A Close Call With Death
We came upon a Zebra feeding next to the road in Kruger near Satara, not worried about our presence. We slowed down to pass it until I saw the Lion claw marks on its back. I slammed on brakes, grabbed my camera and took a few shots. The Zebra was perfectly aligned with the fading sunlight, accentuating the details perfectly. I was so excited by this image, it instantly became a portfolio shot for me, as it tells such an amazing story.I love the contrasting diagonal lines here of the claw marks versus the Zebra pattern, almost symbolising the directions in which a Lion lives versus the way a Zebra lives.
African Dream
Incredible morning light and dust combine to form some of my favourite photographic conditions, shrouding a feeding Elephant in the Mopane veld just north of Letaba Rest Camp. Kruger National Park, South Africa
After the Feast
A Lioness covered in blood from a recently killed Giraffe comforts her cub after having feasted on the kill. Kruger National Park, South Africa
At The Foot Of A Giant
At only four meters away, a massive bull Elephant quenches a thirst under nocturnal skies. Zimanga Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Colours Of Dawn
Beautiful colours of dawn engulf the sky in striking magenta hues, silhouetting a lone Vulture perched high up on a dead tree. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Eye To Eye
Staring directly into the eyes of a predator must be one of the most exhilarating ways to enjoy photography. On this occassion just north of Satara, I had that opportunity and I must say, this is one of my all-time favourite portraits I have captured of a male Lion. I love the scars and character of him. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Dawn Breath
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
The Woodland Kingfisher
Summer is an incredible time in the Kruger National Park, characterised by the call of the Woodland Kingfisher. I've tried for many years to get a good take-off photo of this Kingfisher, and I finally managed to capture one recently that I am very happy with. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Death Stare
With eyes locked onto prey in the distance, you can almost sense the calculations this male Cheetah is making on how to successfully bring down a meal. Those eyes tell an amazing story. Zimanga Private Game Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Dog Portrait
The African Wild Dog, such an amazing animal to photograph! I spent an amazing time with a Wild Dog pack a few years ago at Zimanga Private Nature Reserve in South Africa which offered some incredibly close encounters. We spent a lot of time with the pack on foot, helping to achieve low angle perspectives such as in this photo. I was lying flat on the ground, getting very dirty in the process but it was so worth it. I absolutely love the low to the ground perspective. Zimanga Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Dust and Herds
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
Edge Of Light
The cool air of dusk brings to an end a warm day in the Masai Mara as beautiful, post-sunset light spills across the western sky with beautiful orange-red hues. A lone Elephant continues to feed as the light slowly fades into darkness. Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya
Elephant Hide
Old and new mud coat the hide of an African Elephant letting small patches of the grey skin show through. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Feeding Cheetah
The intimidating stare of a male Cheetah feeding on a freshly killed young Zebra, another amazing experience at Zimanga. Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Hoisted Remains
A huge male Leopard in the heart of the Thornybush Game Reserve stands alert in a tree with the remains of an adult Warthog kill. Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa
Hunting Yellow-billed Kite
The Yellow-billed Kite, such an opportunistic hunter. I watched and photographed this Kite for a while on the Olifants bridge in the Kruger National Park. It caught numerous bats roosting and nesting underneath the bridge, it would fly away, feed in the air, and then return for more. What a memorable session of photography.I love the pose here, banking steeply and moving in for the kill. Olifants River Bridge, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Into The Evening
During early evening just as the sun has set, a Cheetah walks across a rocky section on the Mara plains in search of a meal. Mara Triangle, Masai Mara, Kenya.
Kij Kij Male
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
Killing A Killer
This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but this goes down as the most intense natural event I have ever witnessed. Watching any animal kill another is hectic, but watching a massive male Lion absolutely demolish this Hyena still sends chills down my spine. As I was witnessing this and photographing it, I was shaking, I can't even remember how I felt at the time as it was so intense.It took a long while for me to calm my nerves, and still to this day I remember the sounds of the Hyena's neck being crushed by the Lion, bones breaking, the expressions of absolute despair in the Hyena, the ruthlessness of the male Lion adamant to inflict as much lethal damage as possible, an event that left me feeling very emotional, something that was very hard to witness.As a photographer I am out in the field to capture nature as it is, I don't interfere, I photograph what I see and let nature do its thing. I'm sure many of you are looking at this image and asking yourself "Why didn't you interfere and help the Hyena?". Well, as much as we could have done something to try save the Hyena, nature follows it's own path and has its own set of agendas, and I feel we need to let nature follow that path without interference, allowing nature to create balance, a reason why life and death is an important part of what nature is.The Hyena was very old, she was frail, slow, and found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Lion's attack was lethal, but he left the Hyena alive. I felt very uneasy while the Hyena was lying, motionless, suffering, gasping for air. I felt a huge sense of relief once the Hyena took her last breath and was finally at rest.I'll never forget that morning. The morning I witnessed nature at her most brutal. Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Mara Lion Cubs
Two young Lion cubs stay close to Mom, gazing over the plains of the Masai Mara on a fresh morning just before sunrise. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Marauding Buffalo
Concentrated around a waterhole in the height of the dry season, two massive male Buffalo attack one another, looking for dominance in a time when water is scarce. Huge plooms of dust rise into the air signalling the commencement of another battle. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Hunting Leopardess
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
Mother and Calf
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
Mother And Cub
What can I say about the Kgalagadi... its easily one of my favourite places on Earth!Back in 2012 I took a camping trip in the heat of December to Rooiputs and Polentswa, and I experienced some of the best photography I have ever had in the Kgalagadi, as well as very hot weather and incredible thunderstorms.I spent a great deal of time with a Cape Fox family just a few hundred meters south of the Leeudril waterhole and I experienced some amazing interactions in some wonderful evening light.This image was captured literally as the final rays of sunset light splashed across the scene. Moments after, the light had gone and it was time to head back to my campsite at Rooiputs. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa
On The Verge
Setting sunlight illuminates heavy dust kicked up by a mother Rhino and her calf. Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Playful Mara Cubs
Backlit by the faint rising sunlight, two very young Lion cubs play and bond with eachother. It was a privilege gaining a glimpse into the life and antics of these tiny cubs and how they interact with eachother and their pride. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Portrait of an African Soul
An elderly male elephant stands still, quietly going about his day, almost looking at ease with a peaceful life in the African bush. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Portrait of the Herd
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
Resting Queen
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
Rising Malachite Kingfisher
Spending years in a bird hide, waiting for that perfect moment when opportunity, skill and luck meet, resulted in a moment I am very proud of. I have tried to capture a "natural (non-baited)" photograph of a Malachite Kingfisher rising out of the water for many years, and finally my patience and dedication paid of with this image. A special moment in time in my photographic journey. Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, South Africa
Rising Nightfall
A full moon rises behind a mother Rhino and her calf as the last light of day paints the sky in a dark blue hue. Zimanga Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Southern Carmine Bee-Eater
Bee-Eaters abound along the banks of the Okavango River during the breeding months. Upwards of over a few hundred nest in colonies along the steep river banks, keeping out of reach of most dangers. Here a beautiful specimen searches for food to bring back to its young. Okavango River, Botswana
Sunset Leopardess
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
The Queen Of Darkness
Saseka, a female Leopard from the Thornybush Game Reserve sits alert in darkness, with a spolight illuminating her from the side. Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa
The Tail End Of Life
A huge Leopard had killed a large Warthog during the day, and hoisted the kill up into a tree. Most of the kill had been eaten and nothing more than the head, legs and skin remained. The Leopard took a break from feeding, resting in the tree right next to the kill, with his tail resting right next to the fallen Warthog. The sun had set, the sky turned black, signifying the end for the Warthog. Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa
Bathing In Golden Light
Early summer afternoons can reach extremely high temperatures in the Kruger, and water is scarce because of the dry winter. Here, a female Elephant enjoys a swim as the faint afternoon light casts a beautiful golden hue onto the scene. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Mashatu Leopard
Evening sunlight fades and the cool air brings with it an atmosphere that is difficult to describe. If you’ve been on Safari in Africa, you’ll know what I mean. On a trip to Mashatu Game Reserve I enjoyed the photography of many Leopards… easily one of the best places on Earth to photograph them. Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana