This camera trap photo of an endangered female Florida panther was taken at Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. There are approximately 120 to 230 adult panthers in the wild. They originally ranged in most of the southeastern United States but due to heavy hunting, panther populations greatly declined. Today, the Florida panther's current range is less than five percent of their original home range and the breeding population is limited to the bottom tip of Florida.
Florida panthers were one of the first species listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Conserving the Florida Wildlife Corridor is key to safeguarding habitat for this critical species.
Photos by @carltonward
The @PathofthePanther project is supported by the National Geographic Society, working to inspire the protection of the Florida Wildlife Corridor — the statewide network of public preserves and private farms, ranches and forests that our wildlife needs to survive. @insideNatGeo#EndangeredSpeciesDay#keepflwild#floridapanther#floridawildlifecorridor#wildflorida#pathofthepanther#keepitwild#fornature#endangered#floridapanthers#cameratraps#wildlifephotography#everglades
Location: Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge
No sudden movements here 🦅 Nikon Ambassador @DebSandidge waited for the perfect moment to use her Nikon Z 9 and NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S to get this hawk in flight 👇
"This hawk perched about 18 feet away from me and didn’t seem to mind my Nikon Z 9 and NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S zoom lens pointed his way. I was afraid to make any movements, but he was perfectly chill, eventually taking off giving me the opportunity for an action shot. Shot from 175mm, f/5.6, 1/3200, ISO 4000. I always enjoy the opportunity to photograph wildlife, especially beautiful birds."
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#NIKKORZ#NikonZ9#NikonAmbassador#BirdPhotograhy#Wildlife#WildlifePhotography
Photo by @joelsartore | A female Edward’s bark scorpion stands completely covered by her offspring. Scorpions give live birth, with many providing safety from predators by giving their babies a ride under their venomous tail. The young are carried on the mother’s back for a week or two, until their exoskeleton hardens and they can live on their own. To see more species featured in the Photo Ark, follow me @joelsartore. #scorpion#arachnid#babies#venom#animal#wildlife#wildlifephotography#studioportrait#animalphotography#PhotoArk
Photo by Karine Aigner @kaigner | I am a snake lover. I do not understand non-experience-based fears toward this creature—or really, any species. Why do many have "Snake-tred" (snake hatred) when they’ve never had a bad experience with a snake? Snakes are fantastic creatures: With no legs, only muscles, these animals can jump high into the air, climb trees in a minute, strangle prey many times their size, move along the ground with incredible speed, and propel themselves through water. Some even have venom and camouflage that rival anything humans create. Snakes are thinking creatures, making decisions that keep themselves alive.
I saw this diamondback water snake down a road in Texas at dusk. I was lazy and done for the day, with no intention of making any pictures. I left the vehicle to investigate, sure the animal would leave—but of course, it didn’t. After wasting precious light minutes with my iPhone, I realized I had my wide-angle macro lens with me. I switched mental gears and seconds later was flat on the ground eye to eye with this fabulous being. He watched, almost as if curious (or perhaps just amused?) at my antics. Not once did he strike me. But instead he watched while I fumbled and cursed as the last light of day left the sky. Magic never fails to present itself in the natural world—especially when you think you're done for the day.
#snakes#reptiles#watersnake#wildlifephotography#natgeo#snakelover#amazingnature