.png)
Exhibition Member Highlights
Dung & Dusted
About the image
While we were busy preparing a bush breakfast at Pafuri picnic site in the Kruger National Park, this little dung beetle was hard at work with a breakfast of its own. I spotted it rolling it’s enormous ball across the sandy ground, completely unfazed by the activity around it. Watching something so small tackle a task so much bigger than itself was fascinating, and I couldn’t resist getting down to its level for a closer look. It was a lovely reminder that some of the most memorable wildlife encounters happen when you least expect them, even while waiting for breakfast to be ready.
SPECIES:
Dung Beetle - Scarabaeidae sp.
How it was captured
Camera: Canon R7
Lens: RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1
Settings: Focal Length - 200mm; Shutter Speed - 1/160sec; Aperture - f/5.0; ISO 250
Photographer:
Age:
From:
Gabby Sykora
18
Gauteng
About the photographer
Gabby Sykora is a young South African wildlife photographer and the founder of Young Wildlife Photographers of Southern Africa (YWP), a community she started at just 13. Her love for the natural world has taken her from quiet birding mornings to unforgettable encounters in the bush, always with a camera close by. She is drawn to the little moments that reveal an animal’s character: a fleeting expression, an unexpected interaction, or the beauty in a species people often overlook. For Gabby, wildlife photography is about more than creating a beautiful image. It is a way to tell stories, spark curiosity, and encourage people to care about the places and creatures we share our world with. Through her photography and her work with YWP, she hopes to give young creatives the confidence to share their perspectives and show that their voices have a place in conservation, today and in the future.
PHOTOGRAPHER'S QUOTE
Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference. And we have a choice: What sort of difference do we want to make? - Jane Goodall
CONSERVATION MESSAGE
Conservation begins with appreciating every creature, no matter how small or overlooked. Dung Beetles play a vital role in keeping our ecosystems healthy, reminding us that every species has its place and purpose. Through my photography, I hope to inspire others to look a little closer, value the smaller wonders of nature, and recognize that protecting wildlife means protecting it all.