Collected Moments of Survival

In a perfect world I find myself on a safari vehicle camera in hand, the wind gently moving the air to take the bite out of the relentless sun while the bush is alive with all sorts of wondrous activity.  Each day presents something new and exhilarating and each night the stars fill the heavens. And I am at peace! The reality, of course, is much different and I find myself at the keyboard of a computer instead. The words do not flow easily and as I search the recesses of my brain to express myself I have to be content with the consolation prize that is the bank of photographs that represents my travels. Each journey unlocks new experiences and secrets that the bush shares only with the patient, vigilant and knowledgeable. One of the downsides of Wildlife Photography is that each day spent away from the bush represents another day of undiscovered mysteries and stories that cannot be told. However, in the little time that I am afforded to share in the magic, one story worth...

Through the ages great stories of Africa have emerged from explorers and adventurers. The greatest of these stories must surely be of David Livingstone marching ever forward to discover and see what no white man had seen. Following his exploits many wonderful and magical stories have emerged and as the world has developed and become more “civilised” there are less and less of these tales to tell. However, for the patient and the persistent, Africa is still yielding up tantalising little titbits that keep us in awe and wanting more. The first inkling of a secret to be uncovered comes as we bump along the track on our very first morning drive. There, in the open plains, with the break of dawn just moments away on the horizon, is a mating pair of lions. Their exhausted bodies lie next to each other with the long golden grass almost hiding their activities. We quietly sit and wait for the sun to emerge from its night slumber and watch the story unfold. The lioness suddenly moves and ...