Smile, Burkina Faso
Rainbow Over the Rocks of the Immidir
Rainbow Over the Rocks of the Immidir – Algéria
In the Immidir mountains, south of Algeria’s Hoggar range, the arid landscape occasionally unveils surprising scenes.
Here, a partial rainbow breaks through heavy skies, though no rain is in sight. This optical phenomenon, caused by suspended micro-droplets, stands in stark contrast to the surrounding dryness.
The landforms glow with coppery tones in the low evening light.
For a fleeting moment, geology and atmosphere converge in harmony.
The Abyssinian Wolf, Watcher of the Ethiopian Highlands
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
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
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.
Reunion among the Mongolian farmers
Important reunion around a sensitive debate.
This picture has been taken in 2015 in Oulan-Bator, capital of Mongolia
The big cattle owners, coming from all Mongolia, were once more gathered to discuss about the consequences of the last “white dzud” that just hit the country. A “dzud” is a climate phenomenon (sometimes drought in summer, sometimes cold winter, sometimes a combination of both) that lead to several deaths in the cattle. For the past few years, there have been numerous “dzud”. The annual losses can be counted in millions of animals.
Birth of the Day over the Dunes – Rub al Khali desert, Sultanate of Oman
Birth of the Day over the Dunes – Rub al Khali desert, Sultanate of Oman
Click to see the complete picture in a virtual tour
As night slowly gives way to light, the dunes awaken in a golden breath. Shadows slip along the crests, colors stretch across the sand, and the desert reveals itself in silent majesty. At dawn, every wave of sand becomes a mountain, every ray of sunlight a promise of infinity.
Desert Memories – Human Figures from the Immidir
Desert Memories – Human Figures from the Immidir
In the heart of the Immidir massif, in southern Algeria, the rocks tell a story thousands of years old. On the ochre walls of the desert, rock paintings and engravings bear witness to human presence during a time when the Sahara was still green. Stylized human figures, hunting scenes, dances, and animals now vanished from the region — each line, each form reveals a fragment of life, an ancient bond between people, nature, and the sacred.
The rock art of the Immidir, discreet yet powerful, keeps alive the memory of a forgotten world.
