Dean De La Rey

Ranger

Dean grew up in Johannesburg and it was from his very first trip to the bush at the age of two that he was captivated by this environment (he claims he can remember that far back!). He attended school in Pretoria, thereafter completing his BSc in Property Studies at the University of Cape Town. His passion for the bush always shone through and he continuously found himself wanting to head straight to the Lowveld. Dean eventually decided that that was where he wanted to be, and he applied for and succesfully completed the Londolozi Ranger Training course in 2018. Dean’s primary interests include birding, and developing his passion for photography.

stories

275

comments

431

photos

Stories by Dean

Page 1 of 3

The Nkuwa Female Leopard

Dean De La Rey January 28, 2021 19

Having recently gone through my photos, I discovered that almost 90 percent of my recent leopard images are of the Nkuwa female. First, some background on this leopard… Her name …

Featured Leopards Wildlife

A Rangers Discussion Continued: Do Animals Have Emotions?

Dean De La Rey January 27, 2021 27

Recently, ranger Josh Attenborough and I got involved in a discussion on whether or not animals have emotions. We discovered that it is a veritable wormhole, with no easy or …

General Nature Wildlife

The Young Flamingo That Needs Explaining.

Dean De La Rey January 2, 2021 19

My guests and I thought there was an African Spoonbill – which isn’t an uncommon bird in the area – but as we soon got closer out the waterhole, I …

Birds Featured Wildlife

This Week in Pictures #473

Dean De La Rey January 1, 2021 23

“Like the seaweeds that cling to each other after each passing boat separates them, so too a family will come together with the passing of each crisis” Indonesian Proverb 2020 …

Featured Photography Wildlife

The Value of The Mhangeni Pride

Dean De La Rey December 29, 2020 20

We have been seeing the Mangheni pride a lot more frequently of late, and long may it last. As a guide you sometimes try and tick all the boxes when …

Featured Lions Wildlife

This Week in Pictures #471

Dean De La Rey December 18, 2020 38

“It’s a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together” … I read this quote most mornings when I am in the back of Varty Camp. I am …

Featured Wildlife

Why to Watch Where Vultures Land

Dean De La Rey December 5, 2020 14

I was once sitting with a male lion that saw vultures dropping in the distance;, he sat up, looked more intently and suddenly ran towards that spot. There there was …

Wildlife

The Week in Pictures #467

Dean De La Rey November 27, 2020 19

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou After 8 …

Featured Photography The Week in Pictures Wildlife

My Welcome Back Letter to Guests of Londolozi

Dean De La Rey November 17, 2020 23

Five weeks into hard lockdown in South Africa, I wrote an open letter to guests explaining how much I miss Londolozi and understand their pain of not being able to …

Featured Safari experience

One Image and its Many Tales

Dean De La Rey May 16, 2020 27

I’m trying to decide on my favourite photo. I’ve sat staring at this image for quite some time now. Is it incomplete or is it complete in so many ways? …

Featured Wilderness teachings Wildlife

My Open Letter to Guests of Londolozi

Dean De La Rey April 28, 2020 56

I finally relate to guests who can’t be at Londolozi all the time. This is an open letter to all of you. Past guest and future. I understand your pain …

Guests Safari experience Travel Wildlife

The Week in Pictures #431

Dean De La Rey March 20, 2020 20

First up is the answer to yesterday’s bird challenge. The Mystery Bird was a Wahlberg’s Eagle. It was quite a tricky one, but if you look carefully you can just …

Featured Photography The Week in Pictures Wildlife

Nothing Like Some Healthy Competition

Dean De La Rey March 16, 2020 33

We recently decided that we needed to do a revamp of our rangers room, after seeing a refurbishment to our top offices next door. Let’s just say we didn’t like …

Photo Journal Photography Wildlife

The Week in Pictures #427

Dean De La Rey February 21, 2020 42

“Nature is not a place to visit, it is home.” Gary Snyder Having recently come back from leave, driving past the sign of Londolozi, I feel home. When I began …

Featured Photography The Week in Pictures Wildlife