MAMMALS OF AFRICA

A Lioness covered in blood from a recently killed Giraffe comforts her cub after having feasted on the kill. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Storms approach the wide open grassy plains of the Masai Mara, engulfing the landscape with dramatic skies, dwarfing the massive Elephant cow and her calf. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

A herd of Wildebeest whips up huge amounts of dust at dawn, running along the banks of the Mara River during their annual migration across East Africa. Mara Triangle, Masai Mara, Kenya

Late afternoon sunlight illuminates a Cape Fox mother and her two pups on the sandy river-bed of the Nossob. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

I found two male Cheetah drinking at the Rooiputs waterhole in the Kgalagadi mid-morning in December, the hottest time of year. They looked quite active and I decided to stay with them. Plenty of new born Springbok were in the area, and I was sure they would hunt down some of these youngsters. The Cheetah moved about 500m south of the Rooiputs waterhole, and killed a stray baby Springbok on the eastern ridge of the Nossob River bed. They began eating the baby in the shade of a tree, when a mother Springbok and her newborn wandered over the ridge towards the two feeding Cheetah. In no time, the two Cheetah left their kill and chased the mother and her calf behind my car, catching the baby about 10m away from me. The cries from the baby Springbok sent shivers down my spine, intensifying the experience of a fragile battle for life and death. It was an incredible experience, and to be able to photograph the drama so close to me was a moment I will never forget. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

A lone Zebra contemplates crossing the mighty Mara River to join up with its herd on the opposite bank, but huge rocks and danger stand in the way of survival. Mara Triangle, Masai Mara, Kenya

Young cubs play fight and attack their father in the golden light of morning. Clearly displeased with his offspring's advances, the huge male leaves the cubs and goes on to rest in the shade on his own. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

Golden dawn light illuminates the breath of a Lioness as she snarls, warning off a nearby male on the plains of the Masai Mara. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Two young Wild Dog interact, play fighting and learning the neccessary skills to help them in the future. Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Huge herds of Wildebeest and Zebra churn up a lot of dust close to the banks of the Mara River. Ethereal scenes of these dust blankets cover huge numbers of animals, waiting for their turn to cross the raging river. Mara Triangle, Masai Mara, Kenya

A herd of Elephant walk across the barren Zimanga plains kicking up huge amounts of dust, back lit by the setting sunlight. A lone, young Elephant walks through the shrouding dust following the herd. Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Quietly, a lone female Elephant approaches the waterhole at the Matabole Hide in Mashatu to quench her thirst at the height of the dry season in Botswana. Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

A female Impala chews on a shrub twig as the last light of day casts its golden hues onto the animal and landscape. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Late evening sunlight casts an ethereal glow onto the Earth's atmosphere, silhouetting the iconic animal of the Kalahari, the Gemsbok (Oryx). Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

The sun slowly sinks lower in the sky, cutting through the hazy atmosphere losing the blue colour spectrum of light, creating the warm orange glow over the landscape of Zimanga. A large male Giraffe stands tall back-lit by the striking sunset light. Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Over the course of two days we watched as another male Leopard intruded into this male's territory, evading him every time he came down to drink. This male, with one blind eye was in hot pursuit of the intruder, and I would love to have been able to follow and find out what happened. Here, the dominant male drinks at Girivana dam in the very last light of day. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Beautiful dappled sunset light falls onto the face of a young male Lion through trees. Madikwe Game Reserve, North-West Province, South Africa

Afternoon sunlight casts beautiful golden hues onto this male Impala, scratching an itch on his back. The lower the sun dips towards the horizon, the more intense the golden light becomes. This is because dust and pollution in the air eliminates the blue spectrum of light, allowing the reds and oranges through. Kruger National Park, South Africa

In search of prey, a female Leopard uses the sound of rain as cover for her own sounds, stalking the plains of the Masai Mara. We found her a while earlier with two, tiny cubs. She hid these cubs at what seemed like a safe den site, as she left them to go hunt during a heavy afternoon thundershower. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Crossing the Crocodile infested Mara River is a daunting prospect for any animal, but when massive herds of animals build up on the opposite river banks, panic sets in and the urge to withdraw themselves from chaotic danger in the river becomes extreme. Mara Triangle, Masai Mara, Kenya

Faint dawn sunlight illuminates a young male Lion walking through the arid landscape of the Kgalagadi, eyes locked onto a small family of Cape Foxes nearby. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

Beautiful morning sunshine dips below an impressive morning storm beaming contrasty golden light onto a beautiful black-maned Kalahari Lion in his prime. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

A massive Leadwood tree in the heart of the Kruger National Park is chosen by a Leopard to stash away its kill of an adult Impala. Dull morning conditions created a wonderful opportunity for some black and white photography. Kruger National Park, South Africa

I followed this male Leopard one summer morning, not far from the Orpen Rest Camp on the Rabelais loop heading towards Satara. I watched as he stalked some Impala for hours, and at one point he came close to my vehicle, and I was gifted with this portrait of him. I love this image, as it tells the story of how secretive and elusive this beautiful cat is. Kruger National Park, South Africa

The faint glow of morning illuminates the landscape, adding just enough light to an amazing scene. An adult Brown Hyena carrying a Spotted Hyena head to its den and young. Amazing moments like these are fleeting, one I was very privileged to witness. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

Mother and sub adult daughter expend morning energy as early sunlight engulfs the scene in a golden hue. Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

A female Leopard, known as Argyle Jnr in the Timbavati looks on to two Spotted Hyena below her looking around for scraps from an Impala kill made the day before. Cool blue light from dawn engulfs the twilight sky, creating beautiful colour contrast between the Leopard and dawn sky. Simbavati, Timbavati Private Game Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

The star of Hannes Lochner's "Dark Side of the Kalahari" publication, "Luna" the female Leopard of the southern Kgalagadi rests up in a massive group of trees very close to the entrance gate at Twee Rivieren. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

A few years ago a well known coalition of male Lions, called the Mapogo's ruled the area of the Sabi Sands, killing any intruders in their way. Here, Mr T (or Satan) as he was called, sits on the edge of a dam as the faint twilight glow of morning paints the sky in a soft blue hue. Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

On the hunt, a male Leopard seeks out prey during an overcast afternoon. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

A mother Elephant stands close to her calf, sniffing the air of an approaching, dramatic storm over the plains of the Masai Mara. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

A young Impala was hunted down and killed, eaten within minutes. Here a young Wild Dog stands proud with the head of this young victim as the early morning light shines golden hues onto the scene. Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Setting sunlight illuminates heavy dust kicked up by a mother Rhino and her calf. Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

A young, year old Leopard cub stares into the camera, as she waits for her mothers return with food. Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

Massive herds of White-bearded Wildebeest engage in dangerous river-crossings towards better grazing on the other side. Dust adds such a dramatic atmosphere to this dramatic natural event. Mara Triangle, Masai Mara, Kenya

An adult male Springbok braves the heavy downfall of another summer storm in the Kalahari. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

A lone Spotted Hyena quenches a thirst after a long night of searching for food. The perfectly still water reflected the predator beautifully, illuminated by a hand-held spotlight. Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

A female Leopard rests on a Marula tree branch, as twilight paints the sky behind in dark blue hues. Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

A beautiful specimen of the iconic Kalahari Black-maned Lions walks along the Nossob Riverbed, roaring as a new summer dawn approaches. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

A young Leopard descends from a small termite hill and walks towards her mother in complete darkness. A hand-held spotlight was used to illuminate the cub from the side. Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

Old and new mud coat the hide of an African Elephant letting small patches of the grey skin show through.

Capturing a photograph of this nature comes down to a lot of factors working together perfectly. I balanced the ambient light in the background with the use of a flash illuminating the Leopard and tree. The sunset glow is what makes this scene for me, and sure does create a true portrait of Africa. Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

With a massive gaping jaw, a male Hippo warns off threats to his territory captured from a low perspective just inches above the water. Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Mpumulanga, South Africa

Huge herds of White-bearded Wildebeest brave the raging crocodile infested Mara river in hopes of fresh grazing on the opposite side. Mara Triangle, Masai Mara, Kenya

On the dam wall across the road from the barren Nsemani Dam near Satara, a leopard stands proud in the dappled afternoon light. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Ever alert to the opportunity to kill, the African Wild Dog is a relentless killer, ripping apart their prey within minutes. In the golden light of dawn, the hunt is on again. Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

A small herd of Elephant traverse the drought-stricken Kruger landscape at dawn, kicking up dust backlit by the rising sun creating a wonderful almost glow-like atmosphere. The young Elephants walk between the adults for protection. Kruger National Park, South Africa

A very young Scrub Hare sits quietly on a patch of barren Earth, evading danger and patiently waiting for return of it's mother. Backlit with a spotlight, the Hare sat still allowing for some low to the ground photographs of this cute little creature. Needless to say, a friend was looking out for Lions and Elephants behind me while I was taking this photograph. Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Mpumulanga, South Africa

The setting sun casts golden hues onto the atmosphere, silhouetting two male Cheetah on the hunt, chasing down a fully grown Wildebeest. The chase was unsuccessful, as the Wildebeest turned around and challenged the Cheetah face to face. Mara Triangle, Masai Mara, Kenya

A close up view of an Elephant drinking from the Bhejane Hide at Zimanga, purpose built for small birds, but not completely limited to the avian kind. Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa