In any case, moments are precious because of this. So, let’s consider one such precious, once-in-a-lifetime moment: the time this one owl decided to come chill on this one wildlife photographer’s photo lens. 

Yep, this exact thing happened to photographer Scott Dere, but thanks to the quick and tactful reflexes of photographer Beaumon Day, we now have a photo of it! 

Not many people would be up to the challenge of braving temperatures that hit -45°C but they aren't Tinja Myllykangas who values her privileged interaction with nature over material goods. 

Tinja lives without electricity, relying on a wood stove for heat and candles for light and she allowed photographer Brice Portolano to spend two weeks with her capturing her unique way of life. The strong-willed blonde decided to leave behind her biological studies in the city of Jyväskylä, Finland, for the Arctic landscapes of Lapland, in 2008. 

She yearned for the untouched wilderness that she had on her doorstep rather urban life because she grew up surrounded by animals. And so she embarked on finding a spot to raise sledding dogs, eventually settling down near to the Muotkatunturi nature reserve - 180 miles from the closest town. Tinja cultivates a strong relationship with the dogs, who she said need a lot of exercise. 

Part of strengthening her bond with them is getting to know each pack member individually. She also keeps horses and dog wolfs, canines where one of their parents or grandparents was a wolf. According to Tinja, the breed are extremely faithful and follow her wherever she goes. 

She told Portolano: 'I like being on my own with the dogs and horses. I think being alone is the most peaceful way of life there is.' Chores never feel like a burden for Tinja, who said she doesn't feel the need for material possessions and is energised by the beauty of nature around her. 

Tinja's wooden home is devoid of running water and food is cooked outside on an open fire or on the wood stove. But according to the French photographer, the hardest thing about Tinja's life is not necessarily the conditions or harsh temperatures, but the absence of daylight, which can last for over a month. 

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And this pair of bear cubs holding hands is definitely a sight to behold. Fortunately, Lewis Kemper – a wildlife photographer was at the right place the right time to capture on camera some incredible snaps. The 62-year-old California-based photographer was in Lake Clark National Park when spotted the adorable scene. 

Two cubs were holding their hands while watching the mama bear trying to get the supper. “I was leading a photography tour around Lake Clark in Alaska, earlier this month, when I spotted a female and her two cubs waiting for her to come back with something to eat,” Lewis said. 

“I was standing about 20 feet away from the two cubs – bears in the area are used to human presence and do not mind us.” Despite they were impatiently waiting for some fish at the dinner, their mom came back empty handed. “The two bears held hands for around 20 seconds,” the photographer said. 

“They hoped their mother would bring them some dinner but unfortunately, she came back fishless.” According to wildlife experts, bears have a 10% hunting success rate. Even tough most of the bears love to eat fishes, their diet is mostly based on plants. “Although bears love their fish, most of them are omnivores and mainly eat plants and of course, a lot of grass,” Lewis added. However, the two cubs are not the only wildlife captured on camera while gently holding ‘hands.’ A few years ago, a couple spotted two penguins holding flippers on a South African beach. 

The lovely encounter quickly went viral on social media, back then, winning the hearts of millions. 

Take a look!

 
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With outstretched wings and a striking bird-shaped profile, the image – captured by photographer Hallgrimur P Helgason – wowed stargazers in Kaldarsel. Mr Helgason, 64, said that the bird showed up in the night sky an hour after he got there and started snapping. 

He said: ‘It’s really a thrill shooting the aurora, especially when they are so playful like they were that night. I have to admit that I always get an adrenalin kick when the lights burst out like that – that particular shot was the top one of the night.’ 

He uses a camera and tripod to photograph the lights, and advises snapping in the dark away from city light pollution and never using a flash. 

 He said the Northern Lights were mainly showing in green and yellow colors when he was shooting that night but also sported red and blue, suggesting the aurora was strong. The Northern Lights feature prominently in Norse mythology. One legend suggests that the lights were reflections or glow from the shields and armour of the Valkyrie, female warriors who would choose who may die in battle and who may live to fight another day. 

Dying in battle seemed to occupy Norse mythology quite a bit and the Aurora was also believed to be “Bifrost Bridge”, a glowing and pulsating arch which led those fallen in battle to the warriors final resting place in Valhalla. Saami indigenous people believe these lights are their ancestors visiting them. The Salteaus Indians of eastern Canada and the Kwakiutl and Tlingit of Southeastern Alaska interpreted the northern lights as the dancing of human spirits. 

The Inuits who lived on the lower Yukon River believed that the aurora was the dance of animal spirits, especially those of deer, wolf, seals, salmon and beluga. 

In Finland, a mystical fox was thought to have created the aurora, its bushy tail spraying snow and throwing sparks into the sky. Source