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Connecting kids to wildlife and nature! Children's books - Wildlife Photography

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Her Majesty C7A3980 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: From the mountains of Torres del Paine, to the plains of the Serengeti, to the rooms of my cat sanctuary, felines are definitely my fascination. She is at home in the wild of Patagonia as she is in the presence of humans observing her. She can see prey smaller than us miles in the distance, so it is clear that she is well aware of our presence. She still pays us little mind. We are of little consequence as she gazes out into the distance, dreaming of guanaco, and hunting her next meal.

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The Buffet C7A3413 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Having convinced a larger male puma that, she is not a threat but, rather a potential cohort, she begins to consume her share of guanaco, killed several days ago. The carcass is heavy and she demonstrates significant strength while feasting on the gristly remains.

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Ghost in the Wind C7A9526 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: With the tree line already heavily shrouded in darkness, and the sun scarcely falling below the horizon, a short-eared owl sweeps across the open field glaring over its right wing. It’s a surreal scene that harkens a sense of the supernatural. Captured at equally surreal ISO, the image would have been nothing more than a “discard” just a few years ago. Photography continues to evolve, ultimately changing how we will see and remember the events that color our lives.

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Coming to a vernal pond near you C7A9785 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: An unusual stretch of unseasonably warm weather arrived a week or so ago, heralding the onset of an early spring. With it came some of the most welcome members of the evening spring choir. The tiniest of frogs… spring peepers. They arrived on stage to serenade from vernal pools across the Pineland wetlands. There were so many that they even showed up, clinging with their tiny bodies, to the sides of homes and windows. Since they took the time to visit at my home, I had to take a few moments to capture some photos. (The light is from a small flashlight I placed on a table outside the house to photograph this peeper on our sliding door.)

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Showing Off 6U8A6179 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Andean condors soar on thermals rising from cliffs outside Cerro Castillo on a cool morning in Chilean Patagonia. At times the winds are prohibitive, making attempts a photographing these astounding birds from this location overtly dangerous. But on a beautifully placid morning the perspective is astounding and the birds don’t disappoint.

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Coming to Terms 6U8A3615 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: After leading a chase for miles, she realizes that she cannot lead this large male puma successfully away from the kill. She also knows that he is much too large to fight. Ultimately, she calculates that the best way to access the kill is to rely on her charm. She assumes a subservient posture but doesn’t let he guard down. With ears flattened to her head and eyes betraying her reservation she approaches the remains and the adult male claiming it as his own. This, she knows, he can never resist.

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The Chase 6U8A2365 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: A kill, close by, attracts a hungry female puma. Unfortunately, the carcass is being watched vigilantly by a much larger male. He gives chase and the power play covers miles of ground, taking them both a good distance from the food source and back again. He never catches her and she ultimately has a plan that won’t cost her an injury, or worse.

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In Plain Sight 6U8A9538 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Managing to capture a puma crossing in view of Torres del Paine takes a little bit of luck, but is also a testament to the skill and knowledge of great guides. It not only requires knowing how to find these big cats but knowing where to locate yourself when and if the event occurs. These moments were sometimes quite brief but then that’s true of tracking any predator with a knack for disappearing while in plain sight.

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Patagonian Icons 6U8A4299 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Despite habitat loss, and predation from humans and pumas, the guanaco remains icon of South America. Highly adaptable, this camelid can survive as well at sea level as it can at 13,000 feet. It doesn’t need to drink and can derive all the water it needs from the scare vegetation and lichens. It is represented here against the backdrop or Torres del Paine in the Chilean Patagonia.

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Sunset Silhouette C7A1221 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: When the setting sun creates long shadows over the hills of Patagonia and pumas crest the ridge, it’s time to shoot silhouettes.

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Uncloaked 6U8A8942 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: The Pumas of Patagonia search the open terrain of Southern Chile for prey, hidden only by thousands of years of evolution and the undulating hillsides. They blend almost invisibly into the surrounding scrub and rock emerging, visible and uncloaked, only momentarily and then disappearing again. It is difficult to imagine how they manage to survive, yet, survive they do. This despite the immense pressure sustained by their greatest predator… mankind.

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Fade with Time 6U8A6602 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: The sun falls low on the horizon casting long shadows and blazing color across the Patagonian foothills. A puma, readying for an evening hunt, gathers strength and seems to be enjoying the changing landscape. Moments with these beautiful creatures can be brief but they are certainly memorable. Photography helps me solidify these events, helping me remember the details that might otherwise fate with time.

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A Morning’s Stop 6U8A5119 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Although the goal of our trip was to photograph the pumas of Chile, one cannot ignore the beauty of the Chilean countryside. As the sun arose, the sky lit up with color. The scene was mesmerizing. Horses grazing open fields adorned the foreground while the three towers could be seen in the distance.

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A Scenic Perch 6U8A7795 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: A pair of Southern Crested Caracara vie for a perch on scenic branch along the road on Route 9 in Southern Chile. These beautiful raptors are opportunistic omnivores, although they prefer a carnivorous diet. We stopped on our trip back to Punta Arenas from Torres del Paine after sighting one of the birds casually consuming the remains of a rabbit killed on the highway.

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On Gentle Breezes 6U8A6528 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: With a maximum wingspan of over 10 feet, the Andean Condor is one of the largest flying birds in the world. It is the national bird of Chile and several other South American nations. Standing on the precipice of unguarded cliffs overlooking the Chilean countryside was shear exhilaration as dozens of these massive birds danced on gentle breezes.

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Giving Chase C7A8276 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: When a female puma comes to close to a kill, this male, who had been feasting off the remains, gives chase. It’s a remarkable demonstration of speed and power. He appears to be floating in air and leaving a trail of dust behind. But photos can be deceiving. The trail of dust was actually created by the female being chased who, by now, is well out of the frame.

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Marvel at Beauty 6U8A5048 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Evolution has played an incredible role in the development and survival of the puma. Despite her size, she is almost invisible against the colors of the Chilean countryside. She is able to disappear almost instantly into the thicket and brambles that cover the landscape, making it difficult for even the most trained eye to find her. I am humbled and honored to be able to stand in her presence and marvel at her beauty.