The real life Dr. Dolittle: Plucky traveller takes hilarious selfies with exotic animals (and reveals how you can do the same)
- Allan Dixon from Ireland, who works in the tourism industry, has taken selfies with around 30 animal species
- Shots include dogs hanging out of cars, ducks taking bread from his mouth, and him cuddling a red kangaroo
- He said the key is to make sure the animals are comfortable in his presence and to have patience in getting the shot
This real-life Dr. Dolittle walks with the animals, talks with the animals and even takes selfies with them.
Traveller Allan Dixon, 29, has amassed the hilarious collection of shots with a variety of exotic creatures.
Included in his bonkers photo album are smiling snaps with the likes of kangaroos, quokkas, camels and sea lions.
Allan Dixon takes a selfie with an excitable quokka who looks overjoyed to be on camera. This real-life Dr. Dolittle walks and talks with animals to get the ultimate pictures with them
Beautiful: The traveller has amassed a hilarious collection of shots with a variety of exotic creatures including this open-mouthed camel on the beach
You've goat to be kidding: Included in the 29-year-olds' collection are smiling snaps with the likes of kangaroos, quokkas, camels, sea lions and this cheeky goat (pictured)
In some of the shots, Allan, from Wicklow, Ireland, can even be seen in festive poses, placing a Santa hat on himself or his furry friends.
By posting snaps on his social media platforms, Allan - who has travelled to the likes of Canada, Iceland, Norway, across Asia, and Australia - has seen his followers skyrocket.
He said: 'People's reactions to these photos were rising exponentially - after three photos, it was a given I should continue the trend.
'Anticipation crept into my social network as to what animal could possibly be next, with what expression?'
By posting snaps on his social media platforms, Allan - who has travelled to the likes of Canada, Iceland, Norway, across Asia, and Australia (where he encountered this curious kangeroo) - has seen his followers skyrocket
Under the sea: Even this sea lion was happy to pose for the camera as Allan took to the water for a creative shoot
This camel was posed for a selfie, albeit a more subdued picture than the one Allan snapped on the beach
This wallaby is not camera-shy in the slightest and puts its paws in Allan's hands for the shot
Allan took his first animal selfie with his dog in 2010 but a shot with a baby camel, in the Australian outback in 2013, was the first shot to cause excitement amongst his friends.
Since the camel shot, Allan, who works in marketing within the tourism industry, has gone on to take more than 40 different animal selfies, around 30 of which have been with different species.
Despite the great variety of images, the traveller said some of the shots he takes are not good enough to make the cut.
Some selfies may appear a little too 'normal' - he only wants to post images that people have never seen before.
Cheeky: This plucky duck decides to steal bread from Allan's mouth, which was perfectly captured on camera
This hungry cow just wants to take a bite from a dangling carrot, but Allan snuck in for a close-up picture
A white sheep looks a little confused at the prospect of an image with Allan, who got close for an adorable selfie
This approach has allowed Allan to take shots with dogs hanging out of cars, have ducks take bread from his mouth, and receive cuddles from a red kangaroo.
Allan, who is currently travelling in Western Australia, added: 'There's something magical about animals that you can't define.
'They can't talk to us, yet we accept their presence.
'They bring us so much joy and relief stress, yet people are distancing themselves from nature every day.
'I feel a great joy in their presence, so much that I want to share this feeling with my friends, trying to capture photos that highlight how happy animals are along with the feelings they bring.'
Horsing around: Allan tempts a horse with a carrot, who bears his teeth for a perfectly-timed image
A wallaroo looks asthough he is gossiping with Allan, who says he talks with the animals to gain their trust before photographing them
Cautious: Two tiny quokkas look unsure at their large visitor and take a tentative sniff and a closer look
So far, Allan has embraced the Dr. Dolittle tag, but admits that there is no special technique to taking such stunning selfies.
He revealed the key factor is to make sure the animals are comfortable in his presence and that patience is key to this approach.
Once the animal is comfortable, it makes it much easier for him to introduce a camera into the equation and then shots can be taken without the need for sudden movements, which could scare the animal.
The traveller's favourite animals to snap are quokkas, as they are extremely curious, happy-looking and always very friendly.
Due to the high bar he has set, Allan plans to continue taking animals selfies on his travels, keeping his growing following happy.
Not interested: A turtle looks unfazed by the fact his or her's picture is being document for thousands to see online
A white goat gazes at the Irish photographer's camera. So far, Allan has embraced the Dr. Dolittle tag
The traveller's favourite animals to snap are quokkas, as they are extremely curious, happy-looking and always very friendly
Cheeky: Allan managed to take a picture of the hilarious moment a confident sea gull swooped in to steal food from the mouth of an unsuspecting parrot
Heartwarming: Allan cradles a tiny chick in his hands. With his patience and time spent with the animals, he aims to gain their trust and make them feel comfortable
He said: 'This trend started to take off and people couldn't wait to see the next hilarious selfie with an animal.
'Curiosity combined with anticipation is addictive.
'They've called me real-life Dr. Dolittle in being able to talk to these animals into posing.
'But it's really simple - you just have to relax in their presence and click at the right moment.
'Let them sniff you, make sure you're looking at the camera and click away.
'Even I'm excited to see what comes next.'
Give us a kiss: A camel did not hold back when it came for his starring moment, leaning close to the brave traveller
A horse teaches Allan how to strike a pose for the camera, with hair billowing in the wind
Allan strokes a camel to coax it into having a picture with him, as part of his animal series
In some of the shots, Allan, who is originally from Wicklow, Ireland, can even be seen in festive poses, placing a Santa hat on himself or his furry friends
An albino kangaroo squints in the sun as the 29-year-old attempts to get the perfect selfie
Best side: A white parrot looks comfortable with nestling up to the photographer, who works in the travel industry
A brown and white pony tentatively comes closer to inspect what Allan is doing with the front-facing camera
Close-up confidence: This donkey certainly isn't shy and appears desperate to get closer to the lens
He revealed the key factor is to make sure the animals are comfortable in his presence and that patience is key to this approach
A black parrot pulls a pose for the camera while perched on top of Allan's shoulder
A brown donkey takes a break from grazing in a field with pals to pose next to Allan
Caught off guard: A dog looks confused and startled to have their photograph taken as they perch on a wall
Don't leave me: Due to the high bar he has set, Allan plans to continue taking animals selfies on his travels, keeping his growing following, and animal subjects happy
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