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.
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
A Couple Of Trees
Soft light painting illuminates two Quiver Trees standing tall with the Milky Way burning bright overhead. Quiver Tree Forest, Keetmanshoop, Namibia
A Flooding Tugela
After five years of visiting the Drakensberg, this was the first time I have ever seen the Tugela Falls in flood! I have been here, two or three times before after massive rains, i've heard the waterfalls thundering down, but I have always been engulfed in mist. On this particular day, we battled heavy rain getting to our camp, heavy mist engulfed us, and I thought I would miss out on the opportunity again of seeing the falls in flood. I sat in my tent, checking the mist every couple of minutes, and to my elation, the mist opened up, affording us an incredible view I have worked so hard to see! I finally managed to photograph the Tugela Falls in flood. Our window of opportunity did not last long! Another rain storm approached us, and moments after this image was taken, we ran back into our tents to escape the heavy downpour. Moments like this make the challenging times hiking the Berg so worth it! Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa.
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
Amphitheatre Arch
A beautiful rainbow forms immediately as a storm passes overhead, arching over the Devils Tooth and Eastern Buttress. I've waited for a long time to capture a rainbow over this location, and finally I was gifted with an incredible opportunity. Drakensberg Escarpment, 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
Below Ifidi
Clouds ebb and flow amongst the lower peaks of the mighty Drakensberg Escarpment as a spectacular sunrise illuminates the landscape. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Clearing Snow Storm
During August 2021 the Drakensberg received a massive snowfall. Although I was scheduled to be on top of the escarpment for this snow storm, I opted to stay below and capture the massive mountain peaks above me. The storm shrouded the mountains for the majority of the storm, and as the storm started clearing I was awarded with an incredible view of the Eastern Buttress of the Amphitheatre completely covered in snow. Light broke through heavy cloud, illuminating the rugged ridges of the escarpment creating some incredible natural contrasts. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Coastline Pattern
Beautiful fine patterns form in the sand on the Betty's Bay beach in the Western Cape, softly accentuated by the faint setting sunlight. Betty's Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
Dawn At Kubu
Soft dawn sunrise light faintly illuminates the Earths atmosphere and iconic Baobab Trees across the incredible beauty of Kubu Island. Kubu Island, Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana
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
Drakensberg Grandeur
I have seen many beautiful places in Southern Africa over the last 14 years as a photographer, but the Mnweni Pinnacles in the Drakensberg sits at the very top of that list! The first time I saw this view, I was speechless! These pinnacles are massive, i’m guessing at least 200 meters tall, maybe more. Its a long hike to get to this location, but worth every step!For me, I think this image might become one of my all time favourites I have captured. It will also print beautifully, I captured this photo as a multi-row pano and ended up with a 123 megapixel file. Needless to say, i’m printing this one for home! Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
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
Dramatic Mbundini
Incredible light spills through heavy storm clouds shining onto the rugged landscape surrounding Mbundini Abbey, The Madonna and Her Worshippers and Fangs Pass. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
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
Fangs Pass Waterfall
A waterfall at the bottom of Fangs Pass flows strong as low heavy cloud cover the peaks in the distance. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Final Light of Day
The very last, remaining sunlight fades into darkness across the incredibly beautiful landscape of Spitskoppe in Namibia. Spitskoppe, Namibia
Flowers On the Dunes
Beautiful evening light shines in from the west catching very hazy skies looking towards Table Mountain. The dunes close to Dolphin Beach covered in amazing flowers create a wonderful foreground during a very windy day. Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, South Africa
From Ifidi
During this particular morning, the cloud inversion drifted way below the escarpment summit for many hours, but it slowly made its way higher, soon engulfing the landscape moments after this photo was captured. This is a view of the Devil's Tooth, but from the lesser known side of Ifidi. Drakensberg Escaprment, 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
Madonna And Her Rainbow
A dramatic storm passes and then clears enough to let late afternoon light shine through, creating a beautiful rainbow over one of the most beautiful views of the Drakensberg I have ever seen. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
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
Meisho Maru Wreck
The wreck of the Meisho Maru 38 which ran aground between Suiderstrand and Cape Agulhas on 16 November 1982, captured on a December evening after sunset. A long exposure with the sun below the horizon created ethereal effects of light on the foreground rocks. Cape Agulhas National Park, Western Cape, South Africa
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
Mud Symmetry
Cracked mud creates such incredible symmetry on the desert floor of the Namib. Water flows through the desert very rarely, creating these incredible abstract patterns. Namib Naukluft National Park, Namibia
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
Piercing Dark Skies
Brilliant rays of sunlight pierce dark cloudy skies reflecting off hazy atmosphere over the third largest canyon in the world. What a privilege it is to have this beautiful landscape within a few hours drive from home. Blyde River Canyon, Mpumulanga, South Africa
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
Rain Curtain
Heavy rain falls to the east of the Column and Pyramid as dappled sunlight falls onto the tall pinnacles so iconic of the Drakensberg. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Remnants of Light
The last remnants of sunlight quickly fades on a stormy afternoon over the iconic and picturesque Amphitheatre in the Drakensberg mountains. A slow flowing Tugela River reflects the amazing fiery sunset colours, oranges and reds, bringing to an end a great day in the Berg. Royal Natal National Park, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
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
Rugged Amphitheatre Dawn
Beautiful soft early morning light catch some cloud above the rugged landscape of the Drakensberg Amphiteatre in a soft pallete of magentas and blues. Early morning is magical in the mountains. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa
Rugged De Kelders
Beautiful late evening sunlight spills in from the western horizon as waves crash into the rugged landscape of De Kelders in the Western Cape. The jagged rocks of this landscape are a treat to photograph. De Kelders, Western Cape, South Africa
Spitskoppe Twilight
Few moments in my photography career can rival how I felt at this exact moment I took this image. This photo was taken well after sunset as the first stars appeared in the sky. A long exposure was needed as it was quite dark, but what amazed me was the intense colour still present in the sky from the western horizon, casting beautiful pinks and purples on the clouds and peak of Spitskoppe. No people around, no sounds, no wind, no distractions from the outside world! It was just me, my camera and the incredible scene playing out in front of me! I would have done anything to share this incredible moment with my wife and daughter, it was truly humbling! This was the final image I took on my trip to Spitskoppe in Namibia in February 2020 and it represents so much for me! It was an amazing way to finish off an incredible trip. Spitskoppe, Namibia
Storm Through The Arch
Incredible storms roll across the barren landscape of Spitskoppe as diffused afternoon sunlight paints the landscape, creating such beautiful contrasts with the famous Spitskoppe arch towering overhead. Spitskoppe, Namibia
The Madonna at Twilight
The basalt cliffs of the Drakensberg Escarpment are impressive, but near the top of that list is this formation high up in the Mweni area at Fangs Pass. Termed the Madonna and Her Worshippers, these seemingly small spires or peaks are in fact at least the height of ten busses. Heavy snowfall adds dramatic character to this landscape as stars faintly glow signalling night fall. Drakensberg Escarpment, 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
Towards Table Mountain
Waves crash onto the beach at Bloubergstrand under a brilliant high cloud sunset. Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Towards The Dunes
The Namib Desert, a landscape so harsh but so beautiful. Under stormy skies, this landscape transforms into something even more incredible. Rains fall, rivers flow breathing in new life to this extremely arid environment. Namib Naukluft National Park, Namibia
Towards The Light Of Dawn
The mighty cliffs of the Amphitheatre reflect brilliant early morning light as the sun paints the landscape in golden colours, beautifully accentuating light and shadow. Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa