Portfolio

Elephant Parade

Etosha National Park, Namibia - October 2016 I have always dreamed about this picture, with a clear scene and a perfect aligned parade of elephants. After 3 years, in the end of the day at Etosha National Park, I finally achieved it! Elephants are amazing and remarkable creatures, with incredible intelligence and very cultured, with strong bonds and norms. Regarding that, they travel together, walking in a single line, mainly to protect and watch out for each other. One of the advantages is that young elephants can cling to the tails of the older elephants, which is a good way to protect the young and an efficient way to travel and keep track of everyone. If there is any sign of danger, the entire herd will protect the young. The elephant herd is led by the elder female since mature males usually join the herd for breeding, and leader is followed by the rest of the females and their young. One of my favorite animal on earth!

Watch your back

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania - July 2017 We followed these two animals for two consecutive days in Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It is incredible and fascinating their behavior and intercourse during this period. In addition to the typical perspective of the two mating, I found this perspective particularly interesting, having the lion looking over the lioness, conveying somehow a feeling of compromise between the two. The mating behavior of lions is a painful process for the female because as with other cat´s penises, the male lion's penis has spines that point backward. The pain is necessary for feline mating as it is the shock to her system that induces ovulation and permits fertilization. During the periods between copulation they may lie down next to each other or walk a short distance. Copulation initiate with the male gently stroking the female with his tongue on the shoulder, neck or back. During the actual act, the male lion mounts the female lion and grasps her neck with his powerful jaws and The is repeated over the approximately four days with each copulaton lasting around 20 seconds.

Impala Attack

Lake Nakuro National Park, Kenya - Jul 2017 Going towards the lake, I noticed that these two males were struggling vigorously. I stopped the car and waited for the right moment as there were other impalas and some vegetation interrupting the line of sight. For a brief moment, they stopped and looked at each other with a defiant look. I love the perspective that despite capturing a calm action, it suggests so much more. Dominance during mating season is established via fights that sometimes end up fatally. Males run toward each other, colliding with their horns. Impalas show their dominance walking in an erect posture, while displaying their neck, horns and the ears helded backhand. The performer usually faces his opponent, but often with head-turned-away. Moreover, strength and body size are more important than the size of the horns.

Ready to Fly

Etosha National Park, Namibia - October 2016 In a frenetic "rush" to get out of the Etosha national park, before the closing permitted hour, I only had 30 minutes to do 40 Kms on clay road...when suddenly I glimpse this beautiful specimen on top of a tree near to the road!  Regardless the time, I put my feet on the brakes, waited the dust to dissipate and took this photograph, and a few moments after I 'flew away' to the gate! Fortunately I got there on time!!  This is a rock kestrel (Falco rupicolus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family. The Rock Kestrel is monogamous unless its mate dies. In the event of a partner dying, he will seek out a new mate.

Torre de Belém