Robert Paslaqua

I can hardly find the words to describe the beauty that @cooperlost and I were lucky enough to experience on our recent African adventure. Hopefully these captured moments help a little!

Such a special feeling when a Cheetah approaches you to give and receive affection. 😻 Cheetahs really are magnificent creatures. They are worthy of our respect, admiration and more importantly, our protection! Here are some facts you may not have known about Cheetahs: 1. There are estimated to be less than 7,000 African cheetahs left in the wild today, while there are fewer than 50 Asian Cheetahs. 2. Cheetahs are one of the most genetically undiverse species in existence due to multiple historical bottlenecks that reduced the size of the population. This has resulted in the few remaining cheetahs breeding, limiting the gene pool. 3. Due to the limited size of the gene pool, cheetahs are prone to many diseases but are specifically at risk for gastrointestinal dysfunction and kidney failure. 4. Cheetahs are the worlds fastest land animal and can reach speeds up to 70mph! 5. Despite their speed, Cheetahs have one of the lowest hunting success rates of any of the Big Cats, not because that can’t catch their prey (they are really good at that part) but because they expend all of their energy during the chase and can’t defend their catch against bigger scavenger predators such as Hyenas. 6. Cheetahs deserve our protection! I am working with a Sanctuary based out of South Africa called @cheetah_experience . They have a history of introducing diverse Cheetah bloodlines back into the wild and it will be my pleasure to contribute to this effort through any means available to me! Thank you for taking the time to read. Together we can make a difference for these awe inspiring animals 😻 📸: @cooperlost #cheetah #conservation #respectanimals #animalconservation #cheetahconservation #cheetahs #animals #loveanimals #animales #animalrescue #cheetahlove #wildlife #wildanimals

This is my first ever attempt at video framing and color grading! 🎥🤓 I am posting this video knowing that, despite the imperfection, I will soon look back at this with pride, reflecting on how far I have come. I will learn many tricks and skills from amazing friends and fellow photographers, and through good old trial and error. I have truly found something that I am passionate about and it involves my three favorite things, exploring, good people, and of course animals! I want to thank my friends @maxstrong , @cooperlost , and @tannerunderwater for regularly inspiring me to be better. Thanks guys 💪🏼 (I’ll still whoop all 3 of you in ping pong though) 😁🏓 Some lessons that I have learned from this shot: 1. In the future I will shoot in 1080p instead of 4k so that I can slow down clips down smoothly. I would have liked this clip to be slower but it was not possible due to my settings! 2. Your arms are definitely going to get tired if you film video after photos, so definitely time your shots accordingly 😅 3. START SHOOTING VERTICALLY! 4. Videos and images don’t have to be perfect in order to be shared. It’s cool to share stuff that you think is cool and even cooler to be able to look back on them in the future as you progress. 💪🏼 If you made it this far, thanks for reading and enjoying my art! 🙂 (had to repost because Insta deleted my cover photo) #photography #animals #toucan #animalvideo #art #videography

Congratulations, Max and Kelsey! 🎉 Just one week ago, you both said “I do,” and honestly, I couldn’t be happier for you two. Max, in the three years we’ve known each other, you’ve become more than a friend; you’ve become a brother. From our unforgettable trips to Costa Rica and Mexico, having a blast on game nights, and spending time with the animals at the habitat, you’ve shown time and again how reliable, trustworthy, and driven you are. Your positive attitude, especially when faced with adversity, never fails to inspire me. It feels like fate that you entered my life when you did, sharing a birthday with my late brother John. I’m excited for all the adventures ahead and so proud to see you building your dream life with Kelsey! Kelsey, you are genuinely one of the coolest, sweetest, smartest, dorkiest people I’ve ever met (in the best way possible), you’re also an incredible leader. I see so much of myself in you. Your match with Max is truly perfect. It’s clear in the way you care for Bella and in your love for Max that you’re not just a partner but a lover at heart. You’re going to be an incredible mom someday! I’m thrilled to see what the future holds for you both. Here’s to many more years of joy, adventures, and game nights! Love you both dearly. 💕 👰‍♀️ @thekelseyowens 🤵‍♂️ @maxstrong By the way, the last video was what @cooperlost , @tannerunderwater and I were doing on your field day 😂

Powerful and Majestic, This Brown Bear is enjoying wild berries after gorging herself on salmon, preparing for the long Alaskan Winter ahead. She is cubless this season and is preparing to enter hibernation alone. This peaceful, yet ferocious giant found herself foraging right outside of our camp, which allowed us a remarkably intimate encounter. A lot had to line up in order to make this shot possible. I am incredibly grateful to my friend @cooperlost for inviting us into his world, and making this Alaskan Trip possible. 🙌🏼🐻 Shoutout to my brothers @tannerunderwater , @danny_mako , @izfilmzz , and @johnnidijulius for making this one of the most memorable expirences of my life. 💯 Body: Sony A7R5 Lens: Sony 70-200mm GM II #brownbear #bear #grizzly #alaska #alaskaphotography #photography #katmai #animal

Hungry Shark 🦈 🎥: @robert 🤿: @tannerunderwater • • • #underwaterphotography #silkyshark #feeding #wildlife #freediving #wildanimals #oceanlife #oceanlover #sharklover #shark

29 will be the best year yet 🥳🎂 Thank you to everyone who made this birthday a special one ❤️ I’ve got some really great friends, even if they are tone deaf 😂🎵. Don’t ask about the rainbow slug, just let it happen 🌈🐌

When the Sharks are circling 🦈 • • In honor of Shark week, I thought I’d share a post in the water with these beauties. These two are Silky sharks, known for their smooth, silky skin texture, and their slender, streamlined bodies adapted for swift, graceful swimming. Most people fear sharks because of how they are most often portrayed in media as bloodthirsty human killlers. It’s true these animals can be incredibly vicious and unforgiving, but they are not the monsters they are portrayed as! They are apex predators, so when you interact with them, you must also be one. Some tips when interacting with sharks: 1. Eye Contact - Sharks are ambush predators, so often they will wait until you are not looking at them to approach you. If you have multiple sharks around you, it is wise to continuously shift which shark you are looking at, letting them know you are aware of their presence. 2. Avoid Splashing - Sharks are hard wired instinctually to be attracted to splashing and surface disturbances, as it usually means there is an injured or distressed animal that might make for an easy meal. Avoid this and focus on making calm, graceful movements. 3. Go out with Experienced people - Go out with people that have the knowledge and experience to keep you safe! If you are in 📍Jupiter Florida, shoot @tannerunderwater a message. He will keep you safe and probably take some awesome shots for you in the process 💪🏼. 🎥: @tannerunderwater • • #shark #sharkweek #silkyshark #oceanphotography #underwater #diving #freediving #underwaterphotography #apexpredator

My little buddy Kumo is getting so big! 🥹 It’s hard to believe that over a year has passed since I started hanging out and working with this little Clouded Leopard dude. For anyone who didn't know, clouded leopards possess remarkable physical characteristics. Their teeth are the largest in proportion to their skull among all big cats, and are often mentioned as the closest living relative to the Sabertooth. Additionally, their paws are surprisingly massive, compared to their body size, with the ability to rotate their ankles 180 degrees. They exhibit exceptional agility while navigating through the trees in their dense forest southeastern Asia home. Unfortunately, clouded leopards are facing a critical threat as deforestation in their native habitat is rapidly reducing their available space and jeopardizing their survival. I am very proud to be associated with the @bigcathabitat here in Sarasota Florida, where good humans are actively working towards the conservation of these worthy animals, as well as the active education of the public. Thank you to @claytonrosaire @maxstrong and everyone else at @bigcathabitat for welcoming me into the family. I can’t wait to see what the future brings for both us and the animals! Swipe to see a video of Kumo from exactly 1 year ago. 🐆

Richard may have gotten the better of me this time, but it was a good fight! I’ll get him next year ♟️💪🏼. Thank you to @richardbranson for always being such an excellent host and to everyone involved in making the Necker Cup such a special event 🥂. Can’t wait for next year!

🔉Have you ever heard a sound like this? 🔉 This has to be the most incredible and humbling moments I have ever experienced! Here’s the Story: • • There we were, casually dropping in and swimming with this magnificent pod of False Killer Whales as they passed through, when BOOM @maxstrong accidentally drops in right on top of our featured friend. (No contact was actually made) but both parties were certainly shocked! The majestic beast immediately stopped course and started checking out @maxstrong . It was at this moment that I first got in the water with our friend. (Forgetting my camera of course 😅) captivated by the moment I excitedly started swimming with and checking out our new friend, hoping Max would snap the perfect memory of the amazing moment 📸 (he did)! Moments later another large False Orca comes out of the blue and rams into the first, as if to tell him that it was time to keep moving. We said goodbye to our friend and got back in the boat, thrilled with our shared encounter… but wait • • Just a few minutes later, on our very next drop, we encounter the very same curious creature; but this time I had my camera! 🎥 I can’t even begin to explain to you the feeling I had as this animal stopped, looked me in my eye and started speaking to me. He was using his echolocation to scan me inside and out. He could tell that my heart was beating out of my chest. What an incredibly special moment we shared. I will never forget the mixture of emotions that I felt during this encounter. • • The full video of the encounter is 2 minutes, I have shortened it for social media. If you wish to see or share the full length video, DM me @robert ! Thank you to @tannerunderwater for setting up this life changing trip, and for inspiring me to love and respect our oceans and wildlife just a little bit more. You are a beautiful human. Thank you @explorabaja for your hospitality, incredible staff and for providing the opportunity for this experience. Lastly, thank you @maxstrong for getting us involved in this trip in the first place. You’re the man! #whales #cetacean #orcas #dolphins #sealife #ocean #animals #nature #orca #wildlife #dolphin #seacreature

Who’s coming next time? ✈️🌎🌊🤿🐋📸🇲🇽