HAKARHA

His hypnotic bat eyes gauge my presence below, watching every flicker of my movement with caution.

Hakarha means “to hang” in Tsonga.

Each morning and evening, as I embarked on my brief expeditions into the enchanting wilderness, I couldn't help but notice his presence above. He perched high in the thatch of a neighbouring cottage near our place of stay, observing me with his mesmerising bat eyes. With caution, he tracked every flicker of my movement below. At first, the bat remained vigilant, quietly hanging in his favourite spot, his keen gaze following my every step. Any pause on my part triggered a slight swaying motion from him, a sign that he was ready to make a swift exit. If I dared to look up for too long or make a sudden move, he would take off in a rapid flight, blending seamlessly into the surrounding bush. Clearly, he was familiar with this location and shared it with a small community of his fellow winged companions. Yet, he seemed to relish having his own space. After passing by several times, he grew more accepting of my presence, especially when I remained still, armed with my camera. On my final day, I meticulously positioned myself, seizing this moment to photograph him before he took flight once again.

Bats, though not a beloved species and seldom featured in wildlife photography, hold a special allure for me. While I admire the grandeur of the iconic Big Five and other magnificent creatures, I also like to seek out less commonly appreciated and more elusive subjects. Capturing a bat in such a moment, in this particular setting, was one of my cherished aspirations. That day, he generously granted me that gift. So I express my heartfelt gratitude to you, Hakarha!

RAW AFRICA COLLECTION

Welcome to Africa - the wise, the restless, the life giving.

This soulful land of dreamers gives rise to the underbelly of a beautiful gentle beat that is only heard by those who listen for it. This photographic journey explores, profiles and captures what I hope is the heart and soul of Africa's true wilderness kingdom. From its deep bush to its dry savannah and desert, Africa remains a place where life is represented by timeless vistas that are distilled into moments to treasure.