Eye to eye on foot with Julia.

We dedicated one week to intense Puma trekking in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile.

It is one of the best places; if not THE best place to spot these elusive cats. It was a week of getting up extremely early before sunrise and staying out late; as pumas are mostly active during these times of day.

During the first days we had several sightings and were extremely excited. However the second to last day was definitely the highlight! We spotted this beautiful puma, resting under a bush. We approached the puma on foot with our experienced guide "Eduardo" of Awasi Lodge. "Julia" is the name researchers in the area gave this individual, due to her pretty face. She was extremely relaxed and we slowly could approach up to 12m. After an hour Julia decided to get up and looked right in our faces/cameras. It couldn't have been better!!! Then she continued with her mission.

A black-chested buzzard eagle on a mission.

This black-chested buzzard eagle was feeding on a rabbit, close to EOLO - Patagonia's Spirit in El Calfate, Argentina.

Three Chilean flickers posing in Torres del Paine National Park.

This was close to Awasi in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. We followed these chilean flickers for a while in a small forest. Luckily the all decided to sit next to each other on a branch.

The one and only.

This is related to a funny story.

We were in Puerto Deseado in Santa Cruz Province of Argentina; mainly for birding. The Magellanic penguins already arrived 2 weeks ago on two main islands in the area for breeding. However the Rockhopper penguins always arrive a few weeks after and we were too early for them.

The guides we were with hadn't been on the completely excluded and remote island for a while. It was the start of the season. They told us we will see only Magellanic penguins, as it's too early for the other species.

However the luck was on our side and on the island was exactly ONE Rockhopper penguin. Someone has to be the first, I guess. We were more than happy and literally did a photoshoot with this individual from every possible angle.

A mara during sunrise on Peninsula Valdes.

For this shot I got up extremely early at Estancia Rincon Chico on Peninsula Valdes, Argentina.

I found this mara and followed it until sunrise. For this shot I had to lie down and crawl to different locations several times. However really pleased with the end result.

A pygmy owl calling for back up.

This pygmy owl was calling for its mate in a forest in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile.

Beautiful little owls!