Category Archives: Travel Photos

Travel photography from around the world.

Travel Photos

Wildlife Photo: Common Bottlenose Dolphins

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Common Bottlenose Dolphins
Two Common Bottlenose Dolphins, photographed in the Galapagos Islands

 

Dolphins are a special creature. We seem to have a connection to them unlike any other animal in the sea. They’re smart, seemingly playful and downright cute.

In reality though, they are fierce and ferocious hunters, with few enemies in the sea! Despite seeing dolphins in Brazil, the Maldives, Russia, Honduras and other places, I’ve always found photographing dolphins to be a futile effort.

They follow boats or may bow ride, dipping above and below the surface at great speed. Never still, getting a good shot has always seemed impossible! But, on my last trip to the Galapagos Islands I was lucky enough to have a number of dolphins hang out with our boat for around 30 minutes. They were porpoising and bow-riding and having all sorts of fun. So, with a bit of luck and guesswork as to where they’d jump out of the water next, I was about t capture this image of two Common Bottlenose Dolphins jumping out of the water at the same time.

Travel Photos

Wildlife Photo: Espanola Lava Lizard

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Female Lava Lizard
A Female Lava Lizard on Espanola Island in the Galapagos Islands

 

The Española Lava Lizard, or Hood Lava Lizard is one of nine species of lava lizards endemic to the Galapagos Islands. As it’s name suggests, it is specifically endemic to Espanola, or Hood, Island.

This particular lava lizard is a female lava lizard, as can be determined by the colouration of the face. While different lava lizards species have different colouration’s and their colours can change at times, the females often have a bright red colour under their necks.

Overall, male lava lizards are larger than the females. Both males and females will perform ‘push ups’ if they feel threatened by your presence, or to determine dominance over another lava lizard nearby.

The scientific name for this lava lizard is Microlophus delanonis and it was photographed at Punta Suarez on Espanola Island.

 

Travel Photos

Wildlife Photo: Black-Naped Hare

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Black-naped Hare
A Black-Naped Hare at Ruhunu / Yala National Park in Sri Lanka

 

A cute creature, the Black-Naped Hare, also called the Indian Hare, is common across Indian, Sri Lanka and other parts of Southern Asia.

Not to be confused with rabbits, hares are entirely different animals. These hares enjoy feeding on twigs and berries and have larger ears and hind legs. They’re a pretty impressive size really!

This particular black-naped species is unfortunately a victim of poaching in parts of India, but still has healthy populations in the wild.

Travel Photos

Wildlife Photo: Canadian Beaver

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A hungry beaver
A Hungry Canadian Beaver at Parc National d’Aiguebelle in Quebec

 

The great Canadian beaver! This is an animal that Canadians take pride in for it’s resourcefulness and industrious nature.

No other animal on Earth – aside from man – has the power to transform land as much as the beaver can! These semi-aquatic rodents are the second largest in the world, after the Capybara of South America.

Known for their ability to dam lakes and rivers and build impressive beaver lodges, they were once hunted for their furs. Today, they are mostly protected, but beaver hunting does still occur. The Canadian beaver is actually one of dozens of subspecies of beavers found across the world, although most people only bother to differentiate between Eurasian and North American beavers.

Beavers do not hibernate in the winter time, they remain somewhat active and will come out to feed. They do so by leaving a hole in the bottom of their lodge so they can swim in and out. They also leave a hole in the top of their lodge to let air escape. Sometimes in winter you can see steam coming from the top of an active beaver lodge!

Travel Photos

Wildlife Photo: Nazca Booby

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Nazca Booby
A Nazca Booby at Punta Suarez on Espanola Island in the Galapagos

 

The sleek-looking Nazca Booby of the Galapagos Islands.

Not many years ago, the Nazca Booby was considered a subspecies of the Masked Booby, but now it is recognized as it’s own unique species.

They are mostly white in colour, with black wing tips and black around the face. Despite breeding and hatching on islands with few predators (the Galapagos), the Nazca Boobies will only raise one chick.

Usually two eggs are laid, and whichever hatches first (if they both hatch) will eventually push the other baby Nazca Booby out of the nest. Once out of the protected ‘ring’, the parents will refuse to feed the abandoned baby and it will inevitably die! Cruel siblings huh?