Iberian Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti)

Tejo Internacional NP, Portugal

Nikon D300, Nikon 500mm f4 + Nikon TC-14EII (=700mm)

ISO200, 1/800, f7.1

Atop a holm oak, this Iberian Imperial Eagle watches over its territory. Once extinct in Portugal as a nesting bird, this eagle appears tobe coming back. Basically, recuperating this bird of prey depends on what will happen to the greatly decimated population of the European Rabbit.

Coral Crab (Trapezia sp.)

Balicasag (Panglao, Bohol), Philippines

Nikon D80 + Nikon 60mm f2.8 + Patima PDCH-D80 (underwater housing) + 2x Inon Z-240
iso 100, 1/200, f/20

Inside a coral, a small Coral Crab seeks shelter from potential predators. For these small cratures, life on reef is full of danger and menaces.

Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum)

Tejo Internacional NP, Portugal

Nikon D3s + Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR + 8x Nikon SB-26 + Jama BIR2
iso 800, 31s, f/11

Some species of bats, like the Greater Horseshoe Bat, are known for carrying their young as they fly. Nevertheless, this curious detail of their behaviour is seldom shown on photos.

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

Portugal

Nikon D300 + Nikon 17-35mm f2.8 (at 29mm) + 3x Nikon SB-26
iso 400, 1/250, f/7.1

When someone asks why I place a camera trap set in a certain location, I often reply that it is meant for whatever goes by there. Obviously I have my expectation as to what that might be, but the fact is that much of the creatures that end up activating the camera are not exactly the ones I am trying to photograph. In this instance, a Grey Heron was detected by the cell beam, causing the camera shoot, whereas the image I was really trying to capture was that of an European Otter.

Mediterranean Chamaleon (Chamaleo chamaleon)

Mata de Montegordo (Algarve), Portugal

Nikon D3s + Nikon 10.5mm f2.8 + 4x Nikon SB-26
iso 500, 1/250, f/14

In the beggining of autumm, a chameleon feeds on a grasshoper. It accumulates reserves for a short hibernation, which will extend threough the winter months.

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Serra de Grândola, Portugal

Nikon D300 + Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.5 (@ 26mm) + 3x Nikon SB-26 + TM-1550
iso 400, 1/250, f/9

Life's beggining was rough for this young Red Fox. Barely over one month old this cub and its two brothers caught scabies, which gives it this hairless look and general thinness. Nevertheless, they appear to be able to resist the rather serious disease.

Common Genet's (Genetta genetta) making of

Portugal
Nikon D800 + Nikon 17-35mm f2.8 (@ 19mm) + 4x Nikon SB-26 + TM-1550
iso 400, 1/250, f/16

Common Genet (Genetta genetta)

Portugal

Nikon D800 + Nikon 17-35mm f2.8 (@ 19mm) + 4x Nikon SB-26 + TM-1550
iso 400, 1/250, f/11

On the first image, the child in the bag smiles while I prepare the setting. Notice the look on my face denoting effort! This is one of those photos that simply happen when the sensor is accindentally activated, as the equipment is being prepared...
On the second image, the Genet that inhabits the place crosses the path at dawn. As expected, as the animal goes by the sensor activates the camera, which turn makes the four flashes go.
A few days only mediate between chance and a programmed photo.

Horseshoe Whip Snake (Coluber hippocrepis)

Serra do Caramulo, Portugal

Nikon D3s + Nikon 60mm f2.8 AFS + reflector
iso 800, 1/125, f/20

On a May evening, a Horseshoe Whip Snake takes advantage from a few sun rays to warm. The large granite boulders. atop Caramulo Mountains, preserve the heat that has warmed them during the day, until a bit later.

European Otter (Lutra lutra)

Tejo Internacional NP, Portugal

Nikon D3s + Nikon 500mm f4 VR + floating hide
iso 1600, 1/160, f/8

During 2014 I tried to hunt for the same opportunities I had at the end of the summer 2013, to photograph European Otters. Nevertheless, in spite of my many efforts, I did not have the same luck as before, something that is always necessary if one is to obtain shots as rare as this one. Although widely distributed throughout the country, European Otters are exceptionally hard to see and to photograph, being quite elusive and of predominantly nocturnal habits.