{"id":268200,"date":"2026-02-05T02:10:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T02:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/268200\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T02:10:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T02:10:11","slug":"photographer-leaves-camera-in-wild-and-captures-unexpected-moments-with-a-puma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/268200\/","title":{"rendered":"Photographer Leaves Camera In Wild And Captures ‘Unexpected Moments’ With A Puma"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wildlife photographer Dave Kiely<\/a> is used to keeping his distance, using a zoom lens to capture animals in stunning detail from afar. But one of his most intimate photo sets came from him stepping away entirely \u2014 and letting luck take over.<\/p>\n

While on a tour of Patagonia, in South America, Kiely happened upon a puma\u2019s recent meal on the rolling terrain. Knowing the puma was likely to return to the spot to finish eating, Kiely set up a motion-activated camera to record the scene.<\/p>\n

Checking the camera later on, Kiely was stunned.<\/p>\n

\"ADavid Kiely<\/a><\/p>\n

Upon returning to his prey, the puma instead decided to settle down directly in front of Kiely\u2019s camera.<\/p>\n

In a way, the puma then began taking selfies<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dave Kiely<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt felt like witnessing a private moment in the wild rather than an encounter,\u201d Kiely told The Dodo.<\/p>\n

Dave Kiely<\/a><\/p>\n

After letting out an epic yawn, the puma then plopped over to enjoy a peaceful snooze.<\/p>\n

Dave Kiely<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI never expected the puma to be sleeping next to the camera,\u201d Kiely said. \u201cIt truly was unexpected.\u201d<\/p>\n

The puma, unaware he was being photographed, was completely at ease.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeeing the puma at rest was striking,\u201d Kiely said. \u201cThere was no tension or alarm \u2014 just quiet confidence. The image captured a side of the animal people rarely see: calm, composed and completely at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dave Kiely<\/a><\/p>\n

Kiely enjoyed photographing pumas so much that he plans to return to Patagonia soon in hopes of gathering more stunning images like the ones above.<\/p>\n

And, perhaps, there\u2019ll be more surprises.<\/p>\n

\u201cNature does give us some unexpected moments,\u201d Kiely said.<\/p>\n

To see more impressive wildlife photographs, follow Dave Kiely on Instagram<\/a>.\"Wildlife<\/a>Wildlife Photographer Captures Magical Moment Leopard Meets A Dung BeetleShe can’t believe her eyes.<\/a>