No matter how much you love animals, it’s likely that you don’t get to encounter many in your day to day life. You might have a dog and cat to cuddle at home, greet some pigeons while going for a stroll and keep an eye on an adorable squirrel when you glance out the window at work. But if you’re interested in checking out some amazing photos of animals you probably don't see every day, you’ve come to the right place!We took a trip to this subreddit that’s dedicated to sharing stunning pics from the animal kingdom and gathered some of their most captivating shots below. Be sure to upvote the creatures you find most fascinating, and keep reading to find a conversation with wildlife photographer Ashley Barnard!
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Goodbye My Friend
We came across an elephant whose corpse was overcome by vultures and jackals. Another elephant approached. She chased away the predators and very slowly and with much empathy wrapped her trunk around the deceased elephant's tusk. She stayed several hours guarding her.
I absolutely hate when people say you’re attributing human characteristic to animals when referring to emotions. Who decided what’s uniquely human, we humans did. Oh the elephant isn’t mourning it’s just instinct. You can’t hurt the dogs emotions that’s not how the pack mentality works bla bla. Last time I checked our species was animal and we are not that special or different, we just love to think we are. Beautiful and heart wrenching picture
I had two Guinea pigs. When one of them died, the other one was really depressed the first days, he wouldn’t eat at all so we had to feed him and made sure he at least drank some water. We got him a new friend soon after that but it was clear that he mourned.
with bonded rabbits, they recommend if one dies you let the other one spend some time with the body instead of having their friend just mysteriously vanish. They'll groom them, try to wake them, and then ignore them after a bit. Like they process what has happened and that their friend is gone. They tend to do better afterwards and mourn less intensely if they are given a chance to process and understand.
Load More Replies...Elephants actually have a religion, too. They have been seen covering their dead loved ones with branches, leaves and placing sweet *fruits* on or next to the dead bodies. There are also reports of elephants standing in a circle around the body, the whole group swaying side to side. This is believed to be a religious ceremony. The most amazing part is that this behavior was an important part of the development of human spiritual awareness. Before early humans began burying their dead, the corpses were just left where they died. Later, humans started dressing the dead bodies in nice clothes and jewelry, laying them in a resting position, and leaving art and *food* with the body. This is believed to express a new belief of death not being the end, but is instead seen as a passage from this life to somewhere else, and that the dead need food for the journey there. And now *elephants* have been seen doing this.. Such amazing animals in so many ways! 🐘❤️
While there are absolutely signs of grief in many animals (if we care to see it) it's a stretch to infer religion. We don't know what they are thinking.
Load More Replies...Mother Coyote Teaching Her Coyote Pups How To Howl
My dog and I ran into a coyote pup one time on a walk. He didn't have the howling down, just a goofy little bark. It was adorable.
Baby canines of any kind at the stage where you get squeaks instead of wahoos are the most adorable thing ever.
Load More Replies...Firework Turtle
I just made this my new phone background so I can look at it all day :)
Load More Replies...I just visited for the 3rd time, the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City, NC. Turtles need our protection. www.seaturtlehospital.org
According to the BBC’s Wildlife Magazine, it’s impossible to know exactly how many species there are on our planet, as scientists are constantly discovering new ones. But it’s estimated that there are currently at least 9 million different species calling Earth home. And if you’re an animal lover like me, you’re probably excited to learn as much as possible about what kinds of creatures are out there.
That’s why I love communities like this subreddit (whose name we have to censor). With over 404K members, this group aims to highlight the beauty and wonder of the animal kingdom. From photos of wolves looking like cute, cuddly creatures to high quality images of honeybees working hard, this community does a great job of showcasing the living, breathing wonders of the world.
Leopard Lazing Around
He's going to eat you for that.
Load More Replies..."Whatcha Doin' Lady?" A Professional Photographer Out In The Field Is Approached By Both A Wolf Cub And A Fawn
Why? Deer mom would run away from you and she-wolf would probably not care as long as you pose no threat to her pup. Wolf attacks on humans are so incredibly rare that EVERY SINGLE ONE is listed in detail on one Wikipedia page. Wolves are freaking awesome!
Load More Replies...Baby animals are so curious and innocent, they just want to know what you're doing and what that thing is that you're holding.
Senn this one a few times, and just realized the fawn is standing on the photographer
Circle (Giraffe)
What an incredible image. The beauty of the natural world, captured for an instant by a talented artist. The very best this world has to offer!
Even more beautiful for the fact that the giraffe on the left looks pregnant.
To learn more about what it takes to capture high quality images of animals in the wild, we reached out to UK-based wildlife photographer Ashley Barnard, who was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda. First, we wanted to know how Ashley found his way to shooting animals.
“I was already a full-time photographer. I do a lot of weddings and commercial photography, however, I am a keen outdoor enthusiast,” he shared. “I've done a lot of mountaineering, ice climbing, etc. and love being outdoors. It was only when I first got my first large telephoto 600 millimeter lens that it dawned on me that I could perhaps start taking pictures of wildlife.”
Frog In The Water In A Boat
His/her tiny hand is holding onto the mast while looking up. How precious is this photo.
8 Ton Orca Jumping 15ft Out Of The Water
I always wonder how? I'm even struggling to climb out of the pool without a ladder
So THAT'S how they've been sinking all the boats off Gibraltar! (fyi to OP...average weight of female orcas is between 1.5T - 4T, males 4-6T. The one posted is female.)
Yeah, I'm not sure what made that Gibraltar group so angry but they are having some payback, for sure.
Load More Replies...“We took the orca from the sea and put it in the sky. It was just so beautiful up there, so inspiring. But the calls of the mother never stopped. From a cold and foreign sea, her subsonic wavelength penetrated all concrete, steel, and urban clamor, reverberated through pipes and sewers, kept us awake all night and broke our hearts. We knew we had done something unforgivable. We promised to set things right. But so many years passed now, and the mother is still calling out. We just don’t know how to get it down. We never did.”
I have no idea what you’re quoting but it’s strangely beautiful 😅
Load More Replies...Just Before A Shark Breaks The Surface Tension Of The Water
"Hi, I'm here to talk to you about your boat's extended warranty"
Load More Replies...Glad I'm not the only one thinking this one probably AI
Load More Replies...“I started my journey going out to my local nature reserve and having a look at what I could find, not having a clue of what I was actually looking for or doing,” Ashley told Bored Panda. “It was a massive learning curve, and I'm still learning nearly two years on.”
“Finding myself sat in the field for 10 minutes two years ago was painful. With no wildlife around, I found myself clock-watching, and eventually giving up only to find that you have to sit in a field for not just one or two hours but maybe four or six hours,” he explained. “So patience has been a massive learning curve. Sit and wait, and eventually, the wildlife will come.”
Snow Leopard Mid-Leap
Purple And Black. What A Stunning Little Bird
I love round birds. I love them so much. Especially when they're the loudest.
Dad bought a female by mis_ sell, we put it in a cage not knowing it had harbored a snake. I hit it's head to the skulll so I went to turn it around. It escaped.
Greater Blue-Eared Starling
And this is how I discovered there is also a LESSER blue-eared starling, which indeed does not look quite so dashing
We were also curious to find out what Ashley loves most about wildlife photography. “The best thing about photographing wildlife is being out in the outdoors in the middle of nowhere, on your own, camouflaged up, waiting for that one to one experience with the subject that you've gone out to photograph and find,” he shared.
“When you get that moment with the animal or bird, it is truly amazing. You've put in all that time and effort to go out and find the wildlife, then you are then rewarded with this experience that is hard to describe. Sometimes, you even forget to pick up the camera,” Ashley added.
Arctic Fox With Piercing Eyes. Iceland. Photo By Benjamin Hardman
In Summer they are a completely different colour-Google Artic Fox Summer ! Its amazing
Nope , I don't buy it. Foxes have vertical slitted pupils, like cats..
A Rare Image Of A Flying Peacock
I've only EVER seen one fly on tv program called the peacock and the tiger. I've never been the same since.
Load More Replies...how dumb am I, for some reason I didn't think they could fly ...lol 🤦🏽♀️
I rented a place years ago few years ago and the landlady had peacocks. They slept in specific trees and I got to watch them fly a lot. Until then I'd never seen one fly
My aunt and uncle had a neighbor that had a couple of them. When they get spooked, they get sooooo loud.
Lioness And Cubs Drinking
The eyes of the mamma just daring us to get close... How fearless are lioness...
I get it momma lion, my child also likes to get as close as possible when we drink.
As far as the difficulties that come with shooting wildlife, Ashley says the biggest challenge is understanding your subject. “Approaching your subject, going into their environment, knowing your rights of way and where you cannot go, etc.,” he explained.
Another difficult aspect of wildlife photography is dressing appropriately. “You can't just go out in new jeans and a T-shirt and expect to photograph some deer or hares or otters,” the expert added. “You do need to be camouflaged up. Animals recognize you by your shape and by your skin color. It's amazing how white your face and hands look when stood in the middle of the forest, and that is what the animals pick up on, as well as your scent.”
Baby Giraffe
Wolf Pup
I'm one for criticizing people who have pet lions and tigers and bears, but I am 100% positive that I could not resist taking this little guy home if I found him in the forest by his dead mother 😭
Here we have the young pup practicing his howl... Every day for 2 hours, he will stand in the clearing, throwing his little head back, forming an ooo with his little lips and emitting the cry...
Cross Fox
We also asked Ashley if he has any favorite animals to photograph. “I don't think I particularly have one favorite animal. I think it's more about the adventure and the process behind capturing the image that makes the whole experience memorable,” he noted.
“I can look back at some of my favorite images, and I know how I took that image and what I had to put in to get it, which is why I like the photograph, not so much the actual animal or bird,” Ashley explained.
“I do have a few favorites, such as the mountain hair in Scotland, dippers and wagtails or various birds of prey, but there are still many animals that I wish to photograph,” he continued. “I think one of my biggest ambitions and goals is to go out and photograph the Arctic fox, but I will have to wait for that.”
Malaysian Large Frogmouth And Her Chick
Malaysian large frogmouth and her teeny tiny mouthed baby…
Load More Replies...Reinhardt And His Floofy Tail. He Is A Siberian Forest Cat
Now listen here, stranger, I am the Sheriff in this town and we like it nice and peaceful in these parts.
My Lena is also a Siberian forest cat. She is soooo fluffy. And you can't really see it on that photo, but they are barrel-shaped, their tummy is all round. So adorable. I am going to stop here before I write another three or four paragraphe to their glory.
They are amazing. Forever kittens. The most affectionate breed ever 😍
Load More Replies...A Group Of Tadpoles Swimming
I love how alien our own planet and creatures can look :)
Load More Replies...Looks like tiny airplanes flying on some yet to be discovered water planet.
Oh Wait!!! Look it's an army of tadpoles! Follow this army of tadpoles as they practice their swimming techniques. They are representing their home town of Frogington at the next level of the Amphia-Olympics. Their rivals the knots of Toadsmania will have their work cut out for them if they wish to win this level.
Finally, we asked Ashley if he could share some advice for amateur photographers looking to get great shots of animals. “Number one: patience. [And] make sure you have a lens with at least a 300 millimeter reach. It doesn't have to be great or expensive or the best. Practice your skill set, your composition, your approach and your research into finding the animals. Then you can look at upgrading your equipment.”
Look At This Baby Muskox
My god...he's so dinky... I want to hug him and kiss him...so adorable 😘😘😘🫂💖❤️💞😂🤣
Mother Tiger Licking Her Cub
It's the tiger version of mommy using spit on your face quicky in front of school
the equivalent of a human mother spitting on a napkin to clean her kid's face--accompanied, of course, by the same look the human kid has on his
Elephants After A Swim
All these years, and I never realized that elephants aren't gray; they just have ashy skin!
“Going round local nature reserves such as RSPB centers is always a good start, where you can meet fellow wildlife photographers and enthusiasts,” Ashley added. “And don't be afraid to ask what a particular animal or bird is. When I started, I didn't have a clue. I struggled with many, many birds, but it's all part of the fun and learning.”
And of course, if you’re looking for inspiration, be sure to visit Ashley’s website, YouTube or Instagram!
Black Leopard
Looks like a leopard. Leopards have relatively small, angular heads featuring sharp cheekbones and clearly defined lines. By comparison, jaguars have larger heads and rounder faces, with less prominent ears.Leopards have longer, slender bodies with a build that’s more slight than a jaguar. This slender figure plus their longer tail makes the leopard a more agile animal, better at climbing and more adept when running at speed.
Nah, he's just been playing in the mud with the elephants we saw earlier 😂 🤣
The African Fish Eagle
Mother Bear And Cubs Drinking
Someone messed up on the fourth one, it's a little too big...
Load More Replies...We hope you’re enjoying seeing these amazing photos of animals, pandas! Keep upvoting all of your favorites, and feel free to share which animal you’d like to photograph in the comments below. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article discussing wildlife photography, look no further than right here!
Lion Taking A Catnap
Blue-Footed Boobies
"You put your right web in. You put your right web out. You put your right web in and you shake it all about..."
...and do the Hoobie Boobie, that's what it's all about...
Load More Replies...Kudu
It's impossible to look that cute and regal at the same time!
Load More Replies...I just re-watched "Soul Eater." Totally heard "Death the kid's" voice. 😆
Load More Replies...Brown Panda
They’re actually really interesting. They’re called Qinling pandas, and there’s barely any left in the wild! I did some deep dive research on them a few years back, and from what I remember, they only live super high up in the mountains, they are smaller, but rounder than other giant panda subspecies, and only a few babies are born with the brown fur gene! Highly recommend doing your own research, they are so cute and so cool!
Load More Replies...A Shining Sunbeam Hummingbird
See? Creatures this colourful are just nature's overuse of Photoshop..
Almost looks like another bird on its side, but it's actually its wing...
Red Avadavat Or Strawberry Finch
Green Turaco
But why is this so apt, tho? I looked back up at the pic and thought, “Well, then. This *does* look like if jojo was a bird and green. How does a bird look so much like a person?” 😂
Load More Replies...We put fruit in our back garden for the grey ones. (We call then Loeries here. Loo-rees.) If they see the cat, they will screech down at him. "Waaah! Waaah!" This is why they are also known as the Go-Away Bird (no, really - Google it.)
I find myself wanting to talk with a bird, and I don't even like birds
Vietnamese Mossy Frog
Talk about Camo skin. . . but looks more like a warty ol' toad to me! :-)
Snake In The Rain
I absolutely laughed out loud at this one! I salute you!
Load More Replies...It takes some intelligence to enjoy the rain like this. I think I'm chagrined.
Differences Between A Male And Female Mandarin Duck
Apart from their extraordinary plumage diffferences, they look so male and so female
Male And Female Superb Fairy-Wren
The males need the impressive colors if they want to attract a mate. Look up Birds of Paradise for a fun exploration. Not only do they have the color they absolutely have the "dance" moves!😄
Load More Replies...I miss seeing the beautiful Australian Blue Wrens as urban growth has decimated them as well and 90% of creatures I grew up alongside
A lovely Australian native bird and common in most nature parks and even gardens if they are designed for wildlife.
Giraffe And Leopard On A Misty Morning In The African Savanna, South Africa (Photo By Dylan Royal)
"The African savanna, South Africa". There's no place named that ("African savanna"). Is this in the Kruger Park or where....?
Meditating Lemur (Eulemur Rufus)
Warming up in the sun is the boring answer. "Want some of this, babe?" Is the funny one.
Harpy Eagle
This bird is magnificent, but I hope to never meet one in real life.
The Cat After The Hunt
The Dik-Dik, A Very Small Gazelle That Stands About 12-16 In From The Ground
Sometimes I send my friends unsolicited dik dik pics. Much better than the other kind of unsolicited pics.
Can I please make a "dirty" comment? Something like, no one told me that a 12-16 inches Dik-dik is considered a very small gazelle...
Australia Giant Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish! If you have not seen a documentary on them yet.(and have an interest) I recommend it.
My favorite cephalopod! I've worked with the smaller species. I would love to see a giant in real life.
You can have a diving/snorkelling experience with them at the breeding grounds in South Australia. Can recommend.
Lol really? I don’t see that, I think he looks rather sad! He’s so beautiful though, I love his eyes, this creature is so captivating. He looks more like an octopus though. I love them so much, they are highly intelligent too
Load More Replies...That looks nothing like the white things I'd hang in Raoul's cage for him to nibble on.
I think that's because you were (hopefully) hanging cuttlefish *bones*, not actual cuttlefish...
Load More Replies...Puffin With A Mouthful Of Sand Eels
No, but you definitely have something in your beak. Lol! :)
Load More Replies...Moose (Alces Alces)
Do they all dispense water from their antlers? I learned a new thing today.
Did you know that killer whales are a natural predator of moose? Moose are able to dive quite deep which works perfectly for the whales!
Gorgeous Pink Snake
It sure looks like a black mamba, but an albino? I didn’t know there was such a thing
Load More Replies...Lilac Breasted Roller V/S Scorpion
What's the scorpion got in his hand? Is that a megaphone? Quick! Quick! Shout for backup!
Snow Leopard In Ladakh, India
And those were his last words, may Adrian rest in piece(s)
Load More Replies...Not All Wasps Are Yellow. Here's A Multi-Colored Cuckoo Wasp
Australia has many native wasp species and they're mostly tiny, harmless creatures. I love to see them in my garden doing their thing.
All wasps have a place in nature, but like mosquitos I am not sure what for
Bengal Tiger Cub
Looks like he's just been woken up and can't figure out what year it is or what planet he's on.
A Rare Rhinoceros Iguana
No, dinosaurs, unlike other reptiles, don't sprawl. Their legs are like tree trunks, located right under their bodies, not at the sides.
Load More Replies...Just A Friendly Whale Shark Passing Through
Im Not A Kid! (Lion Cub)
Like when Simba tried roaring to scare the hyenas before his dad showed up.
C'mon...just let me pluck that one hair. You''ll look so much better!
Narwhals In Sea Ice, Shot From An Ultralight Plane On Floats In The Arctic Bay Of Baffin Island. By Paul Nicklen
Yesterday boys did something…similar in the school bathroom and all of them got suspended. The boys bathroom now is locked at all times and permission has to be put for boys to go in
Load More Replies...On The Verge Of Extinction. A Beautiful Kashmir Stag On Dachigam National Park, Kashmir
A Male Gorilla Has Taught Himself How To Walk A Tightrope To Try And Impress The Female At Taronga Zoo, Sydney, Australia
🎶 im still on that tightrope, I’m still trying everything just to keep you looking at me…..🎶
Arctic Fox
Elephant
Canadian Lynx
A Hungry Badger Eating Some Berries In The Snowy Forest
Giraffe At Full Stretch
A Stunning Photo Of A Brown Bear Roaming In The Forests Of Slovenia
Wolf Eating A Watermelon
Indian Roller
Fox Tango - Two Sibling Foxes Have A Little Squabble By Brittany Crossman
A Red Panda And A Leaf
Brown Bear
One of the most incredible creatures on earth, and, yet some serious nightmare fuel. Respect nature my friends.
Siberian Husky Walking On A Frozen Lake
Amazing Kingfisher
This sadly, is one of those 'baited' images, where glass is put in the water surrounding the fish and they crash into it, injuring or killing themselves. Many kingfishers have been killed by these photographers, who don't care about the animals well-being. as long as they get the shot they want. Source: I'm a wildlife photographer. This is a controversial method for those of us who care about the birds we photograph.
Uncomfortably Close To A Hippo
Yeah, I'd back up. Hippos, as cute as they are, are vicious buggers.
A Deer In The Water (Photographed By Jeongwon Park)
I thought it was a fish with the head being the tail of the fish, but then I read the title. 😉
Little Fish Escapes From Pelican's Beak
Is that a goldfish jumping out of the mouth of a PELICAN??? Strange. Somehow...that just is not seeming to pan out in my brain??? Photo Editing, much?! Maybe. But, more like probably.
Spotted Dog From Kalimpong (Canis Lupus Familiaris)
Snapping Turtle I Saw Outside My Window
You can tell he's NOT evil because he put a little green leaf on his back to show he's nice.
It just wants to know if you'd like to hear about its Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus Cristatus)
Port Jackson Shark
I guess you wish now you'd fed the rest of me to the dogs, hmm? No, Mason... No, I much prefer you the way you are
Luzon Bleeding-Heart Dove (Gallicolumba Luzonica)
Brawl Between A Wolf (Canis Lupus) And A Grizzly Bear (Ursus Arctos Horribilis)
I love that Arctic means bears and Antarctic means no bears. It's that simple.
And it has nothing to do with actual bears -- it's just that Ursa Major is only visible in the northern hemisphere.
Load More Replies...Friend Asked Me To Take Some Pictures Of Their Chickens
Wow, every photo a masterpiece! We are here for these, not for AITA-posts!
Wow, every photo a masterpiece! We are here for these, not for AITA-posts!
