Nest photography can create powerful wildlife stories, but it also carries serious responsibility. Through a Little Owl family encounter photographed from a respectful distance, this article explores the ethics, legal considerations, and field decisions that should come before every nest-related image.

After hundreds of field trips across the UAE in 2025, the majority of this work was created using an 800mm lens. Distance, patience, and repeated visits shaped every image in this collection, documenting birds, mammals, and reptiles without intrusion.

The Pharaoh Eagle-Owl isn’t always where you expect it. Some days it’s perched in plain sight; other days, it vanishes into the desert’s silence. Discover the reasons behind its unpredictable presence — from shifting temperatures and prey movements to its instinct for survival in the wild landscapes of the UAE.

Before the breeding season begins, Pharaoh Eagle-Owls in the UAE engage in fascinating pre-nesting behavior. From echoing calls at dusk to food sharing and close roosting, these early signs reveal how devoted and territorial this desert species truly is.

In early September, Ras Al Khaimah revealed its hidden treasures — from elusive shorebirds like the Eurasian Oystercatcher and Crab Plover to desert vipers and the rare False Cobra. By focusing on lesser-visited habitats close to home, I aim to document all of the UAE’s wildlife — birds, mammals, and herpetofauna — while offering guided trips that bring others into the heart of these wild encounters.

When I moved from Lebanon — a land of forests, rivers, and mountains — to the seemingly harsh deserts of the UAE, I expected my wildlife photography journey to slow down. Instead, I uncovered an entirely new world teeming with birds, mammals, and breathtaking landscapes. From coastal shorelines to rugged mountain peaks, the Emirates proved to be one of the most surprising and rewarding environments I’ve ever photographed.

I began my wildlife photography journey in 2022 — and in just a few short years, I’ve grown faster than I ever imagined. With years of prior experience in other photography fields and access to dream lenses like the 500mm and 800mm primes, I started from a place most photographers only reach after a decade. Here's how that changed everything — and what I’d tell new photographers today.

In less than a year, in RAK gave i got more recognition than I ever imagined possible—something I spent years chasing in Lebanon and Syria. This isn’t just a story of photography; it’s a story of respect, support, and what happens when your voice is finally heard.

بكل فخر شاركتُ بأول معرض فني لي في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة، حيث قدمت رسالة توثيق جمال الحياة البرية وحمايتها، في معرض افتتحه معالي محمد بن عمران الشامسي برأس الخيمة

An unforgettable encounter with the Egyptian Vultures of Jebel Hafeet—my first trip turned into the wildlife experience of a lifetime, with close-up moments, soaring displays, and a thriving colony in the heart of the UAE.

Wildlife photography is all about persistence and patience. No matter how much research and preparation you do, nothing is guaranteed. Targeted photography—pursuing specific species—often requires multiple trips, countless hours, and immense effort. Success is never certain, but the challenge is what makes it rewarding.