Photo Essay: The Matador Photographers’ Animal Kingdom

12/5/09  Print This Post Print This Post    11 Comments   Popular   Written by Carlo Alcos
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In this first for Matador, the Matador Photography group at Flickr collaborates to bring you some images of animals around the world.
Austrian Alps sheep

1. Somewhere in the Austrian Alps. As we rounded the corner we were confronted by these menacing sheep. They eventually let us pass. Photo: VagabonderZ

Buffalo in South Dakota

2. I took this in Badlands National Park, South Dakota. This was back in 2002. As soon as my classes were done, I hit the road and got the hell out of Iowa – skipping my own college graduation. During my week in Badlands NP, I crawled out of my tent most mornings to see bison scattered around the landscape. It was worth missing my graduation. Photo: Theodore Scott

Cow in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India

3. I shot this cow on the back streets of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. Being sacred to Hindus, cows roam freely everywhere in this country. I like how the shadow plays in the photo, and how this particular cow seems to be “smiling” at the little girl to the left. Photo: Molly McCahan

Giraffes in Kouré Park, Niger

4. In Kouré Park outside Niamey, Niger, we saw these two male giraffes fighting. Giraffes fight by swinging their necks and hitting the opponent’s body with their heads. It’s slow and hilarious and if we fought wars like this, everyone would have gone home for tea by now. Photo: ljgolden

Goats on Pool Hill trek

5. It’s all about the goats I met during Poon Hill trek last September. Photo: theyellowtail

Butterfly in Bohol, Philippines

6. I’m not sure if insects count as “wildlife” but this was taken in an amazing butterfly sanctuary on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. Photo: Andrew and Elysia

King penguins at Volunteer Point in the Falkland Islands

7. While making our way to Isla de la Plata, aka the “Poor Man’s Galapagos,” we were lucky enough to come across this breaching humpback. Only 50 km off the Ecuador coast, Isla de la Plata is a great day trip if you can’t afford the time or money for the Galapagos. With the exception of tortoises, you’ll see all the wildlife of the Galapagos there. Photo: Len Langevin

Llamas in Machu Picchu

8. Llamas in Machu Picchu eating and taking a nap, both of which I desperately wanted to do after 4 hours of hiking the ruins. Photo: crfranke

Black-winged Stilts in Okinawa, Japan

9. Marching through the marsh. Black-winged Stilts in a flooded field at Kin Okinawa, Japan. Photo: Ryuku Mike

Guanacos outside Ushuaia, Argentina

10. Guanacos are pretty much the only living thing that occasionally dots the mostly barren landscape in Tierra del Fuego. They’re quite shy, but we seem to have caught this small group by surprise. Outside of Ushuaia, Argentina. Photo: bearshapedsphere

Pink flamingos of Le Camargue

11. Pink flamingos of Le Camargue, a marshy area in southern France, where the Rhone and Mediterranean meet. It is Europe’s largest river delta. Photo: VagabonderZ

coatí in Tepoztlán, Mexico

12. An large extended family of coatí live on the mountain above the pueblo of Tepoztlán, Mexico. Hikers come up here to check out a small Aztec pyramid temple — perhaps the coatí are its guardians. Or maybe they just like tourist food. Photo: halamen

King penguins at Volunteer Point in the Falkland Islands

13. These king penguins at Volunteer Point in the Falkland Islands had changed their mind about being in the water, and couldn’t wait to get back out. Photo: bearshapedsphere

Marine iguanas on the Galapagos Islands

14. Marine Iguanas are only found on the Galapagos Islands and their colours vary distinctly from island to island. Iguanas feed on seaweed and algae and have the incredible ability to change their size if sufficient food is not available. Photo: m.scott

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Community Connection

We love animals at Matador. Here are some great reads:

Close Encounters: Reconnecting To Animals Through Our Primitive Nature

You Got Your Pens Moving: Animal Stories from the Matador Community

5 Exotic Animals That Are Smarter Than You Think

First Person Dispatch: Volunteering for Animal Rights in Greece

If you’re not yet a member at our Matador Photography Flickr group, make sure you stop by. We’ll be looking to publish more collaborations so if you want in, here’s your chance.


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About the Author

Matador ID: vagabonderz

Carlo is a Contributing Editor of Matador Trips, originally hailing from Vancouver, Canada. After a two-year stint in Melbourne, he and his wife are traveling slowly with their Bike Fridays; they don't know when, where, or if the journey will end. Follow him on Twitter and at Vagabonderz.com.

11 Comments... join the discussion!

  • AdventureRob replied on December 6, 2009

    Awesome collection! I loved the Giraffes, Black winged stilt and King Penguin shots the most :-)

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  • Paul Sullivan replied on December 6, 2009

    Nice work Carlo, some really great shots here…let’s hear it for the animals!

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  • Michelle replied on December 6, 2009

    These are incredible! I love how the fourth little guy in #9 is just a little out of step with the others.

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  • Gray replied on December 6, 2009

    Outstanding photos! I especially love the mountain sheep, the breaching whale, and the iguana who has his arm around his buddy’s shoulder–that cracked me up.

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  • christine replied on December 6, 2009

    Awww, I’m touched! Especially that last one…

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  • neha replied on December 7, 2009

    What a great set!

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  • Adri replied on December 7, 2009

    Superb Carlo, thanks! I love all the pictures!!

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  • Lola replied on December 7, 2009

    Superb indeed! Looking forward to more Matador photo spreads!

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  • Matt Scott replied on December 7, 2009

    Thanks for putting this together Carlo. # 9 with the four birds in a row is a really great pic: I wonder how long it took to get that one. The whale one is awesome!

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  • Philippine Photos replied on January 13, 2010

    Pinoy Pride!!!!

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  • Ryukyu Mike replied on April 15, 2010

    Just saw this; only a few months late. Great post Carlo. Let’s do more!

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