MDOMO 👣

Wary of our presence, a massive bull rises out of the water, mouth agape, warning us not to come any closer.

Modomo in Swahili means “mouth.”

We stopped the vehicle along the flowing river and took a short reconnaissance to check for wildlife. As we moved down to the edge of the river, a nearby bloat of hippos puffed their presence, spewing snorts and grunts as we approached. The females lay in a quiet stretch of water, just behind the deeper, faster-flowing river trench. Their calves occasionally splashed about as we started capturing some photos. Suddenly we noticed a massive bull maneuvering closer to examine us, his eyes peering back at us from just above the water. A few seconds later, in one swift movement, he lifted himself and gaped in our direction before receding back into the waters, forcing us to instinctively move deeper back into the bush. He snorted dead still for a bit and eventually seemed comforted that we were not a risk and that we had gotten the message.

These encounters inform us of how in tune the animal kingdom is with its surroundings. The hippos were definitely aware of us long before we reached them. And when we did, the message was simple: Stay clear, and we will let you be. It's not an unfamiliar experience for those who have seen hippos in their natural habitat, and it's one that I took the opportunity to capture here. This moment, for me, reverberates the absolute power these beautiful creatures epitomize and the respect they command.

RAW AFRICA COLLECTION

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

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.