|
I have been leading trips to Finland for over 10 years. Along the Russian border, there is a strip of land that has been left alone, a 'no man's land', and it supports a thriving population of brown bear, wolverine and grey wolf. It is these three predators which we focus our efforts and the photographic rewards can be out of this world. This year, I was delighted to be at the helm for two separate departures, each of which provided countless photographic opportunities.   It really was a fantastic summer for the wolves - each trip had some exceptionally good views of these apex predators.   We did see wolverine, but they proved to be particularly challenging to photograph for some reason, while the bears were also a little more skittish than usual. However, when the bears did show themselves, the photography was pretty exceptional.   We still have some limited availability in 2025 - you can find out more on the Wildlife Worldwide webpage. I look forward to seeing you there.
0 Comments
I am delighted to announce that I have been awarded twice in the 2024 edition of the MontPhoto photo competition. This is the third time I have featured in this prestigious competition in four years - a massive achievement for which I am over the moon. I was awarded with an Honourable Mention (highly commended) in both the 'Birds' and 'Mammals' categories with the two following images ...  Deep Freeze  Fiery Dawn Unfortunately, this year I was unable to make the awards ceremony, but it was a real honour to feature in the competition and I hope to repeat my success in 2025. Congratulations to all the other winners!
I am very lucky to have been to Svalbard several times. What an incredible wilderness and a must for anyone with a passion for rugged landscapes and epic wildlife. For many, the biggest draw of this remote, Arctic archipelago is the polar bear, but there is always so much more to enjoy. With that in mind, I was incredibly fortunate to be the photographic leader aboard the MS Stockholm for Wildlife Worldwide’s chartered voyage at the start of May 2024. This remarkable small ship, built in 1953, is a charming and incredibly capable vessel, perfect for an expedition into this icy realm. I met up with the group in either Oslo, or Longyearbyen, before we boarded the Stockholm for the most incredible week of photography. We left the pontoon and were soon on our way out of Isfjorden, enjoying our first meal onboard this historic ship. We awoke to the most magical conditions in Kongsfjorden and set out on a zodiac cruise to really get a feel for the wonders of the Arctic. We saw several different seabird species as well as eiders and common seals. However, the real highlight was being able to get out of the zodiacs and walk on the fast ice – it was absolutely exhilarating. It was just one of those magical days and an experience that few ever get to enjoy.    The next day, we arrived on the edge of the vast expanse of sea ice, sat high above the northern coastline of Spitsbergen (it was unusual for it to be so far north so early, but the winds had broken up the fast ice). We spent a whole day enjoying the vastness of this epic frozen world, but despite our best efforts, we could not find our first polar bear. We saw plenty of tracks, but the bears eluded us. We ended up following the edge of the ice, making it all the way to the northern coastline of Nordaustlandet - the second largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Very few vessels make it up here this early in the season, so this really was a proper expedition. We were likely to be the most northerly, non-military ship on Earth. The conditions were absolutely sublime.  After such an incredible day and evening, the clients were either heading to bed or relaxing in the lounge, when I spotted something on the horizon. Sat on the bridge with the expedition team, scanning all the while, I spotted a cream shape moving on the edge of an inlet. We went a little closer to see if we could confirm what we hoped it would be. "Polar bear!" went up the call from the Expedition Leader. We stirred those that had gone to their bunks, while the others were already getting their survival suits and lifejackets on. It was time to photograph our first bear of the trip. Within ten minutes everyone was ready, we'd boarded the zodiacs and were approach the bear as it walked along the shoreline. We ensured that we kept our distance, allowing the bear to do its own thing. It was completely relaxed with our presence after initially stopping to work out what we were. Giving it plenty of space, allowed the bear to wander freely.   We decided to move a kilometre or so down the coastline and see if the bear appeared a little closer. He certainly did and it was then we realised a mark on his shoulder was a large wound.  We were treated to some really exceptional views as we always made sure to move ahead, ensuring that we didn't change his behaviour at all.   As you can see, we were blessed with the most remarkable encounter and the photography was out of this world. I'll never get bored of seeing a polar bear in such a beautiful, wild place. Knowing that we had this bear all to ourselves just made it that little bit more special.
Keep you eyes peeled on the next instalment of the blog from this trip. Alternatively, if this has whet your appetite and you want to join me in 2025, then visit the Wildlife Worldwide website and book your place. I've been travelling to India since 2011, indeed you can even look back at my blog posts from the time (excuse the terrible photography). In that time, the country has completely changed, both for better and for worse. A thriving modern 'democracy', India has developed at a startling speed and domestic tourism has increased a hundred-fold (no bad thing). However, that does mean that many of India's once quiet reserves are now packed with people keen to catch a glimpse of a tiger. Trying to get away from the crowds can be tricky, but Nagarhole is a place where things are a little quieter and the wildlife sightings can be enjoyed that much more. Back in April, I was at the helm for Wildlife Worldwide's Nagarhole Photo Safari once again. This week-long trip is perfect for seeing, and photographing Asian elephant, tiger, leopard, Malabar giant squirrels, a plethora of birds and even sloth bear. There is, of course, so much more on offer, but hopefully that whets your appetite. This little slice of paradise really has become one of my favourite parts of India, and it delivers year on year. I know, I know, you want to see the photos. Our first afternoon rewarded us with two tigers, but alas, the photography opportunities were not really there. The next day though, we were treated to exceptional views of sloth bear in the morning and tiger in the afternoon.    As you can see, it really didn't take long to get fantastic views, as well as some decent photography of some of our target species. We had hoped to have good encounters with Asiatic wild dog. Despite seeing them in the distance, we never got close enough for worthwhile photography opportunities. For the next couple of days, we focused on some of the smaller and less-photographed species that call the park home. That's not to say that we didn't enjoy views of some of the larger things, but it was these alternative species which provided the more rewarding photography.     With such great subjects, the group were rewarded with an amazing portfolio. These 'B-list' species are actually, in my opinion, what makes Nagarhole such a special place to be. So far, we hadn't caught sight of a leopard (something the park is famous for), and so we decided to spend a morning focussing on these elusive cats. We drove along a track, slowly working our way down a hill and scanning every tree along the way. Parking up at the bottom of the hill, our driver Sadiq turned off the engine and we just listened for alarm calls (the best way to find big cats in the dense forests of India). After 10-minutes or so, with no sounds and relaxed chital (spotted deer) all around us, we slowly made our back up the hill. Varun, our guide, suddenly called to stop - there only 25 yards away, sat perfectly in a tree was a gorgeous female leopard. It was a misty morning and the forest had an ethereal feel to it. What an incredible sighting. The photography was just wonderful.   Having already had the most magical of weeks, spoiled rotten with incredible sightings, we decided to spend the last full day focussing on the striped contingent once again. I don't think it matters how many tigers you see in the wild, you always want one more. And so we put in the hours and we were rewarded with one of those dreamy encounters - the hard work paid off.   If you would like to join me in 2025, there are still a couple of spaces remaining. Please contact Wildlife Worldwide to find out more.
Back at the start of April I was privileged to be on the guiding team for the Wildlife Worldwide Festival of Wildlife to Tanzania. We took over the delightful Ndutu Safari Lodge for a week and enjoyed some absolutely amazing wildlife encounters and accompanying photography opportunities. I was lucky enough to join the pre-tour extension to the Ngorongoro crater, but to keep this blog as concise as I can, I will focus on the photographic highlights in and around Ndutu. It really kicked off with an incredible attempted lion hunt after the most incredible thunder and hail storm. A lioness walked within yards of my vehicle, before eventually trying to hunt a herd of wildebeest, albeit unsuccessfully.   It actually turned out to be a week of lions - we seemed to trip over them in each and every direction we travelled. What was great was that we actually were able to enjoy the lions being relatively active. This isn't typically the case with Africa's largest big cats, and so you have to make the most of these opportunities as and when they present themselves. What makes Ndutu such a fabulous place to base ourselves, was the wildlife that surrounds you while you're in camp. It's not always about the bigger things, sometimes it pays to sit in the comfort of the lodge and wait for the wildlife to come to you.    Of course, the smaller things were followed by some amazing male lions ...    For me, the absolute highlight of the trip was as we watched the sun set over Lake Ndutu. Giraffe were wading across the shallow water, while greater flamingoes sieved the rich waters through their beaks with the golden hues silhouetting them. Suddenly, someone spotted a cheetah and we were off, only for the cheetah to be immediately overshadowed by another shot. 'Caracal!' - I've been working in the safari industry for 14 years and this was my first every sighting of a caracal - just remarkable.  As well as the more obvious mammals, the plethora of birdlife was exceptional and as such the photography was incredible.      We timed our arrival perfectly, as the great migration was still in full swing. Although it's very hard to do it justice (photographically speaking) - unless you're in the air - it was a real privilege to see it out on the great plains.   Of course, to finish things off, we had to have some more lions. In all seriousness, I was blown away by the numbers of lion here. Having travelled a fair bit in eastern Africa, I think this must be among the highest density of lions around.    As I am sure you will agree, it was one heck of a trip. The Festivals are a real celebration of the wildlife, our wonderful clients and the team too. I won't be one of the leaders on the next iteration, but you can find out more about the trip to Falklands & South Georgia here.
This year, I was planning to have a break from leading our Iceland - Arctic Fox Photography tour, but at short notice I was called up to lead the tour. And so I found myself with the group in Reykjavik, before our onward flight to the town of Ísafjörður. There was a slight issue - a massive winter storm was hitting Iceland's northwest and we were stuck in Reykjavik. After two nights in Iceland's capital, we decided to make the journey north by road. What an adventure we had as we made our way through blizzards and an epic snow-covered landscape. The following morning we made our way across to Hornstrandir Nature Reserve and we finally got to spend a couple of days with the wonderful Arctic foxes. Here is a selection of my favourite shots from this year (including some particularly obliging ptarmigan).   Most foxes in this part of Iceland are blue morph and white individuals are actually a rarity. Therefore, we were absolutely delighted when this white fox made a brief, but close appearance.    Throughout our time in the pristine surrounds of Kviar Lodge, we were blessed a whole range of weather conditions which allowed everybody to build up a wonderful collection of images.    Although a little unexpected, it was a delight to be back in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. The foxes are always an absolute delight and we couldn't have asked for more from our brief time there. Join me in 2025 as I return once again with Wildlife Worldwide.
One of my favourite places in Africa, are the conservancies which make up the Greater Mara Ecosystem. These large protected areas act as an important buffer to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Furthermore, they are much quieter than the main reserve and so wildlife encounters are far more enjoyable and the photographic rewards are therefore often of a much higher quality. In January 2024, I was delighted to be at the helm for Wildlife Worldwide's dedicated photography tour to the area. We enjoyed staying in the wonderful Porini camps in Ol Kinyei & Olare Motorogi Conservancies. Our time in Kenya was incredible, despite some unseasonal rains, and we were treated to exceptional views of countless lion, a couple of beautiful cheetah familes, a leopard and a whole host of other incredible species. Here are some of the highlights for you ...     After spending the first few days around Ol Kinyei and Naibosho Conservancies, we headed west to Olare Motorogi where we were really spoiled with world-class wildlife sightings.    On our first afternoon in Olare Motorogi Conservancy, we were treated to an incredible sight. A female cheetah stalked and successfully killed a young male impala and we then watched from metres away, as her young joined her. What an incredible thing to witness from start to finish.      As well as excellent cheetah and lion sightings, we also enjoyed a session with a leopard. The photography opportunities were limited, but it was wonderful to see all three species of big cat.     As you can see, we were treated to some exceptional encounters and world-class photographic opportunities. I won't be leading a trip in 2025, due to other commitments, but we plan to run the tour in 2026 if you fancy joining me. Find out more on the Wildlife Worldwide website.
After a few weeks at home, it wasn't long before I was heading back to Zambia for Wildlife Worldwide's Festival of Wildlife 2023. I am sure many of you will have no idea what a Festival of Wildlife is, so let me paint a picture for you. Wildlife Worldwide will book out an entire lodge, or charter a vessel, and bring a team of leading experts who run a wonderful array of workshops and lectures. These 'extra' activities are timed around the traditional wildlife-watching times. I was there as the wildlife photography expert, trying to impart my knowledge with over thirty clients. I helped with theory and editing workshops each day alongside heading out on dedicated photographic game drives and enjoyed some incredible sightings. With that in mind, here are some of the highlights of our week-long stay at Mfuwe Lodge.   As I'm sure you know by now (I visit South Luangwa every year), but this park is renowned for its leopards. The Festival was no different as many of the clients were blessed with several views of these stunning cats.   There was, of course, so much more on offer ...      We had an amazing week and our clients had a fabulous time. Our next Festival of Wildlife is to Tanzania. in April 2024 Due to some cancellations, there is some late availability - visit the tour page to find out more and book your place.
Back at the start of November in 2024, I was back in my old haunt staying with my friends in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park. I was leading Wildlife Worldwide's South Luangwa Photo Safari and our primary focus were the big cats, African wild dogs and the stunning birdlife all found within the park. I'm not going to write too much, I am simply going to share some of the highlights of the trip for you all to enjoy.    Any trip to South Luangwa is sure to reward those with a passion for wildlife photography. We were blessed with some incredible lion sightings as well as numerous sightings of African wild dog. It doesn't really get much better tha that, except for maybe finding a leopard.  When you have a sighting such as that above, you can't help but pinch yourself. The rest of the week was just as memorable and my whole group were treated to some world-class sightings and photographic opportunities.     These were just a few of the highlights during our week in one of Africa's finest wilderness areas. If you would like to join us in 2025, then be sure to take a look at the webpage and book your place.
In 2023, after three years of delays due to a certain pandemic, I was delighted to be at the helm for Wildlife Worldwide's inaugural Uganda Photo Safari. This magnificent country is home to a wealth of exceptional wildlife and is often referred to as the 'Pearl of Africa'. It rightly earned this nickname for its agricultural wealth, but it's natural wealth is even more impressive. If you are into primates, then look no further than Uganda. With that in mind, this trip was put together to maximise photo opportunities of two of our closets cousins - the chimpanzee and the mountain gorilla. Along the way we were able to enjoy a plethora of other species in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Let's start with the wonders that lay within the forests of Kibale National Park. It was time to get up-close and personal with the chimps.    Our first gorilla trek wasn't really much of a trek. We came across a chimp in the track while we were still in our vehicle. We quickly got out and enjoyed an incredible session with a large chimp. He rested, groomed and just seemed to enjoy our company before he followed the rest of his extended family deep into the forest where they climbed trees in search of food. We went back again the next day and just had the most incredible, intimate experiences all over again.    Around the lodge and in the park we were able to photograph a number of monkey species, of which the most beautiful (in my humble opinion) was the L'Hoest's Monkey.  After a memorable couple of days with the chimpanzees and immersing ourselves in the towering forests of Kibale, it was time to head west to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This huge protected area only has a couple of areas which are currently open to safari-goers, but its mosaic of habitats is unlike anywhere else on the African continent. We based ourselves in the Ishasha sector - famed for its tree-climbing lions. Sadly the lions eluded us throughout our stay, but we were instead spoiled with exceptional leopard encounters alongside a host of other typical species seen on a safari.     As you can see, we were exceptionally lucky with what we managed to see in just a few days within the Ishasha sector. Furthermore, this area of the park is just absolutely beautiful - surely one of East Africa's most beautiful protected areas. With our safari bug scratched, it was time to head south towards the mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for what is arguably the highlight of any trip to Uganda. Our primary focus here was to track and photograph mountain gorillas. I have no words to describe a gorilla trek. They can be physically demanding, the photography can be equally frustrating and rewarding and the weather can be unpredictable. However, none of it matters. When you are stood only yards away from the world's largest primates, your world is turned upside down forever more. Nothing will be the same again. This is truly is a life-changing experience and I implore you, nay, I beg you to experience it for yourself.      So what do you think? I really hope that I have inspired you to give Uganda some consideration when planning your next wildlife photography adventure. There is nowhere quite like it for such a varied experience and mesmerising wildlife encounters. I do hope you can join me on an upcoming Uganda Photo Safari with Wildlife Worldwide - you can find out more about the trip here.
After immersing ourselves in the wilderness of the northern Pantanal, we headed south to the small town of Bonito. This area has become famed for its crystal clear rivers and has become a popular place to visit as a result. However, we weren't here to see the idyllic river systems, instead we were here to focus on the thriving population of giant anteaters, as well as red-and-green macaws and any other species that may prove to be obliging photographic subjects. We couldn't believe it when we had our first anteater encounter on our way to our hotel.  The next morning, it was time to head to Buraco das Araras, a huge sinkhole, where red-and-green macaws congregate. What to say, other than wow, what an incredible place!    The avian delights didn't end with the red-and-green macaws at the sinkhole. We were treated to fantastic views of red-legged seriema, burrowing owl and hyacinth macaws just to name a few.   For me though, and probably my clients, the real highlight were the incredible giant anteater encounters we enjoyed. Getting so close to these shy mammals is a massive privilege and to photograph them is even better.   As I am sure you can appreciate from these blog posts, the Brazilian Pantanal is a photographer's dream destination. The wildlife, people and the landscapes are all exceptional and it was a delight to lead a group in this iconic wilderness region. Jaguar, ocelot, giant anteater and the giant river otters were undoubtedly my favourite species, but it its the supporting cast that makes this destination so rewarding and memorable.
You can find out more about the Brazil's Big Five Photo Safari on the Wildlife Worldwide website. In September of this year, I was delighted to be at the helm firm for Wildlife Worldwide's Brazil's Big Five Photo Safari. This trip combines the north and southern areas of this vast area, but I am going to focus on each part of the trip across two separate blogs. We started off by flying to the city of Cuiabá, before driving down to the Pixaim River. Here we spent a couple of days photographing a wealth of incredible birds, alongside some iconic mammals including giant river otter and ocelot. I hope you enjoy the images ...      After a fabulous introduction to the region and its remarkable wildlife, we headed south to the small riverside settlement of Porto Joffre (right at the end of the Transpantaneiro Highway). Here we hopped aboard a speedboat and proceeded to make our way up the Three Brothers River to Capybara Lodge. This remote spot was the perfect place to base ourselves as we went in search of jaguars. Of course, we enjoyed a lot more than jaguars, but this was certainly the main focus during our time here. Our first sighting here was a huge male jaguar. He decided to put on quite a show and with only one other boat in attendance we were well and truly spoilt.   This area is home to some incredible birdlife too, but for me the anhingas and guira cuckoos were among the most characterful of our avian friends. There were so many caiman about, it was actually harder not to spot them. We had hoped that we may be lucky enough to see a successful jaguar hunt on one of these large reptiles. Instead we had to make do with enjoying each species going about their lives without any interaction.    As you can see, between the jaguar sightings, there is always something to keep you entertained. Whether you are a photographer, or just someone interested in wildlife, this area is a haven for wildlife and will provide you with countless enjoyable sightings. With that in mind, let's get back to the jaguars.     As you can see, we were treated to some memorable encounters with the most powerful member of the big cat family. In a short space of time we enjoyed views of seven different jaguars and had some great photography opportunities.
You can find out more about the trip and book your place on the Wildlife Worldwide website. Back in July I was privileged to lead Wildlife Worldwide's Seldom Seen Alaska photography tour. This unique tour had been developed in partnership with a local skipper, focussing on the region's exceptional whale watching and enjoying a plethora of other marine species and land-based wildlife too. Without a doubt though, it was the whales that really captured the group's imagination and the respective photography opportunities were world class. So, sit back, relax and enjoy the wild delights of Alaska's Alexander Archipelago.  Almost immediately, setting out on the water, we were blown away by the jaw-droppingly beautiful scenery. The image above, is just one of the many incredible views we enjoyed of the mountains on Chicagof Island. This is just to whet the appetite ...   As I mentioned before, despite the cetaceans of the region being the obvious draw, other marine mammals to put on a show included sea otter (in fact we saw hundreds throughout our voyage) and plenty of Steller's sea lions too.      Within the first few days we had been treated to some truly exceptional encounters with countless humpbacks, a pod of transient orca (including a successful porpoise hunt) and both species of porpoise. However, it was the four or five days after that really took it to another level.   We were treated to some mind-blowing behaviour. We witnessed hundreds of bubble-net feeding events. This is where a group of whales come together, with one lead whale blowing a ring of bubbles around a school of herring, before instructing the other whales to lunge in unison towards the bait ball at the surface. Not only is this a magical sight to see, but it is also one of the most remarkable things to hear. The lead whale calls as it blows the ring of bubbles, slowly forcing the fish into a tighter ball, before changing its call for the feeding frenzy. This call is audible when on the boat, as the sound resonates through the hull. Even now it gives me goosebumps just thinking back to it.    We were also able to enjoy a couple of days enjoying the wildlife on shore around the small community of Kake on the island of Kupreanof. Here we were able to spend time at a salmon hatchery which was great for watching black bears as they tried their hand at fishing. Always watching on, looking for an easy meal, were the bald eagles, while other highlights included porcupine, deer and Pacific marten.     The whale action didn't stop after our stay in Kake. In fact, you might say that the best was yet to come. We saw even more whales bubble-net feeding, with one event having more than twenty different whales take part. It was jaw-dropping. One of those moments where you feel the need to pinch yourself to ensure you aren't dreaming. We also had a whale breach over and over and over. What a sight.
We spent two weeks exploring the waters of this stunning part of Alaska. Constantly blown away by the magnificent scenery, welcoming people and of course the wildlife. If you would like to experience this for yourself, I can't recommend the trip enough. You can find out more and book your place here. I have been photographing in Finland for the past 10 years and absolutely love being in the purpose-built hides set within the boreal forests. This remote region of eastern Finland, along the border with Russia, is home to some of Europe's most elusive wildlife including brown bear, grey wolf and even wolverine. I was delighted to lead back-to-back photography tours for Wildlife Worldwide staying at the isolated Kuikka Base Camp. Here are a few highlights from the time I spent in the hides with my dedicated and patient clients. Long hours and vigilance paid off with some stunning photography opportunities - particularly of wolf.   As well as the wolves we were treated to excellent views of the increasingly rare wolverine as well as a young bear. It seemed that the bears mating season was running late this year and so we struggled to see as many as we would usually expect.   The wolves were the real stars of the show and we really did have some memorable moments as they came incredibly close to the hides.    Keep your eyes peeled for the next blog to enjoy more images of Europe's apex predators in the wilds of Finland's stunning taiga.
I haven't been back to India since 2019 - primarily due to Covid-19, but this year I was delighted to head back for a dedicated photography tour to Nagarhole National Park with Wildlife Worldwide. This is one of India's hidden gems and despite not being as well known as some of India's more illustrious parks, it offers some truly world-class wildlife encounters and for those that are patient enough, some excellent wildlife photography opportunities. Our group was spoiled with some memorable tiger sightings, several different leopards, gaur, deer and Asian elephant. It was a fabulous week in a beautiful part of the world, which for the time being is still relatively quiet. I hope you enjoy the photos.      The best thing in Nagarhole is that you can be really lucky and enjoy your own, private sightings of the predators. Moments such as these are something to cherish and we had exclusive sightings of both dhole (Asiatic wild dog) and tiger.    If you ever want to visit India, wanting to escape the crowds, I can't recommend Nagarhole National Park enough. Visit the Wildlife Worldwide website to find out more.
Back in March I was heading overseas once again, leading another photography tour to Iceland for Wildlife Worldwide. We were going to spend 5 days in the remote Horntstrandir Nature Reserve, in Iceland's remote north-west, focussing on the area's population of blue morph Arctic foxes. First, we had a night in Reykjavik, before flying up to the town of Ísafjörður the following morning. The only catch might be if our flight was delayed due to the weather. As we arrived in Ísafjörður, we were met by our host and local guide for the next 5 days. We had a bit of time before our boat across to Kviar Lodge, and so the group were able to grab a cake and a coffee. It wasn't long before we were climbing aboard the vessel that would take us across the fjord and we were then on our way. Upon our arrival at Kviar, we had a strong wind whipping up snow, but we were soon ashore and started to haul our luggage and supplies up to the house. With foxes already showing, it was time to head out with our cameras and embrace the blizzard conditions for some challenging, but incredibly rewarding photography.    Over the next few days we enjoyed some truly exceptional photography opportunities with several different foxes. We were able to build up an impressive portfolio of images with some incredibly varied weather. It was the perfect few days to be out in this area of wilderness, just alone with the foxes and eider ducks.      Just as the first day at Kviar Lodge, there was a strong wind blowing on the last day, picking up snow and creating a very atmospheric scene. Once again it was perfect for photography and an amazing way to end the trip.   With another magical week in Iceland behind us, it was time to head home and reflect on what a beautiful and captivating part of the world this is. I hope these images inspire you to visit this wonderful part of the world - you'll fall in love with the foxes if you do.
I absolutely love being in the Antipodes as the wildlife here is not only unique, but it is utterly captivating, and so it was a delight to head back and spend another couple of weeks searching for and photographing some icons. Just as we did in the previous trip, we started on the mainland of Australia, photographing wildlife in the state of Victoria, before flying across the Bass Strait to Tasmania. Around the city of Geelong, we enjoyed photographing a wealth of wildlife including corellas, emu, eastern grey kangaroo, grey-headed flying fox and koala too.     After a fantastic few days photographing the wild delights of the mainland, including some Australian oddities, we hopped on a plane from Melbourne down to the city of Launceston in Tasmania. From here we headed to the Tasmania arboretum for some great platypus sightings and photography.  We then headed up into the hills and spent the next five days just immersing ourselves in the wild world of Tasmania's rugged mountains. Here photographic highlights included tiger snake, wombat, wallabies and several endemic birds.    We headed back down from Tasmania's Highlands back down towards the coast and stopped once again at the Tasmanian Arboretum. We thought our previous visit was remarkable for the platypus encounters we enjoyed, but this time it was exceptional. The absolute highlight was a pair of platypus fighting after an attempt at mating.    Over the next few days we continued by exploring the north-east of Tasmania, enjoying more wonderful photography opportunities including Forrester's kangaroos.    After a great period photographing in the northern reaches of Tasmania, it was time to head south towards Hobart. We spent an evening in Hobart, primarily as a rest stop, before heading over to Bruny Island the following day. Here, we would be staying close to the Inala property and our hope was to photograph some of the region's iconic birdlife including the forty-spotted pardalote.    As you can see, we had a magical couple of weeks photographing some of Australia's most sought-after species. It was great to be back in the bush and seeing some of my favourite Aussie wildlife.
It was a real pleasure to head back to Japan once again and lead another trip for Wildlife Worldwide alongside good friend and fellow photographer Sean Weekly. We took a group of excited photographers, among the first tourists to visit since Covid, on an adventure heading up to the island of Hokkaido for a week of world-class photography. Our first port of call was Lake Kussharo and whooper swans which can be found along the hot spring-fed shoreline. With only a short visit before the light faded away, our opportunities were limited. There would be another chance tomorrow. First thing the following morning we headed down to Otowa Bridge before dawn to hopefully capture the magic of the sunrise of the Setsuri River. What we witnessed was utterly breathtaking. It's so unusual for wildlife, weather and light to all come together perfectly - this really was one of those incredibly rare occasions.  As you can see, the scene that lay before us was exceptional and the photography was relatively straight forward. We just had to wait for the mist to clear sporadically and for the cranes (and deer) to move into place. After such a fabulous start to the day, our next couple of stops seemed to be a bonus, rather than the main act. The bright sunlight made it more challenging for photography, but as the day progressed a light layer of cloud started to form once again.    After an action-packed first full day on the island of Hokkaido, we headed back to Lake Kussharo for another session with the whooper swans.   Having enjoyed an excellent couple of days in land, it was time to head to the coastal town of Rausu up in the north-east where we hoped to photograph Steller's sea and white-tailed eagles. We could not have expected what other delight was in store for us. Our first afternoon heading out on the water delivered some excellent encounters with the eagles. Unfortunately no ice was in the channel, but instead we were offered the unique chance to enjoy a pod of over 30 orca. Seeing these whales in summer is a regular occurrence, but in winter it only happens once in a blue moon.     The next day, unfortunately was a non-starter as we had a blizzard blow in and we were unable to get out on the water at all. We did have another day though to try our luck again. We purposefully schedule and extra day here for such eventualities. After the storm cleared, we were indeed able to head back out on the boat and spend another session making the most of the eagle action.    Our final target in Hokkaido, having so far been unlucky with potential sightings, was the Blakiston's fish owl. This time the group struck gold and we enjoyed excellent views of the world's largest species of owl.  With a wonderful week spent enjoying the delights of Hokkaido, it was time to head back down to Tokyo (on the main island of Honshu). Here we were able to spend an evening exploring the city before we headed into the mountains and the city of Nagano. Nagano is famous for its winter sports, but we were here for a local species which are beyond celebrities. Our target species here was the Japanese macaque, or the snow monkeys as they are more affectionately known. The spend much of their time around a series of hot pools, escaping the bitterly cold weather of these rugged mountains.      As you can see, we had an exceptional couple of weeks in Japan photographing the country's magical wildlife. In 2024 both of the Wildlife Worldwide trips will be led by Sean, but I can assure you that if you book you'll be in great hands.
As many of you will know, I spent a year living in Australia and absolutely fell in love with the country's magical wildlife. So when Wildlife Worldwide asked whether I would be interested in leading a dedicated photography tour there, I of course jumped at the chance. That was when Covid decided to pop its head up and the first couple of departures were postponed for 2 whole years. Finally, in December 2022, I was given the chance to take the helm for our very first departure. We started our adventures in the city of Melbourne and soon headed towards the city of Geelong and the You Yangs. Here we joined local naturalist and koala expert Roger, who we hoped would find us this arboreal member of the marsupial family. We were in luck.  We then headed into the city of Geelong as we went to visit the colony of grey-headed flying foxes that call the mature trees home. It was here that we were also treated to some incredible views of eastern rosella. This colourful species of parrot are usually shy and rarely pose like this individual felt compelled to do.   The next day, we headed to the nearby Serendip Sanctuary to photograph the resident eastern grey kangaroos and a wealth of other species that call this area home.  It was a great first couple of days getting back in the swing of things with Australian wildlife. I absolutely love being with macropods (the family of marsupials to which kangaroos belong) and getting so close to such a big mob was absolutely fantastic. With a great couple of days behind us, it was time to return to Melbourne for a night before our flight across the Bass Strait and on to Tasmania.    We started our stay in Tasmania by exploring the area's northern wilderness regions. Here the group enjoyed some wonderful views and photography of some truly iconic Australian species, including wombat, echidna and Bennett's wallaby.  Finally, after a magical couple of weeks down under, we headed south to Bruny Island. The undoubted highlight here was the chance to see and photograph the diminutive, but critically endangered forty-spotted pardalote.  It wouldn't be long before I would be back on Australian soil, hoping to photograph more wildlife in Victoria and Tasmania
Those of you that have been following my blog for a while will understand just what Zambia means to me. Many years ago I was privileged enough to work in South Luangwa National Park and it stole a piece of my heart. With that in mind, it was an absolute delight to venture back to one of my favourite haunts and lead another dedicated photography tour for Wildlife Worldwide on their South Luangwa Photo Safari. The trip was incredibly successful and we were able to capture some truly remarkable moments. Rather than rabbit on too much, I will just jump straight to the images. Starting with some birds ...  African fish eagle  Little bee-eater  Southern carmine bee-eater As you can see, South Luangwa is an exceptional destination to photograph birds. However, the birdlife wasn't the primary focus for most of our group. The majority of people that join me on safari here are after the park's iconic mammals such as leopard, lion, elephant and African wild dog. There is of course a wide array of species that call the park home, including plenty of herbivores.  Waterbuck  Crawshay's zebra  African bush elephant And now for the species you really wanted to see ...  Leopard  Leopard resting in tree  African wild dog with Thornicroft's giraffe We were treated to some incredible encounters with African wild dogs throughout the safari. The afternoons were particularly fruitful as the dogs were choosing to rest on the sandy banks along the Luangwa River. As well as intimate portraits, we were able to capture some wonderful environmental scenes. For many, the main reason for coming to South Luangwa National Park is for leopard. For many years now, the park has gained a reputation as one of the best places in Africa to see leopard and we have were fortunate to have numerous encounters with a couple of different individuals. However, it was one evening where we heard baboon alarm calls that we were treated to a truly exceptional encounter.  Young leopard  Close encounter with the leopard As you can see, we positioned the vehicle in such a way to maximise the photography opportunities for the clients, all the while ensuring that the leopard wasn't disturbed by our presence. Working closely with my guide, and good friend Bwalya, we ascertained that she was likely to visit the drying lagoon for a drink and parked just along the pathway she was most likely to take. Our plan came to fruition and she walked within only a couple of metres from the vehicle, looking past us before continuing down towards the water.  Leopard drinking from lagoon It isn't often that everything comes together perfectly, but when it does you are left with a sense of pure joy. It was an encounter that will live long in the memory and I can't wait to head back to Zambia again later this year leading for Wildlife Worldwide.
|