Friends for Life

The spotted owlet, a tiny, adorable resident of Asia, can often be found near human habitats, its small face and large eyes peering out of tree holes. These familiar owlets love to huddle with their family groups, seeking protection under the canopy of local trees.

While listed as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List, habitat loss due to logging and urban sprawl has impacted these beautiful creatures and their importance to the environment. Every being, no matter how small, is deeply intertwined with their surroundings - the loss of even one species can cause irreparable damage to Earth’s sensitive ecosystems.

On this International Day of Friendship, it is essential to observe the natural world and appreciate the profound connections that living creatures form with one another, not only for survival but also for companionship, which helps them navigate their challenging environment.

This award-winning photograph was shortlisted in the Planet Category of the COP28 Photography Competition, a collaboration between The Climate Tribe and the Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Rashid al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA). The Climate Tribe has partnered with HIPA to leverage the power of photography to inspire global awareness of sustainability and advance climate action.