ADVERTISEMENT

It's time to transport ourselves to the most remote corners of the world, where humans are not common visitors. These places are governed by nature and the wildlife that inhabits them. Thanks to photographers like Joe Neely, we can catch a glimpse of these remote locations and gain insight into the lives of wild animals surrounded by undisturbed nature.

We contacted the photographer in order to find out more about his work. Joe was kind enough to share with us how he first got inspired to pursue wildlife photography as a career: “From a young age, I developed a fascination with nature through programs on the Discovery channel. My family supported this interest by gifting me subscriptions to publications like National Geographic. Spending time camping and exploring the woods further fueled my passion for the natural world. Although I once believed becoming a wildlife photographer was out of reach, purchasing an entry-level camera for hikes eventually transformed my fascination into a hobby and later, a fulfilling side business.”

More info: Instagram | jmneelyphotography.com | Facebook

We also wanted the photographer to tell us more about his most memorable experience while capturing wildlife. We found out: “One of my most unforgettable moments was capturing an image I had dreamed of for years: a bison emerging from steam or fog in Yellowstone National Park. Despite meticulous planning regarding the animal's behavior, potential locations, and weather conditions, I unexpectedly achieved the shot at a mundane rest stop during a snow flurry. As the massive bison approached me with cold blue eyes and ice clinging to its face, it felt like an otherworldly encounter that remains unmatched.”

RELATED:

    Asked about the challenges he typically faces when capturing images of wild animals in their natural habitats, the photographer answered: “The primary challenge is often adverse weather conditions, such as enduring temperatures as low as -40°F while patiently awaiting wildlife sightings, like foxes hunting. Or facing the opposite extreme – scorching heat exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the arid landscapes of Arizona.”

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Then, we were wondering if Joe has ever faced any dangerous situations while photographing wildlife. We learned that: “About two years ago while exploring the country of Kenya, a mother African elephant charged our vehicle as we left the safari camp. A baby elephant had crossed in front of our vehicle so we stopped, but then we heard a loud trumpeting roar from behind. We had inadvertently placed ourselves between a mother and her child, a place you never want to be, with any type of animal. Recognizing the perilous situation, our safari driver swiftly maneuvered the vehicle to safety, ensuring we escaped unharmed from the intense encounter.”

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The most beautiful image of Instant Death I know of. Ermine - their skull - consists of a huge brain- with a small face stuck on the front - all teeth.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Finally, Neely shared with us his belief regarding the role of wildlife photography in raising awareness about environmental issues and conservation efforts: “Photographs of wildlife in their natural habitats can educate the public about the delicate balance of ecosystems and the interconnectedness of all living beings, highlighting the importance of preserving biodiversity for future generations. It can inspire action and mobilize communities to participate in conservation initiatives, whether it's through donations to conservation organizations, volunteering for wildlife protection efforts, or advocating for policy changes.”

    #8

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jack Gladstone sings a song about one of the Blackfeet names for bison: "Faces The Blizzard". They do.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Wendy Schkade
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    " I was just telling Gertrude about that Tusker in 1954, what a time we had "

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #13

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    flower petals
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *Turns to the bartender*: “You can’t imagine the day I’ve had”

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #14

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    lol! If you've ever had a hummingbird feeder for a whole season- you've probably seen them fight. This one- looks po'd! "he is little- but he is fierce."

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #20

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Eagles have an unfair advantage. One look at them- and you're "Yes? What can I do for you? "

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #21

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We called 'em "horny toads" when I was a kid in Texas. Entirely harmless - easy to handle for moment, and let go.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looking for the movie set around here? I'm not a dinosaur; but I play one...

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #27

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of the Trickster Gods of the western Native Americans is- Coyote. Not exactly like Norse Loki - but in that neighborhood. This is him- right here. Why yes, I did just eat your cat. Tasty! Got any more? Look him dead in the eye- and you can hear him say it.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #29

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Gorgeous yes. Sometimes- I can see one just by looking up out my window. Its astonishing.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #36

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pika - related to rabbits not squirrels; exist in N America Asia in the stone piles on high mountain tops. They whistle - sometimes it's the only way you know they're there. This one is making hay for the winter- they cut it, put it to dry in the sun, when dry they store it under the stones.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #42

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    BarkingSquirell
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sure, it's all fun and games until you're driving through a mountain town and there is a sudden big-horned sheep flashmob.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #45

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    CrunChewy McSandybutt
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's surprising how many tourists decide they want to pet the big fuzzy cow. My friend, that animal is the size of an SUV and will drop-kick you through the gates of heaven.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #47

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All those spots? Turns out they are sensors. Only took us forever to notice.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #49

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He's bugling. If you want to know what that sounds like; get about 3 feet of 3/4" black poly water pipe - and blow like a trumpet (may require learning, and lungs). Not too close to the elk- they might come.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #51

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Danish Susanne
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does anyone know which species this bird is? I would like to know more about it.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #52

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    American badger. Looks a bit different from European, behaves a little different. I meet one on my farm here about once in 3 years- though they are here all the time. The conversation is always the same. "Yes?" "Hello." "Yes? I'm, ah, busy, you know." "Ah. Ok, then, I'll be off." "Snnoof."

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #54

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Rebekah Fuentes
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love coati's! It's like a dog, cat, racoon and squirrel all had a baby!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #58

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #59

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And WHY?? Every detail you see is the result of - evolution. This works. The forked tongue we actually understand. Snakes smell in stereo; their olfactory world includes depth perception. The shields over the eyes? um. why?

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #64

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Coati. Racco.on relative, multiple species in S and Central America, one reaches into the US SW. Mostly diurnal - smart, and with very, very impressive teeth. Be polite.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #66

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #67

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Eyes of Amphibians - are almost always this gorgeous.

    #69

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    BarkingSquirell
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I knew people who would go out with a group every year to count eagles. They are apparently very small, like Trump's hands.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #73

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oystercatchers. If you can catch an oystercatcher- catching oysters - you'll be lucky. And can go chuck wood.

    #75

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cosmikid
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ah Human. He he. You have NO IDEA how many eyes I'm seeing you with, right this millisecond.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #78

    39 Incredible Wildlife Photos Captured By Talented Photographer Joe Neely

    jmneelyphotography Report

    Add photo comments
    POST