2025, Bird, Ethiopia Selection

Blue Sparkle of the Male Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus)

Male Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) perched in a thorny bush, Ethiopia

A bright turquoise flash amidst the thorny thickets of the Ethiopian savannah.

Perched in a thorny bush, this male Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) reveals its stunning plumage.

Its vibrant turquoise-blue breast and belly are highlighted by a distinctive red patch on the cheek. In females, these colors are more muted, with the blue being less extensive and the red cheek patch absent. This contrast allows for easy identification of the sexes. Widespread across the savannahs and scrublands of sub-Saharan Africa, this small, graceful bird enlivens the Ethiopian landscape with its vivid colors and energetic movements, often found in pairs or small groups.

2023, Algeria Selection, Bird, Sahara

The Pale Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne obsoleta): Messenger of the Sands

Pale Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne obsoleta) in flight over the Algerian desert

Silent and light, it pierces the scorching air like a brown arrow.

Silent and light, the Pale Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne obsoleta) pierces the scorching air like a brown arrow.

It traces arabesques above the dunes, a faithful companion to the wind and the light. Its fleeting silhouette seems to float between sky and earth, a reminder that even in the heart of the mineral vastness, life finds its place and dances with grace. Perfectly adapted to arid environments, this species often nests in the rocky walls of Saharan canyons and wadis.

2025, Oman Selection, Reptil and Amphibian

The Gulf Sand Gecko (Stenodactylus leptocosymbotes): A Night Watchman of Oman

Gulf Sand Gecko (Stenodactylus leptocosymbotes) photographed at night in the desert, Oman

A small marvel of adaptation to the extreme conditions of the Omani desert.

The Gulf Sand Gecko (Stenodactylus leptocosymbotes) is a discreet and elusive inhabitant of Oman’s arid regions.

Recognizable by its large eyes adapted for night vision, it emerges mainly at night to hunt small insects. Its slender legs allow it to move with agility over loose sand, while its pale coloration helps it blend seamlessly into its environment. A true watchman of the sands, this small reptile is a fascinating example of adaptation to the harshest climatic conditions of the Arabian Peninsula.

2018, China Selection

Huangshan 黄山 – Granite Sculptures at Sunrise

Sunrise over the granite peaks and pines of Huangshan Mountains, China

A living symbol of the harmony between stone, vegetation, and light.

In the silence of the early morning, the jagged peaks of Huangshan (黄山) stand out clearly against a sky tinted with rose and indigo.

These spectacular granite formations, forged by erosion over millennia, rise like natural statues, powerful and solemn. Clinging to the cliffs, the iconic Huangshan pines (黄山松) defy the laws of gravity. Their twisted silhouettes, sometimes solitary, sometimes in clusters, seem to dance with the rock. These resilient trees anchor themselves in the granite crevices, embodying longevity and strength in Chinese aesthetics. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Huangshan Mountains—also known as the “Yellow Mountains”—are a living symbol of the harmony between stone, plant life, and light.

2025, Ethiopia Selection, Gelada (Theropithecus gelada), Mammal

Young Gelada female on a Cactus

Young female Gelada (Theropithecus gelada) perched on a cactus, Ethiopia

A unique specialization among primates to survive in high-altitude grasslands.

The Gelada, a primate endemic to the Ethiopian Highlands, is distinguished by an almost exclusively herbivorous diet.

Unlike most monkeys, it spends the majority of its day grazing on grass, much like a ruminant. Over 90% of its diet consists of shoots, seeds, roots, flowers… and even cacti, from which it consumes the tender, water-rich parts. This unique specialization allows it to thrive in altitude prairies where resources are seasonal but abundant. In this photograph, a young female nimbly explores the resources provided by the local flora, showcasing the species’ incredible adaptation.

2023, Algeria Selection, Encounters, Sahara

Desert Bonds: A Moment of Connection in Immidir (Algeria)

Two Tuareg men sharing a moment in the Immidir desert, Algeria

Their weathered faces tell as many stories as the landscape that surrounds them.

Two Tuareg men exchange looks and words in the heart of the Algerian Sahara.

Their weathered faces tell as many stories as the landscape that surrounds them—a harsh yet familiar Sahara made of stones, sand, and silence. Their dark tagelmusts (chechs) contrast with the brilliant desert light, filtered through the golden grasses of the foreground. This scene from Immidir illustrates the strength of human bonds within the mineral vastness.

2025, Bird, Oman Selection

Skimming Flight, Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) – Oman

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) flying low over the waves, Oman

The gull skims the crest of the waves, in perfect balance between sky and sea.

In perfect harmony with the water, the Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) performs a silent dance above the ocean.

A remarkable long-distance migrant, identifiable by its slate-grey mantle and yellow legs, it travels thousands of kilometers annually to reach the shores of the Indian Ocean from Northern Europe or Russia. Its low-altitude flight is more than just aesthetic: it utilizes the ground effect to conserve energy during long coastal journeys. In Oman, it is a regular visitor to the coastlines, where its elegant silhouette stands out against the deep blue of the Arabian Sea.

2025, Ethiopia Selection, Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis), Mammal

The Ethiopian Wolf, Sentinel of the Abyssinian Highlands

Ethiopian Wolf (Canis simensis) standing in the tall grass, Ethiopia

A silhouette that stands still, watchful, in the silence of the high plateaus.

At the edge of dawn, across the vast expanses of the Ethiopian highlands, the Ethiopian Wolf (Canis simensis) embodies elegance and discretion.

Its silent steps lead it through the high-altitude pastures, where it scans every movement in the grass, stalking its favorite prey—primarily endemic rodents. This image reveals the profound harmony between the animal and its environment: soft lines, diffused light, and a suspended silence. As a critically endangered species, this solitary predator of the Simien and Bale mountains is a symbol of the raw and fragile beauty of Abyssinia.

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