Moments after shots rang out over the campaign rally for Donald Trump, AP photographer Evan Vucci was capturing the moment in photos that have been widely shared across the internet. The Pulitzer Prize winning photographer is the AP News Chief Photographer in Washington.

In his own words he talks about being in the right moment at the right time. He said he heard the shots and knew it was a historic event. Vucci then moved quickly to capture the scene: Trump  lifted up by his Secret Service agents while he raised a defiant fist. 

What the hell?

Sprite or Coke?

A photograph taken by NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick from the International Space Station shows mysterious blue orbs far below the station and dotting the air off the coast of South Africa. Among them are tiny red sparks of light — best seen in the full-resolution version — which only add to the image’s unusual ambiance.

As the space agency explained in a recent blog post, the big blue lights and dancing orbs are definitely not signs of an incoming alien invasion. Instead, the red dots are the result of an extremely rare weather event called “red sprites,” while the much larger blue orbs are lightning strikes — a marvelous show put on by Mother Nature.

Spritacular

While they still remain “less understood,” according to NASA, scientists believe red sprites are related to powerful lightning events and usually appear in the mesosphere, the third highest layer of the atmosphere which is home to “noctilucent” or “night shining” clouds.

From space, transient luminous events (TLEs) like red sprites usually become visible in timelapses taken with a wide lens.

In 2022, NASA launched a “citizen science project” called “Spritacular” in an effort to crowdsource images of sprites.

TLEs were first documented in 1989 by University of Minnesota researchers, who captured them by “sheer accident,” according to NASA, while they were testing a low-light TV camera for an upcoming rocket launch.

Photographed from the ground, red sprites appear like massive, jellyfish-like strands of red light.

Their red color is caused by the presence of nitrogen in the atmosphere reacting to the electrical charges of lightning storms.

Some scientists have even suggested they could be related to small ripples in the fabric of spacetime caused by violent weather events.

In fact, they’re not even exclusive to Earth’s atmosphere. Scientists have observed them on Jupiter as well, where they appear blue, not red, due to the abundant hydrogen reacting with electrical charges in the planet’s atmosphere.

More on sprites: NASA Crowdsourcing Investigation of Otherworldly “Sprites”

Are you sitting down? Favorite device in hand? Breakfast, brunch or lunch next to you? Then here you are, a brand new puzzle from your friends at The Phoblographer, always trying to keep you close to your screen. Enjoy this new puzzle, it comes with some punnery in tow.

The Phoblographer realizes that, as a publication, we don’t always have to be so serious. So, each weekend, we work to bring you a bit of fun in our Humor section and through our Crosswords. Inspired by some of the classic political cartoons and offerings of other publications, we’re tapping into some of the things that only photographers love to laugh about. And we’re turning those into cartoons and crossword puzzles that we think you’ll want to share with lots of the rest of your friends in the photo community. Yes, we believe and hope that you have friends in the photo world.

You can expect to see these cartoons once a week on Saturdays and crosswords every Sunday for as long as we keep doing this.

Most of all, however, we hope that they bring you joy, even for at least a little bit. Ideally, they’ll bring you joy in a way that you recognize. Sometimes, you may moan. At other times, you’ll probably roll your eyes. There’s nothing wrong with genuinely showing off a bit of a laugh or a smile.

Best Deals On Digital Camera From Amazon

In photography, having the right camera can make all the difference. Amazon’s top-selling digital SLR cameras offer various features that cater to novice and seasoned photographers. Whether you’re a professional photographer or an enthusiast, these cameras will elevate your photography game. From high-resolution sensors to advanced autofocus systems, these cameras are designed to capture stunning images with precision and clarity. In this article, we explore the best-selling digital SLR cameras on Amazon, highlighting their key features, discounts, and why they stand out in the competitive photography equipment market.

1. Nikon D7500 20.9MP Digital SLR Camera (Black) With AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens

Discount: 14% | Price: ₹81,999 | M.R.P.: ₹94,950 | Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars

The Nikon D7500 is a powerhouse in the digital SLR camera market. It boasts a 20.9MP DX-format CMOS sensor and the ability to record 4K UHD videos at 30 fps. With its SnapBridge Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, sharing your photos and videos is seamless. The Multi-CAM 3500FX II 51-Point AF System ensures sharp focus, while the expanded ISO range up to 1,640,000 allows for exceptional low-light performance.

Key Features:

• 20.9MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
• 4K UHD Video Recording at 30 fps
• SnapBridge Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
• Native ISO 51200, Expanded ISO 1,640,000
• 180k-Pixel RGB Sensor and Group Area AF

2. Canon EOS 90D Digital SLR Camera With 18-135mm IS USM Lens (Black)

Discount: 16% | Price: ₹1,21,990 | M.R.P.: ₹1,45,000 | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Canon EOS 90D is celebrated for its high image quality and versatility. Equipped with a 32.5MP CMOS sensor, it delivers stunning photos and videos. The high-speed continuous shooting at up to 10 fps is perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects. With 4K UHD 30P and Full HD 120P video recording, this camera is ideal for videographers as well.

Key Features:

• 32.5MP CMOS (APS-C) Sensor
• 4K UHD 30P/Full HD 120P Video Recording
• 45-Point All Cross-Type AF System
• High-Speed Continuous Shooting up to 10 fps
• EOS iTR AF (Face Detection)

3. Nikon Z 6II + NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F/4 S Lens With Additional Battery

Discount: 16% | Price: ₹2,17,998 | M.R.P.: ₹2,57,990 | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Nikon Z 6II is a top-tier full-frame mirrorless camera known for its unrivalled image quality and performance. The 24.5MP sensor combined with the advanced EXPEED 6 image processor produces lifelike images. The versatile NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F/4 S lens covers a wide range of photography styles, while the additional battery ensures extended shooting sessions.

Key Features:

• 24.5MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
• EXPEED 6 Image Processor
• NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F/4 S Lens
• Wide ISO Range of 100-51200
• Extended Battery Life

4. Sony Alpha ILCE-6100Y 24.2 MP Mirrorless Digital SLR Camera With 16-50mm And 55-210mm Zoom Lenses

Discount: 19% | Price: ₹76,359 | M.R.P.: ₹95,290 | Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
The Sony Alpha ILCE-6100Y is a mirrorless marvel with a 24.2MP EXMOR CMOS sensor that offers outstanding light sensitivity. It features real-time eye autofocus for both humans and animals, ensuring sharp and precise focus. The 425 phase detection and contrast points enable fast and accurate focusing, making it perfect for action shots.

Key Features:

• 24.2MP EXMOR CMOS Sensor
• Real-Time Eye AF for Humans and Animals
• 11 FPS Continuous Shooting with AF/AE
• 180-Degree Tiltable Touch LCD Screen
• ISO Sensitivity up to 102400

5. Canon EOS R10 24.2MP Mirrorless Digital Camera With RF-S 18-150mm Kit Lens

Discount: 20% | Price: ₹99,798 | M.R.P.: ₹1,25,295 | Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
The Canon EOS R10 is a versatile mirrorless camera that excels in both still photography and video recording. Its 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor delivers high-quality images, while the DIGIC X image processor ensures fast performance. The camera’s dual-pixel CMOS AF II system covers nearly 100% of the frame, providing precise autofocus even in low light.

Key Features:

• 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
• DIGIC X Image Processor
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF II
• High-Speed Shooting up to 23fps
• Subject Tracking with Face, Animal, and Vehicle Detection

6. Sony Alpha ILCE-6400M 24.2MP Mirrorless Digital SLR Camera With 18-135mm Power Zoom Lens

Discount: 25% | Price: ₹90,859 | M.R.P.: ₹1,21,790 | Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
The Sony Alpha ILCE-6400M is known for its fast autofocus and impressive image quality. With a 24.2MP sensor and the ability to shoot at up to 11 fps, this camera is ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects. The 180-degree tiltable touch LCD screen makes it easy to shoot from various angles, and the high ISO sensitivity ensures great performance in low light conditions.

Key Features:

• 24.2MP CMOS Sensor
• 11 FPS Continuous Shooting
• 180-Degree Tiltable Touch LCD Screen
• ISO Sensitivity up to 102400
• Real-Time Eye AF

7. Sony Alpha ILCE 6100L 24.2 MP Mirrorless Digital SLR Camera With 16-50 mm Power Zoom Lens And SanDisk Extreme SD UHS I 128GB Card for 4K Video

Discount: 20% | Price: ₹63,174 | M.R.P.: ₹79,690 | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Sony Alpha ILCE 6100L is designed for both amateurs and professionals. This mirrorless digital SLR camera features a 24.2 MP EXMOR CMOS sensor and real-time eye AF, including animal eye AF for perfect shots of pets. With an incredibly fast 0.02-second AF speed and 425 phase detection points, you can capture moments instantly. The package includes a 128GB SanDisk Extreme SD card, perfect for 4K video recording.

Key Features:

• Real-time eye AF for humans and animals
• 11 FPS continuous shooting with AF/AE
• 180-degree tiltable touch LCD screen
• ISO sensitivity up to 102400
• Smooth and stable autofocus

8. Sony Alpha ILCE-6400L 24.2MP Mirrorless Camera With 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens & SanDisk Extreme Pro SD UHS I 128GB Card For 4K Video

Discount: 20% | Price: ₹76,859 | M.R.P.: ₹96,290 | Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
The Sony Alpha ILCE-6400L is a powerhouse for photographers seeking advanced features. It boasts a 24.2 MP EXMOR CMOS sensor, real-time eye AF, and the world’s fastest 0.02-second AF speed. The camera’s 180-degree tiltable LCD screen and high ISO sensitivity make it perfect for diverse shooting conditions. The combo includes a SanDisk Extreme Pro SD card for fast and reliable 4K video recording.

Key Features:

• Real-time eye AF and tracking
• 425 phase detection and contrast points
• Wi-Fi/NFC/HDMI/USB/Bluetooth connectivity
• 11 FPS continuous shooting
• Durable for up to 200,000 shutter cycles

9. Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera | 2 Lens Kit With EF-S 18-55mm + EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Is STM Lens

Discount: 27% | Price: ₹1,17,324 | M.R.P.: ₹1,60,324 | Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
The Canon EOS Rebel T7 is a versatile DSLR camera ideal for beginners and hobbyists. It features a 24.1 MP APS-C CMOS sensor, full HD 1080/30p video recording, and built-in Wi-Fi with NFC for easy sharing. The kit includes two lenses, an 18-55mm for everyday shots and a 55-250mm for distant subjects, providing a complete photography package.

Key Features:

• 24.1 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• DIGIC 4+ Image Processor
• 9-Point AF with Center Cross-Type Point
• Full HD 1080/30p video recording
• Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC

10. Sony Alpha ILCE 6100L 24.2 MP Mirrorless Digital SLR Camera With 16-50 mm 

Power Zoom Lens And SanDisk Extreme SD UHS I 64GB Card for 4K Video

Discount: 19% | Price: ₹62,434 | M.R.P.: ₹77,390 | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
This version of the Sony Alpha ILCE 6100L includes a 64GB SanDisk Extreme SD card, making it ideal for high-speed, high-capacity shooting. With the same robust features as its counterparts, such as the 24.2 MP EXMOR CMOS sensor and real-time eye AF, this camera ensures you capture every detail with precision.

Key Features:

• Real-time eye AF for humans and animals
• 11 FPS continuous shooting with AF/AE
• 180-degree tiltable touch LCD screen
• ISO sensitivity up to 102400
• Built for harsh conditions

11. Canon EOS Rebel SL3 DSLR 24.1MP 4K Video Camera + EF-S 18-55mm IS STM Lens

Discount: 24% | Price: ₹1,18,730 | M.R.P.: ₹1,56,730 | Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
The Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is a compact yet powerful DSLR camera. It features a 24.1 MP CMOS sensor, 4K video recording capabilities, and a versatile 18-55mm lens. Perfect for both photos and videos, this camera is ideal for content creators and everyday photographers.

Key Features:

• 24.1 MP CMOS sensor
• 4K video recording
• Dual Pixel autofocus
• Vari-angle touchscreen LCD
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

12. Canon Cameras US 24.2MP Digital SLR Camera Bundle With 3″ LCD

Discount: 24% | Price: ₹1,52,296 | M.R.P.: ₹2,00,296 | Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
This Canon bundle offers everything you need for professional photography. It includes a 24.2 MP DSLR camera with a 3″ LCD, ensuring high-resolution images and ease of use. The bundle also provides additional accessories, making it a comprehensive package for any photographer.

Key Features:

• 24.2 MP resolution
• 3″ LCD screen
• Multiple shooting modes
• High ISO range
• Durable build quality

If you’re looking to buy a new camera, check out Amazon’s deal on top-selling digital SLR cameras. This deal offers products with a blend of advanced features, superior image quality and great value for money.  With significant discounts on high-performance cameras from Sony and Canon, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re capturing breathtaking landscapes, candid moments, or professional-grade videos, these expert picks ensure you have the right tools to create stunning visuals. Shop now on Amazon.

It’s said a picture paints a thousand words, and that could not be more true than in the world of press photography, with one image in particular circulating online in the wake of an attempted assassination on former US president Donald Trump.

To recap what is undoubtedly a fast-moving story, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks as the “subject involved” in shooting at Trump, who was around 15 minutes into a speech at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania when several popping sounds were heard.

Trump was then seen placing a hand to his right ear before seeking cover, as secret service agents swarmed around the Republican presidential nominee before ushering him off-stage.

The ex-president was also seen raising a fist in the air while being bundled away to safety, appearing to tell the crowd to “fight”.

The gunman was shot dead by secret service agents, while one person in the crowd at the rally was killed. Two others were injured.

In a post to his Truth Social platform after the incident, Trump wrote: “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country.

“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.

“Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”

And press photographers have captured the panic which unfolded in those moments, with one snap from Getty Images’ Anna Moneymaker depicting Trump on the floor, visible through a gap in the secret service huddle, with blood trickling down the side of his face.

Though arguably the most widely circulated photo following the shooting is one taken by Associated Press photographer Evan Vucci, capturing Trump raising a defiant fist in the air while being escorted by secret service agents, with the American flag flying behind him:

Now, Vucci has spoken to The Daily Beast about the photo, telling the outlet: “It’s a moment in history that you have to document, right? Being a photographer, you … have to be there. I can’t write about it later. I can’t go back in time and get a redo. So you have to do your job.

“What’s going to happen next? What do I need to do? Where do I need to be? What is the light? What is the composition? So those are the things that starts to go through your head.”

He added it’s about the mindset of “just now doing your job”, which he said is to “inform the American public”.

“I hope they can look at the photos and they can see what I saw that day,” he said.

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In 1865, in what is now referred to as “the golden days of Alpinism”, English mountaineer, explorer, illustrator and author, Edward Whymper, completed the first ascent of the Matterhorn, in the Alps.

Climbing the Matterhorn was considered an impossible endeavor, and his achievement would go on to inspire many mountaineering endeavors to come. 

However, it was marred by conspiracy and scandal as four members of his party were lost on the descent – with many at the time crying foul play.

Whymper later returned to the Matterhorn, in what must have been an incredibly painful experience, in order to take some of the first photographs of the mountain.

He used one of the first portable cameras – mobile but still awkward big pieces of equipment, with potentially harmful chemicals that required 15 minutes of mixing.

When he published his memoir, The Ascent of the Matterhorn, in 1879, the technology at the time prohibited him from publishing it with his photographs. So instead he used his significant skill as an illustrator and included his engravings.

Fast-forward to 1968, and Whymper’s book was republished – but with his original photographs thought lost, the volume featured images taken by a modern photographer.

However, after the images were discovered at auction, Gibson Square Media is republishing Whymper’s memoir alongside his own photographs for the very first time.

The Ascent of the Matterhorn & The Forgotten Photographs will be released on July 18, in association with The Alpine Club.

The book was the first ever adventure bestseller at its original release, and ignited a global obsession with mountaineering that is partly responsible for its enduring popularity today.

Whymper once had dreams of becoming a Prime Minister, and the new publication has a foreword by ex-British PM Theresa May – who apparently admires Whymper and has a longstanding passion for the Alps. Who knew?

“A glance through the catalog of the Alpine Club Library shows that Edward Whymper was about so much more than the Matterhorn,” May writes. 

“Yet it is the Matterhorn that has defined him over the years – and his first ascent of this iconic mountain that defined the relationship between Britain and the Alps and opened up Alpinism to the rest of the world. How ironic therefore that his fame came as much from the drama and tragedy of the descent of the mountain as from the victory and glory of its ascent.”

Summiting the Matterhorn after eight unsuccessful attempts, the first to reach the top, the achievement was marred by the tragedy of the descent.

On the way down to their base in Zermatt, the inexperienced Douglas Hadow lost his footing and he and three other men – French guide Michael Croz, Lord Francis Douglas and Reverend Charles Hudson – fell to their deaths after a climbing rope snapped. Eighteen-year-old Douglas’ body was never found.

Their deaths caused a scandal in England, with rumors of sabotage and rope-cutting running wild within society, and leading Whymper to be called “the Robespierre of Mountaineering” by fellow climber Sir Leslie Stephen.

Amazingly, Whymper’s controversial achievement is still a hot topic in Zermatt. Did he cut himself free of the safety rope so he could be the first to stand atop the mountain, thus leaving the group without a failsafe? Or was it all just a tragic accident, morphed into a mystery by the sensationalism of time?

If you’re hearing the call of the wild, why not take a look at our guides to the best action cameras, the best travel cameras, the best 360 cameras, and the best waterproof cameras on the market. 

The Pulitzer Prize-winning Associated Press photographer who captured the image of an injured, defiant Donald Trump waving his fist to a sea of supporters on Saturday after an apparent assassination attempt knew he had one task: to keep his camera on his subject.

“It’s a moment in history that you have to document, right?” Evan Vucci told The Daily Beast by phone late Saturday, hours after he captured the shocking images. “Being a photographer, you have to, have to be there. I can’t write about it later. I can’t go back in time and get a redo. So you have to do your job.”

Vucci was one of the pool photographers on duty during Trump’s late-day rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, one he perceived as a normal rally—not unlike those he’d covered before. Until, over his left shoulder, he heard gunshots.

“From there, I trained my lens on former President Trump,” Vucci said.

Thoughts of his safety? Didn’t concern him. Thoughts of his surroundings? Irrelevant at that moment. All he cared about, he said, was what the conditions were to document history.

“What’s going to happen next? What do I need to do? Where do I need to be? What is the light? What is the composition? So those are the things that starts to go through your head,” he said. “It’s very much in the mindset where you’re just now doing your job.”

Videos captured Vucci racing toward the right side of the stage seconds after the shooting, as he believed it best to follow where the Secret Service agents were likely to escort Trump off the platform.

“They stand them up, and then he starts pumping his fists to the crowd,” Vucci said. “At that point you’re just making sure that your composition is good and you’re making the images that you need to make.”

Vucci’s photos took the nation by storm, documenting a bloodied former president a week before he was set to secure the Republican nomination. His photos, along with those of peers such as New York Times veteran photographer Doug Mills and Getty Images’ Anna Moneymaker, lit up all forms of news broadcasts and social media, a dark convergence of the virality of the digital age with the grim occasion of an assassination attempt on a U.S. leader.

History has trained Vucci for such a moment, teaching him the patience and calm nature needed to remain steady when a scene takes a sharp, potentially violent turn. An AP photographer for about 21 years, he won a Pulitzer in 2021 for his breaking news coverage of the 2020 racial justice protests in Washington, D.C. after George Floyd’s death, and he has covered wars, Washington, and almost everything in between.

Vucci was also known for capturing the face of the Iraqi journalist who threw a shoe at President George W. Bush—though not Bush ducking to avoid the shoe, a moment he’s still frustrated by. “Bush ducking the shoe I never got because I was on the shoe thrower,” he said. “You just want to do the best you can so people can look back on it and be like, ‘Yeah, that was a moment in history.’ And here we are.”

Vucci wasn’t bothered by the rising conversation around his photos’ political significance, which pundits online noted how the striking shot of a bloodied Trump displaying strength—literally, in clenching his fist— could help tilt the election in his favor.

“I shoot politics for a living, man. Every single photo I take people are going to argue about,” Vucci said with a laugh. “I spend my life around a very highly polarized part of our society, so no matter what I do, people are gonna hate it. People are gonna love it. Listen, as long as everyone hates me equally, I’m doing the job.”

That responsibility guided Vucci through the harrowing moments on Saturday, producing photos that will help drive political discourse through the election and be imprinted in the minds of Americans—and likely history books—for generations.

“I’m glad I didn’t let anyone down. I got a standard to hold,” Vucci said. “I got into journalism to, you know—the idea is to inform the American public, and I hope that they can look at the photos and they can see what I saw that day.”

“I found myself spending the whole summer waiting to see a hyena use a crosswalk in the middle of the night.”

That’s just another day (or in this case, night)  in the life of Yuval Dax, a veteran nature photographer for the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI).

Over the course of his 22 years as a wildlife and conservation filmmaker, the 50-year-old Israeli has captured stills and videos of countless species, and has had his work featured by renowned publications.

His works are exhibited in the Eretz Israel Museum at the Israel nature exhibition; his wildlife footage is available online in the new Incredible Animal Journeys series by Nat Geo Wild/Disney; and will be included in the BBC “Asia” series airing in November.

In an interview with ISRAEL21c, Dax explains that his entire career has been an effort to highlight the beauty and diversity of wildlife in Israel — a feature that he says is often overlooked.

“When you talk about wildlife in Israel, people are always surprised because they don’t see wildlife around them in everyday life; they think wildlife starts at Ben-Gurion airport on the way to a safari in Africa. 

“But in fact, for me, Israel is the best place for wildlife in the whole of the Middle East: it’s one big nature reserve surrounded by a big, big fence,” Dax says.

“My mission is to give Israeli wildlife prime time.”

From diapers to DSLRs

Dax has been pursuing that mission for a long time.

“I’ve been a naturalist and a nature lover since I can remember,” he recounts. “I was already looking for birds and feathers when I was three years old. I got my first pair of binoculars when I was six years old. My mom says I learned to read both English and Hebrew by looking at birdwatching guidebooks.”

By age seven, he had joined the Jerusalem bird club, and at 16, began guiding younger children in birdwatching.

Around that time, he got his first camera, which he used to record footage of nature in his area. “I was just fascinated by the small things around me, like flowers and insects,” he recalls.

While he enjoyed nature photography as a hobby, in his early childhood years Dax had no Israeli nature photographers to emulate, and as a result he resigned himself to finding a more traditional career.

Initially, he pursued degrees in biology and art, both of which he found impractical in terms of career prospects. However, his big break came when an instructor assigned him a film about barn owls.

This first piece of conservation filmmaking was a success, igniting his passion for nature photography and inspiring his career choice. 

Dax began finding more and more opportunities to record footage of Israel’s wildlife, gradually building experience and accolades.

“The more I filmed, the more success came,” says Dax. “I started investing in equipment. All my equipment was secondhand, the worst equipment, but I was doing many things that no one had done before in Israel, so that was an advantage.”

Doors opening for a shutterbug

Dax’s dedication to documenting Israel’s wildlife has resulted in a unique collection of images showcasing the country’s biodiversity, which he shares annually in a “Year in Photos” webinar through SPNI.

The past year has been particularly eventful for Dax. He collaborated with the BBC to film swifts and hyenas (the aforementioned stakeout for a hyena using a crosswalk was for this collaboration), and worked on a project for National Geographic, capturing the migratory patterns of storks, cranes and pelicans.

One of his most challenging endeavors in the last several months was tracking the elusive caracal, Israel’s only remaining wildcat after the extinction of the leopard. 

This project involved extensive fieldwork and overcoming various obstacles, including broken equipment and physical injuries.

“I was just in the desert, driving in every direction, drinking bad coffee from gas stations and putting up trail cameras,” he recalls. 

“It’s a really physical effort. It drives you to the edge of your physical limits because you have to move around a lot and you can get really hurt; I’ve broken a couple of bones while shooting in Israel and abroad. It just happens because of the conditions.”

What ate my camera?

During his hunt for the caracal, he encountered a mystery you could really sink your teeth into:

“Someone was eating my camera.”

After finding one of his trail cameras broken into little pieces where he had left it, Dax remembers feeling confused.

“I wasn’t sure what did it in the beginning. I was trying to think, ‘Who would do such a thing? One thing is stealing it, but why break it into small pieces and leave it?’”

Luckily, the mystery didn’t remain unsolved for long, thanks to an intact memory card found at the scene of the crime.

“I was checking their pictures and I saw so many wild animals arriving at the camera, like a wolf and a wild ass and a wildcat and a porcupine… but the last picture was the huge, ugly face of a hyena,” he says. 

“And I realized that it was a curious hyena that was checking its teeth on the camera.”

After putting that riddle to rest, Dax ran into other hardships — including having one of his trail cameras stolen by drug smugglers in the middle of the night — but the photographer’s perseverance paid off when he finally captured an image of the caracal.

Zooming out; zooming in

Because he has a constant eye on Israel’s nature and wildlife, Dax has observed several significant changes in Israel’s natural environment over the years.

“You can hardly shoot wildlife without some noise or garbage in the background. It’s really hard to find a place which is totally quiet anymore, and the amount of garbage in this country is growing exponentially — even the most remote places I remember as totally natural are now flooded with plastic waste.”

Still, he remains dedicated to showcasing Israel’s wildlife and promoting conservation efforts.

“Nature… it really makes me excited whenever I touch it. Being somewhere outside before sunrise gives me a kind of a thrill, an excitement,” he concludes. “Anything can come in such a wild place — and we still have an extremely wild place here in Israel.”