NATA CHINI
NATA CHINI 🐾
A Collectors Exclusive 5 Image Series.The silhouette of a leopard preening itself is revealed against a blood-orange African sunset.
"Nata" means "sticky" in Swahili. “Chini” means “below” in Swahili.
It was a long drive back to base, but our guide had spotted the leopard on its hunt earlier, and we were not too far behind. Evening was about to arrive as we scanned the deeper bush for signs of its direction. However, it was getting noticeably darker, and with no spoor to follow and the sun going down, time was marching against us to find this elusive creature.
So it was a moment of pure luck as we drove around one of the larger thickets and stumbled across the leopard unexpectedly ahead of us. He was dragging a large kill towards a lone acacia tree nearby for hiding. We kept a close following distance, continuing slowly with him on his journey until he arrived at his destination. While he paused to carefully examine the trunk, we moved quietly around and behind the tree, avoiding any disturbance. After a few calculations, he made a sudden but confident leap upwards into the safety of the comforting branches above with his meal, deftly positioning the carcass between two large branches, ensuring it was secure for the night ahead. It was only moments later, and almost as if on cue, that the blood-orange sun sank below the horizon, leaving a silhouette of the moment and memory captured here.
It was a magnificent setting for me in real life. Somehow, the scene created the perfect compositional storm and challenge. On the one hand, the hubris of the moment was shockingly dramatic, yet peaceful. On the other hand, the colors were unnaturally vibrant yet soft. In the background, all sounds from the bush had ceased as these opposites suddenly came together in a crescendo, and the time stood still. It was an unforgettably memorable moment for me.
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.
NATA EXCLUSIVE COLLECTORS SERIES
Select once-off Limited Edition set of photographs available for purchase.Full reproduction rights, story rights, NFT rights & an original hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity. 