The Cutest Creature Around: A Panda Photo Essay

Derek Ward Nov 10, 2014

Full of mystical landscapes and charasmatic pandas, China has is no doubt one of the best destinations in the world for nature photographers. Esteemed Natural Habitat guide Brad Josephs shares a collection of photographs that he captured while visiting three of China’s panda breeding sanctuaries on Natural Habitat Adventures’ China Photo Tour. These sanctuaries, which are rarely visited by foreigners, are perfect for photographing endangered giant pandas and other wildlife due to the high density of giant pandas, opens in new tab and the lush forest environment.

*Pandas start climbing at a very young age, as it allows them to keep safe from predators including moon bears and wild dogs.*

*The breeding sanctuaries allow photographers to get up close and capture personal portraits of the pandas.*

*A red panda. While giant pandas are bears, red pandas are actually closer in relation to raccoons. The animals are similar in that they both eat bamboo and live in the same habitat.*

*A young panda cub snacks on some bamboo.*

*No panda has ever fallen and gotten hurt at these panda breeding sanctuaries, according to local experts.*

*While elusive and difficult to photograph, this pheasant was photographed while living in the Chengdu Panda Breeding Center.*

*Eight-month old panda cubs are some of the cutest creatures out there!*

*Because bamboo is low in available calories, Pandas spend half of their lifetimes asleep as a means of conserving energy.*

IMG_9174-592x395 — *The lush and natural environment provides great backgrounds for photographing pandas within the breeding sanctuaries.*

A peacock captured with a shallow depth of field, which was done by setting the camera’s aperture to a wide setting. This effect blurs the background, making the peacock the center of focus in the image.

IMG_9540-620x413 — *Giant pandas are surprisingly agile tree climbers.*

*Natural Habitat travelers Ken and Susan Case hang out with a two-year old panda cub.*

*This adorable panda cub enjoys a bamboo breakfast!*

Capture your own photos of these cute pandas on our unbelievable journey though China: The Wild Side of China Photo Tour

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