Citizen Science: How Your Photos Can Help Research As wildlife photographers, we often head into nature with one goal in mind: capturing beautiful moments. Whether it's a bird perched perfectly in the morning light, a tiny jumping spider in your garden, or a herd of elephants crossing a dusty road, every photograph tells a story. But what if I told you that your photos could do even more than inspire others? They can help science. What is citizen science? Citizen science is w

We all know and love the Kruger National Park. Long drives from sunrise to sunset, searching for the animals that inhabit this wonderful place, from elusive Leopards to the ever-present Impala. Each day in the park is pretty much the same, sure you see different animals and might drive on different roads, but the idea is the same. We wake up in the morning, go on our drive, have lunch and get back at it again in the afternoon. But have you ever considered switching this daily

By Pavay Valabjee I went into the Kalahari Primitive Trail not quite knowing how to feel - mostly excited, but also nervous, as I had never done an overnight trail before. Looking back, I can confidently say it was one of the best experiences of my life. From learning how to track black and white rhino on foot, to being woken in the middle of the night by hyenas in camp, to the many laughs and deep, meaningful conversations among trailists - I loved every minute. There wa

By Chantelle Guise-Brown Six nights tracking, photographing, and sleeping beneath the stars We drove along long, empty, corrugated roads, the bumps slowly shaking the city loose from our shoulders. The landscape thinned and opened until there was only sand, grass, thornveld and pale blue Kalahari sky. The Kalahari revealed itself slowly: in dust, in distance, and in the quiet disappearance of cell signal. By the time we reached the edge of the !Khamab Kalahari Reserve, the re

So, you want to photograph wildlife in the Kruger National Park? This place is a gem for wildlife photographers, if you approach it correctly. The wrong mindset and strategy can leave you returning home, disappointed with your pictures. This is why it’s so important to know how to approach photography at each location you visit, especially places like the Kruger. So here are 5 tips to get better wildlife photographs in the Kruger and make your trip a success! Tip 1: Firstly,

When people look at wildlife photography, they often see the exciting side. The beautiful sightings. The stunning images. The adventures. The social media posts that make it look like everything is falling perfectly into place. What they don't always see are the battles happening behind the camera. I've been involved in photography for many years, and while I've learned a lot about cameras, composition, and wildlife, some of the hardest lessons have had nothing to do with pho

Vergelegen Wine Estate There are some days in nature that begin with a very clear plan. You know the kind. The route has been discussed, the timing has been worked out, the target birds have been named, and everyone quietly hopes that the day behaves itself long enough for it all to happen. Our last full day in the Cape in December was one of those days. From Left to Right: Scenes from the Wine Estate We had spent the morning taking it slowly, which, on holiday, is sometimes

The Birding group for the day There is something very special about arriving at a reserve and seeing familiar faces gathered at the entrance, binoculars out, cameras ready, coffee in hand, and everyone slowly warming up in the morning sun. Our Marievale meetup on the 3rd of May was a joint morning between Young Wildlife Photographers of Southern Africa, SnA Youth Birders, and the team from Zoologic, bringing together young birders, photographers, nature lovers, and a few wond

A few months back I visited the grasslands of Dullstroom. This was going to be my first proper birding trip! On the way to Dullstroom I briefly spotted an Amur falcon perched on top of a telephone pole. This was very exciting and gave me a bit of a feeling for the next few days, although nothing can ever prepare you for a day in the field because no day of birding is ever the same. My next lifer a Double Collared Sunbird, came by at the entrance of the estate I was going to s

A great wildlife photograph does more than simply show an animal. It makes people feel something. It sparks curiosity, emotion, wonder, or even concern. Storytelling through photography is about capturing moments that say more than words ever could. Every image has the potential to tell a story, whether it is a lioness grooming her cub, a bird silhouetted against the first light of dawn, or an elephant walking quietly through an open landscape. The difference between a simple

Last December, I ventured out of my comfort zone and into places I have never been to before. As a beginner birder, this experience really opened my eyes and taught me a ton of lessons. It transformed me into a better birder and made me realise that no number of tips and tricks can compare to the power of real field experience. Each morning, I woke up to the sound of birds chirping all around me. At first, I tried to spot them by scanning the trees, but I quickly realised thi

The Entrance to SANCCOB On a day dedicated to penguins, it feels important to talk not only about why we love them, but why they need our help more than ever. There is something about penguins that makes people soften instantly. Maybe it is the wobble, maybe it is the tiny bursts of attitude, maybe it is simply the fact that they seem so full of character. People see them and smile. Cameras come out. Voices get softer. It feels like such a joyful wildlife experience. But perh

It never really starts with the moment you think it will. Not in the bush. It always starts slower. Quieter. Almost ordinary. And I have realised that some of the most meaningful encounters I have had were not the ones I was looking for, but the ones I almost overlooked. Here are some of the most meaningful encounters I have had, that might not always mean alot, but changed something within me. The Elephant That Wasn’t the Main Event A particular moment in January when we wer

Frogs and toads are often regarded as one, but this is in fact very wrong. Both fall under the order Anura, true toads, however, are separated into the family Bufonidae. The rest, called frogs, are separated into 53 families. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish a frog from a toad for the untrained eye. For example, in South Africa, the Sand Frogs, genus Tomopterna can look very similar to a species of toad, and the Rain Frogs, in the genus Breviceps can also look qui

Entering Pringle Bay On the last night of our December/January Cape Town trip, we decided to try and see the resident Cape Eagle Owls in Pringle Bay. This was our final attempt at a target bird after what had been an absolutely incredible trip that had exceeded expectations, and I had even managed to crack the 600 mark on my life list with the vagrant Wilson's Phalarope. The Cape Eagle Owl had been a dream of mine to see but had always felt a little out of reach, especially l

How a four-day field trip turned 25 students into a research family. The rain had already soaked us when our course coordinator asked the question for the third time. “Are you sure you don’t want to turn around?” Twenty-five Honours students stood on a muddy path somewhere along a 2.5 km hike to a waterfall. Our answer had been the same every time he asked. “No.” We were determined. Curious. Maybe a little stubborn. And that was exactl y when the hail started. Within minutes

Here is picture showing a typical reptile photography session Reptile photography is an increasingly popular hobby shared by some nature enthusiasts. Some just want to catalog the reptiles they see, others travel hundreds of kilometers, spend thousands on photography gear and hours to get the perfect picture! Either way there are tips and tricks to this hobby, unlike bird photography you get up close, and unlike insect photography the subjects can be dangerous. So, here are t

A Journey from Jeffrey's Bay to Addo's Wild Heart In July of 2024, my mom and I embarked on an unforgettable adventure along the Eastern Cape coastline of South Africa, exploring the treasures of Jeffrey’s Bay, Addo Elephant Park, and everything in between. From the breathtaking beaches to the hidden wildlife of Addo, this journey was a beautiful blend of nature, culture, and tranquillity. From left to right: 1. The famous "Supertubes" beach; 2. Dolphin beach; 3. The Tasty Ta

Arriving at West Coast National Park On our recent trip to Cape Town, a trip up to the West Coast National Park was a non-negotiable, not only to experience this beautiful park for the first time but also because of the great assemblage of rarities on offer in the area. We had a long target list for the day, and knew it would probably be one of our best birding days by far.On the way there, Jaime recommended a spot to stop and try for Cape Clapper Lark and Black Harrier. From

Some stories begin with a camera. Others begin long before that, with dust roads, dawn calls, and a childhood steeped in the rhythm of the bush. For Yehuda “Hudi” Hirschowitz, one of Pilanesberg's most passionate young photographers, it all started with those early trips into the wild. The bush wasn’t a place he visited; it was the backdrop of his growing up. “From just a few months old, I was already going into nature,” he says. “It’s all I’ve ever known.” That deep connecti