While on safari in Namibia, Nathan encountered a herd of zebras (sometimes referred to as a dazzle) standing together in the vast expanse of Etosha National Park. This image captures the beauty of these animals in their natural habitat—their stripes even more striking against the vast and barren salt pan behind them. Like wild horses, zebras are social animals, with a stallion leading a group of mares and their young. The distinctive black-and-white stripes of each zebra are unique, much like human fingerprints. There are many theories about why zebras evolved to have stripes, including protection from predators to thermoregulation. Recent research points to another function: fly repellant. As it turns out, flies are less likely to land on graphic patterns like stripes, which would not only keep these special equines more comfortable but also prevent the transmission of deadly diseases.

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