Best Wildlife Photos: Lovebirds and Flamingos

Holding on by Jami Tarris, US

‘This close-up captures the touching moment an infant lays its small hand in the big hand of its mother. Jami took this photograph while she was in Borneo working on a story about the effects of palm-oil agriculture on orangutan habitat. Loss of primary rainforest is a serious threat to this already critically endangered species.’
Photograph: Jami Tarris/Natural History Museum

Hammerhead by Adriana Basques, Brazil /US ‘ 

Adriana had the advantage of a sunny day and good visibility with ample natural lighting. When a school of cottonmouth jacks came into view she waited to see if a hammerhead might appear. It didn’t take long. This particular shark stayed just long enough for her to capture a full frame with the school of cottonmouths in the background, giving her the unique composition she had been searching for.’
Photograph: Adriana Basques/Natural History Museum

Kick back and chill by Alan Chung, US

‘After more than two hours hiking with rangers in Volcanoes national park, Rwanda, Alan came across the “Hirwa” family group (meaning “the lucky one”). This group of 16 mountain gorillas is led by a single strong silverback. They were feeding on young bamboo shoots and relaxing in a leafy open spot.’
Photograph: Alan Chung/Natural History Museum

Grooming the descendant by Claudio Contreras Koob, Mexico

‘This fluffy Caribbean flamingo chick is less than five days old and is being preened by one of its parents in the Ría Lagartos biosphere reserve, Yucatán, Mexico. Chicks remain in the nest for less than a week; they then wander around the colony in crèches and start to feed for themselves, although their parents still continue to feed them for several months. The flamingo colony is highly sensitive to human presence, so Claudio could only approach the colony on all fours while hiding underneath a camo throw-over.’
Photograph: Claudio Contreras Koob/Natural History Museum

Warning wings by Mike Harterink, The Netherlands ‘

Diving off Blue Bead Hole, St Eustatius, Caribbean, Mike used a slow shutter speed to capture the motion of this “flying” gurnard. The fish’s large pectoral fins are divided into a shorter forward fin with spines, which it uses to “walk” around and to poke the ocean floor for food, and a larger wing-like part. The fins are usually held against its body but, when threatened, the fish expands them to scare away predators.’
Photograph: Mike Harterink/Natural History Museum