ON MEETING A STRANGER With respect And reverence That the unknown Between us Might flower Into discovery And lead us Beyond The familiar field Blind with the weed Of weariness And the old walls Of habit — From Bless the Space Between Us by John O’Donohue The Maasai woman pressed…

LOOK AT EVERYTHING AS THOUGH YOU ARE SEEING IT EITHER FOR THE FIRST OR LAST TIME, THEN YOUR TIME ON EARTH WILL BE FILLED WITH GLORY. ― BETTY SMITH, A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN “I’d love to get down low” I whispered. “If we find a good spot you can…

FOR NEWS OF THE HEART, ASK THE FACE — WEST AFRICAN SAYING My aim in wildlife photography is to create images that evoke an emotional response in the viewer. When we have an emotional reaction to a photograph our brains tell us a story. The heart informs the mind. Not…

Last September a tiny elephant calf fell in a well in Northern Kenya. The region was experiencing a devastating drought. The local Samburu people dig wells for their livestock in riverbeds during the dry season. They bring their animals to drink during the day and elephants take advantage of the…

“Cheetahs are my favourite animal,” said the British guest sitting opposite me at the dinner table. “I’d do anything to have one as a pet.” I paused, stunned, my fork halfway to my mouth. Incredulous, I responded, “You want a cheetah as a house pet?” “Oh yes, absolutely,” she replied…

Add this to your Bucket List — The New Big Five I didn’t know about “The Big 5” list before my first safari in 2010. It’s an old term used by trophy hunters in Africa. Five large animals were considered the most dangerous and consequently the most prized: elephant, rhino…

— The Bum View from Here Photographing animals in the wild involves an interesting dance between slow and fast; patiently waiting for a shot while simultaneously staying ready for that fraction of a second when it all comes together. The drivers and spotters on a game drive do their best to set up an image, but…

I returned to my cottage after lunch and collapsed on the bed hoping to grab a nap after our morning game drive. I had two hours before Pilipili, my Maasai guide, and I headed out again. Something roused me while in that in-between zone of sleep and wakefulness. The afternoon…

A children’s story about African animal mothers and babies. Note: Each story begins with the animal name in Swahili then English. Swahili, the common language of East Africa, is easy to read and pronounce. Words are spoken as they are is written. Twende (twen-day) Let’s go! Chui (chew-eee) — Leopard …