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Dutch photographer Dick van Duijn has a real talent for capturing the beauty of wild animals. His photos are both mesmerizing and incredibly cute. The 34-year-old’s wildlife photography work is very popular, with over 46,200 people all over the world eagerly following him on Instagram. Recently, van Duijn has been causing waves on the internet with his beautiful photos of ground squirrels smelling flowers.

To bring a bit more joy to your autumn day, here is a list of van Duijn’s most beautiful animal photos. So scroll down, enjoy the gorgeous photos and the cute animals in them, upvote your favorites, and leave us a comment explaining which pictures you liked the most. Read on and enjoy Bored Panda’s in-depth interview with professional photographer van Duijn about his work. And if you want, share this post to brighten up somebody’s day!

More info: hollandpix.com | Instagram

#1

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Van Duijn revealed to Bored Panda what motivated him to photograph the ground squirrels who are so lovingly hugging flowers in his pictures.
“I saw pictures of these adorable animals from other photographers and wanted to photograph them myself. Because I like flowers and animals, I tried to combine them. I am always looking for ways to capture nature in its most unaffected form.”
The photographer added more about the ground squirrels: “There were a lot of curious squirrels, so it was not hard to photograph them, but to capture one with a flower like this took a lot of patience and shots. The moment the squirrel smelled the flower and planted his face in the flower, I knew this was the picture of a lifetime!”

Dick van Duijn Report

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captaindash avatar
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People don't understand how hard nature photos are to get. If they did they'd appreciate them more.

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D. Pitbull
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I fully agree - *looking at own camera and seeing scores of pictures of blurs, escaping butts and an ear*

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Iris Engler
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Find the man who hugs you like that squirrel its flower (: What an amazing and lovely shot

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Tammy Allen
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My fave wedding photo was caught by a guest and my husband and I are dancing and we both have our closed. Looking at it brings back exactly how I was feeling at the time, "all is right with my world"

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Sarah Panhorst
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AH AH AH TOO CUTE!!! This is beautiful and incredible photography talent!

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Lili Ana
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought it was going to eat the bug at first... but no... it just wanted a snuggle.

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A B C
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my word! I'm melting due to cuteness overload! ❤️❤️❤️

d_pitbull avatar
D. Pitbull
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

GROUND SQUIRREL!!! See - this is an "argument" I had with a professor in University. He motioned to indicate that Ground Squirrels were something like 3 ft tall... and I said slightly too loudly "Oh...that is just b**sh**" - and... from that day on... until the day I graduated... that was my damned nickname. "Ground Squirrel" - yes. I'm short. I'm not THAT short. And Ground Squirrels are NOT THAT BIG, CHRIS!!!

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Mark Snider
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just love these pictures of a small furry creature and a flower. It's very evident he/she appreciates it greatly. ThankYou for your efforts to share this beauty.

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Deborah Ivers
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely LOVE these moments so precious and endearing! Thank you Van Duijn!! Amazing and uplifting!!

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Roger Bird
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is definitely a picture of a lifetime. It blows the exclusivity of the evolutionary perspective out of the water (or out of the field). Animals have souls; they experience; and spirituality is important.

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Adria Quines
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Linda natureza a muitos momentos belos danatureza a apreciar amo natureza e um sentimento lindo da vida !!!

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danielw
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if the photographer wasn't around... the flower would be getting eaten.

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sharron lynn parsons
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excellent shot, to see it loving a flower, priceless, Being an amateur who loves nature, I do know how difficult it is to get a truly great shot, especially of wildlife, I have a few that took patience,and luck to be thrilled with that awesome shot, such excitement !!!

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Christina Uhlir
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First, people must appreciate the nature, and for some it is very hard to do.

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Kristin Haskins
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes what I see here brings me to tears of laughter! Other times, it tears of sadness...but mostly ....mostly...it's just US! All of us, as human beings, with all of our problems, worries, loves, friends, pets, and what our favorite FOODS are..That. ALL OF IT.

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Kristin Haskins
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And no, it has nothing to do with anything much, but there it is....and have as nice of a day as you can!

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Marlene Ricker
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The photographer's patience was most definitely rewarded. These pictures are priceless!

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Nina Sky
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Im a photographer myself so I know how hard and special a shot like this is!!! Amazing warms your heart I love love love these photos ♡♡♡

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Cat Anderson
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that is so cute. if animals can take time to enjoy nature why don't we

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Pat Mew
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very difficult to pick out my favourite but the squirrel ones are amazing. The look of utter bliss on some of the animals is enchanting. Also love the sheep - great shot. I admire your patience and skill.

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Jennifer
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This has got to be one of the most precious things I have ever seen--no kidding.

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Tammy Allen
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so beautiful. Look at the look of happiness and contentment.

laci avatar
Laci
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's like she's asking permission to sniff that flower. "I accept you flower, may I sniff you?"

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Panda Kicki
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I suspect he put something that smelled nice for the squirell in the flower :D

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knittin' kitten
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pollen he has pollen in the flower that's what smells nice. Animals can enjoy (and with better sniffers more) smelling wildflowers too

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Furthermore, van Duijn shared some photography tips he has for other photographers, whether they’re new to the animal photography trade or seasoned veterans in their own right.

“Just start photographing nature and wildlife in your own area and practice and experiment a lot. When you have mastered photography in your own environment, head out to other countries and explore.”

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Van Duijn, who grew up on the coast of the Netherlands in Noordwijk, started working at his parents’ fish shop after graduating from school. He bought his first camera 8 years ago, after deciding that he needed a creative outlet. That was the start of his “biggest passion” — photography.

The photographer has a wide range of experience and expertise in wildlife, landscape, cityscape, and sports photography. He has traveled all over the world in search of beautiful shots. Van Duijn is incredibly popular and his love for photography has landed him in media outlets all across the globe.

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#10

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Dick van Duijn Report

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Daria B
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're like a gang, but the background is idyllic. Such an adorably funny contrast.

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FloC
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did he plant the flower in the grass ? It looks odd to have just one flower standing out like that. The photo is great anyway, well, all of them are.

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Dick van Duijn Report

Note: this post originally had 52 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.