conservation — Heartfelt Stories Photography Blog

How the Samburu Became the Ancestors of Elephants.

Reposted from July 2023.

The pastoralist Samburu people of Northern Kenya believe elephants were once people. Their oral tradition tells the story of how they became the ancestors of the elephant.

Day 2: Black Bear Adventure

If you go down in the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise
If you go down in the woods today, you'd better go in disguise

For every bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnJuly 10, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

Black Bear Adventure

‘There’s one!” I called out. “Good spotting!” said our guide Kyler, as he spun the boat around as confirming the humped black form at the edge of the shore was a black bear. The thrill of seeing a large mammal in its natural habitat never gets old for me.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnJuly 3, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

CAPA Digital Salon 2024 Awards

I am thrilled to learn that four of my images have been accepted into the 2024 Canadian Association for Photographic Art Digital Salon Competition!

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnJune 26, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

The Bear Who Came for Breakfast

“I’m not a criminal,” said Paddington, hotly. “I’m a bear!”

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnJune 19, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

We Stop for Ormoilaa Ogol The Strong One

Nature has a throng of four-legged and six- legged farmers planting, fertilizing, harvesting and rotating crops.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnJune 12, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

What Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?

There is something special about close contact with one’s food source. Caring for the chickens and enjoying the delicious reward of farm fresh eggs is a very different experience from reaching into the cooler at the grocery store.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnJune 5, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

What stops you?

Still scenes aren’t silent. They speak of our near presence and momentary return. Sam Abell

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnMay 29, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

Rest is Best

If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit. — Bansky

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnMay 22, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comment

Tembo's Rescue

Read about the dramatic rescue of baby Tembo who tumbled ll into the water trough on his first day.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnMay 15, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

A Wild Reunion

My Baby had a baby! And his name is Tembo which means ‘elephant’ in Swahili.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnMay 8, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comment

Too Young to Wed

If you educate a woman, you educate a nation. African Proverb

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnMay 1, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

Celebrating Earth Day April 22, 2024

Make room for wonder and celebrate Earth Day 2024. Every effort to protect nature protects our future.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnApril 22, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

A Prayer for the World - Rabbi Harold Kushner

A beautiful prayer for the world by Harold Kushner

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnApril 17, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

Finding Meaning Through Photography

You never go wrong following your heart, you never go wrong photographing what you care about and what you are passionate about. Steve McCurry

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnApril 10, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

Samburu Sunrise – a Guest Post by Ellen Newman

In the land of leopards and lions, hippos and rhinos, our wildlife adventures started small—remarkably small—with butterflies. Ellen Newman

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnApril 3, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

Listen to the Children

“Why do they destroy our heritage?” Simayo, Maasai participant in CHD Conservation Kenya’s project in Amboseli.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnMarch 27, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

Worth More Alive than Dead. Say NO to Trophy Hunting.

Your help is urgently needed. Please sign and share this petition asking President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the United Republic of Tanzania to immediately ban all elephant trophy hunting within the Tanzania range of the Amboseli elephants.