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Juan Jesús Gonzalez Ahumada's Image
‘I was struck by the similarity in texture between the skin of a reptile and the surface of a leaf,’ says Juan.
After finding a leaf with a natural hole, he waited for the moment this common chameleon, still sluggish in the cool mid-morning temperatures, peeped through the gap, the texture of its backlit shadow filled in by the plant. There are around 200 species of chameleon, but only one – the common chameleon – is found in the Mediterranean. Their turret-like eyes can move independently, providing them with binocular vision and the ability to judge distances with impressive precision.
Behind the lens
Juan Jesús Gonzalez Ahumada
Spain
Juan has been photographing nature for more than 25 years and in this time an enormous respect for the environment and all the animal and plant species that inhabit it has been forged in him. He’s always wanted to raise awareness of the importance of caring for the planet through his images, which he disseminates through social networks and the media to help conservation. Whenever time allows him, Juan Jesus tries to combine his three passions - travelling, enjoying nature and photographing wildlife.
Image details
- Canon EOS 6D
- 100mm f2.8 lens
- 1/60 sec at f7.1 • ISO 200
- Sierra Blanca, Malaga, Andalucia, Spain
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.
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