natural areas present a varied and sometimes haunting beauty all year round. As shown, a typical picture of winter in the 'Barranco del Rio Dulce' (Guadalajara, Spain). Wild walnut trees have lost all their leaves, awaiting the arrival of spring renewal.
This photograph is part of the collective photographic exhibition 'Espacios Naturales. Guardianes de la Biodiversidad' ('Natural Areas. Guardians of Biodiversity') by Fonamad (Association of Nature Photographers of Madrid), 2009.English walnutJuglans regiaPersian walnutcommon walnutconceptconceptodesolacióndesolationnogal comúnnogal españolnogal europeoplanttreevegetalárbol
From Trees
bosque Atlantico
Fraga River Forest. Moaña, Galicia. Spain.
In Galicia there are most of the best preserved Atlantic forest of Spain. Noting the wealth of native Carballo oaks (Quercus robur L.). But they are threatened by reforestations of allochthonous species, mainly eucalyptus.English oakFrench oakQuercus roburQuercus sp.bosqueecosistemaecosystemforestoakpedunculate oakplantrobleroble carballoroble carvalloroble comúnroble fresnaltreevegetalwoodlandwoodsárbol
From Trees
The breeze and the olive tree (Olea Europaea)
The Breeze and the Olive Tree
black and whiteblanco y negrofotografíaphotography
From Trees
The Night Flight of the Egrets. In the Regional Park, towards evening, many birds are directed towards their usual sleeping places to spend the night. As the large colonies of cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) winter living in the vicinity of the rivers Jarama and Manzanares. Southeast Regional Park of Madrid. Spain.
Bubulcus ibisPelecaniformesanimalanimalsatardeceraveavesbirdbirdscattle egretelemento topográficofenómeno meteorológicogarcilla bueyeraislaislandislelate afternoonmeteorological phenomenonpelecaniformeriverríosunsettopographic featurevertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Water
Bárbol Vive !
Treebeard Lives !
Scots elm in an Asturian mountain forest.Scots elmUlmus glabraolmo de montañaolmo de monteolmo montanoplanttreevegetalwych elmárbol
From Trees
Orange dawn.
Suomussalmi, Oulu. Finland.
One of the most important functions for life played by the atmosphere is to contribute to transport, disperse and distribute the water to the living. And in many ways, being one of them the phenomenon of fog, mist and dew.
This photograph is part of the collective photographic exhibition "La atmósfera. El aire que nos rodea" ("The atmosphere. The air around us") by Fonamad (Association of Nature Photographers of Madrid), 2010.amanecerauroradawnfenómeno meteorológicofogfotografíalagolakemeteorological phenomenonmistnieblaphotographyreflection in waterreflejo en el aguashapesilhouettesiluetasolsun
From Finland
The bears of the birch forest, Finland (1).
After a long afternoon wait in the hide, finally the big she-bear appeared, accompanied by her three cubs. They were born the same year in January, as my guide told me. It was a hot August evening in the Finnish taiga, in the Russian border that is famous because there it inhabits the mythical brown bear. So hot, and with an air so still, that our human stench flooded the area, so when from the birch forest finally appeared this family of bears, the mother sniffed the air and waved to its offspring that they had careful not to turn away from her. It was very exciting. So we took extreme caution making as little noise as possible and enjoyed watching the cubs playing on the glade.
Kuusamo, Oulu. Finland.Ursus arctosanimalanimalsbrown bearbrown bear cupmammalmammaliamamíferoosezno pardooso pardovertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Finland
Yellow moon over the lake (1).
A unique experience: being awakened in the middle of the night by the sounds of nocturnal animals, I got out of the hut and just out there discovered that the evening had presented me a splendid full moon that, adorned by the mists at night, perched over the lake. And an absolute solitude and silence.
Hossänjarvi, Oulu. Finland.boreal forestbosqueecosistemaecosystemfenómeno meteorológicofogforestlagolakelunameteorological phenomenonmistmoonnieblanightnochetaigawoodlandwoods
From Finland
Finnish evening
Finnish evening.
Hossänjarvi, Oulu. Finland.anochecerdarkeningduskfenómeno meteorológicolagolakemeteorological phenomenonnightfall
From Finland
Fairy dawn
Fairy dawn.
The nordic light in the lakes of Finland in summer, coupled with the morning mists that are typical is that time of year, provides an unforgettable range of colors at dawn, very early (this picture was taken at 4 am). It is a pleasure to observe or photograph these sunrises in total silence and solitude, something very easy in this region so sparsely populated and yet so accessible.
Suomussalmi, Oulu. Finland.amanecerauroradawnfenómeno meteorológicofogfotografíalagolakemeteorological phenomenonmistnieblaphotographyreflection in waterreflejo en el aguashapesilhouettesiluetasolsun
From Finland
Pico picapinos hembra (Dendrocopos major)
Hey! I look at you !.
The great spotted woodpecker and the bee.Dendrocopos majoranimalanimalsaveavesbirdbirdsfemalegreat spotted woodpeckergreater spotted woodpeckerpiciformepico picapinospico picapinos hembravertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Birds
Cernícalo patirrojo macho (Falco vespertinus)
Close-up of a male red-footed falcon.
This falcon breeds only in the eastern part of Europe, and winters in Africa. Like other falcons, it breeds in colonies.
Photograph taken from a hide.Falco vespertinusFalconiformesWestern redfooted falconanimalanimalsaveavesbirdbirdscernícalo de patas rojascernícalo patirrojocernícalo patirrojo machofalconiformemaleredfooted falconvertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Birds
Someday I'll be grown.
Juvenile great tit.Parus majorPasseriformesanimalanimalsaveavesbirdbirdscarbonero comúncarbonero común jovengreat titpaseriformepasserinevertebradovertebratavertebrateyoung
From Birds
Hawfinch having a bath.
The hawfinch is a shy species and difficult to observe. It spends its life mainly in the higher branches of trees, and rarely falls to the ground, only to feed on seeds and drinking. It was midsummer when I could photograph this specimen from a hide located near a pond, in the middle of an old deciduous forest.Coccothraustes coccothraustesPasseriformesanimalanimalsaveavesbirdbirdshawfinchpaseriformepasserinepico gordopicogordovertebradovertebratavertebrate
From Birds