Hello world
In a dark forest in Maashorst in the Netherlands last autumn, a happy red ant looks down at us. I like the tones of the autumn leaf. So warm. The ant was fast, but with a little help of a flashlight I was able to freeze the motion
Photograph: Alex Pansier
Mantis flamenca
On my way back in the car from a photo walk around a marsh near my town (Onda in Spain), I braked suddenly. This was when I first saw my friend, the Flemish mantis. You can imagine the faces inside the passing vehicles, seeing a car with its indicators on, the door open, and a madman lying on the ground with his camera
Photograph: Jose Miguel Gallego Molina
The speed skater
A Steller’s sea eagle in drifting sea ice off the coast of Rausu, Hokkaido, Japan
Photograph: Mark Meth-Cohn
The rock star
Fan-throated lizards are found only in the Indian subcontinent, where they have evolved under the influence of changing climates. Female lizards do not have a fan, while male lizards inflate their neck pouch to attract the female in the summer season. Here’s the female, standing upright to escape the summer heat
Photograph: Sanjay Patil
In love
After the meeting ... comes the best hug. Bears in Sitka, Alaska
Photograph: Andrea Rosado
I am coming
A razorbill attempts a very wobbly landing in Saltee Islands, Ireland
Photograph: Ines Godinez
Smooching owlets
It was truly a funny sight to see two spotted owlets (in Gurgaon, India) trying to get some privacy as their offspring stood next to them with a grin and closed eyes
Photograph: Sarthak Ranganadhan
I’ll tell you a secret
A tiny raccoon whispers into her mother’s ear in Germany
Photograph: Jan Piecha
Easy fellas – Hajime
Hajime is the term used by the referee in Judo to invite opponents to start fighting. Here, the standing polar bear appears to adopt the gesture to prepare the other bears to fight (Arctic wildlife refuge, Alaska)
Photograph: Philippe Ricordel
Hide and seek
We were on safari in Kenya and saw this beautiful female cheetah looking for a mate. A group of topi were also keeping a close eye her as she left messages for a potential partner on various trees. This shot makes me think the cheetah is about to shout: ‘Ready or not, here I come!’
Photograph: Leslie Mcleod
Holding on for a ride
After a nap in Lake Clark national park, Alaska, the mother brown bear wanted to go for a walk, but the cubs wanted a ride
Photograph: Alexander Fine
Song of the Ziesel
A ground squirrel (Ziesel in German) in Vienna, Austria, calls to his family that he’s found food
Photograph: Kath Aggiss
The contemplative chimpanzee
This was shot in the jungles of Uganda when following a group of about 50 chimpanzees. They were clearly thinking how close chimpanzees are to humans
Photograph: Arvind Mohandas
Mafia boss
This flying squirrel in Hokkaido, Japan, looked as if he was sucking a cigar, like a mafia boss
Photograph: Takashi Kubo
Gecko fashion model
On the sands of the desert, a Namib sand gecko suddenly appeared with a smile on its face. It positioned itself perfectly, posing for a portrait worthy of a National Geography cover, as if to say: ‘I’m ready for my cover!’ (Sandwich harbour, Namibia)
Photograph: Michela Bordoli
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