The Stoat’s Game.That morning the stoat performed a series of jumps on the snow for a few minutes that it had not done the previous days. He seemed to be playing with the freshly fallen snow, making sudden jumps and crawling through the snow. Scientists have witnessed stoats (Mustela erminea) engaging in similar displays on many occasions, and they refer to the behavior as dancing, although their opinions are divided about what motivates the leaps and twists. Sometimes, the dances are performed in front of a rabbit or large bird in a seeming attempt to confuse or distract potential prey—a strategy that has proven effective in a number of documented interactions. At other times, as was the case in the display photographed, there is no prey animal in sight, and the dance seems simply to be an expression of exuberance. A third hypothesis is that the dances are actually an involuntary response to a parasitic infection, since stoats are known to be hosts for cranial parasitic worms.Jose Manuel has been a wildlife photographer for 25 years and specialises in birds. He’s also worked on several studies on the migration of birds, which have been published in magazines such Aedeola (Seo/Birdlife). Jose’s photos have received several awards, including awards in Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Nature’s Best Photography. He’s a member of the Spanish Association of Nature Photographers and the Spanish Ornithological Society.Follow Jose on Instagram @jm_grandio.Jose Manuel Grandio / Courtesy of Vital Impacts.
Today, on Earth Day, the same date that what would have marked Jane Goodall’s 92nd birthday, we have the opportunity to reflect on this theme through the images of The Nature of Hope: The World Jane Goodall Inspired, a collection created by Vital Impacts featuring works by Nick Brandt, Frans Lanting, Cristina Mittermeier, Steve Winter, Ami Vitale, Jim Naughten, among others. For the occasion, it is also possible to purchase a selection of rare, hand-signed prints by Jane Goodall.
Dancing elements.Aerial photograph of Arctic river delta in autumn. Adventdalen Valley, Svalbard, Norway.Orsolya Haarberg / Courtesy of Vital Impacts.
A World on the Edge.The Arctic is one of my happy places. It’s environment can be like another world. I had high hopes of encountering, photographing and filming polar bears, it is not however guaranteed you will see them, especially a polar bear on a glazier. Lucky for me and believe it or not, my dream came true.This photograph was my first polar bear encounter. I couldn’t believe it – timing, setting, light, positioning – it was all picture perfect with the added bonus of a waterfall! The toughest job was me – standing in a small zodiac with waves making it sway and changing weather conditions, it took a prayer, a breath, and a second. I am really happy with the result.Michael Haluwana is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning cinematographer, photographer, and videographer with over 17 years of industry experience. Michael’s exceptional work has earned him numerous accolades from prestigious organisations such as the National Geographic, BBC, Virgin Galactic, Canon and Sony. Michael’s career has been marked by collaboration with esteemed professionals on iconic projects both domestically and internationally. Notably, he has worked alongside Sir David Attenborough on BBC’s Planet Earth Il and Planet Earth Ill, contributing to the stunning visuals that have captivated audiences worldwide.Follow Michael on Instagram @aeroture_aus.Michael Haluwana / Courtesy of Vital Impacts.
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