Pigmy Seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti)

Moalboal (SW Cebu), Filipinas

This species was described not very long ago, in 1970. The Pigmy Seahorse is a poorly known fish that is in fact hard to spot because of its small size (this specimen measured about 15 mm) and its incredible camouflage, usually quite similar to the gorgonian it inhabits. Amongst the various specimens I did see, this was the only one with an orangish colouration, different from the typical pink pustulous striped body for this species.

Nikon D80 + Nikon 60mm f2.8 + 2 x Inon z-240 + Patima housing
iso 100, 1/200, f16

Horseshoe Whip Snake (Coluber hippocrepis)

Serra do Caramulo, Portugal

When photographing reptiles and amphibians, the use of close-up (macro) lenses is quite common. The use of wide angle lenses like the fisheye lens I used to capture this beautiful Horseshoe Whip Snake, is much less so. Besides the aesthetic qualities, which I personally enjoy, it has the possibility of showing the habitat where the animal lives.

Nikon D300 + Nikon 10.5mm f2.8 + 2 x Nikon SB-26
iso 400, 1/60, f9

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)

Tejo Internacional, Portugal

A male and two females. If one the one hand an orderly hunting exploration has allowed for the recuperation of some hunted populations, such as the Red Deer one, on the other hand over-exploitation has often created unbalances between males and females – the hunting interest is mainly focused on males – causing the older males, large and with majestic antlers, can become rare.

Nikon D3s + Nikon 500mm f4 VR
iso 320, 1/320, f5