Photo and caption by Roberto Portolese

There is a magical moment for the photographer when the animal he is trying to photograph suddenly looks back and engages him directly. In this image both the mother and her cub, referred as a joey, look into the lens with as much curiosity as the photographer has. This brief connection fills any photographer with joy. Koalas, native of Australia, live a solitary life and sleep most of the day, but when they are awake they are the cuddliest to look at. Koala populations are in serious decline due to a shrinking habitat, disease and the availability of their favorite tree: the Eucalyptus.

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia