OBSIDIAN

The Watcher in the Night

Obsidian meaning the darkness and mystery of this moment.

The fire crackled, sending tiny sparks into the night. The smell of cooking meat mixed with the dry air, and smoke twisted upward before disappearing into the darkness. Around the fire, we talked in quiet voices, sometimes laughing, sometimes just listening to the sounds of the wild—the distant call of a jackal, the hum of insects, the rustling of leaves in the wind.

Before we even saw him, we knew he was there. The bush has a way of letting you know when something is watching. The air felt different, heavier somehow. Then, just beyond the fire’s light, we saw the glow of his eyes.

A lone hyena stood at the edge of the darkness, watching us. He wasn’t sneaking or hiding—just observing. The flickering flames cast moving shadows across his spotted coat. He stayed still, muscles barely tensed, thinking, deciding. The smell of our food had drawn him in, but instinct kept him cautious. Hyenas are smart. They know when to take a chance and when to hold back.

For a moment, we stared at each other. His head tilted slightly, his eyes sharp and thoughtful. People often think of hyenas as scavengers, but they are more than that. They are survivors—strong, clever, and aware of everything happening around them. They shape the night just as much as any other predator.

He took a small step forward, the smoke drifting around him. Then, as suddenly as he appeared, he was gone. No sound, no farewell, just an empty space where he had been. The fire crackled on, and the night returned to its usual rhythm, as if nothing had changed.

The Lone Hyena: A Quiet Wanderer of the Night

Most hyenas live in clans, ruled by strong females, but some end up alone. A lone hyena is unusual, often either pushed out of a clan or choosing to live on its own. These wanderers must rely on their intelligence and instincts to survive. They move carefully, avoiding the bigger groups, searching for food wherever they can find it.

A single hyena at night is an unforgettable sight. Unlike a clan, which fills the night with eerie laughter and calls, a lone hyena is silent, moving like a shadow. In many African cultures, hyenas are seen as both mysterious and powerful—sometimes as tricksters, sometimes as symbols of luck or warning.

The hyena in our story came to the fire out of curiosity and hunger, but he stayed in the shadows, watching and waiting. This is how they survive, living just outside the reach of others, smart enough to know when to step forward and when to fade away into the night.

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.