50 Amazing Photos That Might Make You Love Animals Even More

No matter how much you loveanimals, it’s likely that you don’t get to encounter many in your day to day life. You might have a dog and cat to cuddle at home, greet some pigeons while going for a stroll and keep an eye on an adorable squirrel when you glance out the window at work. But if you’re interested in checking out some amazing photos of animals you probably don’t see every day, you’ve come to the right place!We took a trip tothis subredditthat’s dedicated to sharing stunning pics from the animal kingdom and gathered some of their most captivating shots below. Be sure to upvote the creatures you find most fascinating, and keep reading to find a conversation with wildlife photographerAshley Barnard!This post may includeaffiliate links.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Goodbye My Friend

Mother Coyote Teaching Her Coyote Pups How To Howl

Firework Turtle

According to the BBC’sWildlife Magazine, it’s impossible to know exactly how many species there are on our planet, as scientists are constantly discovering new ones. But it’sestimatedthat there are currently at least 9milliondifferent species calling Earth home. And if you’re an animal lover like me, you’re probably excited to learn as much as possible about what kinds of creatures are out there.That’s why I love communities likethis subreddit(whose name we have to censor). With over 404K members, this group aims to highlight the beauty and wonder of the animal kingdom. From photos of wolves looking like cute, cuddly creatures to high quality images of honeybees working hard, this community does a great job of showcasing the living, breathing wonders of the world.

That’s why I love communities likethis subreddit(whose name we have to censor). With over 404K members, this group aims to highlight the beauty and wonder of the animal kingdom. From photos of wolves looking like cute, cuddly creatures to high quality images of honeybees working hard, this community does a great job of showcasing the living, breathing wonders of the world.

Leopard Lazing Around

“Whatcha Doin' Lady?” A Professional Photographer Out In The Field Is Approached By Both A Wolf Cub And A Fawn

Circle (Giraffe)

To learn more about what it takes to capture high quality images ofanimalsin the wild, we reached out to UK-based wildlife photographerAshley Barnard, who was kind enough to have a chat withBored Panda. First, we wanted to know how Ashley found his way to shooting animals.“I was already a full-time photographer. I do a lot of weddings and commercial photography, however, I am a keen outdoor enthusiast,” he shared. “I’ve done a lot of mountaineering, ice climbing, etc. and love being outdoors. It was only when I first got my first large telephoto 600 millimeter lens that it dawned on me that I could perhaps start taking pictures of wildlife.”

“I was already a full-time photographer. I do a lot of weddings and commercial photography, however, I am a keen outdoor enthusiast,” he shared. “I’ve done a lot of mountaineering, ice climbing, etc. and love being outdoors. It was only when I first got my first large telephoto 600 millimeter lens that it dawned on me that I could perhaps start taking pictures of wildlife.”

Frog In The Water In A Boat

8 Ton Orca Jumping 15ft Out Of The Water

Just Before A Shark Breaks The Surface Tension Of The Water

“I started my journey going out to my local nature reserve and having a look at what I could find, not having a clue of what I was actually looking for or doing,” Ashley told Bored Panda. “It was a massive learning curve, and I’m still learning nearly two years on.”“Finding myself sat in the field for 10 minutes two years ago was painful. With no wildlife around, I found myself clock-watching, and eventually giving up only to find that you have to sit in a field for not just one or two hours but maybe four or six hours,” he explained. “So patience has been a massive learning curve. Sit and wait, and eventually, the wildlife will come.”

“Finding myself sat in the field for 10 minutes two years ago was painful. With no wildlife around, I found myself clock-watching, and eventually giving up only to find that you have to sit in a field for not just one or two hours but maybe four or six hours,” he explained. “So patience has been a massive learning curve. Sit and wait, and eventually, the wildlife will come.”

Snow Leopard Mid-Leap

Purple And Black. What A Stunning Little Bird

Greater Blue-Eared Starling

We were also curious to find out what Ashley loves most aboutwildlife photography. “The best thing about photographing wildlife is being out in the outdoors in the middle of nowhere, on your own, camouflaged up, waiting for that one to one experience with the subject that you’ve gone out to photograph and find,” he shared.“When you get that moment with the animal or bird, it is truly amazing. You’ve put in all that time and effort to go out and find the wildlife, then you are then rewarded with this experience that is hard to describe. Sometimes, you even forget to pick up the camera,” Ashley added.

“When you get that moment with the animal or bird, it is truly amazing. You’ve put in all that time and effort to go out and find the wildlife, then you are then rewarded with this experience that is hard to describe. Sometimes, you even forget to pick up the camera,” Ashley added.

Arctic Fox With Piercing Eyes. Iceland. Photo By Benjamin Hardman

A Rare Image Of A Flying Peacock

Lioness And Cubs Drinking

As far as the difficulties that come with shooting wildlife, Ashley says the biggest challenge is understanding your subject. “Approaching your subject, going into their environment, knowing your rights of way and where you cannot go, etc.,” he explained.

Baby Giraffe

Wolf Pup

Cross Fox

We also asked Ashley if he has any favorite animals to photograph. “I don’t think I particularly have one favorite animal. I think it’s more about the adventure and the process behind capturing the image that makes the whole experience memorable,” he noted.“I can look back at some of my favorite images, and I know how I took that image and what I had to put in to get it, which is why I like the photograph, not so much the actual animal or bird,” Ashley explained.“I do have a few favorites, such as the mountain hair in Scotland, dippers and wagtails or various birds of prey, but there are still many animals that I wish to photograph,” he continued. “I think one of my biggest ambitions and goals is to go out and photograph the Arctic fox, but I will have to wait for that.”

“I can look back at some of my favorite images, and I know how I took that image and what I had to put in to get it, which is why I like the photograph, not so much the actual animal or bird,” Ashley explained.

“I do have a few favorites, such as the mountain hair in Scotland, dippers and wagtails or various birds of prey, but there are still many animals that I wish to photograph,” he continued. “I think one of my biggest ambitions and goals is to go out and photograph the Arctic fox, but I will have to wait for that.”

Malaysian Large Frogmouth And Her Chick

Reinhardt And His Floofy Tail. He Is A Siberian Forest Cat

A Group Of Tadpoles Swimming

Finally, we asked Ashley if he could share some advice for amateur photographers looking to get great shots of animals. “Number one: patience. [And] make sure you have a lens with at least a 300 millimeter reach. It doesn’t have to be great or expensive or the best. Practice your skill set, your composition, your approach and your research into finding the animals. Then you can look at upgrading your equipment.”

Look At This Baby Muskox

Mother Tiger Licking Her Cub

Elephants After A Swim

“Going round local nature reserves such as RSPB centers is always a good start, where you can meet fellow wildlife photographers and enthusiasts,” Ashley added. “And don’t be afraid to ask what a particular animal or bird is. When I started, I didn’t have a clue. I struggled with many, many birds, but it’s all part of the fun and learning.”And of course, if you’re looking for inspiration, be sure to visit Ashley’swebsite,YouTubeorInstagram!

And of course, if you’re looking for inspiration, be sure to visit Ashley’swebsite,YouTubeorInstagram!

Black Leopard