Few wildlife encounters are more troubling to me than watching tourists climb into pools or cave to swim with sea turtles in Zanzibar. What is often presented as a conservation experience can instead involve wild animals being kept in confined spaces, repeatedly fed and handled for the entertainment of visitors. As a wildlife photographer and …
Few phrases are more closely associated with an African safari than “the Big Five.” Lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and African buffalo have become icons of the continent’s wildlife and among the most sought-after animals for visitors to Africa’s national parks and wildlife reserves. For me, the Big Five have come to mean much more than …
Africa’s Big Five: From Hunting Trophies to Conservation Symbols Read More »
My passion for photography came long before my fascination with birds. But the more time I have spent photographing and learning about them, the more extraordinary they have become to me. Their diversity, behaviour, migration and often remarkable adaptations continue to surprise me. Over time, photography has become more than simply a way of capturing …
Through the Lens: How Photography Changed the Way We See and Save birds Read More »
As a conservation and wildlife photographer who has been based on the African continent for the best part of the last decade, and who currently lives in Tanzania, I am often asked how best to photograph wildlife on safari. This article brings some of those thoughts together. Photographing wildlife on safari is a combination of …
Photographing Wildlife on an African Safari: A Practical Guide Read More »
Imagine diving under water at high speed or wrestling with struggling prey while still needing perfect vision. For many animals, this is routine. Their secret is an anatomical feature called the nictitating membrane. The name comes from the Latin word nictare, meaning to blink. It is also commonly referred to as a third eye lid. …
Sea Turtles Along Tanzania’s Coast Five of the world’s seven sea turtle species can be found in Tanzania’s coastal waters. Drawn by extensive seagrass meadows and healthy reef systems, these ancient marine reptiles play a vital role in the country’s coastal ecosystems. Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) also regularly nest …
Returning Home: Sea Turtle Conservation in Tanzania Read More »
I have been based in Rwanda for the last four years and have had the pleasure of photographing many different primate species in their natural habitat across the region. I have also had the privilege of documenting and supporting the work of international conservation organisations working to protect these amazing creatures. From Mountain Gorillas and …
From the beautiful iridescence of a sunbird through to the cryptically earth-toned patterns of a nightjar, bird plumage has to be among the most striking and awesome of all animal clothing. Feathers are unique to birds and first evolved millions of years ago on their dinosaur ancestors. Feathers are the most complex structures to be …
When I look through my photographs of Rwanda’s birds I am always struck by their diversity. They’re a kaleidoscope of different colours and patterns. There is amazing variation in overall shape and size. This is also true if I just focus on all the different beaks or bills of the different species of birds! So, …
The oxpecker family, scientifically known as Buphagidae, compromises of just two species, both of which are residents here in Rwanda and found in Akagera National Park. Their plumage is described as being a drab brown with lighter undersides. The eyes of both species are a striking bright yellow which boldly contrasts with their otherwise subdued …