Wildlife/Animals nominee

The coldest months of the Patagonian winter are a quiet time to look for these big cats, since few visitors visit Torres del Paine National Park at this time, in addition the strong summer winds stop and the mountains are covered in a peaceful white.

One of the most impressive moments I have ever lived, the moment when a huge gray Puma gave me this penetrating look, as cold as I felt winter in my bones.

The harsh winter life at the end of the world becomes harsher as the temperature drops, each ray of sunlight on the Patagonian soil is appreciated as if it were the last. Finally my presence merges with the landscape.

Francisco Espíldora, professional photographer specialized in natural settings and wildlife.

In 2017, he was recognized as one of the best emerging young photographers in Chile, an article published in the Santiago newspaper "El Mercurio".

He has been the winner of several national competitions and has obtained good results internationally. His photographs and his work have been published in national and international media.

He founded, in 2019, Karkai ediciones, where he is dedicated to consulting for photographers in Fine Art printing processes, making publications, quality control and photo printing. In 2019 he published his first book called Torres del Paine, a work that is the result of a multi-year project in the area to get involved with the fauna and nature of the place, in different seasons and especially in winter. Very little known and photographed season of the year.