KUGUSA 👣

An older sibling wraps his trunk around his younger brother in a playful caress.

Kugusa means “touch” in Swahili.

A herd of elephants scrutinized us as we settled by a nearby dam, observing them. After a short while, they relaxed in our presence, and while the elders looked after their youngest newborn, two of the adolescents moved away, positioning themselves quite close to us behind some dry bush. They proceeded with some light ear flapping and a few fun mock charges at each other, making their trumpet calls as they went along. After a few such ramblings, they both suddenly paused quietly, facing each other. The next moment, the larger of the two reached out with his trunk, gently touching his siblings' forehead, tusks, and ears. They both went very quiet and stood still. Then the older of the two reached out again, this time wrapping his trunk, almost affectionately, around the trunk and tusk of his sibling. It was this moment that I captured here, and it was at this moment that I felt the most natural sense of caring being shared.

Perhaps their affection begs the question of the importance of touch in all of our lives. While the digital world, has brought us together in many ways, it also seems to have isolated us in many other ways. It has challenged us with the ultimate act of humanity (and nature) - being touched. Nature keeps reminding me how important touch is in everything we are and everything we express. Without touch, we are less easily validated, we become more removed from being present, and many of us may find ourselves living with a greater sense of loneliness, if not depression. Touch communicates recognition and, perhaps most importantly, a sense of belonging. In nature, as with us, it is a key part of the lives of many of our friends in the wild. Looking at these two, the closest I could get to describing the value of touch would be neatly reflected by the classic saying, "I'm ok, you're ok."

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.