Suzi Eszterhas has a secret power. She can become invisible to animals. The photographer once spent 17 days waiting outside a jackals' den in the African savanna. Each day, she inched closer to the den, until the jackals barely noticed her. They allowed her to stay close for five months. "That's how you get good photos," she told TFK. "If I've become invisible to animals, then that's fantastic."

Eszterhas has been a photographer for 10 years. Before that, she worked in an animal shelter. "My first love has always been wildlife," she says.

Eszterhas's photos appear in books for kids. Her Eye on the Wild series follows the lives of animals as they grow up. She hopes the books inspire readers to protect wildlife. "Even though there are people who won't see these animals in person," she says, "they can enjoy them."

Nature's Candy Store

Eszterhas has photographed wildlife in rain forests, oceans and savannas. She has followed bears, penguins, lions, gorillas and more. She spent much of this year traveling.

Costa Rica, in Central America, is her favorite spot. "The animals will come right up to you while you're having breakfast," she says. She calls the country a "candy store for wildlife."

Each day brings new adventures for Eszterhas. On an average day, she takes about 1,000 photos. But one day, she shot 3,000 photos of penguins jumping off of ice. She is also used to working with dangerous animals. "They are patient," she says. "But you have to approach them without stressing them out."

The award-winning photographer admits her best images are of subjects she is excited to photograph. "You're always going to do something better," Eszterhas says, "if you love it."

To access the digital edition of TIME For Kids, go to timeforkids.com/digital.