An artistic version of an Asiatic Tiger portrait in India
Tiger Portrait
Tiger Portrait
Zebra Mohawk
Zebras are African mammals known for their distinctive black-and-white stripes, which help deter biting horseflies. Despite much debate over their ‘base’ color, zebras are considered black with white stripes in their fur. A zebra mohawk can refer to a real zebra’s natural upright, bristle-like mane.
Zebra Mohawk Portrait
Eurasian Eagle-owl
The Eurasian Eagle-owl is one of the world’s largest owl species. Native to Europe and Asia, these impressive birds are recognized by their bright orange eyes, prominent feather tufts, and powerful build. Adults can stand nearly 30 inches tall and have wingspans exceeding six feet. Saw this one at Wing Haven in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Eurasian Eagle
East African Cheetah Portrait
Over the past 50 years, cheetahs have gone extinct in at least 13 countries, and they are most prevalent in Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa. This one was photographed just after eating in Ngorongoro Park in Tanzania
African Cheetah Portrait
King Vulture
It takes a pretty impressive bird to live up to the name “King,” and the King Vulture does not disappoint. The King Vulture is arguably one of the world’s most beautiful vultures. It has a white eye and a red eye ring, an orange-red beak, and a head and neck that are a rainbow of colors, including orange, pink, yellow, purple, grey, and black.
King Vulture
Lanner Falcon
The Lanner Falcon is a powerful, swift, and well-equipped hunter. In addition to long, powerful talons, it has a special notch on its beak called a tomial tooth, like most other falcons. Lanner falcons can reach speeds of 90-100 mph in a dive, making them exceptionally quick hunters, though not as fast as peregrines.
Lanner Falcon
Eyes of a Lion
This Asiatic Lion in India seems to be looking straight at the photographer. Like other large cats, Asiatic lion cubs are born with blue or green eyes that eventually turn golden yellow in adulthood.
Eyes of a Lion
Newborn Rhino Close-up
A newborn rhino looks like a tiny, wrinkled, gray-to-brown tank with a stubby bump instead of a long horn.
Rhino Closeup
Brown Lemur
Unique among Eulemur species, common brown males and females share the same coloring—grayish brown with a blackish face and orange-red eyes. Saw this one at the Duke Lemur Center in Durham, North Carolina.
Brown Lemur
Spectacled Owl
The spectacled owl is a large tropical bird of prey native to the rainforests and lowlands of Central and South America, easily recognized by the striking white feather markings around its bright yellow eyes that resemble a pair of glasses.
Spectacled Owl
Toco Toucan Sideways
Photographed a Toco Toucan looking sideways at Sylvan Heights Bird Park, Scotland Neck, North Carolina
Toco Toucan Sideways
Bearded Goat Portrait
Almost all domestic and wild goat breeds have beards, though male goats (bucks) nearly always grow larger, thicker, and more prominent beards than females (does) because of higher testosterone levels.
Bearded Goat
Polar Bear
The polar bear is a massive marine mammal and the world’s largest land carnivore, native to the Arctic.
Polar Bear
Quizzical Lion Portrait
The Asiatic lion is a distinct lion subspecies found only in the wild in the Gir Forest National Park and surrounding areas of Gujarat, India.
An interesting, quizzical look when staring at the photographer.
Quizzical Lion
Hamadryas Baboon
The hamadryas baboon was a sacred animal to the ancient Egyptians and appears in various roles in ancient Egyptian religion; hence its alternative name, the sacred baboon. Hamadryas baboons are large-bodied monkeys with strong builds and dog-like muzzles.
Photographed this one; seems angry at the North Carolina Zoo.
Hamadryas Baboon
Orange Iguana
Although it’s not an animal photo, a portrait of an orange iguana from the lizard family was photographed in Costa Rica. An “orange iguana” is almost always a common green iguana that has turned orange due to seasonal breeding hormones, specific color morph breeding, or natural aging.
Orange Iguana
Salivating Leopard
The Indian Leopard has larger rosettes than other subspecies, with a paler coat in desert habitats, a greyer coat in colder climes, and a more ochre coat in rainforest habitats. Like other leopard subspecies, Indian Leopards are solitary predators that remain well camouflaged at night but come down from trees to hunt during the day.
Salivating Leopard
Western Cattle Egret
The short, thick-necked Western Cattle Egret spends most of its time in fields rather than streams. It forages at the feet of grazing cattle, bobbing its head with each step, or rides on their backs to pick at ticks. Originally from Africa, it reached North America in 1953 and quickly spread across the continent.
Western Cattle Egret
American Black Bear Sitting Portrait
Photographed from afar with a phone camera, this American Black Bear is sitting and looking at you at Grandfather Mountain Zoo in North Carolina
American Black Bear Sitting
Galapagos Land Iguana
Technically not an animal, this is a portrait of an iguana from the lizard family. This one was photographed in the Galápagos; it is a large, striking yellow-and-brown lizard endemic to the arid lowlands of the Galápagos archipelago.
Galapagos Land Iguana