Post Your Best 2023 Wildlife Photos

[BLev65]

Really lovely images, Bruce. I’m so very sorry for your loss, but very glad that the natural world and photography have brought you a measure of happiness and peace as you grieve. I wish you the very best for 2024 and beyond.

Sincerely,
Clark

Thank you Clark...
I really appreciate you reaching out to me...
Places like BCG have been a great way for me to let go and enjoy the beauty in both people and nature.
cheers,
bruce

 

[Ralph]

The year 2023 has been an amazing year for me. I have reached my goal which was to photograph love telling stories of wildlife behaviour. I was so lucky to witness so many opportunities.


I love to watch BBC wildlife documentaries, but I always skip the scenes where an animal attacks and kill another. I know it is a natural way for survivor, but it makes sad, and I avoid witnessing such scenes while I am photographing.


The big surprise came last November when I saw a mother cheetah with her cub wondering around looking for food. The interaction between the mother and her cub was so beautiful that I did not care about the middle day harsh light and the heat condition. I took so many beautiful shots and I was very satisfied with what I got.

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Suddenly the mother stopped, and the cub did the same. She was watching a group of 6 Thompson gazelles grazing around 300m from where the cheetahs were. With no warning, the mother took off at high speed and started to chase the small herd of gazelles. Few seconds later she caught one of the gazelles. All this happened so fast that I did not realize how close we were to the cheetah and her kill. I was devasted. Looking at the gazelle eyes, I started to cry. All what I could hear, is my driver screaming at me and saying, “Lina photograph. Dam! Lina photograph”. With my hand shaking and my blurry eyes full of tears, I started to take photos with no enthusiasm.

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After the mother killed the gazelle, her cub started to imitate her. She was teaching her cub how to kill and survive.

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Then I realise even the scene was so sad and difficult to watch, I was lucky to witness this moment of Joy, happiness of the cub and her gratitude toward her mother for the food that she provided her. And me, I was privileged to be there and record the scene. Both shared a happily meal. I know that the same scene will happen again and again and this cub if she (I don’t know why I always refer to her as she) makes it to adult life, she will be herself a wonderful mom It was and will be a beautiful love story to tell even how sad it was.
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The same day, an hour late, few kilometers further, we witness a love story between two lions.

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The female was screaming of satisfaction.
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And the male was so proud of himself for the joy he gave his mate.
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These photos are far from perfect but are my favorite for witnessing these wonderful moments of their life.

Awesome set Lina

 

[LHays]

Amazing images here. Since I didn't shoot much this year, I only have one image that I really like. While at Bosque del Apache earlier this month, there was a pair of White-tailed Kites that stole the show. However, they were about 100 yards away. I had good light and used my Sony a1 and 200-600mm lens. I had a sharp image but it was but a small speck in the image. I used Topaz Gigapixel (something I rarely use) and got this image which I was amazed at how it turned out. The full size image is much better.

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[Chappy]

There are some unbelievable photos on this thread. I wish that I had the resources and time to spend to learn about and explore new environments. I sometimes envy the other environments I see on this forum but I realize that knowing our environments is a part of what we do in wildlife photography. Seems like I am stuck in the desert but realize my duty(I use that term loosely) is to show the beauty and environment in this small part of the world I live.

My favorite wildlife images from 2023.

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[BLev65]

The year 2023 has been an amazing year for me. I have reached my goal which was to photograph love telling stories of wildlife behaviour. I was so lucky to witness so many opportunities.


I love to watch BBC wildlife documentaries, but I always skip the scenes where an animal attacks and kill another. I know it is a natural way for survivor, but it makes sad, and I avoid witnessing such scenes while I am photographing.


The big surprise came last November when I saw a mother cheetah with her cub wondering around looking for food. The interaction between the mother and her cub was so beautiful that I did not care about the middle day harsh light and the heat condition. I took so many beautiful shots and I was very satisfied with what I got.

View attachment 77671

Suddenly the mother stopped, and the cub did the same. She was watching a group of 6 Thompson gazelles grazing around 300m from where the cheetahs were. With no warning, the mother took off at high speed and started to chase the small herd of gazelles. Few seconds later she caught one of the gazelles. All this happened so fast that I did not realize how close we were to the cheetah and her kill. I was devasted. Looking at the gazelle eyes, I started to cry. All what I could hear, is my driver screaming at me and saying, “Lina photograph. Dam! Lina photograph”. With my hand shaking and my blurry eyes full of tears, I started to take photos with no enthusiasm.

View attachment 77672

After the mother killed the gazelle, her cub started to imitate her. She was teaching her cub how to kill and survive.

View attachment 77673



View attachment 77674

Then I realise even the scene was so sad and difficult to watch, I was lucky to witness this moment of Joy, happiness of the cub and her gratitude toward her mother for the food that she provided her. And me, I was privileged to be there and record the scene. Both shared a happily meal. I know that the same scene will happen again and again and this cub if she (I don’t know why I always refer to her as she) makes it to adult life, she will be herself a wonderful mom It was and will be a beautiful love story to tell even how sad it was.
View attachment 77675


The same day, an hour late, few kilometers further, we witness a love story between two lions.

View attachment 77676

The female was screaming of satisfaction.
View attachment 77679

And the male was so proud of himself for the joy he gave his mate.
View attachment 77680



These photos are far from perfect but are my favorite for witnessing these wonderful moments of their life.

Lina,
Thanks for sharing your story and the emotions evoked by watching a kill. I have been a wildlife photographer since the late 1980's, have been on safari in Africa on two occasions, and always hoped that I would not have to watch a kill. I am an evolutionary biologist and ecologist, I fully understand how natural selection has crafted life through incremental adaptations, and I recognize that this cycle of survival and reproduction has given rise to the form and function we see in nature. Yet, I am an empath... a person who feels great empathy for anything that struggles or may face danger. Like you, seeing predation or injured animals often brings tears to my eyes. Bravo to your driver/guide and you for capturing the moment... your images definitely reflect the person who made them.

regards,
bruce

 

[raptor photo]

Quick selection, probably not all of my very best but here we go:

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[BLev65]

Amazing images here. Since I didn't shoot much this year, I only have one image that I really like. While at Bosque del Apache earlier this month, there was a pair of White-tailed Kites that stole the show. However, they were about 100 yards away. I had good light and used my Sony a1 and 200-600mm lens. I had a sharp image but it was but a small speck in the image. I used Topaz Gigapixel (something I rarely use) and got this image which I was amazed at how it turned out. The full size image is much better.View attachment 77698

Beautiful shot Lana...
We may have been at Bosque at the same time, as I remember watching the kites fly about... (was there 12/14-12/18)
cheers,
bruce

 

[soundbyte]

The Rail and Chat!!! Wow! Wonderful work all of them.

Thank you for your comments. They are much appreciated.

 

[Irap]

Here are some that I liked this year.

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[Irap]

First and foremost, it needs to be stated that there is some amazing work on this thread. Every photographer who has posted their work should feel proud of what they've done and shared... I am just amazed by the vision of my friends and colleagues here.
As for me, my year was one filled with great loss. As many of you know, I lost my beloved wife of nearly 33 years in April, and this forum has been a refuge for me during periods of extreme grief. Like Steve and Rose, Tamy was my photographic partner. She went where I went, took pictures by my side and afar, and loved to be on adventures that took us everywhere from deep country backpacking, roadtrips, and international excursions. As Tamy declined, I'd continue to shoot whenever I could find a subject within a few miles of my home. Her gradual decline from fully functional to physical/cognitive impairments lasted for about 18 months, and photography was the one piece of therapy that I gave myself. Pursuing nature photography was so important to me during this time that I recently wrote an article about the "Therapeutic Power of Nature Photography" that was published in the current issue of Nature Photographer Magazine.
With all of that stated, my year's work represents a mix of 20 minutes of shooting here and there, to long hours of sitting and watching nature as I grieved the loss of my one true love.
Just last week I returned from Bosque del Apache. This was my first real trip without Tamy, and was a trip that almost never happened. Tamy had always been my travel companion and I left on an 8 day road trip with the fear that I would not be able to do this on my own. Fortunately my golden doodle Luca, was there to keep me company and I endured... making the trip happen. I think some of my best work of the year was made at Bosque, but... with the exception of a few pictures, the work is currently unedited. The last picture in this series was posted earlier in the week, and is among the best shots I've made in a long time... so I present it here as well.
Ok... that's a huge confession of life's reality. These 8 photos are presented in the order they were taken.
Good shooting and Happy New Year to you All!!
bruce
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So sorry to hear of your loss Bruce.

 

[Irap]

Amazing collection of photos on this tread! I’m late to the party but am adding my FavoritesView attachment 77613View attachment 77614View attachment 77615View attachment 77616View attachment 77622View attachment 77623View attachment 77624View attachment 77625

Great shots Roy, love the Flamingo shot!

 

[Activert]

Awesome set Lina

Thank you very much!

 

[Activert]

Lina,
Thanks for sharing your story and the emotions evoked by watching a kill. I have been a wildlife photographer since the late 1980's, have been on safari in Africa on two occasions, and always hoped that I would not have to watch a kill. I am an evolutionary biologist and ecologist, I fully understand how natural selection has crafted life through incremental adaptations, and I recognize that this cycle of survival and reproduction has given rise to the form and function we see in nature. Yet, I am an empath... a person who feels great empathy for anything that struggles or may face danger. Like you, seeing predation or injured animals often brings tears to my eyes. Bravo to your driver/guide and you for capturing the moment... your images definitely reflect the person who made them.

regards,
bruce

Thanks Bruce for your nice words and your comments. I do really appreciate that a lot. I think, I am like you, I cant see anything suffering, human or non human. I want the world to be a happy place for everyone.
On another other note, I think you put a thread before about selling some equipement and getting a 400 mm f2.8 tc. If I am right, I hope your are going out and making use of it a lot. Take care and thanks again

 

[Kumar A]

Some of my images from 2023….

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[jeffnles1]

Wonderful series. No.2 is AWESOME! Pulled me in…didn’t want to look away. Magic.

Thank you. I very much appreciate the compliment.

 

[BLev65]

So sorry to hear of your loss Bruce.

Thank you Ira

 

[MrFotoFool]

there are some unbelievable photos in here! giving me some serious imposter syndrome!

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You get a prize for hardest to find animal. If you have not done so already, please answer this poll and list the details of your find:

Poll: Have you seen a wild puma?

Whether you call it puma, or cougar, or mountain lion, (or in Florida panther), please use poll to indicate if you have seen and/or photographed one in the wild. If you choose to comment below, please list year and location. There are regular tours to see them in Chile, but this photographer had...

bcgforums.com

 

[Jonathan]

I'm loving seeing everyones photos, there's some serious talent on this forum. Here are some of my favorites from this year!

1.

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2.

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[Rookie Roy]

Great shots Roy, love the Flamingo shot!

Thank you Ira!

 

[Kjellis]

It’s been a good year, both in life and in my photography. My favourite this year above all is the muskox photograped in snow and strong wind. I guess when you go the extra mile and endour such cold and harsh environment the experience make it so much more rewarding.

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And I had some really great other experiences this year too, like these images.

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[DBalaur]

My combo of choice falls quite short in the autofocus department, so I have been trying to push my action shots and macro stacking further this year. Hopefully, my selection reflects that effort while encompassing a good diversity of animal subjects.
Also, I just realized that this is my first time sharing my photos on the forum.

February: Two bull elks in a sparring session. Canmore, AB, Alberta.

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April: a flock of migrating snow geese taking off from the empty field as my bus passed by. Daysland, AB, Canada.

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May: two male sharp-tailed grouses doing a ritual standoff. My very first time in a photography blind. Czar, AB, Canada.

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June #1: a common tern doing some acrobatics with a freshly-caught minnow. Brackley Beach, PEI, Canada.

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June #2: a double-crested cormorant skip-hopping on the water as it was taking off. Puffin islands off Cape Breton, NS, Canada.

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July: a robberfly and its fresh kill. Morrin, AB, Canada.

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September: a baby Alashan pitviper on top of a windy ridge. Gobi Desert, Mongolia.

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October: a photogenic crow surrounded by classic fall colors. Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

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[Ralph]

It’s been a good year, both in life and in my photography. My favourite this year above all is the muskox photograped in snow and strong wind. I guess when you go the extra mile and endour such cold and harsh environment the experience make it so much more rewarding.
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And I had some really great other experiences this year too, like these images.
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Gorgeous set

 

[Kjellis]

Gorgeous set

Thank you, Ralph And the same to you too, that last shot of the kingfisher is superb!

 

[LHays]

Beautiful shot Lana...
We may have been at Bosque at the same time, as I remember watching the kites fly about... (was there 12/14-12/18)
cheers,
bruce

Thanks. You just missed me.....I left on 12/12.

 

[PP_98]

September, Uganda Track. They have such expressive eyes.

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