View allAll Photos Tagged ConservationPhotography
There is a noticeable decline in apple snails in the lakes and marsh areas in central Florida and apple snails are one of the main foods of Limpkin, needless to say there is also a decline in their numbers as well. From my personal observations fish and wildlife management is part of the cause because they spray invasive non native plants with weed control sprays to unclog the waters they are invading. Natural resource management has a double edged sword at times.
The forest lives in motion—wild winds, falling rain, unseen dangers always near.
But in the midst of it all, she holds her baby close, calm as the eye of a storm.
Her embrace is shelter, her heartbeat a rhythm older than the trees around them.
This is how life begins in the wild: not with fear, but with trust, strength, and quiet love.
This is most likely the single documented memory of this trees existence. At the time I took the photo it was the atmosphere and the isolation from nearby trees that caught my attention. In the long run this has become an oddly historical photo. The backstory, prior to hurricane Irma in 2019 this wetland had numerous mature trees that were decimated by the fierce winds and eventually they were removed by the home owners association. This young tree survived the storm because it was shrouded by the mature trees and it grew quickly after there was nothing to block it’s growth any longer.
After this photo was taken last year some uninformed people chose to remove this tree for unknown reasons. They learned that this tree species is protected by state law after the fact. They were fined and supposed to replace it which there is not evidence that it was replaced. However, the point is they did what was right in their own eyes without knowledge of laws to protect endangered plant and wildlife species. We are all guilty of acting without good intel at one point or another during our lives and this is a reminder we should think twice before leaping.
I am forever grateful that this tree spoke loud enough to my inner being to preserve it’s memory and short life.
UPDATE: I walked the area this week where the tree had stood
and was pleasantly surprised to see that not only one tree had been planted but three new trees had been planted in replacement of this little one who’s time was shortened.
An iconic bird sits atop a dwarf cypress tree in one of the most unique places on planet earth.
Dwarf Cypress Forest, Everglades National Park
Ritratto frontale di un leone adulto, con la criniera folta e lo sguardo diretto verso l’obiettivo. L’immagine è stata scattata a Zoom Torino, bioparco che ospita specie provenienti da diversi ecosistemi del mondo. La fotografia mette in risalto i dettagli della criniera e l’intensità dello sguardo, simbolo della forza e della regalità di questo grande felino africano.
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Frontal portrait of an adult lion with a full mane and a direct gaze toward the camera. The image was taken at Zoom Torino, a biopark hosting species from various world ecosystems. The photograph highlights the rich details of the mane and the intensity of the lion’s eyes, symbolizing the strength and majesty of this great African predator.
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Catching the sun as it lights up the cypress swamp.
Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Boynton Beach Florida
Amidst the dense rainforest, this orangutan sits in quiet contemplation—an emblem of a world at risk. As deforestation and habitat loss threaten their existence, every moment captured is a reminder of what we stand to lose. Protecting them means protecting the wild, ensuring that future generations inherit a world where these gentle guardians still roam free.
Beneath the quiet hush of the forest floor, where the light barely filters through the canopy, a moment of life unfolds in secret. With wings like velvet painted in iridescent blue, the Archduke butterfly descends—not to bask in sunlight, but to feast on decay.
A forgotten fruit, shriveled and blackened, becomes a treasure trove of nutrients. The butterfly unrolls its slender proboscis and drinks deeply, drawing sustenance from what the forest leaves behind. There is elegance in this moment—where beauty meets the cycle of life and death, where even rot plays a vital role.
Here, in the silence, the Archduke reigns—not by grandeur or glory, but by the quiet persistence of life in the shadows.
In the dense rainforest, a long-tailed macaque sits quietly on a branch, cracking open a coconut.
This behavior is common among wild macaques, who have learned to use their hands skillfully to access food.
Surrounded by damp earth, moss-covered rocks, and filtered light, the monkey takes its time — alert, yet calm.
Moments like this show how deeply adapted these primates are to their forest environment, relying on both instinct and intelligence to survive.
A walk in the woods is good for the soul...
Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Boynton Beach Florida
Ritratto di una leonessa adulta con lo sguardo rivolto verso l’obiettivo. Scatto realizzato a Zoom Torino, bioparco dedicato alla conservazione e alla divulgazione delle specie selvatiche. L’immagine evidenzia la forza e l’eleganza della leonessa, simbolo di cooperazione e determinazione all’interno del branco. La luce naturale mette in risalto le sfumature del mantello e l’intensità dello sguardo.
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Portrait of an adult lioness gazing directly at the camera. Taken at Zoom Torino, a biopark dedicated to wildlife conservation and education. The photograph highlights the strength and grace of the lioness, a symbol of cooperation and determination within the pride. Natural light enhances the warm tones of her coat and the intensity of her eyes.
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In the heart of Namibia’s wilderness, a white rhino calf feeds under the watchful eye of its mother. As the golden sunlight bathes the savanna, this touching moment highlights the beauty, resilience, and vulnerability of these magnificent creatures. A testament to nature’s grandeur and the urgent need for conservation.
This little burrowing owlet was funny. It would jump out of it's burrow look at me and then jump back into it's burrow again.
Cooper City, Florida
Ritratto di coppia di leone e leonessa adulti, ripresi insieme in un momento di quiete. Scatto realizzato a Zoom Torino, bioparco dedicato alla conservazione e alla conoscenza delle specie selvatiche. L’immagine mette in evidenza il legame e la complementarità tra i due esemplari: la potenza e la fierezza del maschio si uniscono all’eleganza e alla determinazione della femmina, simboli dell’equilibrio sociale all’interno del branco.
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Portrait of an adult lion and lioness captured together in a calm moment. Taken at Zoom Torino, a biopark devoted to wildlife conservation and education. The image highlights the bond and complementarity between the two individuals: the male’s strength and pride blend with the female’s grace and determination, symbolizing the social balance within the pride.
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A lone hippopotamus emerges from the shimmering waters of Botswana’s Okavango, its massive head glistening in the morning light. This tranquil moment captures the quiet strength and dignified presence of one of Africa’s most iconic creatures in its natural aquatic domain.
In the lush wetlands of Chobe National Park, Botswana, an African elephant cools off in the shallows, showering itself in water and light. The close-up captures both the raw power and the tender precision of this iconic animal as it grazes and bathes—an intimate moment in one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich landscapes.
In the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, a young lion pauses in the golden light of dusk, its gaze sharp and contemplative. The soft glow of the setting sun dances across its tawny coat, highlighting the delicate textures of fur and the intensity in its amber eyes. Every detail of this close-up reveals the quiet strength and acute awareness that define Africa’s apex predators.
This photograph captures more than a portrait — it embodies a moment of stillness in the wild, where the boundary between observer and observed momentarily dissolves. The lion’s focused expression suggests it's scanning its surroundings, possibly tracking movement in the grass or listening for the distant calls of its pride. A subtle breeze lifts the fur on its ears, adding motion to an otherwise frozen moment.
Taken in one of the most pristine wildlife habitats on Earth, this image celebrates not only the lion as a symbol of wild Africa but also the fragile, awe-inspiring ecosystem of the Okavango Delta — a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its biodiversity and raw beauty.
The ocean just like the poles and the forest needs our help. I have a new found respect for any one who does this sort of photography, probably the hardest I have ever attempted. These are Permit fish I think..
In the insect world, things are often not what they appear to be. As the common name describes, this South American dead leaf mantis (Acanthops sp.) is disguised as a dead leaf – completing the disguise by assuming a body posture that recreates the appearance of a shriveled leaf. This helps it hide from both predators and prey, easily blending into the natural environment of leaves, sticks or flowers. For hundreds of millions of years, insects have survived because they often appear to be something other than what they really are, either by camouflage, mimicry, or disguise. With this in mind, it's certain that nature is alive with thousands of insects we never see, but might, if we knew what to look for.
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Image caption: A South American dead leaf mantis perched on a leaf. Trinidad and Tobago.
A Plains Bison (Bison bison) from Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma.
For bison on the northern plains, the deep snow of winter is a hardship that will cost many animals their lives. On the southern plains, however, where the winters are warmer, the snow is welcomed. In fact, this December snow storm seemed a Christmas gift to a group of bulls in the Wichita Mountains. We watched as they ran, frolicked, rolled, and rough-housed in the snow, much as I did as a kid growing up in the suburbs of Chicago. For this Ice Age relic with a huge body and thick fur, the cooling touch of snow had them feeling their Wheaties.
Merry Christmas to all my Flickr friends!
This close-up photograph captures the incredible detail and character of a wild African elephant in Namibia. From the deep wrinkles of its skin to the powerful curve of its tusk, this image showcases the raw beauty and majesty of Africa's wildlife. Taken during a journey through Namibia's vast landscapes, this shot is a powerful tribute to nature, travel, and conservation.
This stunning black and white portrait captures the raw strength and resilience of a rhinoceros in Namibia. The intricate textures of its thick skin and the power of its iconic horn reflect the true essence of Africa’s wildlife. A tribute to nature conservation and the beauty of wildlife photography.
The earth provides nourishment that produces bones and keratin therefore feathers are from the earth. Brown feathers can symbolize a connection to nature and a solitary fallen feather can be a powerful reminder to respect the natural world around us.
Thursday April 28, 2022 Flickr Social paid homage to the Earth by doing an Explore takeover featuring photos that showcase the beauty and diversity of our planets nature and wildlife and I am so happy to be one of the photographers to have a photo selected as part of this celebration.
A tranquil aerial view of a rewetted peatland, where lush greenery meets still waters under a dramatic sky. Once drained, this restored ecosystem is now a thriving habitat and a key ally in climate mitigation. The mirrored clouds on the water’s surface contrast with ghostly tree stumps, symbolizing past exploitation and current hope.
A heartwarming capture of a family of elephants in the Namibian wilderness. The protective matriarch leads her young through the dry landscape, their bond a testament to the deep social connections of these gentle giants.
Portrait of a Many-coloured Bush Anole (Polychrus marmoratus). An arboreal species, it is sometimes referred to as the monkey lizard due to its gait or manner of walking similar to that of many primates. It has the ability to camouflage by changing its skin colour to blend in with the many shades of green, brown, and other colours of the forests it inhabits, as demonstrated by this individual hidden among the hands of fruit of a banana plant. Trinidad & Tobago
A stunning close-up photograph capturing the intricate detail and soulful expression in the eye of an African elephant in Namibia. The image highlights the texture of the elephant's skin and the depth of its gaze, reflecting the beauty and wisdom of these majestic creatures.
This powerful image captures an adult rhinoceros wandering through the red sands of Namibia. A symbol of resilience and quiet strength, the rhino embodies the wild spirit of Africa’s vast and breathtaking landscapes.
Portrait of a False Giant Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio homothoas). Its genus name Papilio translates to ‘Butterfly’ in Latin.
Swallowtail butterflies belonging to the family Papilionidae are some of the most easily recognised and well-studied butterfly species due to their large size, dazzling colors, and elegant shapes. The name Swallowtail comes from the forked appearance of many species hind wings, which can be observed when resting with their wings open. Trinidad & Tobago
A mountain pool in the Valencia forest reserve. Trinidad & Tobago.🌿
Healthy watersheds provide a wide array of critical ecosystem services, including but not limited to: nutrient cycling, carbon storage, erosion/sedimentation control, soil formation, increased biodiversity, wildlife corridors, reduced vulnerability to invasive species, water storage and filtration, flood control, food, timber and recreation, as well as mitigating the effects of climate change and other natural disasters. The complexity of natural systems along with economic precedents often mean that these ecosystem services essential to our social, environmental and economic well-being are frequently undervalued when making land use decisions.
On average the world’s major watersheds lost 6 percent of their tree cover from 2000 – 2014, and today, only around 31 percent of the world’s remaining watershed areas are covered by forests. Deforestation in watersheds, often caused by commodity and agricultural production, contaminate water supplies, fuel floods and drought, and leads to higher costs for water treatment. While it is difficult to assign a dollar value to any particular ecosystem service, research and evidence support that maintaining intact healthy ecosystems avoids costly restoration and ecosystem service replacement, and provide long-term economic opportunities and benefits.
The Green Parrot Snake or Lora (Leptophis ahaetulla), is a medium-sized slender snake of the Colubridae family. They are found in the Neotropics, with several recognized sub-species found in Central America, South America, and the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. It is a diurnal hunter primarily feeding on frogs, lizards and small birds. The species is mildly venomous but is not considered a threat to humans. When threatened, it will open its mouth in a wide gape while inflating its neck and hissing, with repeated and aggressive mock strikes. This type of displayed behaviour may be similar to that shown by highly venomous pit vipers. By mimicking the pit viper’s behavior the parrot snake appears dangerous, warding off any predators and threats.
Image caption: Portrait of a Parrot Snake (Leptophis ahaetulla), Trinidad and Tobago.