Some of the most popular wildlife photos on 500px have happened when the photographer stepped away from their camera and let the animals take over.
From a red squirrel seeking the cozy shelter of a massive lens hood, to adorable meerkat camera assistants, to an owl that is NOT impressed with the GoPro Hero trying to take its portrait, here are 19 of our favorite images of wildlife getting cozy with camera equipment.
1.Seems as good a place as any to take a breather and enjoy a peanut.
2.What are you lookin’ at!?
3.May I?
4.Changing settings can be a real pain when you don’t have opposable thumbs…
5.Close enough?
6.Most adorable camera assistants.
7.Counterweight.
8.Hero down! Puffin to the rescue.
9.Well… they’re not getting that camera back.
10.Trying out a film SLR for the first time can be pretty scary.
11.Group shot!
12.Striking a pose with her new camera.
13.Not sure if he wants to take my photo… or eat me.
14.Squirrely image stabilization.
15.Seems a bit… smug, doesn’t he?
16.Patiently waiting for that perfect shot.
17.Lining up the shot… Kingfisher style.
18.I’m sure he’s just checking the lens for scratches.
19.Gimme!
To see more photos of wildlife — both behind and in front of the lens — check out the 500px’s Editors’ Choice Animal photos or click here to browse through some adorable photos of foxes frolicking in the snow.