Marine
Mammals
These are certainly one of my favourite groups of animals and I love everymoment that I spend with them, including trying to photograph them which can be frustratingly difficult. With 90 species of cetaceans, plus pinnipeds, sirenians, sea otters and, polar bears there are plenty of these charismatic mammals to choose from.
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962
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
Arctocephalus pusillus. Geyser rock off Dyer Island is home to over 50,000 Cape fur seals including these two. Unfortunately a large scale annual commercial hunt of the species still takes place in Namibia.
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A Cape fur seal pup relaxes on the back of an elder
952
Andy Gilbert
October 2017
Halichoerus grypus. Grey seals are extremely curious and when watching them you often find yourself becoming the observed rather than the observer. And if you have a dog on the shore with you they are even more inquisitive.
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A curious grey seal checks me out
940
Andy Gilbert
June 2016
Eumetopius jubatus. A large male sea lion sits amongst s group of females and juveniles on a haul out.
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A group of Steller’s sea lions.
939
Andy Gilbert
January 2020
Physeter macrocephalus. As we crossed the mid-Atlantic ridge this maternal pod of female and juvenile sperm whales was resting and socializing. Some were simply logging on the surface others were spyhopping. This is an essential period of rest as 75% of their time is spent at depth feeding.
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A maternal pod of sperm whales
936
Andy Gilbert
June 2016
Orcinus orca. Standing enjoying 5am coffee on the decking of my waterfront accommodation, faint blows broke the early morning stillness and I could hear the orcas before I could see them. A small group from C1 Pod cruised quietly past as I watched in awe.
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A male orca from the Northern Resident killer whale community
930
Andy Gilbert
January 2020
Stenella attentuata. Spotted dolphins have highly variable markings. This individual was particularly dark with a profusion of spots behind the beak.
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Pan-tropical spotted dolphin leaps from the Caribbean sea
928
Andy Gilbert
June 2016
Enhydra lutris. A truly marine species - sea otters ingeniously wrap themselves up in kelp when they snooze so that they don’t float away on the currents.
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A sea otter wraps itself in kelp
762
Andy Gilbert
June 1 2016
Megaptera noveangliae. This humpback was lunge feeding close to the small vessel that I was on and as it surfaced it expelled water from its mouth, sieved through baleen plates, leaving a mouthful of food.
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A surfacing humpback whale expels water from from its mouth whilst feeding
755
Andy Gilbert
2019
Halichoerus grypus. This grey seal is regularly seen in Ullapool harbour hoping for a meal of fish from the fishing boats.
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A grey seal pops its head out of the water, Ullapool harbour
777
Andy Gilbert
2019
Odonbenus rosmarus.
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A male walrus with tusks
856
Andy Gilbert
July 2 2020
Hauled out on rocks below the cliffs this grey seal watched us intently. We were careful not to disturb it’s recovery period.
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A grey seal watches intently from its haulout
756
Andy Gilbert
2019
Phoca vitulina. This young common seal was playing in the wake of the thrusters of CalMac ferry MS Clansman as it docked at the Ilse of Coll.
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A young common seal approaches a ferry, Isle of Coll
855
Andy Gilbert
July 2 2020
The different pelages of these two seals show how distinct Atlantic grey seals can be. Photo identification is undertaken by using the patterning on their coats.
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Two grey seals vie for space on the same rock
851
Andy Gilbert
July 2 2020
Phocoena phocoena. Harbour porpoise, the UK’s smallest cetacean, can be regularly seen feeding in the currents below Berry head in South Devon
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A harbour porpoise surfaces whilst feeding off Berry Head in Devon
809
Andy Gilbert
July 2018
Phocoena phocoena. Often shy and elusive the harbour porpoise shows itself briefly.
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A surfacing harbour porpoise in the Small Isles, Scotland
808
Andy Gilbert
2019
Phocoena phocoena. A porpoise comes up for air whilst feeding in the Firth of Clyde.
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Harbour porpoise off the Isle of Arran
807
Andy Gilbert
July 1 2018
Phocoena phocoena. Notoriously difficult to capture more than the fin of harbour porpoise the water was so clear that I could see when it was about to surface right next to us.
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A harbour porpoise surfaces
799
Andy Gilbert
June 2016
Lagenorhynchus acutus. The mirror conditions created fantastic reflections as these dolphins bow rode.
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A Pacific white-sided dolphin creates a rooster tail as it travels
798
Andy Gilbert
June 2016
Lagenorhynchus acutus. The ocean was so clear that I was able to get clear shots of some of the dolphins under the water.
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A Pacific white-sided dolphin swimming underwater
797
Andy Gilbert
June 2016
Lagenorhynchus acutus. A large group of these dolphins came to bow ride as we motored back to Telegraph Cove after watching humpback whales.
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A Pacific whites-sided dolphin and its reflection
795
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
Balaenoptera edeni. There is something fascinatingly elusive about the Bryde’s whale – like the minke whale it is seen regularly frequently within its range but shows very little of itself.
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A Bryde’s whale surfaces in the ocean off Hermanus, South Africa
794
Andy Gilbert
December 2019
Megaptera novaengliae. Humpies are renowned for their acrobatics and breaching is all part of the repertoire. This one in Algoa Bay was active for at least 20 minutes.
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A humpback whale breaches right out of the water off Port Elizabeth
778
Andy Gilbert
2019
Odobenus rosmarus.
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A herd of male walrus hauled out together
771
Andy Gilbert
June 2019
Ursus maximus. Polar bears need to take care of their coats to retain its insulating properties, they do this by rubbing themselves in snow after swimming and feeding. It is also an effective way for them to cool down on hot days.
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A polar bear rubs its body on the ice as it enjoys the sunshine
770
Andy Gilbert
June 2019
Ursus maritimus. And there it was – the ice bear, smelling the air to work out who these strange creatures were in disturbing its icy domain.
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A large polar bear smells the air
769
Andy Gilbert
June 2019
Ursus maritimus. Look at the size of those paws! Polar bears have huge paws to help distribute their weight across thin ice but also to act as paddles and rudders as they swim.
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A polar bear rolling on the ice exposing its belly and its huge paws
766
Andy Gilbert
June 2015
Orchinus orca. As we scanned the horizon from the sun deck of the ship the six foot dorsal fin of the male orca alerted us to the pod and the fact that they were heading right for us.
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A pod of orca cruise across the bow of our ship.
764
Andy Gilbert
July 18 2019
Balaenoptera borealis. A sei whale surfaces not far from our cruise ship. The wildlife guides on deck must decide whether it is a small fin whale or a sei whale.
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Minke whale: Back and dorsal fin surfacing
761
Andy Gilbert
June 2016
Megaptera noveangliae. This is just one of a large number of humpbacks that travel to feed in Skjalfandi Bay and Eyafjordur in northern Iceland from their breeding grounds in the Caribbean.
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A humpback whale rolls through the water during its dive sequence
760
Andy Gilbert
April 14 2018
Phocoena phocoena. Mirror calm days are the best for spotting tiny porpoise. If you are lucky you might catch the surfacing like this one half way between the mainland and the Isle of Arran
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The triangular dorsal fin and back of a harbour porpoise shows as it surfaces
758
Andy Gilbert
June 2016
Megaptera noveangliae. A humpback whale up-ends its tailas it goes into a deep dive whilst hunting in its summer feeding grounds off Iceland.
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A humpback whale tail flukes as it goes into a deep dive
757
Andy Gilbert
June 2019
We pushed through the East Greenland pack ice on Oceanwide Expedition ship MV Hondius for 3 days searching for bowhead whales. I was onboard working as an ORCA Cruise Conservationist and we recorded harp seals everywhere.
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A harp sea slips into the Greenland Sea from an ice floe
753
Andy Gilbert
2018
Eschrichtius robustus. Decimated by whaling the Eastern Pacific gray whale population has continued to rebound. They make their yearly 12,000 mile round trip migration from breeding grounds in Baja California to feeding grounds off Alaska. A small number choose to summer and feed off the coast of British Colombia.
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A grey whale up-ends its tail fluke whilst diving for food, British Colombia
751
Andy Gilbert
2018
Delphinus delphis. Most sailings on Calmac’s MV Isle of Lewis from Oban to Barra to would pick up acrobatic common dolphins.
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A common dolphin surfacing to take a breath, sea of Hebrides
750
Andy Gilbert
2018
Delphinus delphis. Most sailing on Calmac’s MV Isle of Lewis from Oban to Barra to would pick up acrobatic common dolphins.
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A common dolphin jumps from the water, Bay of Biscay
746
Andy Gilbert
2017
Delphinus delphis. Dolphins leap out of the water to play but also to reduce drag when fast swimming.
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A common dolphin leaps out of the ocean, Bay of Biscay
Marine
Reptiles
There are seven species of marine turtle, almost 70 species of sea snake, a marine iguana endemic to the Galapagos Islands, and saltwater and American crocodiles.
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783
Andy Gilbert
January 2018
Whilst out in the bay looking for dolphins, we came across this brown booby using the turtle’s back as a platform to fish from.
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Juvenile brown booby perched on an Olive Ridley sea turtle
935
Andy Gilbert
February 2018
Lepidochelys olivacea. Turtles breath air through their lungs so need to surface after diving, giving us a chance to spot their tiny heads at the surface.
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Olive ridley turtle at the surface
Marine
Seabirds
There are around 350 different species of seabirds worldwide. They never cease to amaze me with their phenomenal adaptations and resilience. Sadly we are seeing a huge decrease in virtually all species. They really are the “canary in the coal mine” for our oceans and the decline should alarm us all and alert us to the state that our oceans are in.
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752
Andy Gilbert
2016
Morus bassanus. One of three gannet species worldwide the northern gannet is found across the Altlantic ocean but two thirds of the population nest on the British Isles. With a wingspan of over 2 metres they are a real ocean going bird but can also be seen from coasts as they spectacularly plunge dive after their prey.
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A northern gannet soars above the ocean, Atlantic Ocean
783
Andy Gilbert
January 2018
Whilst out in the bay looking for dolphins, we came across this brown booby using the turtle’s back as a platform to fish from.
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Juvenile brown booby perched on an Olive Ridley sea turtle
767
Andy Gilbert
April 1 2018
Alca torda. Two pair bonded razorbills sit beside one another on the cliffs of their breeding colony.
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Two pair bonded razorbills sitting beside one another on the cliffs on Lunga
768
Andy Gilbert
June 1 2019
Stercorarius parasiticus. Nesting arctic skuas have been decreasing in numbers in the British Isles but Fair Isle is still a stronghold.
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An pale morph arctic skua perches on a hillock on Fair Isle
772
Andy Gilbert
June 2019
Fratercula arctica. Everyone loves a colourful puffin. But sadly the population in the north east Atlantic has declined dramatically in recent years largely due to declines in sandeel numbers which they feed on. Their numbers have dropped due to climate change and overfishing.
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A puffin on a bed of pink sea thrift stretches its wings
773
Andy Gilbert
April 2018
Alca torda. A rare moment of peace in the seabird colony.
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Razorbill, Isle of Lunga, Inner Hebrides A solitary razorbill sat on a rock
774
Andy Gilbert
2018
Phalacrocorax aristotelis. Water runs off the back of a shag with its prominent breeding crest and plumage.
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A shag in full breeding plumage complete with breeding crest
763
Andy Gilbert
June 2019
Pagophila eburnean. A true arctic species, the snow white ivory gull was ever present as we pushed through the pack ice.
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An ivory gull soars over the Greenland Sea
959
Andy Gilbert
January 2020
Fregata magificens. Frigatebirds are kleptoparasites - meaning they will pirate from other birds, harassing them until they give up or regurgitate their catch.
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A male magnificent frigate bird with red breeding gula sac visible.
957
Andy Gilbert
January 2020
Fregata magificens. Frigatebirds are kleptoparasites - meaning they will pirate from other birds, harassing them until they give up or regurgitate their catch.
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A female magnificent frigatebird soars above the ocean.
854
Andy Gilbert
July 2 2020
Fulmar glacialis. The fulmar is a truly oceanic bird and returns to coastal waters around the UK to nest during the breeding season.
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A fulmar takes off from the sea
857
Andy Gilbert
July 2 2020
Orestone rock provides a nesting site to guillemots, razorbills, shags and a number of gulls during the breeding season.
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Razorbills and guillemots flock off the south Devon coast
929
Andy Gilbert
January 2020
Sula leucogaster. This common pan-tropical species excited us as they hunted flying fish disturbed from the water by the cruise ship that I was working on.
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A brown booby soars above the Caribbean sea in search of food.
932
Andy Gilbert
January 2020
Pelecanus occidentalis. The markings on the head and bill of the brown pelican look as if they are painted on with brush strokes.
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Portrait of a brown pelican
937
Andy Gilbert
February 2020
Thalasseus maximus. The royal tern is a coastal species of large tern, relatively common around the Caribbean Islands. Non-breeding adult.
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An adult royal tern in non-breeding plumage
948
Andy Gilbert
October 2020
Caleonectris borealis. This image gives a great view of the tubenose at the top of the bill that shearwaters use to secrete salt and also to scent for food.
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Portrait of a Cory’s shearwater taking a rest on the surface of the ocean
850
Andy Gilbert
July 2 2020
Falco peregrinus. Many peregrine falcons have coastal territories and will hunt over seabird colonies, just as this one was doing over Orestone rock off the South Devon coast.
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A peregrine falcon hunting above offshore rocks in Devon
Marine
Marine Life
The bio-diversity in our oceans is mind blowing with millions of organisms and micro-organisms. Whether scuba diving on tropical coral reefs or clambering around rocky shore pools on a wet European day there is always a weird and wonderful species to spark the imagination and keep me intrigued.
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1010
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
A bluebottle siphonophore stranded on a South African beach.
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Bluebottle siphonophore on South African beach
956
Andy Gilbert
August 2018
Aurelia aurita. Moon jelly are found worldwide. We see huge numbers around North Atlantic coasts. This is the final adult, sexually reproductive, medusa stage of their lives. The medusa moves in the ocean currents with only limited propulsion.
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A smack of moon jellyfish
955
Andy Gilbert
June 2016
Aurelia aurita. Underneath piers and in harbours are great places to observe moon jellies. In this photo you can clearly see the four reproductive organs in the centre of the body.
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A solitary moon jellyfish
862
Andy Gilbert
July 1 2020
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793
Andy Gilbert
August 2018
Rhizostoma pulmo. These fabulous jellyfish frequent UK waters in the latter half of the summer. This was taken from the ferry to Skye on a mirror calm day.
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A huge barrel jellyfish gliding through the sea
784
Andy Gilbert
June 2016
I love splashing around in the intertidal zone rock pools and this vivid anemone shouted out at me. Isn’t it fascinating that a green alga, living symbiotically within the anemone, contributed to the colour of these cnidarians?
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Green anemone in rock pools, Tofino, Canada
Terrestrial
Mammals
Many humans have an affinity with land mammals that transcends our relationship with other classes of lifeform. Unfortunately, that hasn’t prevented us from inflicting untold pain and misery on many species and the sad decline of everything from rhinos and tigers to hedgehogs and hares increases the wonder many of us feel for those that remain.
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800
Andy Gilbert
July 2016
I don’t think this elk was actually smelling the flowers but there must have been some tasty herbs in amongst the luscious meadow.
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Portrait of an elk feeding amongst a wildflower meadow in jasper National Park
806
Andy Gilbert
December 1 2019
The white rhino faces a serious threat from poachers after its valuable horn.
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A white rhino grazing amongst a group of cattle egrets in Kruger National Park, South Africa
785
Andy Gilbert
June 2016
This young grizzly was not long out of winter hibernation and feeding in a meadow whilst waiting for the salmon run later in the summer.
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Grizzly bear feeding on a British Colombia meadow
961
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
Loxodonta Africana. A dry and dusty male elephant stands its ground. It is possible that this male is slightly in ‘musth’.
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An african bush elephant in Addo, South Africa
960
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
Antidorcas marsupialis. The springbok or springbuck, antelope - the national animal of South Africa. This one was enjoying chomping on what looked like a very dry and thorny acacia bush.
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A springbok antelope grazing on acacia
958
Andy Gilbert
December 2019
Pantera leo. Already extinct north of the Sahara the African lion has been reduced to alarmingly low numbers with possibly as few as 20,000 left in the wild.
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A male lion catnaps in the afternoon heat
953
Andy Gilbert
December 2019
Loxodonta Africana. A maternal group of elephants shield their calves as they cross a riverbed.
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A herd of elephants crossing a dry riverbed in Kruger
949
Andy Gilbert
August 2017
Lutra lutra. I waited at Glenborrodale for an hour for this otter to emerge, slinky wet, from the sea and skip across the rocks to its holt.
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A wet otter emerges from hunting in the sea
945
Andy Gilbert
February 2019
Tapirus bairdii. This young tapir was fast asleep on the beach resting from the heat of the day.
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A sleeping Barird’s tapir
944
Andy Gilbert
December 2019
Loxodonta Africana. The behaviour of the animals changed when the rains arrived. This elephant was reveling in the mud.
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Elephant having a mud bath
943
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
Loxodonta Africana. The emotional connection and affection between family members within elephants is clear for all to see and an important part of their complex social groups.
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Two young African elephants affectionately interact
941
Andy Gilbert
June 2019
Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus. Shorter and with a lighter coat than other reindeer this is a sub-species endemic to the Svalbard archipelago.
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A grazing Svalbard reindeer
933
Andy Gilbert
December 2019
Lyacon pictus. The African wild dog, Cape hunting dog or painted wolf is a rare and endangered mammal with approximately 6,000 individuals left. I have been lucky enough to have had two experiences with packs of these fascinating canids.
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An African wild dog poses for the camera
931
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
Loxodonta Africana. This calf is under a year old and will be dependent on its mother’s milk for two years. Other members of the female group will provide ‘allomothering’ and help with the upbringing of the calf.
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A tiny elephant calf
780
Andy Gilbert
July 2016
Cervus canadensis. These elk were in velvet – they have a soft protective coat to their newly grown antlers which shed and regrow each year.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/elk-japser-national-park-alberta.jpg
Elk grazing in a meadow in Jasper National Park
Terrestrial
Reptiles and Amphibeans
Compared to hotter parts of the globe the UK isn’t known for its huge number of amphibians and reptiles, and most species that we do have are in various states of decline. But one of the simple joys of travelling in hotter climes is noticing a gecko scurrying up a wall or a colourful frog perched in a tree. I am far from being a herpetologist but hopefully some of the weird and wonderful ‘dragons’ will interest you too.
View MoreReptiles and Amphibeans
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1013
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
Phymateus sp. Milkweed locusts, also know as African bush grasshoppers are sexually dimorphic – the female is larger than the male.
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A pair of milkweed locusts mating
1012
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
Agama atra. A relatively common lizard across southern Africa. The male displays a blue head but can easily revert back to non-breeding camouflage when alarmed.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/a-male-southern-rock-agama.jpg
A male southern rock agama
951
Andy Gilbert
January 2020
Iguana iguana. Green iguanas are both excellent swimmers and, as you can see here, climbers.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/green-iguana-st-martin-lesser-antilles.jpg
A green iguana perches motionless in a tree
Terrestrial
Birds
Wherever you are in the world, you only have to look out of your window and see a bird going about it’s daily business in order to connect yourself with nature. From a pensioner feeding feral pigeons in a city park to an obsessive birder searching for her next rare bird, the pleasure that the avian world gives to us is immeasurable.
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782
Andy Gilbert
2018
Raven are the largest of the corvid family but small in comparison to a sea eagle.
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White tailed eagle and raven in silhouette showing difference in size.
781
Andy Gilbert
June 1 2016
Haliaeetus leucocephalus. Thousands of bald eagles nest on the coast of British Colombia and wait for the annual salmon run.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/bald-eagle-vancouver-sland.jpg
Bald eagle perched on an old jetty stanchion
779
Andy Gilbert
2018
Haliaeetus albicilla. Working on the west coast of Scotland and in the Hebrides white-tailed sea eagles are common aerial sighting. They were first re-introduced to the Isle of Rum in 1975.
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An adult sea eagle framed by a blue Hebridean sky
754
Andy Gilbert
June 19 2019
Ardea cinereal. A grey heron preens its feathers after a morning fishing on Loch Scridain, Isle of Mull. It crushes special powder down breast feathers and spreads them around its body to keep the other feathers waterproof and dirt free.
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A grey heron preening its feathers, Loch Scridian
1029
Andy Gilbert
May 2020
Phylloscopus trochilus. A willow warbler perches on a gorse bush at Lane end on Dartmoor
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Willow warbler on gorse
1027
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
Corvus albicollis. The white necked raven is found across southern and eastern Africa and is slightly smaller than its cousin (corax) in the Northern Hemisphere.
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White necked ravens
1024
Andy Gilbert
May 2020
Phylloscopus trochilus. A willow warbler perches on a gorse bush at Lane end on Dartmoor
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Stonechat on gorse
1011
Andy Gilbert
December 2019
This stunning southern African shoreside wader has increased its numbers to over 6000 but is still listed as Near Threatened by IUCN.
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African black oystercatcher
964
Andy Gilbert
2020
A siskin with a sunflower heart in its beak perches on the edge of a bird table.
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An eurasian siskin in Devon, UK
963
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
Ploceus capensis. Cape weavers are birds of beauty but their nests are engineering marvels.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cape-weaver-bird-and-nest-south-africa.jpg
Cape weaver bird perches below its intricate spherical nest
950
Andy Gilbert
2015
Carduelis carduelis. Goldfinches have become much more increasingly prominent in British gardens in the past couple of decades, probably due to the public feeding them sunflower hearts.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/goldfinch-blackdown-hills-devon-uk.jpg
A goldfinch perches on a climbing rose in late winter
947
Andy Gilbert
January 2020
Bubulus ibis. Just one of around twenty cattle egrets perched on a bush beside the road on the island of Nevis in the Caribbean.
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A cattle egret perched on top of a bush
946
Andy Gilbert
February 2018
Ramphastos ambiguous. The black-mandibled or yellow-throated toucan is just one of over 40 toucan and aracari species found in Central and South America. They are generally frugivorous but will also take insects and small reptiles when the opportunity arises.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/black-mandibled-toucan-drake-bay-costa-rica.jpg
A black-mandibled toucan shows off its resplendent colours
942
Andy Gilbert
January 2020
Anas Bahamensis. We had quite a long hike from our ship to the salt lagoons looking for birds. The white-cheeked pintails were one of the highlights on the lagoons.
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A white-cheeked pintail ducks sitting low in the water whilst feeding
938
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
Euplectes orix. The beautifully colourful male red bishops build a number of intricately woven spherical nests in marshes and reedbeds in order to attract females.
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A male southern red bishop in breeding plumage
934
Andy Gilbert
January 2018
Caracara cheriway. A relatively common bird of prey in Costa Rica, I came across this northern caracara drinking from a water trough in a field. You can see the water dripping down its neck after taking a drink.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/northern-crested-caracara-costa-rica.jpg
A crested caracara in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica
Plant Life
Along with the oceans, trees and plants are the lungs of our planet and essential to the survival of us all. Ancient trees and wildflowers tell so many stories and their links to our folklores and traditional medicines highlight the importance that they have in our cultures.
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1017
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
Pteronia sp. A shrub blooms amongst the fynbos scrub in Robberg Nature Reserve.
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Fynbos flowering shrub, Robberg Nature Reserve.
954
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
Jacaranda mimosifolia. Across Southern Africa jacaranda trees produce magnificent lilac blooms from September to December. Pretoria and Harare are renowned for their jacarandas, although they are a non-native tree, originating from Brazil.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/jacaranda-tree-stellenbosch-south-africa.jpg
A jacaranda tree in bloom in a Stellenbosch vineyard
790
Andy Gilbert
June 2018
Knowing that these roots have probably been there for thousands of years sparks my inherent tree hugging instincts.
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Ancient tree roots in primary temperate rainforest
927
Andy Gilbert
October 2017
People travel from across the world to Canada’s St Lawrence river area in autumn hoping to see the spectacular colours of the maples and birches. As the season changes the green chlorophyll in the leaves reduces, revealing differing shades of yellows and reds.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/quebec-forest-in-the-fall-gaspe-canada.jpg
Mist shrouds the sea framing the colours of the Canadian fall
Landscapes
Since shouldering my rucksack in my early twenties and heading for Africa, I have been lucky enough to travel extensively, experience some ofthe wonders that the world has to offer, and to live and work in some fabulous land and seascapes. I never fail to be humbled by the beauty of the natural world.
View MoreLandscapes
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1014
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
Drift wood on the beach, Robberg Nature Reserve.
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Bleached driftwood on a South African beach
1015
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
A sand spit leads from the mainland out to the island.
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Die Elland/The Island, Robberg Nature Reserve.
1009
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
The peninsula collects sand from south western seas, it is pushed up over the dunes and into Plettenberg Bay on the other side where it collects on the beaches.
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Witsand dunes, Robberg.
1028
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
The western side of Robberg Nature Reserve is susceptible to crashing waves.
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Wild seas, Robberg Nature Reserve.
1022
Andy Gilbert
November 2019
The coastal scenery of Robberg Nature Reserve is second to none!
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Robberg Nature reserve and World Heritage Site, South Africa.
1020
Andy Gilbert
July 2020
Looking down the River Tavy from high up above the Cleave.
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Looking down Tavy Cleave, Dartmoor.
1025
Andy Gilbert
July 2020
Looking down on Tavy Cleave from high up through the window on Tavy Cleave Tor.
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Tavy Cleave, Dartmoor.
1026
Andy Gilbert
July 2020
Looking up Tavy Cleave from on top of Ger Tor.
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The Sentinel of the Cleave, Dartmoor.
1018
Andy Gilbert
July 2020
Looking north along Nattor Down from Ger Tor
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Ger Tor and Nattor Down, Dartmoor
1021
Andy Gilbert
July 2020
My 4x4 looking out towards Nat Tor from Lane End.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/nat-tor-from-lane-end-dartmoor.jpg
Nat Tor from Lane End, Dartmoor
1019
Andy Gilbert
July 2020
The ancient granit slabs of Ger Tor.
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Ger Tor, Dartmoor
927
Andy Gilbert
October 2017
People travel from across the world to Canada’s St Lawrence river area in autumn hoping to see the spectacular colours of the maples and birches. As the season changes the green chlorophyll in the leaves reduces, revealing differing shades of yellows and reds.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/quebec-forest-in-the-fall-gaspe-canada.jpg
Mist shrouds the sea framing the colours of the Canadian fall
853
Andy Gilbert
July 2 2020
Formed between 250-300 million years ago these red sandstone cliffs were laid down under desert conditions and are a geological feature found across Torbay and East Devon.
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Red breccia cliffs from the Permian period, south Devon
852
Andy Gilbert
July 2 2020
The Orestone: a mid-Devonian limestone rock off the south coast of Devon, home to a number of seabirds during the breeding season.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/hurtigruten-expedition-portsmouth-2020.jpg
The Orestone rock viewed from the ocean
796
Andy Gilbert
March 2018
The ocean-mountain landscapes on the west coast of Scotland are breathtaking.
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Snow covered peaks at the end of Loch Broom, Wester Ross, Scotland
792
Andy Gilbert
April 2018
The highest point on Eigg is worth the climb on a clear day. You will be rewarded with breathtaking views across Skye, Ardnamurchan and Rum.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/an-sgurr-isle-of-eigg-hebrides.jpg
Profile of volcanic An Sgurr on Isle of Eigg, Small Isles, Hebrides, as seen from the ocean
791
Andy Gilbert
July 2016
Morning cloud coverage over the mountains in Jasper National Park lift to reveal spectacular landscapes.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/jasper-national-park-landscape-alberta-1.jpg
Canadian mountain landscape
789
Andy Gilbert
June 2016
The driftwood on these Pacific coasts is amazing. Bleached white by the waves, weather and salt they lie a natural sculptures everywhere.
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/driftwood-on-beach-haida-gwaii-british-colombia.jpg
Bleached driftwood on Pacific Ocean beach, Masset, Haida Gwaii
788
Andy Gilbert
June 2016
Searching for whales from the deck of my cottage over my early morning cuppa.
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Misty mountains and islands plus fishing boat. Broughton Archipelago looking from Telegraph Cove
787
Andy Gilbert
June 2016
The view from our shorefront cottage.
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Looking out over Broughton Archipelago from Telegraph Cove, Vancouver Island
776
Andy Gilbert
June 2019
When our ship arrived at Poolepynten on the eastern coast of Spitsbergen this sailing vessel was just preparing to leave the bay. 300 years ago sailing ships carrying whalers would have been a common occurrence across the Svalbard archipelago.
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A tall ship at anchor in an arctic bay in the Svalbard archipelago
775
Andy Gilbert
2018
Rugged coastline of the west coast of Scotland
https://cetaceanfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/coastal-landscape-wester-ross-scotland.jpg
Rugged coastline of the west coast of Scotland
Andy
Just a selection of snapshots from some of the places that I’ve been and what I’ve been involved in. A peep into my world.
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805
Rachel Keenan
August 2018
Working in the Hebrides along with getting to know the wildlife and the people was a privilege and a huge pleasure.
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Andy Gilbert, ORCA Hebrides Wildlife Officer, CalMac Ferries
804
Ruth Coxon
October 2017
I was guiding on a cruise ship coming back from Nova Scotia to Southampton and we were running ahead of a hurricane when we discovered this exhausted petrel. We managed to keep it alive and it was rehabbed and subsequently released back in the UK.
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Andy Gilbert and Leich’s pertrel, mid Atlantic
803
Elfyn Pugh
February 2018
I love meeting my heroes even if they are not alive anymore.
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Andy Gilbert beside Roald Amundsen bust outside the Polar Museum in Tromso, Norway
802
Andy Gilbert
March 2017
Whilst working on Brittany Ferries MV Pont Aven as ORCA Wildlife Officer, author and Environmental Campaigner, Mark Avery joined me on the outside deck searching for cetaceans. We were pretty happy because we had just spotted a migrating osprey in the middle of the Bay of Biscay.
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Andy Gilbert and Mark Avery looking for whales in the Bay of Biscay
801
July 2016
I love mountain landscapes as much as I do the ocean. My absolute favourite environments are where mountains reach to the sea.
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Andy Gilbert and mountain peaks, Jasper National Park
1031
Colin Toms
March 2014
Andy and Hope leading the March Against the Badger Cull that he organized in 2014.
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March Against the Badger Cull, Exeter, 2014
1030
Zak Maynard
March 2014
Andy and Dominic Dyer, Chair of the Badger Trust just before Dominic addressed the crowds at the protest.
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Andy Gilbert and Dominic Dyer, Exeter Badger March, 2014