MBALI 👣

She sways her head, her jaws agape, warning us to stay away.

Mbali means "away."

With a slow but certain movement, the female hippo swung her head across towards us. It was a clear warning. She had watched us clamber down the opposite embankment as cautiously and quietly as possible. Her ears occasionally flicked as she puffed and monitored our progress. Suddenly she sank below the waterline, a circle of rough water reminding us of where she was. We hesitated, knowing how challenging it might be if she reached us on our side and charged. We stood quietly, the tracker comfortable that she was not a threat, and just as suddenly she re-appeared, closer to her bloat. She slowly stood up and, turning towards us, swung her head again, her jaws agape.

I appreciate nature's way of communicating. Our tracker was incredible at reading the body language and describing to us the messages that were being shared, so we felt at ease knowing we were in good hands. Years of experience have taught them not only the ways of nature and animals but, it seems, an ability to almost read the personalities of each animal. Yes, animals carry their own emotions, thoughts, and even behavioral expressions like us. It's not something we think about when we encounter wildlife, but personalities are everywhere, so understanding the language is important, but reading the individuals is equally so in this vast, beautiful, wild world of ours.

 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.