I have always found it difficult to get a shot that represents what it feels like to be surrounded by a pack of wild dogs. They are always in motion. And it’s tough to truly show the magnitude of a full pack. This gives you an idea of how dispersed they can get and also how far they can travel in a mere morning. They teach me about taking up space in the right way.

Completely flat out! This pack reminded me what joy there can be in play.

Almost any animal, backlit by the rising sun, is beautiful. We came across a small clan of hyenas as day broke. Just by stopping to watch them, we created space and time to switch off the vehicle and let ourselves scan the area. That pause allowed us to spot the camouflaged head of one of the Ntsevu Breakaway males lying up in the long grass just out of frame. This moment of quiet led to an entire morning of uninterrupted lion viewing. Sometimes just stopping to switch off leads you to something wonderful and unexpected.

I haven’t had many interactions with The Nstevu Breakaways and so it was special to spend a full morning with them, completely uninterrupted by anything else. After finding them just after sunrise, we spent time with them as the daylight rose. On this morning, they were intently listening to the calls of nearby lions and collectively decided to move further south and west with intent. This wordless response to the situation was fascinating to watch. The way they collectively decided to move on in pursuit of safety and peace taught me about what freedom there is in decision-making.

We sat for a while watching this Hammerkop bird fishing with great success. While I managed to get some more traditional shots of it flying, I love the backlighting through its wings and the reflection on the amber water. Lessons in patience and honing one’s craft all around.

There are two things that interest me in this photo. The first is the inside of the Xinkhova Female’s mouth. It’s not something you see often so to capture her, mid-yawn, was fascinating. The second is to remember what it felt like to be still and read the subtle signs that she was about to get up and become active. The guides at Londolozi are so skilled at sharing their knowledge about the patterns of animal behaviour and this was a beautiful reminder to watch for the signs that something was about to happen. In nature and in life, there are signals all around that begin to point you in the right direction.

If you know me, you’ll know that there is something about a leopard looking up into the sky or into a tree that I adore. I think it’s because you get to see the full extent of their eyes, and their beautiful, perfect muzzles. This female leopard was battling to ascend the tree in which she had stashed her kill. She seemed slightly injured – perhaps from the exertion of the kill, or from falling off the tree in a previous attempt to ascend with a fully grown impala in her mouth. Watching her consider her next move was really interesting. She made no hurried decision. She looked at the tree from all angles and then attempted to climb only when she was ready to do so.

The winter sunsets are something very special here. The dust of the day begins to settle and melts into the light of sunset, making every tree that crosses the horizon stand proud. I always think about how much an old tree has witnessed and what stories it could tell. How many sunsets it has seen. How many herds of elephants, impalas or buffalo it has stood amongst. The lesson here, as with every sunset, was simply to appreciate it, and the sense of space as the day faded out on me.

Golden light on a golden male lion – the morning light reflecting in his eyes. This Ntsevu Breakaway Male Lion reminded me of the power there is in presence. Just by stopping to look at us and connect with his amber eyes, there was so much said in that wordless exchange.

No time is ever wasted when you sit with a herd of elephants. But a herd drinking together is even better. I love the considered way that they approach the water and the obvious enjoyment that they show in slaking their thirst. This herd reminded me to close my eyes and deploy a different sense to appreciate their togetherness.

After her successful ascension of this tree, the Xinkhova Female leopard sits perfectly in the V of its branches and looks back at us. I get such a sense of the secrecy of the leopard with this look. Its a silent knowing, an acknowledgment of our shared presence and the trust we give to each other.

The only thing to learn from this image is the beauty and power of a leading line in photography. Abstract shapes that frame the subject allow for our eye to dance across the scene as it collects information. I’m reminded of what an art it really is to tell a story through the making of a photograph.

Have you ever sat in the middle of a large herd of buffalo and noticed how much is actually going on around you? There are family dynamics at play, mothers nudging youngsters and adolescent teenagers giving each other a shove. One of my favourite parts is when a member of the herd stops and gives you one of their famous stares… another example of how communication doesn’t always need words to be effective. And then, as the herd heads off, you are left with the distant sound of it moving rhythmically through the winter grass.

Whenever I sit with lions for any length of time, I am always reminded of Shaun D’Araujo’s story of how a blind guest taught him to see in a different way. A lion’s yawn caught in stills provides hundreds of tiny details to ponder over and enjoy. It’s a constant reminder of what beauty there is in the tiny details of life.

I experienced such bliss just sitting watching this female leopard sit quietly in the shade on a termite mound. The colours of the background and her incredible markings and introspective nature were a meditation in and of itself.

This and the next image were from the tail-end of an incredible morning with the Ntsevu Breakaway pride.

Winter colour reflected in the gold and black flecks of this lioness’ coat.

Sunrise at Finfoot crossing with a herd of elephants walking through. I love how the scale of things is clearly shown with Ranger Jess Shillaw dwarfed in comparison to this bull elephant who was trailing a breeding herd on their way north.

Herd dynamics and the temperaments of elephants always fascinate me – forever a lesson in the presence and the eternal Om in motion.

Not your traditional image of a giraffe, but the reflection in the shape of their necks and the branches of this fallen Marula tree in beautiful morning light was more than enough to catch my attention. I was waiting for the ‘standard’ shot of them walking through the clearing but realised that there was beauty in the unexpected instead.

The sacred Bataleur eagle catching morning light on its wings as it descended back down to earth from its vantage point high up in the trees.