When the ocean seems to touch the sun as the day fades away
Arabian Sea, Sultanate of Oman
The Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus): Acrobat of the Undergrowth
In the soft light of the undergrowth, a Blue Tit pauses for a brief moment.
A burst of color and energy, the Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) brings a vital spark of life to the silence of the forest.
This small, agile acrobat plays a crucial role as a natural regulator within its ecosystem. During the breeding season, a single pair can collect up to 10,000 insects and larvae—particularly defoliating caterpillars—to feed a single brood. Its presence indicates a diverse woodland environment that provides both essential nesting sites and a rich, sustainable food source.
Diving into the Mayan Underworld: The Cenotes of Yucatán
Beneath the Yucatán jungle, cenotes offer a unique spectacle where light carves through the darkness.
Considered gateways to the underworld by the ancient Maya, cenotes are natural sinkholes formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock.
These unique geological formations house vast networks of underground rivers, the longest in the world. In the crystal-clear water, the meeting of fresh surface water and deeper salt water often creates a halocline—a striking optical phenomenon that gives the illusion of flying over an underwater river. For a diver, every descent is a journey through time among stalactites and stalagmites formed millennia ago, when these caves were still dry.
The Apollo: A Glacial Relic of the High Peaks
A slow and powerful flight, carried by the thermal currents of the summits.
A true survivor from the glacial eras, the Apollo is one of the few butterflies capable of thriving at altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters.
Its sturdy body is covered in fine black hairs that act as a thermal coat, allowing it to absorb every bit of solar heat from the earliest light. Unlike many other butterflies, its flight is heavy and somewhat bird-like, alternating between steady wingbeats and gliding. This energy conservation is vital in an environment dominated by wind and cold. Seeing this white silhouette against the deep blue of the alpine sky remains one of the most magical moments for a mountain photographer.
Ethiopian Wolf, Nose to the Wind
Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) catching a scent – Bale Mountains, Ethiopia
The Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis), also known as the Simien jackal, is the world’s rarest wild canid, endemic to the highlands of Ethiopia. A rodent-hunting specialist, it moves gracefully through alpine meadows.
In this image, an individual lifts its head into the morning breeze—perhaps tracking prey or simply attuned to the subtle cues of its environment. With fewer than 500 individuals remaining in the wild, every observation is a profound privilege. Its russet coat, slender muzzle, and poised silhouette make it a quiet but powerful symbol of Ethiopia’s unique natural heritage.
Moonlight over the Rub al Khali – Oman
Under the soft moonlight, the Rub al Khali reveals itself in all its nocturnal majesty.
Under the soft light of the moon, the Rub al Khali, the vast sand desert of the southeastern Arabian Peninsula, reveals itself in all its nocturnal majesty.
The silvery dunes draw silent undulations, while the starry sky stretches to infinity above this landscape of raw and timeless beauty. An atmosphere of absolute calm and solitude envelops this legendary desert, inviting contemplation and reverie in the heart of one of the largest sand deserts in the world.
Giant Cacti under the Stars of Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia)
On Isla Incahuasi, these motionless giants seem to be in dialogue with the stars.
Standing like sentinels in the heart of the salt desert, the Trichocereus pasacana cacti watch over the white immensity of the Salar de Uyuni.
These botanical colossi grow with infinite slowness—barely one centimeter per year—with some reaching over ten meters in height after several centuries of life. Their time-sculpted silhouettes stand out beneath the night sky, silent witnesses to the freezing nights and scorching suns of the Altiplano. On Isla Incahuasi, these motionless giants seem to be in dialogue with the stars, anchored in volcanic rock for generations.
Blue Sparkle of the Male Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus)
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.
The Pale Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne obsoleta): Messenger of the Sands
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.
The Gulf Sand Gecko (Stenodactylus leptocosymbotes): A Night Watchman of 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.