I have had the opportunity to accompany several biologist friends in their studies, and this one took me underground. To capture and study the various viruses that affect bats. After helping them capture the necessary bats, I had time to explore the caves or mines where we were looking for bats to photograph. Caves are not the best environments to photograph, there is no natural light, and all our steps must be well measured. Because next to my feet there could be a huge fall, in a place where rescue is complex. Doing all this and carry all the equipment (without ruining it), while taking pictures. Bats are protected species in Portugal, and that means my work must be fast. I can't take a long time to get the camera settings right, I must have them practically correct when I start photographing them. Because the light ends up frightening them and they end up flying away. That means I can't take many pictures either, when I feel the animal is not enjoying it, I simply end the session. This greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) was sleeping in one of the galleries where we passed towards the main colony, at the time I couldn't photograph it because work comes before photographs. However, I mentally registered which gallery I was in and as soon as I had the opportunity I returned to this point. Only on the fifth attempt did I find the gallery, as the mine environment is like a dark labyrinth and one where it is easy to get lost. He was still sleeping and allowed me to take some pictures without ever waking up. I returned to the team, and on the way out of the mine we passed him again, who was still sleeping.
