Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
The Abyssinian Wolf, Watcher of the Ethiopian Highlands
Alone on the highlands of Abyssinia, the Ethiopian wolf scans the horizon. This slender predator, perfectly adapted to life at high altitude, is now one of the most endangered mammals on the African continent. Threatened by habitat fragmentation and diseases transmitted by domestic dogs, only about 500 individuals remain in the wild.
Bioluminescence of Krill Rising to the Surface at Nightfall (likely Euphausia sibogae) – Arabian Sea, Oman
At nightfall, krill rise from the depths to the surface, driven by the planet’s largest daily animal migration. There, tossed by the waves, they emit a cold, bluish light. Their bioluminescence, produced by tiny organs called photophores, creates brief flashes across the surface of the sea. This shimmering glow — both camouflage and communication — sometimes turns the night ocean into a living sea of stars, drifting and silent.
Mobulas Rays (Mobula tarapacana), Sea Devils or Gentle Giants? – Azores, Portugal
Mobula rays, close relatives of the majestic manta rays, have long been nicknamed “devilfish” by fishermen around the world.
Their imposing silhouette, the two horn-like cephalic fins on their heads, the tail spine at the base of their dorsal fin, and especially their habit of leaping spectacularly out of the water have all fueled fear and superstition.
Among the most far-fetched tales, it was said that mobulas could seize a ship’s anchor with their curled horns and drag entire boats into the depths.
Despite being completely harmless to humans, they were also accused of wrapping pearl divers and freedivers in their vast “mantle” to drown them.
These legends, born of fear and imagination, now contrast with the awe we feel in the presence of these graceful, peaceful giants — vital players in the balance of marine ecosystems.
Eurasian ermine (Mustela erminea) – France
Desert Wheatear (Oenanthe deserti) on the crest of a dune – Arabian Desert
A modest and wary little passerine, it watches the blazing horizon from above, a quiet master of sand and silence.
Male Mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) – Bale Mountains, Ethiopia
Shy and elusive, the mountain nyala lives only on the Ethiopian highlands, among misty heather forests, alpine meadows, and shadowy clearings. Fewer than 4,000 individuals remain in the wild, most of them confined to the Bale Mountains — the species’ last stronghold.
Males are especially striking: larger and darker than females, they bear long, spiraled horns and a dark crest along their back that stands erect during tension or display. These features make them elegant, ghost-like figures of the high-altitude forests — rare, silent, and hard to glimpse.
Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus bengalensis) gliding over the waves at dusk – Oman coast, Arabian Sea
Bathed in golden twilight, this graceful coastal migrant skims the warm tropical shorelines with ease and precision.
Pack of Abyssinian Wolves on Patrol in the Bale Mountains (Canis simensis), Ethiopia
Click to see the complete picture in a virtual tour
Abyssinian wolves feed almost exclusively on rodents. Their habitat is limited to the high plateaus and mountains of Ethiopia, where rodent density is particularly high. In the Bale Mountains, where this photo was taken, up to 6,000 rodents can be found per square kilometer.
This diet has shaped their behavior: unlike other wolf species that hunt large prey in packs, Abyssinian wolves hunt alone.
Yet each morning, before spreading out to search for food, clan members carry out a joint patrol across their territory.
On this particular day, six wolves from the Meguiti clan were roaming their land, ensuring no intruders had trespassed.
Ornate Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus) – Indonesia
Strange and delicate, Solenostomus paradoxus defies the eye. This harlequin ghost pipefish, a master of camouflage, blends perfectly among gorgonian branches or seagrass beds, mimicking the shapes and colors of its surroundings. Hanging head-down, it seems to vanish into the background, eluding predators with ease. Its spectacular mimicry makes it one of the most fascinating illusionists of tropical reefs.
Concentrated Gelada (Theropithecus gelada) – Ethiopia
Pair of White-throated Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) – Spain
A small bird of fast-flowing rivers, the white-throated dipper fascinates with its aquatic lifestyle. Able to walk underwater against the current, it hunts aquatic insects, larvae, and small crustaceans along the stream bed. In this discreet dweller of cool waters, the bond between mates is strengthened through food exchanges: the male sometimes feeds the female — a gesture that seals their union before nesting begins.
Snow monkeys (in Japanese, nihonzaru 日本猿), also known as Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), are the only species of primate living in the wild in Japan. This species is also endemic to the Japanese archipelago. These monkeys are mainly found in mountainous regions, at altitudes ranging from 500 to 2,500 meters. In winter, when temperatures become harsh, these monkeys have developed a surprising habit: soaking in natural hot springs to keep warm!
Gecko
Ethiopian wolves at play (Canis simensis), Ethiopia
Two adults ethiopian wolves clash in a burst of movement — a game, perhaps, or a reminder of rank — under the watchful, curious eye of a young pup. These moments of energy, bonding, and social learning are the heartbeat of Abyssinian wolf life. In this dusty flurry, we witness a society in motion.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) – Costa Rica
Holthuis cleaner shrimp (Ancylomenes holthuisi), Indonesia
Black-hooded Sierra Finch (Phrygilus atriceps) coming to drink from the tap – Bolivia
Tenderness towards the cub, Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis), Ethiopia
The little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), Spain
Gelada Male (Theropithecus gelada), Ethiopia
Iberian cross adder (Vipera seoanei), Spain, Asturias
Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), Costa Rica
Culpeo zorro (Lycalopex culpaeus), Bolivia
Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris alpestris)
Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), Spanish Pyrenees
Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), Spanish Pyrenees
Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra), France
Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), Indonesia
Beautiful demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo), France