Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum)

Erges river, Tejo Internacional NP, Portugal

Nikon D3s + Nikon 105 mm f2.8 VR + 9 x Nikon SB-26 (with Rosco speedlight filters) +  2 x Jama BIR2 (IR cell beam)
iso 1600, 30 seconds, f/9

A moonlight night. A Greater Horseshoe Bat roams the riverbanks hunting for insects. At dawn it will get back to the old abandoned mine that shelters its colony from light and heat.

Andalusian Barbel (Barbus sclateri)

Mértola, Guadiana NP, Portugal

Nikon D300 + Subal ND300 housing + Nikon 10.5mm f 2,8
iso 400, 1/ 250, f/10

Portugal. Up North, clear waters, many mountain rivers, not many big fishes; down South, larger species but dirty, closed waters, little opportunities for photos. At the time I was interested in registering some of the preys of the European Otter – in this instance, an Andalusian Barbel – to complete an article about that particular mammal, later published by National Geographic Portugal. The opportunity arrived on morning in March, after a series of failed attempts, during a short period a couple of weeks after strong rain, following winter. It is certainly one of my favorite photos.

Iberian Ibex (Capra pyrenaica)

Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal

Nikon D300 + Nikon 500mm f4

iso 250, 1/1600, f/8

Iberian Ibexes, recently introduced in Portugal, inhabit the steepest cliffs of Peneda-Gerês National Park, in Alto Minho. The image illustrates their capacity for walking on the most vertiginous slopes.